Tell us a little bit about your background. (Where did you grow up? What were you like as a child? Fondest childhood memory?)

I grew up in the Chapel Hill area of Akron. When I was a child, I made up stories and drew pictures all the time. I always knew I wanted to do art for a living. My favorite thing to do growing up was going to Cedar Point and Geauga Lake. I used to design roller coasters all the time.

What about college?

In college I worked as a server and bartender. This helped me to get over my shyness and steered me into one of my favorite hobbies, craft beer.  I traveled with friends, worked hard, and had a great college experience.

What is your educational background?

I was accepted into the APS Magnet Arts program at Miller South when I was 11 and continued through high school graduation from Firestone; winning several awards along the way for art. One year I won a trip to Washington D.C.. Afterwards, I graduated from Kent State with a Bachelors in Visual Communication Design minoring in Photo Illustration. In 2013, I, along with my team, received an AIGA Judge’s Choice Award for a website. While living in Chicago, I taught illustration and photography at a little studio. Recently I have completed Codecademy’s front-end developer program and am continuing developing skills as a web developer.

Three words to describe you:

Thinker. Creative. Witty.

Favorite Social Media:

Facebook

What was your first impression of 427 Design?

I could tell right away that this group created high quality work and had fun doing it.

What do you hope to have accomplished in five years? Ten?

I hope to take my web skills to a higher level in the next five years. In ten years I would love to have published several books; both novels and children’s books.

Favorite word?

Chiaroscuro

Least favorite word?

Bae

What sound do you love?

Crickets

What sound do you hate?

Slam Poetry

What is your favorite curse word?

It’s not about the word, but the placement and timing.

What inspires you, and why?

Neil DeGrasse Tyson inspires me as both a scientist and communicator.

What is on your “Bucket List”?

To see more of Europe. I’ve been to Iceland and Ukraine so far.

What is something that no one would ever believe to be true about you?

I’m an aspiring singer/ song writer

What is a major life dream you hope to accomplish?

Publish a book or release a documentary.

Best Advice:

Never stop learning and exploring.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Alanis Morrisette

Do you have any pet peeves?

People who don’t use their turn signal.

What turns you on? / What turns you off?

Turn on— Deep, interesting conversation.
Turn off— Small talk

What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt? / What profession would you not like to do?

I would like to get into Psychology. I find it fascinating.
I wouldn’t want to serve or bartend again.

If I won a million dollars…..

I would try to invest in real estate then travel, write, and make documentaries.

What inspired me to do what I do…

Amazing illustrators like Ezra Jack Keats and Chris Van Allsburg.

Something that really baffles me…

Why Astrology is still a thing.

If I could have a super power it would be…

Psychic abilities