Graphic Designer
about
Patrick is a graphic designer, maker, and artist. His prior career as a chef in professional kitchens influences his creative process. Patrick understands nothing is finished in the first iteration; time, failure, and collaboration create unique design. He believes thoughtful design originates through considering who will interact with a product and how.
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Biography
I grew up in the forests of Northwest Montana on my family's small cattle ranch. Graduated from Whitefish High School Class of 2000. I wasn't interested in going to school at the time, I was cooking at a small restaurant in town and I caught wind of a cooking job at sea on small expedition cruise ships for National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. While there I was able to travel and work around the world. Work with great people and learn how to be an effective part of a team. Over the years I moved into the Chef position and my attention shifted to management and conceptualizing. It was in that role where I found my love for problem solving, believe it or not, in a small galley at sea, something is always going wrong; equipment malfunctions, fridges puking their contents on to the deck (floor) in rough seas, food deliveries showing up frozen solid, or food just doesn't show up at all. When it felt like nothing else could go wrong, it usually did. Being there and having to keep going and "figuring it out". Limited ingredients? No problem, I thrived in that creative headspace, this controlled chaos. After 17 years on small ships, it was time to for a change, I wasn't sure at first, I enrolled in school, I wanted to get into the field of industrial design, but the area I lived didn't have any programs like that available, so I figured I could make my own. I earned an AAS in Mechanical Drafting and Design, and then moved onto earn my BFA in Graphic Design at Portland State University. The next step...
I like making useful things
about
I don’t know where this need to create comes from. Curiosity? The challenge? Wonder? Why are things the way they are? Can I make that? Can I make it better? Before I know it, I’m surrounded by all these creations. What else can I do with them? Just one more skill to add to the bank—then onto the next thing, and the cycle continues.
Biography
I grew up in the forests of Northwest Montana on my family's small cattle ranch. I graduated from Whitefish High School with the Class of 2000. At the time, I wasn’t interested in continuing my education; instead, I was working as a cook at a small restaurant in town. When I heard about a cooking job at sea on small expedition cruise ships for National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions, I applied. Three months later, I set sail.
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While there, I had the opportunity to travel the world, collaborate with incredible people, and learn how to be an effective team member. Over the years, I moved into a Chef position, shifting my focus to management and conceptualization. It was in that role that I discovered my love for problem-solving. In a small galley at sea, something was always going wrong—equipment malfunctions, fridges spilling their contents onto the deck in rough seas, food deliveries arriving frozen solid or not at all. When it felt like nothing else could go wrong, it usually did. I learned to adapt, troubleshoot, and keep moving forward. I thrived in that creative headspace—the controlled chaos.
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After 17 years on small ships, it was time for a change. Unsure of my next step, I initially enrolled in school with the intention of pursuing industrial design. However, since no programs were available in my area, I carved my own path. I earned an AAS in Mechanical Drafting and Design, followed by a BFA in Graphic Design from Portland State University.
As for what’s next—I’m still figuring that out. But whatever it is, I know I want to keep creativity and collaboration at the heart of it.
