We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Scott Pauli. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Scott below.

Hi Scott, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was in 6th grade I began drawing graphics and ads for imaginary skateboard companies. Skating was becoming my full time passion along with my brother and our neighborhood friends. The previous summer my brother had traveled from our home in Peoria, IL to visit my cousins in California. He brought back what I believe was the first real contemporary skateboard to reach Peoria. It was a Vision Mark Gonzales, the graphics were like nothing I had ever seen. The rest of us were envious riding our ToysR’Us Nash boards. But soon enough we had our own local skateshop. I would spend hours just looking at the art. The Gator, The Lester with a pink rose, and of course all of the Santa Cruz boards. I still long to own a Jason Jesse Poseidon board.

In highschool I had my first opportunity to take something close to a real art class. I had it in my head that I needed a career that would make lots of money. So a painting or drawing class seemed frivolous. I know better now of course. So I took drafting and architecture. On Sundays the local paper would often have house styles in the form of a floorplan and an illustration. These were great cues to imagine what it would be like to live in one of those houses. I steered towards architectural drafting and Construction Management in college. I liked the idea of creating spaces and seeing them built. Then came the math.

I soon realized that the creative parts of my college courses came “easy” to me. The logistics, memorization and calculation did not come easy. I was completely undecided on what to do my sophomore year. So I took some general ed credits and a business/marketing class with professor Bernie Harris. We were instructed to create campaigns for fictional companies. Calling back to my days drawing skateboard ads, I volunteered to take on the artwork for our campaigns, write the ads and direct the TV commercial. I loved it. It was fun and any challenges seemed not like deterrents but games to be won. From there I did everything I could to learn more on my own and take any classes I could in my last two years to pursue a career in design. An internship in my senior year at Planet Design (now Planet Propaganda) sealed the deal. I knew what I wanted to do. Shortly after I was working as a designer with Sonic Foundry. The call I got from my soon to be creative director Wendy Keogh, with a job offer on the eve of my graduation, was one of the best things to ever happen to me. It set the course for my whole career.

I felt like I had beat the system. I could be an artist and make money. Imagine that. I love the line from Geoff McFetridge when talking about creative work. “I’m rocking on your dime”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a designer and artist in Monona, WI. I am a partner at Art & Sons along with Jerry Chapa. Art and Sons is a creative studio working primarily in graphic design with a trajectory towards physical spaces and fully designed environments. We are small. And we like it that way. Our projects usually involve us working closely with internal teams and our owners depending on the size of the organization. We are driven by curiosity and want to know as much as we can before we start designing. Our clients range from local to national, and from small start ups to large corporations. We take on clients who are doing good in the world, and that are a good fit for us.

Outside of client-focused design with Art & Sons, I try to keep up a good art practice. Mostly I work in ink on paper, “painting” with the ink. It has become more important for me over the years to have this outlet, as design projects get bigger and more pressure is put on us at Art & Sons. The painting helps clear my mind.

I often experience imposter syndrome. “How does a kid from Peoria, IL end up working on some of these projects?” I think it all comes down to being really curious, working hard and trying to be a nice person to all those I encounter. It seems to be a formula that works. Because the pace of Art & Sons can be pretty fast and hectic at times, I forget to look back and realize that owning this business and doing what I love while still being able to provide for my family is a great thing, and I am lucky to have it. I also realize that it takes continuous work to keep it around.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The book that has inspired me the most in my design life is David Lynch’s “Catching the Big Fish”. His description of catching ideas changed the whole way I thought about creative work.

Milton Glaser’s “Ten Things I have learned” was very helpful when starting off on my own and with my co-creators at Art & Sons. Especially the bit about not working with people you don’t have a good energy with. You can usually tell after the first meeting. If your gut says it’s a bad match. It is, no matter the budget.

Paula Scher’s explanation of client presentation in the Netflix series “Abstract” is spot on, and helpful to guide any presentation.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

People. Others want to help, let them. Don’t be afraid or timid to ask for help, advice or guidance. And don’t let economic status or levels of education intimidate you or give you self doubt. Your thoughts and ideas are valid. And in turn never dismiss an idea because it came from someone outside of the project or someone who is not as experienced as you. So many times those are the real answers to a problem, and you just have to be open to it.

Contact Info:

• Website: artandsons.com. Scottapauli.com
• Instagram: futuresyrup
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-pauli-888a0b14/
• Other: I host a radio show every Wednesday night at 9pm CST on 98.7 WVMO. The show is called The Seagull and is cohosted by Kevin Omalley. Listen from anywhere at wvmo.fm

Image Credits

Denim Tux Beer Can image by Don James
Bar Corallini images by Food Fight Inc.
All others by Scott A. Pauli