1. Cosmic dust, whirling together for 13.7 billion years. And, pizza.

2. I'd come back to hang with you guys any time! Hell yeah, Greg. Shit's revving up for the upcoming tour, and for the most part, each gig has an accompanying workshop.

http://draplin.com/gigs

Already there! At least, in my mind.

Top brass representatives from Skillshare is on my case for the next one. Already scheming! Stay tuned!

Jim Coudal. That was where Field Notes took off. I owe a big chunk of my life to Jim Coudal, Bryan Bedell, Michele Seiler, Steve Delahoyde and the Field Notes Midwest crew. I made the first couple Field Notes, and they exploded the thing into a real brand. Thank you to Jim, forever.

So to answer this, I need to deflect it to Field Notes Midwest. As, they were the ones to take it from initial designs to the the real thing. Hell, I still don't know how they did it. Small steps, smart moves and, a beautiful uncompromising quality to their decision-making. I've learned so much from the Coudal team.

Go to Coudal.com and look anything with Jim speaking. And take notes!

http://vimeo.com/26133811

1. Would you go on a road trip with them? Or share a meal? I mean, do you get a good feel? Are they recommended by friends?

If I squirm on the first call, then I'm betting I'd squirm on the project. That's when I bow out professionally, and offer up other leads for them to go after.

1. You roll with the punches. And remember, you fight hard to show them good solutions. And if they tweak it into oblivion, then let them. You can only fight them so hard. If they want to make a lemon, then so be it. There's no rule that you have to show it in your portfolio. But remember, if you show them good stuff, that'll go a long way in kicking off the good relationship. Wow them, and then make them something incredible, that they won't need to change.

"Purchase what you can afford."

I don't have a cent of debt. We're forced to leverage everything, and it just eats away at us. I remember having to go without, or buy the least-expensive computer, or take out a monsters loan, or what have you. And it taught me to be frugal, thankful and get the most for my money.

And when I got to splurge? Well, it's because I worked my ass off up to that point, and then dove in. Nothing off-the-cuff, or without a ton of thought behind it. Just like mom and dad did.

And now, if there's a record I want, I buy the thing. Done. I worked for that. But something big? I research it and plan for the purchase, making sure everything is covered.

Expo '74? That would be a "12" on that scale of 1-10. Spokane!

Portland top three?

1. Doesn't feel like a big city. But yet, there's 15 record stores.
2. Gray and rainy? Bring it on. Just fine with me.
3. You can have a little house and a little life, and that's just fine. No keeping up with the Jones. Live yer life, and enjoy it.

It's gonna take elbow grease, Lucas. Plain and simple.

Make this stuff fun, and it won't feel like work. And get after it.

Buddies use to call me "Dark Cloud" because of how much I worked. They'd open the door on my room and say, "How's the forecast?" And I'd yell back, "Too much light!" And they'd slam the door I'd get back to it. I just loved the stuff, and loved learning, and loved making something new each night.

This stuff was a hobby before it was a job. Still is!

BONUS: More videos? I just did one Monday, so watch for that. Can't say for who, but it'll be out soon enough. Stay tuned!

Make cool stuff.

(And the internet will take over from there.)

Should designers have a style? Sure.

Right up until that first client asks for something different. Then the game changes and you have to design to their needs. What's appropriate for their design problem? That's the target you aim for.

Futura Bold, dipped in PMS Orange 021? Let's rumble! But that's just for my junk. If that's what is right for the client, then great.

It's our job to find the right mix for their needs. Period.