Turnstyle | Design, Graphic Design, Web Design, Information Design

Knowledge and experience comes from:
Growing up around close family and friends. Working in people-focused, service careers. Successfully failing calculus and pursuing psychology at Seattle University. Taking risks. Living abroad.

First or worst job:
Selling and renting tuxedos.

Inspired by:
Kind people performing great acts.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
"Forever in Bluejeans" by Neil Diamond.

Actor most likely to play me in "Turnstyle the Movie":
David Schwimmer, sadly.

Guilty pleasure:
Pizza Pockets.

Secret talent:
Breakdancing (1984 champion).

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Start a band.

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Email Matt

Knowledge and experience comes from:
Fifteen years in the field. Classic Swiss-style design education from the type-nazis at UW. Starting Turnstyle together with two other yahoos with no prior business experience.

First or worst job:
Courtesy clerk (bagger) at a grocery store, which included cleaning the "meat room" every Wednesday night—digging up week-old meat from the floor with a metal scraper. Mmmmm.

Inspired by:
Everything astronomy (astrology, not so much). Talented young designers. My incredibly creative wife and my two goofy boys.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
I've pretty much switched completely to Spotify these days. But if I were going to put an embarrassing song on my iPod, it would probably be something by Ke$ha. Her songs are so stupid, but I can never get them out of my head. Now I'm embarrassed.

Celebrity Doppelganger:
David Arquette as "Dewey" in the original Scream movie.

Guilty pleasure:
Going to the Seahawks game. Colossal waste of time, but oh so diverting.

Secret talent:
I can eat an entire meatball sub in one bite. Not unlike a boa constrictor.

A word of advice on Ballard:
You can park for $2 in the Ballard Landmark building, right in the middle of all the crazy nightlife on a Saturday night. It's totally worth it.

Nostaligic childhood memory:
Playing games and writing code on our family's TI-99/4A.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Visit Mars.

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Email Ben, LinkedIn

Knowledge and experience comes from:
Great parents who encouraged me to keep drawing past age ten. A fantastically talented wife and two great kids. Attempting calculus in college. Learning a second language (Spanish). Working as a volunteer for two years of my life. A BFA in Graphic Design from Brigham Young University. Public speaking. Going for it when I thought I might say something funny.

First or worst job:
Popcorn wrangler at the local movie theater.

Inspired by:
Art. Music. Movies. Architecture. Books on science and history. Venn diagrams. Decision trees. Humor. Nature. My family.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
The theme song from People's Court.

Celebrity Doppelganger:
A receptionist once told me she thought I looked like Terrance Howard. Lol! I can't remember if she was wearing sunglasses. Or maybe she was legally blind?

Guilty pleasure:
Watching America's Funniest Home Videos with my kids. I still crack up at people falling off porches or getting hit in the groin.

Secret talent:
Eating copious amounts of cheese with seemingly no ill effects on my gastrointestinal system.

A word of advice on Ballard:
Beware the leaf blower! I'm pretty sure he is omniscient and he won't back down.

Nostalgic childhood memory:
Playing outside on a grassy slope with my brother and being convinced we had discovered the curve of the earth.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Stand-up comedy.

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Email Steve

Knowledge and experience comes from:
My family and friends who have supported me through my life.

First or worst job:
First job was a paper route. It was fun till I had to collect money.

Inspired by:
People who are passionate and love what they do.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
The few songs I have on my iphone, I'm not sure I have anything embarrassing.

Celebrity Doppelganger:
Joe Bastianich from Master Chef.

Guilty pleasure:
I like to watch cooking shows.

Secret talent:
Reading people's minds.

A word of advice on Ballard:
Good luck with parking.

Nostaligic childhood memory:
Up up, down down, left right, left right, B, A, select, start.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Design and build a house.

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Email Jason

Knowledge and experience comes from:
My amazing parents and the work ethic they instilled in me, living in Seattle for 14 years and having built the most amazing friendships, traveling to other countries and experiencing other cultures, being surrounded by incredibly smart and driven people at Microsoft for 10 years and the 6 1/2 years I've been lucky enough to spend at Turnstyle with the most creative people I've ever been fortunate enough to meet.

First or worst job:
Washing dishes for a party rental company. The dirty dishes would sit in a warehouse in the heat of the summer awaiting my scrub brush and growing hair while they waited. Some days, I would spend 8 hours wiping spots from glasses and I'd have tears running down my face from holding the glasses up to the light so I could see the spots. GO TO COLLEGE!

Inspired by:
The kind deeds of others, wanting to set a good example for my son and recognizing I am blessed in life and knowing I should share what I can with others.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPod:
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship

Guilty pleasure:
ICE CREAM! I'd specify a flavor, but I'm an equal opportunity ice cream eater!

Secret talent:
I can touch my nose with my tongue.

A word of advice on Ballard:
Don't climb the light pole outside of BalMar - I've seen someone land them selves in an ambulance doing so.

Nostaligic childhood memory:
Our family of 6 driving to Disneyland for the first time in our station wagon. I was probably 10 and had never been outside of Oregon before. We had recently gotten a dog and I remember the 4 kids making up a song about our dog and singing it a good portion of the way home because we missed him so much. The one song I remember went, "We want Snickers (dog's name), he's not a belly itcher. We want Snickers he's not a broken ladder." My poor parents!

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Live in another country and learn the language, at some point in life.

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Knowledge and experience comes from:
Three plus decades of just trying to get it right.
My parents who made moves, took risks, worked hard, and stayed true.
Being aesthetically motivated in all things (if it's prettier, it's better and I'm buying it).
Being fascinated by all things (ants, plants, patterned pants, a good dance beat, even a cheesy romance).
Always being on the hunt for the new and different.
Spending plenty of time with myself.
Too many years of school including, but not limited to:
BA in Psych from the UW, BA in Visual Communication from Cornish College.

First or worst job:
This one.

JK : )
Phone sales. I quit at lunch on my first day.

Inspired by:
People who have carved out their path, made a place for themselves, and are successful on their own terms.
My mom and dad. My friends. Ben, Matt and Steve : )

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
Boyfriend by the Biebs.

Secret talent:
Nobody knows this, and its a big secret, but I'm kind of a big-deal designer.

A word of advice on Ballard:
Don't park on Shilshole late night and definitely never overnight.

Nostaligic childhood memory:
Digging for crabs in the summer with my family at Golden Gardens.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Be a DJ/producer/rock star with some crossover into the movies.

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Email Michelle

Knowledge and experience comes from?
Just trying to make every step a little better than the last.

First or worst job?
I sold fancy-fancy wedding dresses when I was 19. You'd think that would be fun, and you would be wrong.

Inspired by:
New sprouts in my garden. People who are brave. The power of nature. The way sometimes a little key change in a song, or the way a writer turns a phrase, is just ‘perfect’.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPod:
Luda helps me run faster. What.

Celebrity doppleganger:
Maybe Reese Witherspoon? She has a pointy chin and so do I.

Guilty pleasure:
I don't feel guilty about it one bit, but my love of bonnet movies is probably not entirely reasonable. Also - vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate powder stirred in. Don't knock it till you try it.

Secret talent:
I'm a pretty awesome spontaneous choreographer/dancer. Pay no attention to my boyfriend's wild laughter.

A word of advice on Ballard:
The natives have a loose definition of STOP.

Most memorable childhood nostalgia:
Expeditions with my brother and sisters through the wilds of Ramona, CA.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
If I knew I couldn't fail? Easy! Breathe underwater!

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Email Dani

Knowledge and experience comes from:
Travel and making friends

First or worst job:
Weedwacking -- I've got bad allergies

Inspired by:
Beastie Boys instrumentals, Jon Krakauer non-fiction, endorphins, and people who don't take themselves too seriously.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPod:
I take pride in every weird song I've collected.

Celebrity doppleganger:
Henry Rollins

Guilty pleasure:
Bailing on responsibilities to ski pow

Secret talent:
Beatbox

A word of advice on Ballard:
You'll find the best service at The Smoke Shop (a bar and cafe).

Most memorable childhood nostalgia:
My Reebok Pumps Dee Brown wore winning the '91 dunk contest.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Start a brewery

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Email Brett

Knowledge and experience comes from:
Observing, listening and learning from others. And most importantly, experiencing it firsthand.

First or worst job:
Stuffing wire hangers into custom paper sleeves. Ever wonder about those wire hangers from a dry cleaner? A great way for my parents to keep me and my brother occupied. I recall many paper cuts...

Inspired by:
My parents. People who overcome adversity.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPod:
Umm… too many. Take Me On.

Guilty pleasure:
TV. Kid candy (Halbro gummi bears, Mamba, Jolly Rancher STICKS…)

Secret talent:
Bow and arrow - just don't ask me to shoot a moving live target.

A word of advice on Ballard:
Where no nonsense fishermen meets (former) hipsters with families.

Nostaligic childhood memory:
1st trip to Disneyland - in awe and fear of the Haunted House. Those holograms sure looked real to an 8 year old who believed in ghosts!

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Anything that I perceive to be risky and dangerous.

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Knowledge and experience comes from:
Growing up in three different countries with different cultures. My supportive parents who taught me lots of things about life (and still do today). BFA in Graphic Design from Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Past experiences and mistakes that leads to many interesting memories and makes me a better person today. Asking questions, being curious and listen to other people's life stories.

First or worst job:
My first job was working at a candle store in Perth, Australia. I had to shelve candles, dust them, take out the trash, and help customers.

Inspired by:
My hardworking dad and my wise mother. My two creative, crazy, fun sisters. My friends who inspire me in their own unique ways. People that have great love, passion and kindness.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPod:
Backstreet Boys. It's one of the albums I grew up with.

Guilty pleasure:
Watching TV reruns all day long in my pajamas.

Secret talent:
I play the guitar.

A word of advice on Ballard:
Great place for foodie.

Nostalgic childhood memory:
Almost every afternoon, my sisters and I would ride on our bicycles around the neighborhood until my parents come home from work and pull up their car on the driveway.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Play all the musical instruments in existence. Make a movie. Be a professional athelete.

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Knowledge and experience comes from:
My older sister who always somehow convinced me to try things first when we were kids. From skateboarding barefoot to jumping off jungle gyms. It's amazing I'm in one piece. My degree in journalism, broadcast news. Performing as a cheerleader for football games at the University of Colorado, Boulder. We would run onto the field seconds before the mascot—a half-ton buffalo—ran the field. I learned quickly to run fast...and to not trip. Having the opportunity to work for some of the most diverse companies, from Microsoft to law firms, to small wineries.

First or worst job:
One of my first jobs was at the local Harley-Davidson dealership, working as a personal assistant to the owners. I was lucky enough to be the guinea pig for their first female motorcycle riding class. I've wanted a motorcycle ever since.

Inspired by:
My mom. She's the strongest person I know. A witty sense of humor. My grandfather's work ethic. Rocky Mountain air. Great design that has a purpose. Those who have determined their passion in life and work tirelessly to be the best at it.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
"Get Down Tonight" by KC and the Sunshine Band.

Celebrity Doppelganger:
I've been told Reese Witherspoon.

Guilty pleasure:
Anything associated with cheese. Interior design and food blogs.

Secret talent:
I'm a bit of an event planner...theme parties included.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Fill in for Matt Lauer or Diane Sawyer for a day.

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Email Abbey

Knowledge and experience comes from:
• My amazing parents who always support me and tell me if I do what I love, nothing can go wrong.

• My work experience at Cadson Demak where my two bosses were also my professors in undergrad. They are some of the people I admired most.

• My BFA in Graphic Design from Bangkok University and my two years of graduate school at MICA with Ellen Lupton, Jennifer Cole Phillips, and definitely all my talented classmates.

First or worst job:
My aunt has a clothing store and when I was a kid and sometimes I would help her fold clothes and put them in bags. It was only a few hours of work on the weekend and it gave me pocket money to buy cookies!

Inspired by:
Good, simple and thoughtful design. Good movies. Good stories. Architecture. Different cultures around me.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
Gangnum style

Celebrity Doppelganger:
I can't think of anyone really. Mulan maybe?

Guilty pleasure:
Salted chocolate chips cookie and ice cream. I have an uncontrollable sweet tooth, seriously.

Secret talent:
I can give people who trust me a really decent haircut.

A word of advice on Ballard:
If you don't know what to get for dinner, come to Ballard. ‪There is‬ every possible kind of restaurant.

Nostaligic childhood memory:
My dad has a rule that Sunday has to be a family day (Wattanasansanees mandatory). It just meant we had fun plans every Sunday.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Invent teleportation device… so I could make it to family day! (My family is in Thailand).

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Knowledge and experience comes from:
Being a sponge in any situation and my grandfather: the entrepreneur, cartoonist, newspaper man, and all-around DIYer.

First or worst job:
Working consessions at a discount movie theater. "You may have only had to pay $2 to get in and our facilities may look post-apocalyptic, but yeah, that large popcorn and drink will be $12 please."

Inspired by:
Creativity that seems effortless.

Most embarrassing song willing to admit is on my iPhone:
Bryan Adams - "Everything I Do, I Do It for You"

Celebrity doppleganger:
Orlando Bloom in "Kingdom of Heaven"

Guilty pleasure:
Bath Salts

Secret talent:
I can do a spot-on Gollum impersonation.

A word of advice on Ballard:
You're always a stone's throw away from quality BBQ.

Nostaligic childhood memory:
Making stop-motion films with my action figures.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail:
Design a house.

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Email Robert