Tad is an illustrator, designer, author, and self-proclaimed BBQ snob from Kansas City. He co-runs a design and branding studio with his wife Jessica called Carpenter Collective. Their team has worked with companies like Macy's, Publix, Adobe, Hallmark, Coca-Cola, and MTV, among others. You've likely seen some of the illustrations from his SUNday Suns series, and if you've heard his Midwest vernacular, you might know the meaning of "Ope," "Alrighty, well," and "All good, no worries."
His father, a Creative Director at Hallmark International for 41.5 years, is his biggest inspiration, and his mother is also an artist who works with fiber, so it's safe to say Tad would probably have been thrown out of the family if he hadn't pursued a creative career, lol. On a lighter note, he loves photos and videos of dogs driving cars; he believes the sausage biscuit is one of the most fantastic fast-food items ever created, and he won a drawing contest for season tickets to the Kansas City Chiefs when he was in the 3rd grade.
Tune in for a talk about Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, why he thinks you should work for someone before working for yourself, his studio's ping-pong approach to design, and the gigantic hole left behind after completing his SUNday Suns series. Follow Tad on Instagram @tadcarpenter and @carpentercollective, and buy his book, SUNday Suns, art prints, and gig posters on his website carpentercollective.com.
"Happiness is not a function of what you achieve. It's a function of how you spend your time."
Questions for this interview.
- What was your best or favorite piece of advice to give students on the first day of the semester?
- Why do you think it's essential for recent grads to work for someone before they work for themselves?
- How do you and your wife, who is also your business partner, manage client work between the two of you? Do y'all work on everything together, or do you each direct your own projects?
- What do you say to a client, or what do you ask to find out if they are willing to take risks?
- Can you tell us about your Two Pizza Rule and explain why it's important to you?
- You once said, "Complacency breeds death. I want that fire, I want the pressure, I never want to stop climbing." Do you still feel that way?
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