Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city's creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year's Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 61. Kevin Goldman.
There are a few things you might not have known about designer Kevin Goldman. One: He was born and raised in Phoenix. Two: After graduating from ASU he moved to Seattle, where (three) he co-founded Maktub with Reggie Watts.
Nowadays, Goldman divvies up his time between working as the chief design architect at both Tallwave and Ethology (two companies that acquired Goldman's outfit 29th Drive back in April) and spending time with his Scottsdale-based family.
See also: Phoenix Artist La Muñeca: 100 Creatives
But that's not to say the creative doesn't take time for himself. Every morning he spends 10 minutes either running or doing yoga. "That's not interesting in itself, but here's the kicker: I can't look at any computer screen--phone, iPad, TV, computer or any glowing box of technology--until this physical activity is complete, not even a quick glance," Goldman says. "The rest of my days are long and filled on both ends with two great groups of people: family and co-workers."
I came to Phoenix early in life -- I was born here. After graduating from ASU's Industrial Design school in 1994 I moved to Seattle for 12 years. Life goes in circles and I moved back to Arizona in 2006.
I make art because I was introverted when I was younger and I wanted the things I made to speak for me. As I become more comfortable in my skin making art and creating things became more fun and in return they come from a more honest and giving place.
I'm most productive when I'm collaborating with others who believe our combined effort will be greater than any one contributor's.
My inspiration wall is full of photos of my two boys, Brayden and Hudson and my wife, Kara.
I've learned most from surrounding myself with people that are smarter and more creative.
Good work should always come from a giving place.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more of the same because I like the Phoenix creative scene. There is more local music than in the past. There is more locally owned and artful restaurants than ever. Phoenix is a great blend of scarce resources and urban metropolis. Culturally, the Phoenix Metro area is an underdog, and I like underdogs that can rise from the ashes. My work fits squarely in the technology and design space and I see a real renaissance here in User Experience design. More and more UX pros are planting themselves firmly in AZ because there's a rapidly growing opportunity--more ideas, more startups, more engineers, more venture capital, more cross disciplinary collaboration and success. I want the work we do at Tallwave and Ethology to contribute to this quickly growing creative ecosystem.
See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:
100. Bill Dambrova 99. Niki Blaker 98. Jeff Slim 97. Beth May 96. Doug Bell 95. Daniel Langhans 94. Nanibaa Beck 93. Nicole Royse 92. Ib Andersen 91. Casandra Hernandez 90. Chris Reed 89. Shelby Maticic 88. Olivia Timmons 87. Courtney Price 86. Travis Mills 85. Catrina Kahler 84. Angel Castro 83. Cole Reed 82. Lisa Albinger 81. Larry Madrigal 80. Julieta Felix 79. Lauren Strohacker 78. Levi Christiansen 77. Thomas Porter 76. Carrie Leigh Hobson 75. Cody Carpenter 74. Jon Jenkins 73. Aurelie Flores 72. Michelle Ponce 71. Devin Fleenor 70. Noelle Martinez 69. Bucky Miller 68. Liliana Gomez 67. Jake Friedman 66. Clarita Lulić 65. Randy Murray 64. Mo Neuharth 63. Jeremy Hamman 62. La Muñeca
