Making it in the little leagues: Aaron Draplin at TEDxPortland

[@billywagner8633]

that signal he gives to his dad's picture at the end gets me every time

[@Culture_Conservationist]

Yeah same here. Just finished his book and the last two spreads are dedications to his parents. Made me cry (lost my mom out of nowhere at 19 so it hits home).

[@NorthWriter]

As a designer I find it really inspiring to hear he's never won an award for his work. And I really appreciate the joy with which he gushes about how awesome it is that he gets to make art for a living.

[@Culture_Conservationist]

Totally, awards are meaningless. I've won a couple myself, but my career is still miles behind Aaron's. Using design to help people is the award and him projecting that message is great.

[@NorthWriter]

Paul Lukes Agreed. It's easy to get caught up in thinking awards are necessary instead of just a nice thing and nothing more. Like the way Bob Dylan handled the whole Nobel thing.

[@Culture_Conservationist]

NorthWriter Yeah and honestly, it's kind of a rip off to enter awards contests. It's like $75-100 a piece usually. I can think of a lot better things I'd do with my loot. The only reason I won any awards was because my employer entered my work.

[@JuanCarlosPrada]

I know, right? Agencies nowadays are just obsessed with awards - thinking about (and creating) campaigns for the sole purpose of winning awards, which is sad and frustrating. I'd rather work on something because I think it's amazing and because it'll have actual impact.

[@StudioDeux]

The true, pure and actual love voice in which he speaks about his work is so touching, and that’s what passion for your work really is. Plus, he’s hilarious.

[@alejandropadgett]

been watching videos of Aaron for 3 hours now. What an awesome human being.

[@johnn_.e]

Should not have watched this so late at night, i'm inspired, motivated and just damn excited to go try some new designs, nooo lol Top guy, super funny, very real. love it!

[@InfiniteRhombus]

J0hnnie me too man, but i love sleep way more than i like design, so im gonna do that in the morning.

[@TheDurkFunk]

Iggy Tubmen Thats fuckin weak bud.

[@swaranbains8326]

My man caught the bug- it hurts - everyday becomes a deign opportunity

[@kathykuhns7493]

Mi

[@samuelbeau9231]

instablaster...

[@SRDhain]

So inspirational. I've given him some time on my blog as well, via an adweek article. Strange..I had no idea he was so popular right now. But then Im in the UK, so heigh ho. He's also born in 1973 AND he does his bit for the heart and soul on fridays..I do the same, but on a random day of the week, to keep it fresh. I might move it to friday's too, as that is suppsoed to be my 'unofficial' time out day as well ( occasionally). Respect to you Aaron and thanks to TED for sharing.

[@piclesvoador1]

I watch to this video every week to get inspired. And it fuckin works. Aaron is amazing! Design is amazing!

[@mrautomatic9087]

+Picles Voador Are you richer?

[@Culture_Conservationist]

If he's inspired I'd say he is definitely richer than before watching.

[@crystallizationofthesoul7095]

He has the spark, knows how to present his ideas he's so funny and creative! I would work with a guy like him!

[@Vikingjack1]

Aaron Draplin is one of my all time favorite designers.

[@loslucky]

This guy is so badass. Natural speaker and designer.

[@AudioSuede]

This guy is instantly my hero forever.

[@TheMetalHeadJoe95]

I love, love, love the fact he likes Red Fang. One of my favourite bands ever!

[@EdgarMartinez-km9ft]

Aaron you are the man! I'm actually 2-3 months away from leaving a Cush corporate job to work for myself, and after watching only 2 of your videos I know its the right way to go. I love that you want to help people, I think business owners get so wrapped up in making money that they forget it's also important to give back. I love to hear stories like yours they push me to shoot for the stars and they remind me that dreams are obtainable if you take action. I ran across your video because I'm trying to learn everything about logos and branding for my business, I know the importance of being original and standing out. Now days it seems like there are a thousand online companies that will design a logo for $99, I was hoping you could lend some insight on these types of content Joanie's and what you think is best way to get a logo designed for a one man service business with a budget of $200. Thanks for the video keep up the good work.

[@deebsboy]

Love this guys attitude.

[@amronsilva-digitalmarketin2844]

The funniest and inspiring Ted x talk ever

[@juliabaxterbrands]

Aaron, you ROCK! Till today, I had no idea who you were. My bad, obviously. A little tweet sent me looking at this and now I feel I really know you! (A stretch, maybe, but whatever.). All about serving others with the gifts we have, and following the call to do our own thing. LOVE what you're doing and the passion you are smart enough to trust. Mad props to you, friend!

[@kimbrownirvis9999]

I saw the 2014 Aaron Draplin Ted Talk...he does not know who I am but I love him! Beautiful designer!

[@brockman562]

Aaron Draper, stefan Bucher and Jessica Hische have the best lectures.

[@Culture_Conservationist]

Draper?

[@brockman562]

lol my bad...Draplin

[@Culture_Conservationist]

Manny Donaire haha no worries. Figured it was prob. autocorrect.

[@brockman562]

...either autocorrect on iphone or I was thinking briefly about advertising TV show Mad Men cast Don Draper.

[@ScreamingMeadows]

Love love! Made my day❤

[@thecreationcompany3229]

This man inspires me every time I watch this.

[@aerodylluk2543]

I am just starting out on my own but work as an artworker 9-5. I didn't think I would get any takers but I offered free help for local businesses and charities in my area and got 3 clients. It feels good to help people and it is all good experience for me.

[@infographie]

That is excellent, thanks for that useful post.

[@joshuahayden6807]

True hustle & grind, inspired.

[@QuadraticNightmare]

"Who goes to Saskatoon?!" That's where I'm from hahaha

[@ragnarok1326]

I like this guy. Such good vibes.

[@samg5555]

Great job speaking. You knocked it out of the park.

[@mienteroso]

Couldn't love this more.

[@sarah.ashley.]

I watch Aaron Draplin videos to reignite my creative fire

[@GeoAl09]

YES! A Tame Impala fan :)

[@philiq18]

Stellar! Simply, stellar.

[@ashokdad]

Aaron Draplin rocks.

[@giodrakes]

Mr. Draplin, you are an inspiration to some of us :) I wish I had a real business so you could help me out, but my home based craft thing is not nearly big enough for a professional logo. Keep making it :) You are amazing :)

[@inmecolour5359]

True hero.

[@fitriyantows6368]

such a family guy love it

[@romanticbaldy]

How can I not like this guy?!

[@bigdaddyprofit]

I'm going to try the free fridays. Thanks for sharing this

[@PeterTvonK]

Czech sign at 10:39 cheered me up :)

[@pedrogregorio]

Easily one of the most underrated ted talks.

[@yakked]

Love this guy!

[@TannerLikesStuff]

Draplin is the man.

[@frankyfraaank]

You're god damn right.

[@yeti1221]

DormStreams I like your logo

[@VoodooLoveChild]

Love that he did a shout out to Red Fang!

[@mohitsukhija9345]

Love this guy.

[@akashtakawale9074]

Ohhhh this man is awesome .....

[@Greg38Blues]

This guy is awesome!

[@PeterRatcliffe]

Love this guy

[@1892Drod]

I enjoyed that very much

[@vrm_ravi]

Love it.

[@FlorinNitulescu_1]

What a guy! What an inspiration! A motivational speech couldn't get better than this.

[@sujitjp45]

Great Guy !!!!!

[@PeterRatcliffe]

Thanks to the net for hooking me up

[@InfiniteRhombus]

dude is so inspiring

[@justacarcrash]

this guy is super cool!

[@leorio7416]

1 - This guy is the definition of 'murica 2 - 9:08 *drops the mic*

[@dipsmoke]

You re awesome, man. Really.

[@SylviaFloresisloving]

I am in love.

[@gorkyd7912]

That disclaimer!

[@MariuszKrukowski]

amazing design

[@naterobinson9383]

This is too good

[@jessicaraffa6400]

This is amazing.

[@HenryDarr]

Great presentation ! Keep it up ! "Everybody Just say no to PANTS "

[@charleslyles8428]

Does anyone know what font he is using?

[@justinaez4029]

Nghe phúc hát thấy ấm âp quá殺

[@lifeonmars478]

i love him

[@keithscottii1130]

"i had to wash the 501's for the big day" hahah

[@dashwood09]

FUTURA!

[@allenliu1672]

Coolest guy in the world

[@lazxxxy]

Still Interesting - 2020

[@PeterRatcliffe]

Only found him this morning

[@johnkennethbanjao7628]

Awesome woooooohhhh...

[@pdxdowntowner]

The guys. More guys. Guys are so cool here in Portland that they dominate the graphic and software development arena. But TEDx?

[@fkylw]

Are you poorly trying to make a feminist argument?

[@pdxdowntowner]

fkylw No, an observation and one apparently that struck a cord with you. The look, the rap, the rat-a-tat of the guy thing here in Portland which dominates the culture in many ways viewed most clearly in the image projected by this fellow which is neither original nor particularly creative, but clearly stereotypical. Surely I need not put forth an argument to the gender and race imbalance one finds in Portland which is clearly evident among both profit and non-profit organizations and civic institutions.

[@fkylw]

Man, does it get really hot under all that tinfoil?

[@NaptownClassic]

pdxdowntowner How much of "this guys" work have you seen to render such a judgment? He's pretty darned creative. Though, "creative" in design tends not to mean the same as "creative" in other fields. Minimalism isn't his entire stock and trade, and he while he is absolutely inspired by others many of his creations stand out as his own. The "guy thing" isn't a problem that is going to be solved in a KZbin comment.

[@MunDHarM]

Freakin Futura Bold! ... love that SH*T!

[@andyLS4]

DUDE!

[@michalbotor]

5.4 v8 van!? unbelievable in europe..

[@MykalKiruthi]

INSPIRED!!

[@bernhagen93]

does anyone know wich font he uses in the powerpoint is it just futura bold ?

[@patchsonic]

+Curl Void ya

[@breu.design]

+Curl Void yup

[@AK-ir1se]

oof how'd the Kid Rock thing age big guy?

[@natewatson6962]

lemme open up illustrator.... right now

[@miquelenox]

My new fucking hero!!!

[@leonardootazu4922]

I’ve designed a burrito logo as well. I would like to design a 25 grand logo now 😂

[@kyleronayne6445]

Cobra Dogs at Highcascade!

[@ash_ryohei]

why only 113k views? why...

[@PeterRatcliffe]

Trying start my own business

[@guilueders]

Awes!!!

[@jordanebellavance]

Yeahhh my bunn's name is also Gary :P

[@JustusVidyo]

right?

[@soundsystem00]

Hey man I would really like to talk sometime if possible!! Loving these talks. I am a local artist working for galleries and want to get more into graphic design and it just seems impossible sometimes.

[@d100763]

One I got paid a Burrito......legend

[@drumatic]

Thumbs down? How? Must be corp design haters on The DDC tip.

[@majormoody]

Aaron seems like a cool guy who does some good work, but what was the point of me watching it for 17 minutes?

[@chopo4ka]

Люблю этого парня)

[@omesius]

#hero

[@santiagoferreyra5510]

subtítulos porfavor!!!!!!

[@EmmanuelHernandezR]

aprende inglés perro, se te van a abrir 1000 puertas por solo saber inglés.

[@HotMochaCake]

I'm a vegan.

[@Juvelqairth]

It's your opinion. End of discussion

[@Bingleheimer]

gratz

[@jvmgang]

Well done m8

[@thedeputydadbod]

Cool?

[@JairoSaysHi]

This video made me so happy, until he dissed Vampire Weekend lol

[@ByronBennett]

Freakin' yoda.

[@BadKarma714]

Lol I live in Orange County

[@KLEURTERREUR]

i like turtles!

[@EarthSayer]

My comment does not resonate with the guys. Not surprising. And it is not about his Friday day of giving back or other creative projects as it is not about Aaron, but about the image, the icon, the painting on the wall and what it says about the place, in this case, Portland, Oregon and what is "best."

[@devvvvvvvvvvvv]

What?

[@stevengotts4625]

Huh?

[@martinaquino9065]

sub please in spanish

[@vovalyashenko4890]

Waste of time

[@ankitaaarya]

Yeah you're waste o' time