Hello:

I am a graphic designer from San Francisco. Just love good design, snowboarding and music.

Keep up the good work and I hope you have the merch area set-up soon.

thanks
tt

I stumbled onto your website six months ago and have been reading it ever since. Thanks for the observations and designs…and the photos of Gary.

Who I am and what do I do and where do I come from?

Just moved to Minnesota from Portland, Maine four weeks ago.

I am unemployed right now…My wife has let me know that it is ok until like July and then I may have to take a job at Fleet-Farm or something.

That’s it.

Oh by the way…My current rotation is in this order.

1. The Avett Brothers “Four Theives Gone”

2. The Eels “Beautiful Freak”

3. Yonder Mountain String Band “Elevation”

4. Jerry Joseph and the Jack Mormons
“Salt Lake City”

5. Steve Earle and the Dukes
“Shut up and Die like an Aviator”

You can’t call my days “wild” by any means. Sitting in front of this machine all day does however let me check up on here regularly. I enjoy reading your messages, without you I wouldn’t even know Coyle is in a band, and Embry is a daddy like me. It’s been kinda cool, and the links to the other sites are always a good time waster while I’m here on the clock. So I say thank you for the entertainment and we will be in touch soon.

Congrats on one whole year in the freelance jungle. I am still wading in the kiddie pool of full-time employment, securely wrapped in a blanket of overpriced health insurance and a crumby 401K.

OK. Send me some DDC swag.

You’re right. Freelancing is hard. Let me place you someplace, Aaron.

Hey Draplin,

Congrats on your first year in the great wide open. After many years as an independent rep, I can totally relate to the overwhelming feeling one gets when doing your own thing, but the positives far outweigh the negatives and the learning experience is huge. Yo and I are patiently waiting for baby number 1 (a girl, we cheated and found out) in late June, so we are pretty excited. I hope all is well down there and hopefully we’ll see you soon.

I read about 5-10 weblogs and websites before I start workin’ in the morning. yours is one. I live in the same town you do, and I color shoes. I know Montagne from a while back, I’ve even sipped a margarita or two at a Cinco mixer. Keep up the banter, it’s enjoyed.
-F

Well shit, I’ll bite. Without comments, there’s no interaction, and what’s the point in that?

I’m Aaron (not THIS one, but another one). I’m a visual communication designer from Seattle, which is a fancy-pants way of saying I’m a graphic and web designer. I can’t remember how your site ended up in my bookmarks, but it’s on my list of sites that I check on a daily basis. So yeah, keep it up brother.

I read it, I read it all. I even finally posted my very first comment on the ‘Friday, all day DDC Diorama’ which I noted is still not up seemingly due to a federally imposed tax deadline. I read it because I was offered a job at Cinco but took a job at Dragstrip (regretful in hindsight). I read it because it matters, to a lot of us out here in the same game. I read it because I’m contemplating the same moves, have had similar failures and successes. I read it for the players involved, this game is truly about who you know, especially in the early innings. I read it because it is really about life, not typography. I read it because I spent time in the city of roses (first design job out of college) and am currently doing my time in so-cal. I read it because we work for the same ‘we do it because we live it and love it and not for the money’ industry. I will keep reading it as long as you keep writing it.

Good Stuff.

I’m a recent discoverer of your site, but instantly threw you into my daily read list once I saw you rockin’ the Futura Bold. Much thanks for the inspiration to just Step Out There and Make It Work…

Congrats on the 900 posts! Great site, great work, go Gary Zissou!

My name is PJ and I’m a graphics designer and Carhartt enthusiast living in Chicago (a city named after a native American word meaning “stinking onion”).

I’ve been reading this fucker since it went out in “mass e-mail form,” so you’d think I’d know better by now, but goddamnit, I gotta tune in at least once daily. And I will continue to do so until we die, as long as the internet is accessible.

Always an inspiration, thanks for the good posts.

Im read daily! Keep up the good job. you are an inspiration to many.

P.s. Hit that Lovejoy kid in the sack for me , would ya.
beers soon?

THIS SITE MAKES FOR A GOOD PLACE TO GO WHILE MY 56K IS LOADING MY EBAY PAGE UP. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WENT HIGH SPEED. I JUST DONT KNOW. GET SOME WORK DONE FOR SURE. GARY KEEP UP THE BARKING. WISH THERE WAS A WAY I COULD LOG ON TO YOUR SITE AND HEAR GARY BARK THE WHOLE TIME I READ WHATS GOING ON. thanks for the love

I read because it is refreshing.

I’ll always stop by to read how you are. Good job on the year and the 900th post. Keep up the good work.

gary’s pics are enough to keep me coming back for more. cheers!

My name is Justin. I live in Chicago. I make stuff.

I stop by here every once in a while to catch up on DDC news. Always a good read.

Congrats on #900, likewise for the business success. You’re an inspiration to us all.

With all due respect as a regular reader of your blog and a former client of the DDC, you’re jumping the gun with this 900 thing. You ain’t Tony hawk at the X Games, so 900 is just short of the real number of merit 1000.
Let’s see a mad dash of 100 posts this week and hit that real number of 1000 by Sunday midnight!

And yeah, I hear you on that whole freelancing thing. I used to do it and now that I’ve left Ally I might have to do it again for at least a while. Enjoyed some of it, absolutely hated it other times. Feast and Famine. Panic and boredom.

Hello DDC Floor,

I’m an architect/designer here in Portland all of 16 months already (from DC, and more recently Eastern panhandle West Virginia).
I check in time to time to get some heartland bite, and soak up some of you’re ‘get the fucker done’ spirit.
Happened upon your site when looking at tributes to Kris Okins (who I never met, but by whose passing I was profoundly saddened).

I appreciate what you do. B.

I’m a snowboarder from scotland, I’m interested in general design and photography. I found your blog via the airblaster website and it worked its way into my ‘check before I can start doing any sort of computer based work’ websites. Keep it up :)

Gramps its me. I cant believe you hired that jackass Issac. What a douschebag that mark is.

Hope everything is ok. Love your 360Air Max logo.

best

_Haker

been riding in the n.w. for 15 yrs i think i started seeing your stuff in volcano mag ? always liked your work . good blog also. keep it n.w.

I’m a business owner with a profound love for all things binary. I’m also a printmaker going through serious withdrawal. Photography will have to suffice until I can break out the inks.

Aaron, if you keep producing I’ll continue consuming.

Congratulations on 900. Looking forward to 901 and beyond. Also congratulations on another successful year at the DDC. Miss ya ‘round here at cinco, but know you are in a much better place.

Hello, I’m a asshole form portland, or. I’ve been a fan of the DDC since it’s shithole beginings in Travis Yamada’s house and Aaron was a ambulance driver for High Cascade doing graphics for Solid. I read this crap way to much, too the point of getting pissed if there is nothing new on for a couple days. No matter how shitty of a mood I’m in, or what this fucked up world throws at me, I’m “gu-aaron-teed” a laugh at the DDC’s bits of trurth and amazing photo’s/ illustrations. Proud isn’t word enough to see how well you’ve been doing. Although i’ve heard enough crap about the freaking Flaming Lips to last me the rest of my fucking life, i will continue to check up with the DDC every moring till you stop. Thanks for all the help and good times.
coyle

I’ll confess that I have been a virtual lurker of this site since I stumbled upon it last October, and now I feel obligated to comment.

You always hear that one can do anything they want to in America, and it’s refreshing to see that you are a testement to that. When I feel faded from my little world of graphic design, I hit your site up, and I leave more motivated than when I came. When I graduated from design school, I thought I would be working for sports and snowboarding clients, but here I sit drawing a huge diagram of a penis for a medical device company. Christ. Not what I always wanted to do. Its good to see that you are.

Keep up the ass-kickin work and commentary.

I imagine that AJD will have his merch area set up about post #999. I hope so. I was really looking forward to buying a hat before summer got here. I guess all I can look forward too now is freckles & skin cancer.

You’re a big inspiration to a lot of us out here in design land. Keep up the great site.

Thanks—Jerms

My name is Bill and I live in South Jersey (we like to distinguish ourselves from our northern neighbors).

I first visited your site during your second (?) roadtrip round the country, continent, world, etc. way back in the fall of ‘05. Your posts, and Gary updates keep me going. Stay strong and ain’t never die.

My recent spins:

1. Pavement - Wowee Zowee
2. Mogwai - Mr. Beast
3. Palace - Viva Last Blues
4. Guided by Voices - Isolation Drills
5. Mono - You Are There

Hello Aaron!

I told you I’d post a comment last summer and I still haven’t so let me take this opportunity to say, I love reading your blog. I’ve been an avid fan since fall of 2000 and I check for new postings daily. I love the way you write, the fun little stories you tell, your lists, and gary tales (because he is the cutest dog ever—tell him I said hi). It’s a memoir of you and it’s awesome.

And for the who I am and what I do part for all the other blog readers:
I moved to Philly in December and work for a mortgage company. Snowboarding used to be my passion but not so much anymore. I’m turning into a city girl.

—shannon ;-)

I read it ‘cause you’re my bro! And, you’re cool!

Keep the good stuff coming!

S

I’m been following DDC for sometime. I’m a web person / designer / skateboader / ex-snowboard industry moron / whatever who used to live in SF and now find my home in Portland. I run a few sites and ran across yours for some reason or another and put it on my daily links page.

I recently ran across someone wearing a DDC shirt in a bowling alley. You are world wide.

.: Chris

first met drap at tc skate. takin a breather after a heavy session on the mini ramp. talked about punk rock & paint pen art on the grip tape. I’ve still got some of the original exacto triple layered d stickers & even a draplid or two. anyhow, glad you’re still kickin’. don’t let all these flattering posts go to yer head too much. lets see a re-issue of the flaming d stickers my snowboards are looking pretty lame lately.

I agree with superG (andy) - no fucking claiming on 900. premature content unloading. major blogjam on the negB. Calm down on the complaining, while keeping up the medicore work. Plenty of scrubs doing this internet text/image thing now and days, wheres the podcastâ„¢, bro?

I read your blog and news sites to put off the hard work of “making things look pretty.”

So I type in www.dr…

If I want depressing neo-con news, I type

www.drudgereport.com

If I want a midwest sonofabitch tough talking about deadlines or little yappy dogs I type

www.draplin.com

Usually I’m happier after reading your site. Thanks.

MC

hi aaron,

i’m a friend of lance and vanessa violette via vanessa’s high school friend stacey, who happens to be my wife.

i was tipped off to this fine little nugget of internet after seeing a gary button that lance was rockin in the portland airport. ive been tuning in regularly ever since.

thanks for all the fine points of wisdom, beautiful blog entry teasers, lips tips and being such a fine human to your animal.

id love to meet you some day.

till then,
billy

http://westernfront.tv/

We just keep checking in hoping we’ll see evidence of the “I’m going to have time next month” thing. We are unhappy to report that we’ve seen nothing even close. You appear to be overclocked in all corners, though there have been some extremely pleasing sasqCoyle graphics in the past. And those alone are worth the visit.

Happy 900th. No one does it the way you do it. And you do it well.

900 posts later,

well, you’re still a dick.

Congrats, man.

r

Its just a way to kill time in a hotel room, but its interesting to see how little Draplin has grown from his train days. Who’d of thought that from his humble biginings hawking t-shirts ont he train he would have come to this.

I still wear mine even though the beefy t’s are showing some signs of age, I keep telling the wife (same one for 24 years, suprised?) they are still good, “Don’t throw them away”

Good luck and may the next 100 bring enlightenment and wisdom

John

My man, I stop by here every day…900 is a magic post number? You are the Tony Hawk of self-indulgent design-centered, Portland-based blogs.

XOXOXO

Cris

Ten years I’ve been followig this stuff. That make me feel old all of a sudden. Granted, not Aaron Draplin-old, but old nonetheless.

You know we keep tabs on the Northwest contingent via the interwebs here in Chicago and will keep on keepin’ on.

I’ll say this: “Draplin: in my top 5 websites/weblogs ever.”

A fine personal site if there ever was one.

From the days of Crusted Creations and TC to the OC & the NW. It’s been long time and a fun journey. Get your ass out to the house for some dinner. I dig reading the site. It’s come a long way since the mass emails. Keep up the good work.

D - I’ve got a flaming “D” sticker for you.

Rod

We’re keeping an eye on you Drap.

Somebody has to.

I read it because my son thinks you are a cool younger version of your old man. And based on the last time I saw you, you are starting to actually look more like him too. Sorry about that. Keep up the good work, it allows me to brag about my next door neighbor’s successful kids.

who am I?

…….yer proud momma

where am I?

……NW lower michigan, draplin compound

what do I do?

……run the family business, put up with yer poppa, track this awesome site daily - refreshing!!!

Congrats on the awesome audience you have amassed over the years; true testimonials to what you do and what you say. Don’t ever change, you are one in a million.

I should know: I created you (with a little help). I take all the credit; all the blame. I am proud to be yer momma.

Wanted to wait for 1000th post. Just wanted to show the support.

Not much for commenting on things…just stoked on your work, Snowboard Mag, M6 and 900’s. It was good meeting you and your dad at SIA. Congrats.

Drap-
I been reading this blog on and off for…2-3 years. Often daily, other times a month or so will pass and then I’ve got much reading to catch up on. Always enjoyable. I read it because you’re one of those “Good people” (your writing reflects that) and it’s nice to know they’re out there. Of course, you’ve also got bad-ass taste in music and I’ve discovered a few amazing bands through you. I also love the designs-the Robin is my screensaver right now.
Here’s to 900 more!

Hey Meatfoot aka Dark Cloud,

Hey, remember when I visited last Aug. and lil’ Gary tried to show off and shat on your leather couch? That was awesome. Somehow didn’t make the DDC press page, though.
Congrats on 900 days of shameless self-promotion. Somehow I keep coming back, though. Not really a blog or even an internet guy, so take it as a compliment that I visit regularly, if only to chuckle at someone going on 10 years of “making something out of nothing”.
BTW, got a new bike and I need long, skinny stickers. Big Alaska summer planned and I need sponsors. And they always make for an unsolicited, unwarranted, and nearly unexplainable conversation. Your favorite.
Lemme know when you plan to walk off the train in Wasilla - now I know who you named your dog after.
Good luck on reaching the millenial milestone, I expect a block party lovefest or something.
Ty

Hey Aaron,

I’ve been keeping tabs on you. I must apmit I’m really proud to have known you, and you certainly taught me a bunch from our MCAD days together - for which I’m very grateful. It’s good to see you’re doing so well. I’ve been contemplating a move to Portland myself. Nextime I’m in town I’d like to look you up, buy you a beer. Take care.

-Brad

Yooohooo!

*waves a flag about*
Who am I? I’m me.
What do i do?
Student of social sciences, national diploma in fine art and english lit and lang, writer, blogger, single mother of three, painter with aspirations of creating things for others to enjoy in any form.

yo draplin-

as usual… you are keeping it real. yours truly is calling the mighty bellingham home these days. got a pad on 10 acres just outside the city limits on the way to baker. during the weekdays you can find me making maps - not terribly exciting, but good pay.

hope to be visiting pdx very soon… perhaps sharing some words over a pint is long overdue?!

keep up the fine work and site - always a fun read!

ciao!
etk

Right on Drap. You are the man. Love your work. You are in inspiration. Let’s hang when I get back next week. Word out.

Coulter

Oh HELLO…so I saw you in some issue of TransworldSnowboarding and have been checkin’ out your blog every couple of days since-almost like 3 weeks now! a ha ha…I’m a wanna-be, I guess you could say-totally plan on having a job just like your’s someday. Your site is pretty sweet…it’s FUNNY-love it.

Pretty sure I deserve a reward or two
lates-
malz

I’m addicted to the internet because of classy websites like this. If you weren’t doing such a good job, I’d be out doing something productive. Dang it, keep up the good work.

I have fond memories of an Open Space, of empty beer bottles deposited in closets; porn left in upstairs bathrooms; weed smoked in the woods; sandwiches snatched from school benefits; and of course, ‘fuck your opinion’ t-shirts…

I’m a dear old friend you asshole and of course I read your shit - it’s the only decent propaganda I get over here. What do I do? Not much. It’s too damn hot.

Get a girlfriend or come out of the closet. Gary needs a break.

B.

1000 :: The Barbecutioner Strikes Back. Make it so.

Husky men, unite.

awright… how could i pass up an opportunity to post a recent listens list… shit - i miss these things from the ol’ volcanomag almost more than anything:

1. kaki king - everybody loves you
2. millrace - westerns
3. kfjc.org (still the finest college radio out there - foothill college, los altos hills, ca)
4. secret chiefs 3 - live, L.A. troubadour, ‘06
5. tangerine dream - rätikon
6. zombi - digitalis
7. estradasphere - buck fever
8. dillinger escape plan - miss machine
9. blonde redhead - misery is a butterfly
10. eyvind kang - the story of iceland

Hey Aaron,
Thanks for creating a reliable haven of stimulating words, pictures and art on the net. Your site is not only in my bookmarks, its in my bookmarks bar, a daily check. Pat Gary for me, since I can’t way out here in NH.
Karen Merriam

hey aaron, congrats on your acheivements! i check your site almost daily, and am glad to see it’s running strong as ever.
-seattle, wa

It’s been on my daily list for a few months because you need more Philly representation, or maybe just because you have a great site.

Chuck

I have been a fan of your design since you were the AD at Snowboarder. I check your site pretty much every day for inspiration and I’m never disappointed.

Take Care

Josh Campbell

I’m Dano. I take pictures in the mountains and at one time Mr. Drplin, you used to put them on a page. I read the site for:

1.Dachshund references since my little step-dogger is currently in Honduras.

2. Midwestern insight and humour.

3. Musical guidance.

4. Eye candy.

900… what a milestone!

Congrads on a successful year working for yo’self Draplin. And thanks for being a daily inspiration to all us graphic designing type folks out there, both as a professional and a human being.

Stay up in the ‘06!

Nothing like a list of comments to make you feel not so unique! So. I’m another midwest transplant, graphic designer, snowboarder, currently living in SF and doing freelance full-time once again. After working as a tool for the Man, making infographics and flow diagrams purty and legible, I feel inspired to do more creative work for less money. But those wolves will be at the door before you can say “Don’t quit your day job”. (I say bring on the wolves. Ima make me a new fur hat.)

Or, fuck it. Maybe I’m just “one of those cats who woke up at forty and decided to do something with his life”. But I’m not quite forty yet, so I’m waking up early. A first.

Either way, I’m the proud owner of a DDC “Things We Love” Gocco postcard from the wurst, which smiles at me every time I reach for the printer. And there aren’t many things on there that WE don’t love too.

So, thanks. Much.