Your work is very specialized in the larger field of graphic and communication design. How did you end up focusing almost solely on lettering and type?

IB

I have been fascinated with letters since I was a kid. In high school, I made extra money as a sign painter, lettering artist and calligrapher. I devoured books on the subject and honed my craft using pens and brushes whenever I could. In college, people noticed my abilities in this area and although lettering was not part of the curriculum per se, I was seen as a specialist. Several professors actually hired me to work on their freelance lettering and logo design projects.

Even so, when I graduated I followed a fairly traditional path and opened a design studio in partnership with my friend, Don Dool. We did all sorts of different work; identity projects, restaurant menus, brochures, etc. Happily, we also got lots of logo and lettering design work primarily through our college friends, all of whom were familiar with my love of drawing custom letters.

Running that studio was a great education. I learned that, unlike other designers, I really don’t like relying on other people to get a job done. I felt as though I was constantly apologizing to our clients for delays that were caused by our suppliers. I don’t like to apologize. I like to do the best work I can and get it done on time.

By the time Don and I closed shop and took off for Europe, I knew that what appealed to me the most, creatively, also made me happiest: lettering, logo and font design. So I followed my passion, my talent and my temperament when I chose to specialize and I’ve never regretted it.