[You're reading part 3 (of 3). Read Drew's. Read Joe's.]

Recently, we received an e-mail from design student Suzanne Schmidt asking us to answer a design questionnaire. We decided each of the three of us would answer the questions separately, and post them publicly on the Oxide News site.

Adam Torpin. Photo by Adam Nielsen

How has your job/position changed since you first entered the professional field (if it has)? Are you where you imagined yourself?

I’m pretty new to the world of professional graphic design. A few years ago, right out of school, I joined the Oxide team. I really didn’t know where I was going to be when I graduated, but I am very happy to have landed where I did.

What’s your fallback career; what would you be doing if not this?

I believe I would be happy creating some sort of art. I’ve always loved pottery and photography. I would also be very happy as a projectionist at a small movie theater. However, I could most easily see myself as a professional organizer.

Who are some of your influences?

My parents definitely influenced my work ethic, which was instrumental in getting me to where I am. My high school art teacher Mr. Magstadt kept me interested in art, while one of my college professors Clint Carlson gave me a lot of confidence. To answer the question in a completely different way, Lester Beall is my all-time favorite designer.

What inspires you?

Whenever I see a great solution to a design problem, whether it’s graphic design or not, it inspires me to strive for more in my own work.

What’s unique to your workflow? Are there any “rituals” to your process?

I’m going to have to copy Drew’s answer here. Pencil sketching to get out any idea that we may have is a great way to start any project. Not only does it allow you to get all of the bad ideas out of the way, you can often find solutions in your sketches or each other’s sketches that you wouldn’t have gotten to any other way.

What’s the biggest challenge you face when starting a new project?

Often times when I start a new project, I will come up with a quick solution that I think I’m not going to be able to top. The challenge for me is setting that idea aside so I can keep searching for a more appropriate solution.

What is your favorite tool(s) that you use?

You really can’t beat a high quality mechanical pencil.

Do you have any “go to” typefaces? If so, what are they and why?

In school, I would definitely “go to” DIN, Akzidenz Grotesk, and Helvetica. I’m proud to say that I’ve moved out of that stage and now look for appropriate typefaces over my favorite typefaces.

In your opinion, what is one of the most abused design gimmicks popular right now?

Even if a design style is overused, that doesn’t mean it’s not appropriate in some cases. I suppose there are even instances where Web 2.0 is the right answer.

Outside of design/illustration/your work, what are some of your other interests?

I’m getting married this summer and would have to put hanging out with my fiancée at the top of the list. I also play ice hockey a couple times a week and have been getting back into running. This summer I plan on getting into photography.

What was one of your most rewarding projects? Most disappointing?

The work we did for Word Made Flesh was rewarding in many ways. Not only do we believe in their cause, we also had a great designer/client relationship. The trust they had in us as experts on design allowed for several really great solutions. The most disappointing projects I’ve worked on have been the few times that our clients chose not to trust us.

What one piece of advice would you give to design students?

If you want to get a job at a design studio you respect, dedicate yourself to learning everything you can about design — and I do not mean learn the software in and out. No one has ever gotten anywhere by doing the bare minimum.