So, who's Paul anyway?

I was born an ordinary guy in Lafayette, Indiana with an extraordinary opportunity to grow up overseas in Hong Kong. As a young kid, this change opened my eyes to a huge, adventurous world…to live amidst so many different cultures, travel intriguing lands, enjoy amazing foods, and wrestle with strange languages. I was awed by amazing architecture, inspired by music, art, and of course, design. These things couldn't help but influence the years to follow.

Regardless of all the differences I've found wherever I've lived and traveled, the common thread that links all people together, regardless of age, race or culture, is the importance of relationships. This truth has profoundly influenced my determination to develop Circle Journey. As did my moms death… so many stories lost, handwriting as only she could write, images or notes scattered in old boxes never to be found or saved.

Before this product could ever become a reality however, I lived the kind of years that would nurture my spirit in preparation to create Circle Journey.

I remember my mom smiling and telling me how as a kid, I would spread blueberry jam, or other selected food, in specific, careful, spirited configurations on my high-chair food tray. When I became older, my dad tells me that I somehow slipped through my school years holding on to spontaneity and creativity that all kids start with but often abandon as they enter the grown-up world. I have great parents that believed that each of the seven kids in our family had a destiny and unique ability to be whatever and whoever we dreamed to be.

I wanted to be a designer. To draw things, design logos, work with and develop typefaces, find and capture photographic images, and ultimately mix together everything I love, and create things that never quite existed before. I was fortunate to attend Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. After years of hard work and so many nights void of sleep, I moved into the professional world of design; and I loved it.

I joined Fitch, Inc., a 500-person design consultancy based in Worthington Ohio, with offices in London, Boston, and San Francisco. In my 11 years at Fitch, I was able to design and help shape future products and brand personalities for such companies as Hush Puppies, Lee Jeans, Polaroid, Caribou Coffee, Boston Market, Bank One, International Paper and others. I worked with diverse projects that involved food packaging, high tech software, tradeshow booths, corporate strategy, women's fashion, and art direction of photo shoots. This was really hard work, but it was so great to work on so many projects with such gifted and creative people. I was fortunate to capture a number of awards from such prestigious design associations as IDEA, Graphis, Communication Arts, the Packaging Design Council, and AIGA, for positioning, strategy, and design applications.

This has all been the prelude to Circle Journey.
With this dream project, I have been able to envision, create and design a brand of products that truly affects and contributes to so many lives. It has allowed me to continue my passion for graphic design, photography, naming and writing, and now, the all encompassing website development.

So I offer up Circle Journey as a starting point for you to make it anything you want it to be. I hope you feel inspired and encouraged to celebrate and remember the relationships in your life.

Thank you for embracing Circle Journey. Everyday is the journey…travel it well.

P a u l

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