We don’t often come across really creative thinkers in our lives, but when we do look out. I’ve known Philip for a year. We met online; isn’t that where everyone meets?. Philip never ceases to amaze me with his ingenuity, because marketing is always changing, and so I thought Philip might have some ideas for us.

Here’s an interview I had with him recently.

I always wonder how people get their creativity, Philip. Where did you get yours?

As a kid I was interested in graphics and cartoons. I couldn’t afford to go to Pratt Institute, so instead I went to a community college to learn more about my craft. After I graduated, I got a job with Norcross, a greeting card manufacturer, learning about color separations and package design. I also worked designing the Marlboro flip top box.

How do you think of these things? Do creative people think differently?

I look at anything and think, “Is there a better way to do this?” That starts my creative process and my mind thinking.

For instance, if you look at a cup of coffee, think about what goes in it. People put cream and sugar, and it’s a pretty complicated process. The cream spills, the sugar doesn’t always make it in the cup, and it’s messy. Suppose there was like a funnel that you stirred your coffee with that contained both milk and sugar. As you stirred, it all went straight into the cup. Wouldn’t that be easier?

My first apartment was really small. I decided to design and build my own furniture to fit the space. When I finished everything, fit perfectly.

I remember seeing these t-shirts in the 70s that looked like tuxedos, and then you told me you created them. How and why?

In the 70s if you went to a restaurant you had to have a tie and a jacket, or you couldn’t go in. I thought it would be hilarious to have a t-shirt with the tie and jacket painted across the front. From that, I went and designed a tuxedo, which was a long-sleeve T-shirt, colored bow tie and flower. I started wearing them around, and people kept asking where I got them. I found a supplier, started making them, and I wore them everywhere. I even had a body parts t-shirt that was funny. The pockets folded down, and a “wardrobe malfunction” would occur. It was a riot. I had motorcycle t-shirts with muscles and many more. Bloomingdales bought a couple of dozens, and before I knew it people were calling from all over creation and Time Magazine called and did a ¼ page story on me. The next thing I knew, someone had knocked off my designs.

—————–

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my interview with Philip.