I started out around 2001 or so, while going to school at the School Of Visual Arts in NYC. I had hooked up with a small record label run by a friend of mine, and was fortunate enough to become friends with some kids who would later go on to be in a huge band. It gave me a taste of what I had been looking for. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this kind of work, but was never really able to make ends meet doing it.
Financially struggling as I was at the time, I was unable to finish my degree, and instead worked as a furniture finisher in a small shop in Long Island. I did this for a few years until I met my now wife. With us starting out, having our own place, and starting a family, I put the art stuff on hold for the next twenty years, as I worked to support our growing little family. In the last few years I had gotten into 3D design, and was working with my best friend, printing things for him that he could use to grow his painting channel.
I loved doing the work, but found that with kids and a home to take care of, I could not dedicate the kind of time needed to do 3D modeling. I found my way back to my old passion for 2D graphics, and have been having a blast ever since. I have taught myself new apps and new ways of doing the work, in part to not support Adobe, and in part to spur the learning journey all over again.
Over the years I have operated as a few different names, first as Tell The Boys, which was a dream venture started with friends that never really took off, and was always me doing all the work. I then swapped to Revolution Direct, and began operating alone, later changing again to RockstartInk. By the time I had dropped out of college, I was simply operating under my own name.
Fast forward to this past year, I was inspired by a song by a band I love called The Heights from the UK, "The Lost And Alone," and named the venture after it. I created dozens of designs, partnering with several print on demand providers until I found the two I like most, Printful and Tapstitch.
Recently, I began working with bands again, and saw fit to adopt a new moniker. This time, it would be something simple, something more balanced, that lent itself well to the work. I decided on Thrones, always being inspired by religious architecture and mythology, while not being a religious person myself. The Design Cult subtitle hints at how obsessed I can be about great design. I have purchased so many records over the years for bands I have never even listened to, simply because the artwork was something I loved. Asterik Studios and Jacob Bannon come to mind as influences, and role models I wish I could one day rival. For now, I will design whatever I want, and have fun doing it, for my family, for my kids, and for the sheer love of it.