About High Desert Wanderer
After 630 odd posts, it might seem an odd time to do an “about me” post, but it’s been on my to-do list since I lost my Blogger profile in the transition to WordPress.
I’m a professional graphic and web designer currently working in SW Virginia. I’ve been doing graphic design for print almost fourteen years. Web design became a major part of my work two and a half years ago.
I grew up in a very small town, one of fifteen in my high school class. My family has a strong belief in the value of an education, with a large percentage of them being teachers, doctors, or artists. I was undecided on which path to take and ended up studying both Fine Art.
Graphic design, as you can tell from the subtitle on this blog (it currently reads “Random mutterings of a wandering cowboy turned graphic designer”) wasn’t my first career choice. My first job, when I was 14, was working with cattle from horseback. I loved it. I had every intention of spending my life working with horses… Time passes, things change.
I found I had to reevaluate my choices when, in my mid-twenties, I was preparing to get married. Breaking horses, as I’d been doing since my late teens, just wasn’t a viable profession any more. I’d had three concussions, a back injury, various torn ligaments, and some bones in my foot fused already and retirement wasn’t exactly looming near. I started looking for another career. Something that would allow me to merge my education with my passion for art. I lucked upon a graphic design job with someone who liked to train his own designers. He recognized in me something I didn’t see myself, the designer. It was a fantastic stroke of luck, and I’ll be forever grateful for his training.
I’m not by nature a talkative type, my wife would tell you that I act like I have a lifetime quota on words and I’m trying not to run out too early. I do however, like to say what I think. I took up blogging because I have almost exclusively worked where I was one of few if not the only, designer. Blogging not only allows me a place to speak my mind, but also allows me to be a part of a community of people who have similar interests. While I’m often the lone designer at work, I’m one among many online. This is something that I’ve found that I appreciate.
While I make an effort to focus on design and design related subjects, I’m afraid that I often wander off topic. You’ll notice for instance, that I veer into discussing politics on regular basis. Bare with me, and I come back to discussing graphic and web design before too long.
I’m a problem solver by nature, I’m fascinated by almost any sort of puzzle. Trouble shooting design problems is a particular pleasure for me. I often find myself giving people unsolicited advice on how to fix problems on their sites that they aren’t even aware of. I’ve recently started a series on Design Review to take advantage of that. This series is intended to give people a look into how a designer sees design.
My restless nature, and my wife’s career choices, have moved us around the country in the last decade. From my native Washington, I’ve worked in Idaho, Maryland and now Virginia. I’ve designed things varying from newspaper ads to cookbooks and furniture. I find print design the most interesting, though the technical challenge of web design has a strong appeal as well. I’ve enjoyed the the journey, I’ve enjoyed each place I’ve lived. While I’d like to find a place to settle down, another move is being considered as I write this. Where next? I don’t know yet, maybe the Midwest. We’ll see where this road leads.
Consider this post to be guest book of sorts. If you’re reading this, drop me a comment. Let me know who you are, and where you’re from. I’m always interested in seeing who stops by.
Where am I from? You want the whole list?
Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Oregon, Michigan, Nebraska^1, Iran, Germany, Arizona, Nebraska^2, Washington.
I think there might be something missing, but I can’t figure out at the moment…
Maybe I should just boil it down to “I’m from planet earth.”
Comment by jan — December 30, 2006 @ 11:49 pm
I’m not that far from you, in Pittsylvania county (S Central VA)…
– Kat
http://www.CatHouseChat.com
Comment by Kat — January 2, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
You’ve completly revamped your website since I visited last;… Excellent work!!! I can only envy a person with such skills, as I’m still struggling with the basics!
Comment by Lee — January 28, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
P.S. I live in the northern lower penninsula of Michigan.
Comment by Lee — January 28, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Thank you. I do web design for a living, among other things, but this site is always one of my biggest challenges. Too many ideas, too little time.
Comment by HDW — January 28, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Hi!
I have three young horses that I need to train to ride. They’ve never been rode except for what I’ve done. I’m still in the process, and I’m looking for a good reference book for proper training. I really don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve had horses since I was 4 years old (I’m 42 now) but I’ve never got into breaking. My sister and father used to do it but now my fathers gone and my sister was in a car accident and can’t walk let alone ride. Now I’ve got three new horses and I will have to do it myself. Do you know any good books or have any advice you can give me? Hiring somebody else to do it is not an option and besides I want to learn.
Comment by quicksilverhorseman — March 4, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
Horse training?
John Lyons: His book Lyons on Horses is particularly good, but he has lots of resources available. I’ve seen seminars by both John and his son Josh. They’re both very good.
Richard Shrake: I took my first seminar with Shrake when I was about 14. He was very impressive then, and just as much so when I’ve seen him work since. His Resistance Free method works very well.
One sort of non-traditional person I’d recommend is Gawani Pony Boy. I saw him work a couple of times a few years ago. He might work from a different perspective than the others, but in the end, his handling of the horse is very similar. His grasp of herd dynamics, and basic of horse behavior is the best I’ve seen.
Pat Parelli is also supposed to be very good, but I’ve never seen him work.
Comment by HDW — March 5, 2007 @ 9:10 am
Hey HDW,
You’re so interested in military photographers that I wondered if you also have a military communications background.
Military communicators (graphic or otherwise) are gathering at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) Alumni Gathering Place at http://www.dinfos.net
Thanks for your time and attention, Vito
Comment by Vito Vitkauskas — March 28, 2007 @ 9:47 am
No military, just communications. I’m a full time designer in print and web publications. I’m also an avid photographer, and I have great respect for people who can do that sort of work under hostile conditions.
Comment by HDW — March 28, 2007 @ 9:57 am
I’d like to talk with you…
I’m in Illinois, and I’ve been over here several times, but didn’t notice the graphic designer part until just now!
Comment by Cao — March 30, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
[...] you’d like to know a bit more about me, check out my About High Desert Wanderer post on my site. Of course, don’t forget to come back here and see what else has been posted [...]
Pingback by JabberWocky! » High Desert Wanderer — August 24, 2007 @ 8:13 am
[...] High Desert Wanderer: [...]
Pingback by Tell Me What to Watch Weekend Open Trackbacks | Adam's Blog — November 9, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
I was a Wisconsin cow poke. Now, an engineer. Photography is my avocation, just like my Dad. Putting old family photos on CD and sending them to my nieces and nephews to keep the family together.
Comment by Howard Larson — November 26, 2007 @ 10:00 pm
Thanks for stopping by Mr. Larson. I’ve seen your URL someplace, and I’ve been meaning to visit. Have you linked to one of my Open House posts maybe?
Comment by HDW — November 27, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Hi, happened by while browsing photo’s. I was seeking some references for an art project I want to work on, and one of your caught my attention - thus got me here - and then I read, and browsed, and found myself quite caught up in various areas. One of which, I may be interested in graphic and web design work(?) - Lot’s of variables in this not something I am about to discuss in a blog comment.
For fun though, Historically, I spent a lot of time with horses myself - although I was never great with it. I am one of the few who can say I have been trampeled, bitten, kicked, thrown numerous times, reared over and fallen on top of (my only serious injury) and I’m sure I could go on and on. Now, while I still love the idea of riding again - I just dont think I have the dedication required to take care of a horse properly, so I dont. It would be creul.
I work in toxicology with a passion for the learning that goes with it, but I also have a passion for the arts. If I had not gone into science, I would have gone into design of some sort. I have explored everything, but my favorites at the time are glass etching (what brought me here) and composing/playing music - keys and cello.
I also tend to write “novels” when commenting/e-mailing. :) Just can’t seem to keep it short.
That’s my story, I look forward to hearing from you - directly.
Comment by Amber — December 7, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
Ooops! - That was supposed to say: On of your Photos caught my attention…
Comment by Amber — December 7, 2007 @ 3:20 pm