About Beardy Guy

View from the home office.

Not Just Design: Humanity

I spent much of my time in the 1990s working with a variety of community organizations in Memphis, TN and it was in this context that I began doing design work. I had no degree in design or art and very little experience but there was a need and no one able or willing to learn the software, process or skills. I took on many of these tasks as an opportunity to learn and contribute something at the same time. I made it my mission to learn everything I could and to put that knowledge to use in my community. It wasn't long before I was the guy people called when they needed a website or newsletter or help with a computer.

What I learned during this on-the-job, in-the-community training, is that design work is intimately connected to relationships. Our lives are designed on a variety of levels and if we pay attention to the relationships that exist we become much better designers. It's not just about the relationship of the elements on a web page or on a print design, but the relationships we form in working with one another.

Where the magic happens.

To this day I continue the same work setting up websites, creating brochures and presentations. Most of my work these days is centered in Madison County, Missouri. In late 2008 I moved to Fredericktown which is the County Seat of Madison County. It is a beautiful area with many amazing small towns such as Marquand and Ironton nestled into the countryside. All of the banner images at the top of BGC were taken by me, likely a landscape scene somewhere in Madison County.