To my knowledge, you don’t have a personal website. You seem to be doing ok without it! How do you prefer to enjoy all that “free” time that the rest of us sweat working on portfolios?
Oh, I’m not any different than everyone else on this — it just happens to be so far down my to-do list that I can posture that I don’t need/want one. If I had to guess, two things need to be resolved before I can get to mine: reimagining Adjacent’s brand & site, and re-establishing my own personal brand. I’ve conditioned myself/been conditioned to be so thoughtful and thorough in my work that things like securing a new domain and social handles prevent me from just getting something up these days (it’s time to retire @dblizzy but @danrose and its variants are all taken).
I’m usually only in Syracuse for the airport or the state fair or an event that you put on with friends. What are some hidden gems of your home?
The ‘burbs! I live west of the city and in close range of epic orchards like Navarino and Beak and Skiff, which makes Fall feel like one big holiday.
Figma didn’t even exist when you created Photoshop Etiquette (still a treat, and valid!). What’s something now that people don’t bother to do even though it makes everything easier? The “name your layers!” of the 2020s, if you will.
I’d like to take some credit for Figma’s “auto-generate layer names” feature! Figma-wise, it’s gotta be setting up Auto Layout, right? Both operate on that “be kind to others and your future self” level for me. More importantly, does the world need a Figma Etiquette? It’s a crowded space nowadays — but what I loved most about PSE was seeing how it helped people working in similar situations to own.
You have a great studio office you can work out of but I know there are times you also work from home. As a dad/husband do you have any hacks to help separate that work/life weirdness of being at home on and off the clock?
Oof this question hits at a time when I feel like I’m failing pretty hard on this subject. My general approach is to invite access to my workspace at home, but not necessarily access to me. Works 60% of the time. I’m also mindful of taking short breaks (even five minutes) to go play catch outside with one of my kids or help with a LEGO build. It can be a painful balance at times, so maybe my best hack is to give myself some grace when it feels like something isn’t getting my full attention.
Not to get too contemplative here at the end, but… what did you think adulthood would feel like, and how does the reality compare?
I feel younger at every age I reach than I thought I would — which means I had a really skewed view of adulthood as a kid. Blessed to say it’s all been much better than expected. Harder in many ways, but I love being a husband, dad, and having a career that means more than a paycheck to me.
When I was 12, I thought I’d be playing in the NBA, so on some level it feels like I left some potential on the table! It’s tricky to strive for potential and still “be where your feet are” at times, but shoutout to God for adulthood feeling like a big W overall — outside of my expectation we’d have flying cars by now.
Where he grew up
Killingly, CT
Profession
Designer/Google Doc Wrangler
Hot drink order
Chai Latte, preferably from scratch
Comfort content
MCU & WNBA
