photo: boardistan.com
Here is my final installation of my interview with Aaron Draplin of the Draplin Design Co. I had a great time doing this. I hope you enjoy it. Like I mentioned previously - sometimes adults say adult words - Aaron is an adult and speaks accordingly. If adult words make your eyes hurt please avert them, thanks.
KF - From the get-go I've been a big fan of the gear your guys design and sell. Have you ever considered branching out a little more to have a DDC clothing division?
AD - Always. But it's not from some blatant self-promotional angle. All the DDC shirts and sh*t are just meant to be fun and dumb. When I get to dreaming, I think about making things made in the states with that extra level of detail, and a consideration for craft unmatched by what you can get at Target and wherever. I like things that last. Things that are timeless. Things that are made close to home, that you can get behind.
I've got some plans, patriots. Just you wait.
KF - I can't believe I missed the layer tennis throwdown between you and Chris Glass. How did that come about and who won?
We all won!
It turns out that the folks slated for the battle that week had to drop out, and Jim from Coudal called us up and offered us the spot. Draplin vs. Glass. Of course, I'm always up for a battle, but, my first instinct was to collaborate, or, to push Chris to collaborate. Just like we did on the Obama logos. Chris is a top-notch designer, and a top-notch fella, so you gotta strike when the iron is hot when you can jump into the ring with that kind of greatness. So the battle started, and we just sorta agreed to "see what we could come up with" a couple volleys into the thing. And that's what went down. So fun.
We're all proud card carrying IDWF members, when you think about it. Those who don't remember the past, are condemned to filter tricks.
http://www.internationaldesignworkersfederation.com/
KF - You and Chris worked on something together recently, right? Tell my millions of readers that story. I think it's about the coolest thing ever, by the way.
AD - Oh man, this is a hard one. When you ask about that "something" I have to put the muzzle on. See, due to contractual obligations, I'm not at liberty to discuss what POSSIBLY MIGHT'VE BEEN THE BIGGEST LOGO GIG OF MY WHOLE HALF-ASS LIFE! So I gotta keep my big trap shut about the Stimulus logos, and have to faithfully redirect you to Mode's site, and how they are handling it. I like to think of it as a "matter of national security" or something.
I can say this much: I am proud as hell to have helped President Obama and his minions on what could be a historic turnaround for our great country. History, man, history!
image: modeproject.com
KF - I am a total dog person and rumor has it that you are too. Tell us about Gary. He seems to have quite an influence in many areas of your life and business.
AD - About Gary: He's long, lean and loud as hell. And that sums the little man up pretty well with the "L" words. He's been a fun outlet for my little day-to-day operations. Not only does he command the utmost respect for walks, horsin' around and meal time, but he's been a good little subject for logos, t-shirts and trinkets. King of the breeds: The Dachshund!
He's got his own section on my site too: http://www.draplin.com/gary for "all things Gary."
I just love the little guy so much, and raised him from the little smokie he was when I got him, to the proud summer sausage he is today.
KF - What makes you love Dachshunds so much?
AD - Their length. That's it.
Ha. Mainly, it's an aesthetic thing. They are so long! Nowadays, all dogs seem "squatty" to me. Ha! I just loved the dachshund profile, and the "red smooth" color, and their feisty little temperaments. He's loyal as it gets, and will heroicly fight off prowlers, mail people or the UPS guy without one shred of fear. He's seven pounds, and hell if he knows it.
And man, he's cute as f*ck. He's just melt you. My dashing lady Leigh has a son named, "Ewan." He's nine and a half. One time he came to me all upset and said, "Gary's being too cute!" Like it was a weapon or something. You gotta watch that little hound. He'll wreck you.
photo: draplin.com
KF - And now I'm looking for the impossible - What's in the future for you, Gary, and the DDC?
AD - Here's what I'm living for:
01. The 2nd Annual DDC "World's Longest Yard Sale" Adventure - August 6-9, 2009, Gadsden, Alabama to Defiance, Ohio! 650 miles. This'll be our second outing. We kicked the sh*t out of that route last summer. Took no prisoners. Lots of brisket was downed.
02. Field Notes, and all the new goodies we have coming out.
03. Some sort of Fall Roadtrip. Our 6th in a row. We go out each fall. Sometimes for 100 days, sometimes for only 30. Seeing America, friends, the parents, junkin' and exploring. Mandatory action.
And of course, on a broad note: Keeping all of this wild stuff going for as long as I can, and getting away with it!
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