SU alum Adam Larson = Sick Design Skills, Great Advice
Yesterday was Wednesday, which means VisCom Symposium 101, a mandatory zero credit class that most students use for catching up on sleep or just skipping all together despite the use of advanced attendance taking technology aka: passing around a clipboard and pencil. Anyway, our most recent speaker, Adam Larson, had everyone’s attention from the moment he began. I suppose the immediate references to SoCo and Jack Daniels is a good way to get the attention of 100 college students craving a midweek binge (shout out to Flip Night at Feagan’s), but work like this doesn’t hurt either… (Seriously, if you consider yourself a designer and you don’t click this link, shame on you!!)
Seriously, this guy was amazing. His skills as a designer and illustrator are unmatched and his client list would put any self respecting agency to shame. I could go on for days and days about how much I love his style of work, but to be honest I got more out of what Adam had to say than what he had to show.
If your not learning anything, it’s time to go somewhere else.
If i could sum up Adam’s presentation with one quote this would be the one. It’s such a simple idea that has taken Adam so far. Adam graduated from SU in 96 with a BFA in Illustration and since has worked in just about every area of advertising, marketing, packaging, graphic design and web design. My point, if you want to have a client list ranging from Bob Dylan to Absolute Vodka your education should only begin at the college level. I know thats not anything new, or a big discovery. In fact, its probably one of the most common pieces of advice ever dished out. However, when your standing at a podium with a mesmerizing portfolio illuminated above your head like the halo of a messenger sent from the promise land of design, its almost impossible to pass along simple ideas and not have them seem like profound revelations.
Basically… thanks Adam. Keep on killin’ it.