Joining me today is freelance graphic designer Joe Hadley.

Q: What was your childhood like?
A: I was born on a small farm near Larue, Kentucky. My family lived in a one-room log cabin that was typical for poor farmers on the Kentucky frontier. Wait a second... I'm sorry... that's not me. That's Abraham Lincoln. I get us mixed up all the time. He freed the slaves, and I played left field in little league. I grew up in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. As a child I enjoyed playing with toys and eating candy.

Q: What about your education?
A: With my parents' help, I decided it was best for me to start in elementary school and work my way up to college. I attended Virginia Commonwealth University in sunny Richmond, VA. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communication Arts and Design in 2000. Let me recap, I got a BFA in CARD from VCU. Oh, and I graduated Cum Laude.

Q: What did you do before becoming a world-class freelance designer?
A: First of all, you're too kind. I worked for three plus years at a museum interactive firm in the DC area. I got to work on, and was even lead designer on exciting projects for the Smithsonian, the National Park Service, and the Florida Center of Political History and Governance. Actually, that one wasn't really exciting.

Q: Why did you decide to become a freelance designer?
A: Well after leaving my old job, I gave serious thought to becoming a professional Jai-Alai player. But after many hours with my spiritual and legal advisers, and the fact that I have no idea how to play Jai-Alai, I decided to do the freelance designer thing. After all I have experience, I'm not half bad, and I love designing.

Q: What do you like to do when you're not designing?
A: Actually I'm always designing, or at least thinking about design. There is no off position on the genius switch. But in my free time I enjoy watching TV shows on DVD, making jokes at inappropriate times, being pretentious (see above genius comment), and pointing out the obvious. Oh, and interviewing myself.