I have always had a passion for art and design, and growing up skateboarding, I was inspired by the particular aesthetic that came out of it’s raw action and individual creative expression. When I was in high school, I wanted to be more than just an admirer; I wanted to create it. I began my design career at a small graphic studio on O’ahu as a Screen Printer and Embroidery Machine Operator. I quickly realized that I enjoyed designing graphics more than printing them.In 2006, I moved to California to further my education and pursue a career in the industry I knew and loved: skateboarding. After working in-house for several influential brands, I made the decision to venture out on my own for a while. I helped co-found and operate a design agency: Ply Creative Studio. This gave me the ability to workin a fast paced environment with a broad range of clients as a designer, and eventually as an Art Director. My time working through Ply has truly enriched my experience and helped me understand the concept-to-creation process as a whole. I was able to bring that knowledge back to an in-house team where I could focus my efforts completely on one brand.It is very important for me to continue learning and to constantly progress as an Art Director and a Graphic Designer. I like being part of a team; remaining focused on the final execution, but also enjoying the process of creating something everyone can be proud of. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a project you’ve been working so hard on, come to life.