Can't say when I was bitten by the design bug. Seems to have always been there. Maybe it's just that I see the world differently. Or that I tend to critique every menu I see. Perhaps it is that I instantly notice every offense to proper typography as I travel through life. But, it's the little details that others don't notice and may not know they care about, but when done correctly are pleasing in ways even the average person will notice. Good design transforms the ordinary into art.
And, art is where it all started. My grandmother was an art and photography teacher and was determined to have one of her grandchildren love, appreciate, and perhaps have a career in an art field. I think perhaps she was thinking fine art. But, although my path was a long and winding road through the music business, I ended up a professional graphic designer.
I also was influenced by my father, who was an apparel designer, most well known for his western boot designs for Laredo/Code West Boots, Larry Mahan Boots, and Lucchese Boots. Although he's not still with us, his designs are.
I'm currently working in Nashville, TN (I'm one of the few actual natives!) and have been designing and creating for over 20 years. I work on Music Row, am married to a professional musician, and have a dream of one day having enough time to do all the personal design projects that I've backlogged.
If you are at AdobeMAX... I'll be there. One of the other 9,999 people in the room at the keynotes.