Why the fridge?
I’ve had a fridge as my logo for a number of years. The question I’m asked most often is, “Why?” It’s not because I’m 6’4”, won a third burrito at Chuy’s, or practically own stock in Reed’s Premium Ginger Brew. Great guesses though. The real answer goes back a few years.
In 1988, my dad took a job at a small camp in Iowa. On top of a farm to grow up on, 660 acres of woods to play in, and a great spot to fish as a part of the job, a generous donor also provided an annual chance for the employees and their families to score some free loot. Such treasured items as discontinued Adidas sneakers, overstocked padlocks that could all be opened with the same key, and one fateful year, green t-shirts.
Not just any green t-shirts mind you, the green t-shirts—humbly adorned with the white outline of a vintage refrigerator.
They were big enough for me to swim in, but I didn’t care; they were my trusty companions. Together we’d laugh with friends, build tree houses with scraps, fall off bikes on gravel roads, shoot arrows at fake deer, and get completely covered in spring-time mud.
Over the years I grew bigger and stronger while they grew faded and worn. To me each tattered corner was a battle scar and a proud reminder of a boyhood well lived. But to Mom they were rips and tears far past mending. It was time my shirts retired.
Eight years and twelve hundred miles later my old friends were brought up in a phone call home, wondering whatever happened to them. Mom never knew that I loved those shirts so much, but at their mention remembered a spot of green in the garage. It was one of my old friends sitting in a stack of yet-to-be-used oil rags.
The shirt now hangs in a frame on my wall and an homage to its emblem—and happy memories—on my website.
Comments: 14
Why? Because it’s awesome, just like your site. Congrats on launching your sweet re-design! It’s so much more gratifying being able to click on stuff than just seeing a mockup. :)
Thanks! You can say that again. :)
Nice fridge, and please keep it for the rest of the time :) It’s sexier to have it here.
Nice site! Congrats.
Just wanted to say that your portfolio is beautiful - great layouts on the book covers and use of color with objects.
@Felix: Glad you like the fridge. :)
@Jean: Thank you very much.
Just wanted to stop by and congratulate you for your website. It’s awesome! :)
Beautiful template !
Your story of how your Icon of the fridge warmed my hear and made me realize that we all have a little of our past woven into the future of what we do as designers. Love your work and will keep you in mind for future projects. Best to you
It’s really nice to see that we can built something beautiful with simple and clear design ! Really nice to see your works.
From Belgium,
Jerome aka Monsieur M
Thanks, all!
I love your site man. This is maybe the shiniest, prettiest site I’ve seen in a long time, and I love your writing style as well.
Congrats and best of luck!
wow thats an inspiring story shannon . i am glad i visited this page.
This site is a real inspiration and an encouragement to keep going with all my web projects. Thanks, you brightened my day!
Beautiful site - and beautiful story. Every bit of it is inspiring. I came across your site while looking up top trends of websites for 2009…good on you. :)