[Why I'm Here]
I grew up at the time when the internet was first introduced to the public market. I remember having to wait for AOL's yellow man to "run" across my screen and the sound of the modem buzzing as I anticipated those three special words, "You've Got Mail". It may sound silly but I miss the days when the internet was new and exciting. I remember being so immersed in message board conversations and instant messages that I accidentally disconnected myself from the real world. During high school 90% of my social life was conducted online. I had an online journal (live journal), chat groups and forums where I was a known regular and active community member.

In these social groups we would often argue about trivial matters but on occasion we would hypothetically collaborate on ideas to change the world. I never once thought that social change could actually be seen through this kind of medium, and yet here we are. To me collaboration is the only true way for an idea to meet it's full potential and take the world by storm. I love the concept of Open IDEO, primarily because it takes me back to the days of my internet adolescence, only now our ideas can actually make a difference. (Also I have a life outside of my computer and I no longer brag about having an online girlfriend.)

[Favorites]
1. Book: Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug
2. Video Game (Tie): Katamari Forever & Pokemon
3. Movie: Scott Pilgrim vs the World
4. Prototyping Tool: A Sharpie
5. Unexpected Philanthropist: Keanu Reeves
6. TV Show: LOST
7. Innovation: Personalized Search in Search Engines
8. Unselfish Thing I've Done This year: Donated my time & Grocery Money to "Feed Our Starving Children"
9. Stupid Thing I've Done This year: http://youtu.be/96vNoBAlzRk


[Important but Possibly Typical]
1. I'm a creative that get's bored when not being challenged. So I ask, What's a better challenge than changing the world through collaboration and innovation?
2. I design for a living but I've always felt empty because I also want to make a difference with my abilities. I can't see myself doing anything else, but I also can't see myself doing work that isn't in some small way making a positive change in this world.
3. I love learning and experimenting to solve problems.
4. I doodle on almost every blank piece of paper I'm given. It helps me focus and organize.
5. I have worked full time as a Graphic Designer at one place for 3 years. In designer years
thats basically a decade. I'm not a person that works some where and then leaves when I see something shiny. I am dedicated through and through. You can be assured that if I am respected and my work ethic is appreciated I'll see every project through from conception to completion. (If possible I'll go even farther, if it's something I'm especially passionate about.)