20 Questions Interview
with Jacob Lett

Graphic Designer, Doodler, Blogger

1. What's your name?

Jacob Lett.

2. Where are you from?

Detroit Michigan, USA.

3. Who are you today?

I am a Christian, husband, graphic designer, doodler, blogger, and always looking for something new to learn.

4. What do you do? (Elevator speech)

I enjoy combining my interests of art, doodling, and creativity in my blog. I also hope to be a a source of inspiration for other creative people.

5. What's your story (how did you get here)?

My sister-in-law gave me the book "642 Things to Draw" as a gift and I was currently looking for a blog concept. I have seen some other speed drawings on YouTube and I thought it would be fun to build a website showing my progress as I complete the book.

6. Why is creativity important to you?

As a graphic designer I enjoy the process of coming up with a concept to communicate a certain message. You start with a broad range of thoughts and ideas and slowly narrow it down to one concise idea. This process can be difficult at times but I always go back for more.

I think once you go through a creative process you begin to appreciate it and see it in the work of others. For me, when I see a painting or hear some music, I automatically appreciate it already because of the work and thinking behind it.

7. When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?

I always enjoyed art and drawing as a kid. I took every art class I could throughout school which eventually led me to take a commercial art class. This class was my first introduction to using computers to create logos and print flyers. The more I learned about the graphic design profession the more I knew it was something I would enjoy.

8. How did you embrace it?

In the beginning, very little. I picked a college and started to take classes. I did the minimum I thought I needed to do to learn to become a designer. I began to embrace it after I realized I needed to do more than the minimum. I needed to read every book I could find, ask questions, work late, fail, and learn from my mistakes.

9. How did that feel?

It was great because something clicked. I realized I needed to invest a lot of time and effort into practicing my craft.

10. Where has your journey taken you?

My creative journey has given me a strong appreciation for art and the work behind it. I also had more failures than successes.

11. What challenges have you faced?

I remember my first job out of college was very challenging. I had this sinking feeling I had made a mistake. I thought I spent 4 years of time and money for a job I was not going to be happy doing.

Over time I realized I get paid to do work and I needed to embrace working under deadlines, restrictions, and limitations.

12. What worked for you?

Keep learning new things. Never be content with what you know or what you think you know. There are always ways you can improve.

13. What didn't work for you?

Being lazy and putting forth half-effort.

14. What three tips can you share with those starting on a similar path?

1. Walk into a library and find a book to read. The book you choose might point you in a direction to follow for a career. How can you make your hobby into a job?
2. Be ready and prepared to fail. Don't quit and learn from your mistakes.
3. Try and do something creative everyday.

15. What are you working on now?

I am currently working on an email newsletter to send to my subscribers.

16. What's coming up for you in the next year?

Doodle Ideas is a fairly new site and I would like to continue to add more videos and articles on doodling and creativity.

17. What else do you desire/dream to do?

I hope my website can inspire others to be bold and try something. Often people hide behind the "I am not creative" wall. We are all creative in our own unique way. We just need to sit down and grab a pen and marker and see what happens.

18. How will you make that happen?

Continue to doodle, draw, write, inspire, and encourage others to do the same.

19. What question do you want to answer that's not on this list?

What do you think of Creativity Portal?

I really enjoy reading about other artists' creative process and what inspires them. It is great you give us the opportunity to share our creative lives with others. Thank you.

20. What's your Web site address?

• A: DoodleIdeas.com: Doodles, Art & Creativity Blog. Providing a creative outlet for thoughts on art, doodling and ways to foster creativity.
• Twitter: @Thought2Process

9/21/11