Notes from the Field with Aaron Draplin
Notes from the Field with Aaron Draplin  
Podcast: In the Making
Published On: Wed Nov 08 2023
Description: Inspiration is on tap as Teresa Au speaks to graphic designer, entrepreneur, and author Aaron Draplin. Known as much for his warm and direct personality as for his signature thick lines design style and ample use of Pantone Orange 21, Aaron is beloved by designers everywhere. Aaron shares lessons gleaned from his midwestern upbringing, nearly 20 years in business on his own, and creating his Field Notes and DDC branded merchandise.We want to hear from YOU, our listeners, so we put together a brief survey as we look ahead to season two: https://adobe.ly/podcastsurveyTo thank you for your feedback, we’re giving away two 12-month memberships to Creative Cloud (valued at $659.88 each). Enter for your chance to win one of the two Creative Cloud licenses by completing the survey form from November 7 at 9pm PT to November 30 at 5pm PT. Winners will be drawn at random and notified at December 1 at noon PT. Valid one license per winner. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years or older to enter. Please see Terms and Conditions on our website for full details. https://adobe.ly/podcastsurveyWhat you’ll hear in this episode:What Aaron wishes he knew when he went out on his ownBe professional on your way out of a role or projectWhy you should take every job that comes your wayLessons learned from challenging jobs and peopleHow to control your own timeThe value of keeping your wordWhat you can learn from your clients that can help you in your own businessUse merchandise to make your business look as big–or as small–as you wishHow Aaron started the Field Notes brandWhen it’s time to bring in a teamIs passive income actually passive?Taking on big jobs allows Aaron to do little things to help his friend and familyCorporate clients don’t have to mean endless meetings and emailsA big client can also be a passion jobGive clients what they need, not necessarily what they think they wantWhich design students make the best audiencesWhat Aaron learned from his DadThe importance of appreciating the people who help you get your work doneAaron’s dream gigAaron’s list of words for 2024Aaron Draplin is founder of the Draplin Design Co. a shop specializing in Print, Identity and Illustration.  He co-created Field Notes brand with Jim Coudal, and their memo books are sold the world over. He is the author of eight Skillshare classes, and the book Pretty Much Everything . His DDC Merch line is a cult favorite, featuring 300+ products. You’ll find Aaron in his backyard studio in Portland, Oregon, or crossing the US in his orange van, putting on “speaking fiascos” for audiences ranging from Adobe MAX to vocational school students.Teresa Au (@tautastic) is an executive for community engagement and driving customer empathy at Adobe. Learn more about this podcast, and find transcripts and links, at adobe.ly/inthemaking. Design flyers, TikToks, resumes, and Reels with the new, all-in-one Adobe Express. Create video, marketing, and social content. Edit photos and PDFs. Make it all in one app, including generative AI tools from Adobe Firefly and easy, one-click tasks like removing backgrounds.Adobe Creative Cloud provides apps, web services, and resources for all your creative projects — photography, graphic design, video editing, UX design, drawing and painting, social media, and more. Learn more about the apps in Creative CloudPast episodes of Wireframe can still be found in the show archive within this feed, or online on Behance.