By now you’ve likely seen the Support Local logo and poster – goodness knows we at Apartment613 have been using it wherever possible for the last few weeks. As we wind down on this month long initiative, we wanted to chat with the guy behind the ingenious design. Steve St Pierre of Maker, cleverly realizing that our city is in the shape of a heart, has created a logo that (we like to think, at least) warms the actual hearts of Ottawans, and lets them show a little extra lovin’ for this city. (Steve, along with his dad and two friends, is also a founder of Oldam Brand. Want more details? Check out the Oldam opening on December 13 down at IdeaSpace.)
So one November morning, both of us ensconced in front of our computers (me: at home; Steve: who knows where) we pulled up Google Chat and had ourselves a little heart-to-heart. Here, in all its unedited glory, is the transcript of that chat:
Apartment613: Hey, Maker!
Steve St. Pierre: Oh hello Karen
You all good to go for this hard-hitting interview?
I absolutely am. I plan on being honest, hard hitting, dropping names and as belligerent as possible.
We wouldn’t expect anything less. So – maybe start off by bragging a bit about who you are, and what you do. Because a lot of it is pretty awesome.
Ah geeze. I don’t know. I’m a graphic designer. First and foremost, that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. Logos, mostly. But I’ll roll up my sleeves on anything that lands in my inbox. Being busy is good. Real good. Apart from that, I really don’t know. I’ve built this little cocoon of vectors and pantone swatches that I don’t climb out from too often. I’ve been at this for eight years, and Maker, my little freelance practice, got going eight months ago and it’s been rewarding and exhausting and a slew of other great adjectives.
Congrats on launching Maker, by the way – it seems like it’s gotten off the ground in a really good way. What’s been the biggest surprise for you, having launched into the world of solo entrepreneurship?
That running from the government isn’t easy. Taxes exist for a reason, apparently. But really, the biggest surprise is how easy it’s been. I don’t mean to sound conceited, but it’s been a pretty incredible experience. You get back what you put into it, you know? And I sweat. It’s disgusting. I work really hard at this, and my clients have been super supportive and the referrals keep coming and I’m busy and keep my cupboards stocked and paying rent isn’t a problem solver every month. It’s so much different than being in a studio. You make the calls, you track your time, no one grabbing your mouse and telling you to add another gradient and naps. Yep. Naps happen.
Naps at a home office must be a lot more comfortable than naps under the desk at work.. way less chance of getting caught, too. So you’ve clearly chosen to set up shop in Ottawa, and mentioned your supportive clients. What else have you noticed about the Ottawa business and creative community?
There are pockets of greatness. In both the Ottawa business and the creative community. You keep hearing the same names, month after month – and deservedly so. Town and Victoire and the Manx and blumenstudio and all these cats that are working their tails off to do what they love. And they all support each other because they’re realizing that they’re all in this together. The creative community is an interesting one. I’ve got some great pals who’ve been mentors to me, helped me figure my shit out and now they’re essentially colleagues. I’ll send out concepts to them and we’ll go back and forth and work together despite only one of us sending out the invoice. I’ll namedrop some of my favourites, if I may, and it’s early and I might miss one, but all the folks at Northern Army and Fancy Boys and my pal Ross Proulx and the Greater Good and MediaStyle. They’re all a bunch of sarcastic jerks but they’re swell.
The community is supportive, in general. I said this the other week, and I kind of stand by it. There are people who are in it for the right reason, and people who aren’t. Time sorts all that stuff out.
(sorry shouldn’t say “kind of” – I stand by it)
So true. And – if I may throw in a little plug for Support Local month here – we’ve noticed that supportive spirit in abundance this November. We’re approaching 150 participants, which is crazy! Also, in part due to the stellar graphic design work you’ve done, of course.
This is the best time of year, in my opinion.
It’s made November more appealing, it’s true! Mostly, I think, because it’s easier to forget about the cold weather when you can get out to show some love for the city.
So you’ve got some new projects underway – care to share a bit about what’s coming up the pipeline? (Also: where do these ideas keep coming from? Do they ever stop?!)
It’s like I said, I need to be busy. Letting my mind sit and ruminate isn’t good news for anyone. Maker’s still going, so there’s that. But I’m really excited about this new project I’m working on with my father and a couple pals. We’re making “quality hard goods” – shelving and lighting and carved wooden spoons and a bunch of other great stuff. I swear to God I will not use the word artisinal – blow it out your ass. They’re all designed and made with sweat and blood and expletives are flying during the process. That launches soon. My retired father! Off the couch and working with his scrub of a son – what a riot.
And then there’s 613 Reasons. This is an idea I’ve had for nearly two years and I’m finally making the time to get it done. I’m hunting down 613 unique reasons why people should love this city. I know it’s been super trendy to wave the Ottawa flag and be all rah-rah, but there is a genuine love and support for the greatness this city has to offer these days. So every time you visit the site, it’ll give you a new thing to check out. Not sure when submissions we’ll be opening up, but trust I won’t shut up about it when it happens. People are already getting behind it. But now I can’t think about expanding it to other cities, you know? 416 Reasons to love Toronto. 514 to love Montreal. 604 to love Vancouver. Put this in print! We need proof of this in case some clown wants to steal this shit.
Get on it! Do all the cities.
So what else do we need to know about you, and the work that you’ve done? Any projects you’re particularly proud of? (Besides, of course, discovering that Ottawa is in the shape of a heart and shamelessly using that for Support Local promotion.)
I swear I can’t be the first to notice Ottawa was in the shape of a heart. It’s ridiculous. But the Support Local stuff is honestly some of the most fun. You guys are a swell client, first and foremost, letting me run wild over all this stuff. But it’s been great and I swear if you ever leave me I will find you and slam your cupboards. And other projects that I’m excited about – all of ’em. If someone has the audacity to send me a note looking for a hand, I’m gonna extend one to shake theirs and get going. I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some of the best clients. Really. No ass kissing. They’re genuinely amazing people and will be invited to my wedding that will probably never happen.But what else about me… I really don’t know. It’s been a riot. Such a weird trip getting to where I’m at. From Ottawa to Toronto to Vancouver then back home and no one gave a shit and working at American Apparel (with Ross Proulx, no less – hey buddy!) until a lovely saint at a studio gave me my shot, and four years later, here I am doing my own thing. A few ups and a slew of downs but I’m still here and swinging away. And I see that tenacity in so many people and it’s in that little pocket that I feel the most comfortable.
We love your designs, clearly, and won’t let anyone else get their grubby hands on Support Local – your grubby hands are definitely good enough.
Thanks for chatting with us today – we’re psyched to see what you continue to come up with. The last word is yours, if you want it!
Wait, wait, wait. Don’t I get to answer the “home is where the heart is” question?! Come on. I’ve been prepping!
Oh right! I forgot, sorry. Soooo… building on our Support Local theme for 2013, how would you fill in the blank of “Home is where the_______ is?”
Pizza.
But seriously. I have a real answer.
And it’s a little weird, but look who you’re talking to.
We wouldn’t expect anything less. Bring it.
Home is where the discomfort is. There are a bunch of scrappers in this city who’ve grown disatisfied over the years and taken the reigns on making this city what they want it to be. What’s great about Ottawa is that doing that is completely feasible. But what I mean by the whole discomfort thing is that I am NEVER comfortable. That’s what keeps me going. The second something becomes easy enough for me to be complacent about it, I need to chuck a stick through the spokes. We need to be challenged and go over and above what’s expected. And that’s the result of being in a state of discomfort.Ok, maybe it wasn’t weird. I don’t know. But ok, last words: thank you. I mean it. Apt613 is doing an incredible thing and you guys don’t get enough credit. Volunteer based and you guys care. There is no pretentiousness. There are no favourites being played (says the guy who’s your go to designer, but I digress). You are owed huge, and I think I speak on behalf of all the people you’ve supported over the years when I say “thanks.” Really. Ok, I’m done.
We’ll send those kudos right back at you, and at the awesome Ottawa community that’s embraced that discomfort (an accurate description of what makes this city keep fighting that boring stereotype, for sure). Thanks!
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