http://www.underconsideration.com
PC: Do you have a routine for getting into a creative mindset?
Mr. Vit: Maybe I do. I have to sit at my computer, or I’ll have a notebook, you know, but I cannot have distractions.
PC: What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
Mr. Vit: I’ll get up, shower, eat breakfast, you know, get myself ready. I might read some of my usual, like Wired or something, drink coffee, and check email.
PC: All right, what is that tattoo for? (Mr. Vit has a tattoo of a bumblebee on his right hand.)
Mr. Vit: It’s a Bee for Bryony. We got it on our first year anniversary. She has a butterfly.
PC: Awww! (gets fuzzy feeling) Ok. So what inspires you?
Mr. Vit: I watch a lot of TV and movies. I’m a cultural junkie. I think I might relate too much, to a fault, to things that happen on TV--and to celebrities. Every time I get on a plane, this is like a ritual for me: I buy a magazine like US Magazine or People, and I sit here and go, “Oh well, aren’t these some trashy people?” It’s pretty great.
PC: If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
Mr. Vit: (laughs) Um, well, like what kind of tree? Big tree? Small tree?
PC: (laughs) God what a terrible question. I apologize, Let’s move on.
Mr. Vit: Thank you.
PC: What has been your greatest milestone?
Mr. Vit: I think overcoming being shy. I was really shy when I was young, and in high school, and even in college. I wouldn’t talk to girls, and I would never have spoken in front of people like I did today. So one day I got invited to be on a panel. I was there, and was trying really hard to be funny, and everyone was laughing and thought I was funny. I thought, “Oh, shit, I can actually be funny!” I think that’s one of the best parts of everything so far.
PC: That’s a GOOD lesson to learn. Ok, so. Helvetica or Times New Roman?
Mr. Vit: Helvetica. All the way.
PC: Good. I hated turning in papers in High School that were twelve point type and they HAD to be in Times New Roman. Ok, I’m going to replace that tree question with this one: Have you ever set your own type--manually done all that craziness?
Mr. Vit: Um, I did that in college. At the time I thought, “This is ridiculous; the computer is right there! I could jump right on it and have this done in 12 seconds!’ But now I have a real appreciation for how truly hard it was.
Portfolio Center students share a strong desire to communicate ideas, the willingness to let go of preconceived notions, and the compulsion to learn new ways of thinking. These qualities are fostered by the school’s constant stream of industry bigwigs, who bring their varied and colorful perspectives from all over the country. These creatives, who are always generous with their time and energy, tend to hang out with students, conducting informal workshops and continuing the day’s discussions over dinner. Often, what results are provocative interviews—written, shot, and designed by PC students.
