Ryan Mitchell

I have been a creative person all my life. From Legos, writing music, drawing, photography, skateboarding -you name it, I've probably done it- or at least tried to. Through all of these activities I have learned that life is a series of peeks and valleys, and, in a sense, mastership and study. Reaching the peak is gratifying, sure, but trekking up through the rocky paths and discovering new ways to climb up that valley has always been the most rewarding part.

Before I found design, my biggest passion was skateboarding (its still a close second). It amazes me to see just how much a piece of 7-ply and four urethane wheels have taught me. I’ve made some amazing friends and I’ve learned to see the world completely differently than anyone else. When someone looks at a park bench all they see is something to sit on and rest, while skateboarders see the infinite possibilities of grinds and slides. Skateboarding has preserved my imagination and still keeps the child in me alive.

I’ll never profess to be a “good” skateboarder because, quite honestly, I’m not. I’ve been skateboarding for over 10 years now and still have days where I struggle with basic tricks like a kick-flip. There have been points in my life where I’ve spent almost three years trying to learn just one trick.

You can call it willpower, or determination, maybe even stubbornness, but the skateboard more than anything has taught me perseverance. I’ve screamed, I’ve stomped my feet, and maybe even snapped a few boards - but I have loved every second of it. Now, when I set any kind of goal for myself, I attack it with the same intensity, whether I get it in 10 minutes or what feels like an eternity.

When I break it down to essentials, I love to problem solve and create. Im ready to tackle any valley and just start climbing.