Eleven19 Part 1: The Easiest Interview

I answered my phone.

"Hello Ben? This is Donovan Beery calling."

I thought I must have heard him wrong.

"Sorry- I can't make out what you just said… let me get out of my basement."

When my phone rang, I was on my computer in the basement- looking through old design class projects. I had just finished perusing my "Layout 2" folder from 2007. My teacher for that class was a guy named Donovan Beery.

"Sorry about that", I exclaimed over the phone as I got to the top of the stairs, "who is this?"

"This is Donovan Beery calling…"

"Donovan? Wow! How are you doing?"

A lot had happened in the four years after taking Donovan's class:

• I had become the first full-time graphic designer for the Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative (HCRI)
• I had fallen in love and married the woman of my dreams
• We bought a house together
• We had just found out that we were expecting our first child

However, hearing Donovan's voice (coupled with revisiting my old college portfolio) really brought me back to my Layout 2 class:

• Donovan's quirky mannerisms and witty humor
• A picture he showed the class of him wearing a dorky hat and vest- while working on the Union Pacific website
• Stories of his design podcasting adventures with the illustrious Nate Voss
• His clever, text-heavy business card for his small design firm Eleven19

It was actually Eleven19 that Donovan was calling about. Apparently he had quit teaching in 2008 and has always paid a part-time designer to help out with projects at the small, yet resourceful Eleven19 design offices. Since his last designer (Tony Montgomery) just got hired by a big architectural firm- Donovan was looking for a replacement. And for some reason he thought of me.

"Why did you think of me?" I asked Donovan in amazement.

"Well- I always try to remember my students… plus your name kept popping up on my news feed… because of that Big Omaha illustration you did."

(Wow- that doodle was really beginning to pay off.)

We kept the phone call short- Donovan only asked if I'd be interested in a part-time design job, and if I could come in to the office and "see if we'd be a good fit". I hastily agreed and we set up a time.


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Driving to the Eleven19 offices, I didn't really know what to expect. Was this technically going to be a job interview? (I put a tie on just to be safe.) The HCRI job fell into my lap when I was a 17 year old college student- so I never really had to interview. In fact, my only job interview took place only a month before- for a hospital design job...that I didn't get.

I was also a little concerned because I didn't know whether I should be looking for a part-time job. I currently had a super flexible, at-home, salary position with HCRI as well as a growing freelance business… and wasn't sure if I should scale back my hours. I knew that an hourly, entry-level design job like eleven19, would probably involve a significant pay-cut. But I also knew that I could really benefit from the skills learned in a local, physical graphic design shop- where I might actually interact face-to-face with clients and designers.

So I was torn.

When I walked into the office I was amazed by all the colors and toys- it was by far the most creative and fun working atmosphere I'd ever seen. Star Wars, GI-Joe and Superman figures covered the shelves- while awesome graphic design posters and awards covered the walls. Donovan was seated at his desk- making me feel extremely over-dressed with his graphic tee and jeans.

"Welcome to Eleven19!" He exclaimed in his iconic, sarcastic voice.

I can't remember if he gave me a tour of the office that day- I just remember there was no kind of interview or portfolio review at all. Donovan was already familiar with my work, and was simply offering me a job.

And I simply accepted it.