What Matters to Jonathan McGlothin – PRINT Magazine

Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT called “What Matters.” This is an attempt to understand the inner workings of artists, designers and creative thinkers. This aspect of the project consists of each invited respondent being asked to answer ten identical questions and submit a non-professional photograph.

---

Jonathan McGlothin is Creative Director at 50,000feet and has over 15 years of experience leading projects in strategic brand development, visual identity design, integrated marketing campaigns, print and digital communications, and art direction for clients such as Sony, Knoll, Motorola, and the New York Stock Exchange. His work has been recognized by AIGA, The Art Directors Club, Communication Arts, Graphis, The One Show and The Society of Typographic Arts.

What is your favorite thing to do in the world?

Traveling is essential for me. My most unforgettable experiences are the first days in a new city. It’s fun figuring out how to get around, navigating neighborhoods, and getting to know the rhythm of the place. I often find myself drawn to similar activities in different locations – cafes, bookstores, museums and galleries – but always return with a renewed creative energy.

When I’m not traveling, films provide a similar sense of escape and engagement. In Chicago, I live near one of the most famous theaters in the country: the Music Box. It’s been a premier venue for independent and foreign films for almost a century – and they consistently offer incredible programming. You’ll probably find me there most weekends. Even films I’ve seen before, I enjoy watching them with a group in a crowded theater. It’s also one of the few times you can get people to put down their phones and experience something together as a collective. One of my favorites is Hitchcock’s rear windowGodard’s Masculine FeminineAnd Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders.

What is your first memory of your creativity?

One of my earliest memories of experiencing the strange alchemy of picture-making was with my older brother when I was about thirteen. At the time he was studying photography and came back from college to visit. We wandered around for an afternoon with two cameras: a 35mm Leica with color film and a medium format Rolleiflex with black and white film. We each took photos with our respective cameras throughout the day: portraits of people, trees, sides of buildings, close-ups of street signs and graffiti, fields, flowers, clouds and the sky. When we were done with our rolls, we rewound the film, swapped cameras, and shot through the rolls again. Once the film was processed and developed, we had a series of double exposure images in which the different images we had each taken were superimposed on one another. Some of the images were a distorted mess, others were haunting and surreal. This process opened my eyes to a different perspective and the idea that accepting the random and unexpected is a crucial element of creativity. It also made me realize that art can be collaborative.

What is your biggest regret?

I had been planning to pursue graduate studies for a long time. This is the path many of my friends took: doing exciting work and studying at some of the best schools in the country. Between my BFA and my first real job in design, I was accepted into my top two choices for MFA programs. I chose a program, postponed it – and ultimately decided against it. I regretted the decision not to go for a long time. But over the years, I realized that my time in the professional world was the practical training I needed to get to where I am today.

How did you get over the grief?

Running has become my way of dealing with stress, disappointment, fear – and heartbreak. I can’t think of a time when I didn’t feel better after hitting the pavement for a few miles and sweating it out.

What makes you cry?

I’m not nostalgic, but music has a transporting power. It can transport you back to a specific time and place or help you remember people from past lives. The last time I was moved was when I was listening to music – probably something by Nick Drake, Cat Power or The Clientele.

How long does the pride and joy of having accomplished something last for you?

Everyone in the creative field is used to working on multiple projects at once, and we are conditioned to keep moving on to the next step, often without taking a break. At our agency, we know how important it is to take a little time to celebrate some of these achievements – be it winning a pitch, creating a brilliant presentation, or discovering a new way to solve a problem – and these then share it with the entire creative department. It’s a good reminder that even when timelines and expectations don’t slow down, there’s value in learning from the achievements of successful projects and recognizing the teams involved in creating those projects.

Do you believe in life after death, and if so, what does that look like to you?

“Life is only available in the present moment.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

What do you hate most about yourself?

I lean more towards the serious side and might invite more games from time to time.

What do you love most about yourself?

I have always been curious about the world and an engaged reader. Since I was a teenager, I have maintained the discipline of reading almost every day. I try to read different authors with different backgrounds and styles from different genres and eras. This practice has made me more empathetic, open-minded, and generous with recommendations.

What is your absolute favorite food?

Pasta and wine.