Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT titled “What Matters.” This is an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers. This facet of the project is a request of each invited respondent to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Jonathan McGlothin is a creative director at 50,000feet, with more than 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 the thing you like doing most in the world?
Travel is essential to me. My most memorable experiences are the first few days in a new city. There’s a thrill of figuring out how to get around, navigating neighborhoods, and learning the rhythm of the place. I’m often drawn to similar activities across locations — coffee shops, bookstores, museums, and galleries — but always return with a restored creative energy.
For times when I’m not traveling, films provide a similar sense of escape and engagement. In Chicago, I live near one of the most iconic theaters in the country: the Music Box. It’s been a premier venue for independent and foreign films for nearly a century — and they have consistently incredible programming. On most weekends, that’s where you’re likely to find me. Even for films I’ve seen before, I enjoy being in a crowded cinema watching with a group. It’s also among the few times you can get people to put their phones away and experience something together as a collective. A few favorites include Hitchcock’s Rear Window, Godard’s Masculin Féminin, and Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
One of my earliest memories of experiencing the strange alchemy of image-making was with my older brother when I was about thirteen. He was studying photography then and came back for a visit from college. 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 throughout the day with our respective cameras: portraits of people, trees, sides of buildings, close-ups of street signs and graffiti, fields, flowers, clouds, and sky. Once we finished our rolls, we rewound the film, traded cameras, and shot through the rolls again. Once the film was processed and developed, we had a series of double-exposure images that layered the different images we had each taken on top of each other. Some of the images were a distorted mess, and others were haunting and surreal. That process opened my eyes to a different way of seeing and the notion that embracing the accidental 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 long planned on going to graduate school. That’s the path many of my friends took: they were doing exciting work studying at some of the best schools in the country. Between getting my BFA and my first real job in design, I was accepted into my top two choices for MFA programs. I selected a program, deferred — and ultimately decided against going. For a long time, I regretted the decision not to go. However, as a few years passed, I recognized my time in the professional world as the practical education I needed to get me to where I am today.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
Running has become my way of dealing with stress, disappointment, anxiety — 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 transportive power. It can put you back in a time and place or help recall people from past lives. The last few times I’ve been moved have been when listening to music — probably something by Nick Drake, Cat Power, or The Clientele.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
For anyone in the creative field, we’re accustomed to working across several projects simultaneously and conditioned to keep moving on to the next thing, often without a break. At our agency, we acknowledge the importance of taking a little time to celebrate some of these accomplishments — whether winning a pitch, creating a brilliant presentation, or discovering a new way to solve a problem — and then sharing it with the entire creative department. It’s a good reminder that even though timelines and expectations don’t slow down, there’s value in learning from what was achieved from successful projects and recognizing the teams involved in creating them.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
“Life is available only in the present moment.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
What do you hate most about yourself?
I tend to be on the serious side and could invite more play from time to time.
What do you love most about yourself?
I have always been curious about the world and a dedicated reader. Since I was a teenager, I have maintained a discipline of reading nearly every day. I try to read various authors from different backgrounds and styles across genres and periods. This practice has made me more empathetic, open-minded — and generous with recommendations.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Pasta and wine.