Gary Aspden on Designing Dreams

Gary Aspden is a creative consultant and brand expert at adidas.  This week on Dreaming Made Simple, Gary shares about defying the limits of what’s possible, doing a job the right way and how the biggest challenge you may have to overcome is your own perceptions.

Dreaming Made Simple: What’s your professional dream? How did your dream originate?  How has it evolved?

Gary Aspden: My professional dream was to be designing a capsule range [a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don't go out of fashion] for adidas. That dream originated in the late ’90s when I began working for them. I realized that doing something like that could maybe happen one day.

As a kid I would never have dreamed of doing that.   I grew up in a small, working-class town and had never met anyone who worked in a creative job.  It just wasn't on my radar. Consequently, as a teenager, my only dream was to not have to spend my life working shifts in a factory.

Dreaming Made Simple: What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Gary Aspden: Doing what I do while maintaining some integrity; never losing sight of where I came from; having some gratitude; and trying to treat people well along the way. I never forgot the people who were kind and generous to me when I was starting out doing unpaid internships.

Dreaming Made Simple: What have been the biggest obstacles or challenges to realizing your dream?  What advice do you have for others in pursuit of their dreams?

Gary Aspden: I am always my own biggest obstacle.  I often underestimated my own value when I was starting out. I don't like to give advice, although I am convinced that being consistent and reliable are key to success. Doing what you say you will is crucial.