Designer Spotlight: Bob Hankin
Location: Omaha, NE
Employment: Bellevue University
Website: www.anxiousfrank.com
Bob Hankin has been an active member of the design community for many years. You may know him for his role as the former AIGA president, Graphic Design Professor at Bellevue University, or just all-around good guy. Bob enjoys long boarding, graffiti, and is one of the few guys I’ve seen that can rock a fedora. Enjoy our spotlight of Bob Hankin!
How do you maintain a passion for design?
I personally think the best way to maintain and nurture a passion for design is to experience life with your eyes open. Sure, I read design books and magazines and I spend plenty of time surfing design web sites, but that only provides the literal or academic part of the mix. The rest is life. I attend as many events the growing Omaha creative scene has to offer. I longboard, paint graffiti, and I’m on a constant hunt for the next pair of sneakers. My next endeavor is to learn how to DJ and create beats. Talking with people – both designers and non-designers – is very important. Every time I walking away from a conversation I take with me something new: an idea, a new perspective or just new information.
Basically you can’t (in my opinion) be a designer if you go through life with your head down while attached to a narrow routine. (I’ve been writing a piece that I’ll post to my web site soon on this very topic.)
What is the best advice that you have ever received?
This may seem silly but one of the guys that works at The Bunker in KC told me, “It’s 20% fit and 80% attitude” when I was buying my first hat. At that point I realized I would no longer hold myself back from the things in life I want to experience. I really woke up that day. I’ve always had a bag of excuses to pull from when I discovered something new to try. I left too many opportunities behind over the years. Not anymore.
I think, “make your own happiness” might be my second favorite. You can’t rely on others to fill your moment, day or life with happiness. You have to do that yourself and in the process, hopefully, you will bring happiness to others as well.
What draws you to the art of graffiti?
Graffiti is something I’ve always admired but didn’t think I could do it (some may argue I still can’t). I think part of it is the culture or the way graffiti artists approach their craft. Part of it is the fact it isn’t graphic design. Well, not in a “proper” sense at least. I’ve been clicking a mouse for a long time – after a while you need something different to run through your brain – a different problem to create a solution for. Graffiti does that for me.
I’ve never been good at painting and I don’t consider myself all that much of an illustrator either. Working with spray paint has been a welcomed challenge and has gotten me to want to dabble in working with acrylics and screen-printing. I draw a lot more now too.
What is the best experience you had as president of AIGA Nebraska?
Being an active participant in Omaha’s (and Nebraska’s) creative community. So many sit on the sidelines and watch (or just complain) when they could just jump in and add their talents and perspectives to the mix. I was that person, sitting and complaining, until I complained out loud and someone listened and offered me an opportunity to act. (Thanks Tanya!) I’ve also had the opportunity to travel and meet some really great people through serving on the board.
The whole experience was great. If you’ve never had that experience I highly recommend you give it a try. Volunteer to help at an event or better yet – offer your time and serve on the board.
What advice would you give to emerging designers and creatives?
Run!! (just kidding) Being a designer or creative isn’t dependent on a degree or membership to a group or owning the latest and greatest MacBook Pro. It’s being a creative problem solver. Don’t get hung up on the “things” of design – submerse yourself IN design. Open your eyes and your mind to what lies ahead of you and soak it in.
I taught a drawing class a long time ago and I opened the class with, “I can’t draw.” After the class calmed down I finished with, “but I can see – I’m going to teach you how to see.” By the end of the class they were looking at life a little differently.
You can’t know exactly what something tastes like until you take a bite. Get hungry and eat.
