Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • PodBean
  • Subscribe To My Pal Sammy Newsletter
  • ABOUT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Summer Lair
    • Space Station Oddity
  • Set The VCR
  • New Book Alert
  • True Sammy Stories
  • Toggle search form

038 | Aaron Draplin (Pretty Much Everything)

Posted on February 21, 2017November 25, 2022 By Sammy Younan No Comments on 038 | Aaron Draplin (Pretty Much Everything)

My Summer Lair Chapter #38: Have You Ever Overlooked The Discrete Beauty of Junk?

Oh man I was beyond excited to have Aaron Draplin visit My Summer Lair.

Aaron Draplin is a freshtastic graphic designer; the founder of Draplin Design Co. (DDC) based in Portland (the Nikey one). He’ll be speaking in Toronto on April 22nd at a FITC workshop: Make The Logo You Always Wanted To Make. Go…this is so so so #Pantsworthy.

I dig his straightforward approach…in his work and enjoy the unvarnished way he talks. If you’re heard him on WTF with Marc Maron or consumed his talks you know what I mean; he’s gregarious, generous and equally important…good.

See for yourself: Pretty Much Everything a mid-career survey of his work includes case studies and marvelous advice was released in May 2016 (The Very Best of Herb Alpert is one of the greatest hits names for a collection of utter delight, hah! And Pretty Much reminds me of that.) Highly recommended book. Highlights include but are not limited to Nike, album covers for bands and the Obama Administration.

It was his Obama work that ended up framing our discussion…as now we’ve transitioned to President Trump and all the complex emotions that generates. Understandably in response to President Trump Aaron is grappling with his responsibility as an American, his duty as a human being…especially to other human beings and his role as a graphic designer. He’s angry and inspired; which oddly forms a fertile soil.

That soil is where we get our best punk bands. And with all the tools and talents in Aaron’s arsenal I’ve no doubt he’ll be able to fashion a valid and bold response. Hashtags are digital bumper stickers…they’re always gonna fall short; only useful for social acceptance not social change. Change is a verb and requires a physical effort and it always starts with dynamic leadership. Leadership is ultimately about vision…what do you see when you close your eyes? The best movements; the ones that last and have a deep and powerful impact have excellent graphic design.

I dunno if this is a new direction for Aaron or the same path he’s always been on however I’ve looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds. And, of course…seeking any unique opportunities for me to contribute.

Oh and not to worry…we happily get into music. And Field Notes (I use Field Notes at part of my Girth Radio work). And The Shawshank Redemption. Like the best dinner conversations we oscillate from the serious to the silly.

Aaron Draplin @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Friday February 17, 2017 at 6:00pm

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…talkin about prety much everything!

My Summer Lair, Podcast Tags:Aaron Draplin, America, Design, Designer, FITC, Graphic Design, Politics

Post navigation

Previous Post: 037 | Dave O’Connor (Abstract: The Art Of Design)
Next Post: 039 | Henry VanderSpek (Taxi Drivers Of Toronto)

More Related Articles

062 | Lisa Langlois & Lesleh Donaldson (Happy Birthday To Me) My Summer Lair
024 | Andrew Young (Geek Hard) My Summer Lair
070 | Reed Tucker (Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle between Marvel & DC) My Summer Lair
128 | Robert Fisk & Yung Chang (This Is Not a Movie) My Summer Lair
042 | Joseph Clement (Integral Man) My Summer Lair
228 | Henry VanderSpek (Old World Shoes) My Summer Lair

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • #SetTheVCR: January 23 – 29, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Can you read my Poker Face? You People are gonna enjoy this week's #SetTheVCR selections.
  • #SetTheVCR: January 16 – 22, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Two Canadians: one esteemed, one disgraced, Al Pacino is hunting Hitler and The Daily Show host is regenerating…kinda. It's not strange if it's on TV; it's #SetTheVCR!
  • #SetTheVCR: January 09 – 15, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    It's all battles for this week's #SetTheVCR: NFL playoffs, Spyware vs privacy, staying alive in a horror movie, chasing waves in Japan…it's a lot. Who will be…The Last of Us?
  • #SetTheVCR: January 02 – 08, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    We got Witch Hunts, Giuliani's evolution from Rudy to Doody, Soft Rock and…Edgar Allan Poe. Welcome to 2023 and #SetTheVCR!
  • #SetTheVCR: December 26, 2022 – January 01, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Let's #SetTheVCR strongly as we conclude 2022 and slip in 2023. May your New Year's Resolutions include Watch More TV.
  • #SetTheVCR: December 19 – 25, 2022
    by Sammy Younan
    If you wanna shake it up this Christmas; flirt with the naughty list a bit…I got some outstanding TV recommendations where there is no grand moral Christmas takeaway and the only setup is a double cross from secret agents. So gather your spirits and let’s assemble by the warm glow of a flat screen TV: it's #SetTheVCR!
  • #SetTheVCR: December 12 – 18, 2022
    by Sammy Younan
    I've Recruited some of the best TV recommendations as we head into the Christmas season to help you #SetTheVCR most effectively.
  • #SetTheVCR: December 05 – 11, 2022
    by Sammy Younan
    This week's #SetTheVCR features the return of Doom Patrol, the fifth George Clooney and Julia Roberts movie, Bugs Bunny talk to other cartoons about the meaning of life and…Brad Pitt on a Bullet Train. Get cozy even as your cheeks get rosey.
  • #SetTheVCR: November 28 – December 04, 2022
    by Sammy Younan
    We're wrapping up November and easing in December. You know what that means right? Indeed. So to help here's some non-Christmas #SetTheVCR selections for this week. You're welcome!!
  • #SetTheVCR: November 21 – 27, 2022
    by Sammy Younan
    It's (American) Thanksgiving so this week's #SetTheVCR celebrates the Land of Hope and Dreams while giving you an Opportunity to Smile.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: DCEU Is Pee-Ew | Batgirl vs HBO MaxAugust 5, 2022
    Sammy & Rob Gaudette discuss and review the status of the DCEU following the cancellation of Batgirl on HBO Max. Rob still has hope.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: Contact Photography Festival 2022 | Culture SnapMay 12, 2022
    Sammy is joined by photographer Henry VanderSpek aka Culture Snap to discuss and recommend a happy handful of Contact Photography Festival exhibitions.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: A Taylor Hawkins MemorialMarch 28, 2022
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss the shocking and sad passing of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: All The Batmans | Keaton To Nipples to BatfleckMarch 10, 2022
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss All The Batmans: from Michael Keaton to Ben Affleck.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: 2021 Induction Ceremony | Rock & Roll Hall of FameNovember 25, 2021
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss their happy highlights from the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

  • New Book Alert: January 10-14, 2022
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

  • New Book Alert: January 3-7, 2022
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

  • New Book Alert: November 8-12, 2021
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

  • New Book Alert: November 1-5, 2021
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

  • Under-Review: Steve Kerr: A Life
    by Sammy Younan
    Steve Kerr: A Lifeby Scott Howard-CooperPublished by HarperCollins Publishers on June 15, 2021NBA // Non-Fiction // Bulls & Warriors From the “diary” of sportswriter Scott Howard-Cooper: On August 10, 2019…he wrote:“Beginning work on a biography of Warriors coach Steve Kerr, to be published by William Morrow in Fall 2020. Kerr’s journey through triumph and tragedy...

    READ ON “Under-Review: Steve Kerr: A Life” »

Copyright © 2023 My Summer Lair.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme