Creative communication at American Leather

Prior to being Director of HPxD, I was editor in chief of Designers Today for four years. Over the course of roughly 32 issues, I wrote everything from short copy to long-form stories. The role afforded access to so much—and constant learning. I met incredible people during those years, and in my own way, I used to fall in love with each creative entrepreneur I interviewed. The more real, more vulnerable, and imperfect my subject, the deeper the connection.

About a year ago, I realized how much I missed that feeling: the mental process of finding inspiration, shaping ideas, and choosing the words to express them. I began writing for Design News Now (DNN) in January, contributing two articles a month in a column I’m calling Field Notes. As I describe it: “Featuring the mundane and the magical, Field Notes reflects small gestures, big vision, and the human stories that give this industry its inimitable pull.”

My latest story was sparked by a shift I noticed in the tone of American Leather’s Instagram. That curiosity led me to Lance Trachier, the brand’s creative director, whose approach to storytelling, content, and brand-building is thoughtful and a bit outside the box.

You can read the full story on DNN.