It was hard to extract ourselves from lake life with Pixelube, but it had to be done. We would have been sent out by Vince eventually, and better to leave on a good note. The caravan almost became a dingy as we loaded up, but that’s only because we forgot to put the bricks behind [...]

Music has always been a big part of my life. My older brothers and sisters collected records that I played as soon as they left the house, I just sat there listening – taking it all in. Many years later I’m still listening nearly every moment of the day. I love entering a room that [...]

As I was locking up the shop last night I had a revelation. The key in my hand, allowing entry to the studio, was not only physical – it was also metaphorical. With that key, and every key we’ve latched onto our key rings, came trust. As we move around, we’re allowed to enter a [...]

Ah, eclectic Fremont, self-proclaimed center of everything. And now that the Gypsies are here, it might just be. The Wolken Communica office was just across the Fremont Bridge for 10 years before we fled, so in many ways we’re now trompin’ around in our old stompin’ grounds. Peet’s Coffee has been host over the years [...]

Sometimes it’s best to go out incognito. Occasionally it’s better to go to a client meeting unrecognized. We look at the travel log not only as a document of how we go about our work, but also as a “Best Practices” document for those who may want to start mobilizing their offices. We’re Gypsies, but [...]

Our restless souls have gotten the best of us once again and we have said goodbye to our hosts at Electric Pen. Mixing it up with everyone was inspiring. Working as an art director on projects with new designers was an unexpected jolt to our own work. But all things must end. We count the [...]

Before we leave Electric Pen there was one matter of business that needs to be tended to. The office is great – as offices go – but it’s not so great as a hangout. We Gypsies like a little of both. At Electric Pen there was what seemed to be an obvious opportunity: the giant, [...]

I’ve been paid to be a graphic designer since 1991. In the time since I’ve been fortunate to work with quite the spectrum of personalities. There are the “I-want-to- party-with-you!” bombasts, and then there are the wallflowers. Some were holier-than-thou who couldn’t design anything that wasn’t great (and couldn’t not point out that everyone else’s [...]

Out of nowhere, a while back, I received an e-mail from John Pletsch of Electric Pen. I’d never met the man, but our firms had crossed paths once when we were both asked to respond to an RFP (Request for Proposal). His e-mail came with a proposal – one I’d never considered.  After a speed [...]