Designer in a Van: On Tour With Aaron Draplin

Check out more from Aaron and learn his design process on Skillshare with a 1 month free trial: skl.sh/3VTlP6s
This short documentary is a never-before-seen-look at Aaron Draplin, the man behind the legend. Join the Skillshare Film Team on the road with Aaron Draplin - iconic designer, hit Skillshare teacher, and legendary man of mystery. In 2017, Draplin hit the road in a one-of-a-kind orange van to meet with fans, students, and designers for a book tour unlike anything a designer has done before.
Inspired by the DIY and punk bands before him who have taken their tours into their own hands, he and his partner Leigh McKolay did all of the scouting, booking, driving, talking, hyping, fighting, making up, and making it work - all the while shipping merch and running the Draplin Design Company (DDC) from the backseat.
How does he make it work? Whether you're a creative searching for inspiration, a Draplin fan, or simply curious for a real-world look at a successful side hustle, see how Draplin has built an iconic career from the ground up . . . all from his signature orange van.
Credits:
Directed, Produced, and Edited by Bill Antonucci and Elliott Curtis
Animations by Daniel Fakharzadeh
Music by Los Roys
Additional Images Courtesy of Walker Art Center, Sam Fritch, Chelsea Parrett, Dan Hawk, and The Sage Colleges
Special thanks to Steve DeCusatis, Philadelphia University, and Sizzle Pie Brooklyn
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[@abdouking854]

Aeron Draplin is like Santa for the Graphique kids

[@karlhungus5554]

Designer in a van...DOWN BY THE RIVER!

[@davidvernier8505]

The nicest guy ever, he gave me and my friends free passes to his lecture when we were at his Milwaukee workshop. Totally didn't have too, will always remember and appreciate him for that. Love this guy!!!

[@djstarsign]

David Vernier he totally singled us out at one of his talks. He came up to me and my group and just introduced himself and started chatting with us before he was supposed to go on. Very humble, completely self deprecating. We were amused bc he wasn't doing that with others. I guess he must have picked up on something about us that he was drawn to. Of course, his talk as both amusing and enlightening. What a guy.

[@motttta]

@@djstarsign Is your comment ironic? You're comenting on the humbleness of this man and demonstrating the opposite of yourself. Not sure if that was intentional or not.

[@brevman71]

i love Aaron Draplin- he is such a Inspiration to me… stay strong, stay healthy!

[@jannovotny1784]

5:10 When he said "I was like diggin around in the cracks and shit, looking for little trail mix and shit" i felt that

[@devonrumpel]

this rules

[@ElburroE]

An absolute solid guy. Very good speaker. Saw him in LA a couple years ago.

[@VinylSkillz]

This man's love for design is bigger than he is physically it is amazing!!

[@JoshuaHuntDesign]

"...I'm triple parked, who's gonna pay that ticket?" always keeping it real. 😂

[@miguelmoura8199]

Aaron Draplin is a nice guy. Amazing work!

[@jocelynsimmons]

I cannot find Los Roys music from this short anywhere...

[@blessedormessy6336]

Thanks for sharing Skillshare. I took his class on your site. Learned about the class through another teacher Franki B. Kidd. She said his creativeness inspired her to create a class. Go Aaron!!!!! Love his color scheme (van, clothes, hat, merch, etc.)

[@germansanchez278]

Inspired.💯

[@joewaked2809]

What is the song at 1:48? Please somebody! Amazing vid

[@EnjoiLife22]

Says in the description that the music is by Los Roys! Not sure if that'll help you find it, but hope it does!

[@jocelynsimmons]

I've been searching for Los Roys music... I can't find it anywhere.

[@kreativwhim2239]

Talk about being inspired

[@eannaMullarkey]

5.30 diabetes juice...

[@nickohhh]

Absolute heroes the both of them. Thanks for the awesome doco!

[@supermalario1323]

lil bit chaotic but nice guy

[@NextSession]

Goat

[@alexthomson3882]

Most down to earth guy ever, especially for a successful designer!

[@mad_x666]

He just sees and love the tiniest simplest details on everything amazing designer.

[@tomasspasiuk2429]

why am I crying?! Soo good- hits the feels man

[@noeliamurillo6842]

This video is so inspiring and beautiful.

[@enklife5737]

F in Awesome such Inspiration

[@MarcusTheHeard19]

This man is such an amazing inspiration that it is frankly a damn shame that none of my non-designer friends know who he is. Everyone could benefit from hearing him talk.

[@alwayjohnrallos7359]

I like and love this man.

[@TheCombatartist]

He’s the real deal.

[@arifsuseno33]

The joy.. 👌👌👌

[@samersdig]

Draphlen❤

[@obed.raimundo]

This truly put a smile on my face!

[@repiano]

Aaron Draplin is an inspiration!

[@Minotauro_di_Chieti]

$30 for a fucking baseball hat, $10 for 3 small sized, 32 pages each, Field Notes.... not only he steals ideas and concepts for a really shitty design work but he also want to steal all your money.

[@PeterRatcliffe]

Brilliant and inspirational vlog!!

[@raspuutinlane]

This Man is so real, I love it.

[@ekolbatx]

LOVE DRAPLIN!!!