Ron Thompson, creative director at Siquis Advertising & Design landed in the wonderful world of advertising right out of college. He fell off his career path of being a medical illustrator because his chemistry grades were atrocious. Fortunately he'd taken every visual art class from graphic design to film, and was lucky enough to land at a great ad agency. During his formative years Ron found that he enjoyed designing as much as he did concepting; he loved doing ads but gravitated toward true design projects. This dual love affair landed him at Siquis, a hybrid agency, which has given him the opportunity to art direct and design for every consumer touch point: From logo identity to national broadcast, reshaping a brand from initial thoughts to the end launch is extremely gratifying.
12.08.09
Putting Everything into Perspective
If you have a degree in what field is it? Bachelor of Fine Arts.
If you could choose one person to work with (outside your own agency), who would it be? Kate Beckinsale.
Who was the client for your first advertising/design project? The Baltimore Orioles. It was an internal commemorative poster featuring baseball cards from my own collection. The print run was very limited. When the owner of the Oriioles saw the end result he had an additional 30,000 printed to be given away during one of the Orioles’ home games. I still see the poster hanging in and around Baltimore.
If you were to change professions, what would you choose to do? It’s a toss-up between a broadcast producer or a sartorial observer (although Scott Schuman beat me to that).
What do you consider to be the greatest headline of all time? Well it’s not a headline, but one hell of a creative book title: “Why Animals Sleep So Close to the Road and Other Lies I Tell My Children.”
Which designer (or design studio), other than yours, do you most admire? Werner Design Werks.
What’s the strangest request you've received from a client? “Can you help me move?” What do you say to that? You have to say yes.
What well-known brand is most desperately in need of a redesign? The Republican Party.
From where do your best ideas originate? Outside the workplace.
How do you overcome a creative block? I walk away from the project, drink about fifteen Coke Zeros and when I come back, I start to sketch or write. Eventually something interesting comes to be.
If you could choose any product to create an ad for, what would it be? The Land Rover Defender.
Do you have creative outlets other than advertising and design? Perez Hilton’s celebrity gossip blog.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? I run everyday. It clears the head and puts everything into perspective and a hierarchy.
What product/gadget can you not live without? New Balance 1225 Running Shoes and my MacBook Pro.
What’s your favorite quote? “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” —Yogi Berra
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Immerse yourself in pop culture. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions, I would rather have an inquisitive young employee than a person who thinks he/she knows it all.