Born the 15th of October 1973, Aaron Draplin is a graphic designer and author born in Detroit Michigan. He graduated in 1993 from Northwestern Michigan College where he started his associates degree. The very same year he moved to Bend, Oregon to pursue his career in graphic design. He landed several small analog jobs while being there, realizing that he needed the equipment to do proper graphic design. Aaron then spent several summers during the 90’s working in Alaska to save up for the equipment he needed.
After working to get his equipment for several years, Aaron decided to attend Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1999, and complete his design degree. He graduated in 2000 and later on the same year he landed a position as an art director as a snowboard magazine. 2 years later in April 2002, the Cinco Design Office of Portland, Oregon called up and offered Aaron a Senior Designer gig, which he accepted. Finally, in 2004, Aaron got his own company, called Draplin Design Company.
Now Aaron works as a freelance graphic designer, from small businesses to larger ones. One job he’ll get paid $25,000 the other a burrito. One customer is his friend, the other is Nike. Aaron, unlike other graphic designers that do commissions for larger companies have a certain style. The logos he makes are very retro and minimalist, Thick lines and vivid colours.
Aaron have attended ted talk and have had tours about graphic design all over the world. When watching his ted talk called “Making it in the little leagues” he was talking about how he collects and rescues old graphic designs he have seen. Which is a very sensible thing to do, to not forgot another persons job. He was also talking about how graphic design is easy to forget, especially the tiny logos. Which is why he collects them, because they have a worth to him.