Written by: John
Featured Image

The Voice That Works

I’ve never liked the sound of my voice. Something about the tone bothers me, but it’s not that I’m annoyed while talking — I’m just never satisfied after hearing it recorded. That’s probably why …
gravatar
By John
 · 
November 17, 2024
Featured Image

Warning: Revisions May Be Necessary

On the Road, by Jack Kerouac, is the first book I read twice. I loved the story, of course, but was enamored that Kerouac wrote the original draft on one continuous reel of paper …
gravatar
By John
 · 
November 10, 2024
Featured Image

Fishing for Words

Why is it that fishermen seem surprised when they get a bite? If they’re anything like me, they’ve spent hours planning. Careful consideration has been put into rod, reel, and line selection. Lures have …
gravatar
By John
 · 
November 4, 2024
Featured Image

Unequivocal Optimist

John Rudolph is an entrepreneur, creative director, and fisherman. He’s interested in simplifying the digital landscape to help organizations reach their audience in more authentic ways, and explores interactive media from a graphic designer's …
gravatar
By John
 · 
October 30, 2024
Featured Image

Selling Myself Short & Simple

I learned how to write nonfiction from a staunch Republican — At least, that’s how my American History teach, Mr. Olson, referred to himself. I was in my junior year of high school. He’d …
gravatar
By John
 · 
October 26, 2024
Featured Image

To Solve, or to Shrug

Give a Creative Director a creative brief and make yourself a bucket of popcorn. Sit back and watch as he or she questions the objectives, pushes back against the target audience, and argues over …
gravatar
By John
 · 
September 27, 2024
Featured Image

Alexa, Cancel Surveillance Capitalism

Remember when businesses had to make something and sell it to turn a profit? Find a way to produce it cheaper, decrease costs, increase revenue, and investors lined up at the front door. That’s …
gravatar
By John
 · 
September 23, 2024
Featured Image

Talk Designer to Me

Designers and project managers are like oil in vinegar — they don’t mix. Project managers focus on budgets, objectives, deadlines, and the process of getting from point A to point B. That’s foreign language to …
gravatar
By John
 · 
September 22, 2024
Featured Image

Less News is Good News

Stepping into the General Store is like taking a step back in time. Glass jars full of Tootsie Rolls and Swedish Fish greet you at the front door. The cracked walls are lined with …
gravatar
By John
 · 
September 16, 2024
Featured Image

Confessions of a Professional Procrastinator 

My name is John, and I’m a procrastinator. I openly admit to this apparent character flaw because, as a graphic designer, I’ve worked alongside an Olympic-sized roster of procrastinators. We’ll come up with any …
gravatar
By John
 · 
September 8, 2024