Lowell Gillia, who often dreams of getting a promotion to fry cook at a fast food joint, is currently the head custodian at Design Asylum Inc. Equipped with over 20 years of experience in the design field, he and his team have garnered a client list that includes a roster of local, national and international clientele such as Ivy Bridge College, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Defense. His work has also been featured in publications by Rockport Publishing and Print Magazine. Lowell is also a typography lecturer at Honolulu Community College, where in 2009 his CA150 students won a Pele, Special Judges’ Award for Design for the socially conscious project, “Alone, Judged and Unheard.”

Tell us about your first job in design.
I worked for a one man shop where I learned how to do paste-ups and layouts the old fashioned way… Macs weren’t around yet. Yep, I am older than dirt.

What were some of your early creative influences?
Ron Nakayama and Arnie Yew told me to follow your dreams and never be scared of selling the creative ideas… “Anybody can do eye-candy, its the person with the best creative that will get the client.”

What high school you went?
Moanalua High School. That’s right, I’m a Menehune.

What projects have you worked on that you’re most proud of?
All of them, though others may beg to differ.

Tell us your weirdest work or production story.
If I told you, I’d have to shoot you.

What’s your favorite Pele Award winning ad?
Wow. There were a lot of great winners. One of the things I really did enjoy was a show segment where Barbara Scott Punk’d the audience. Classic.

What’s playing on your iPod right now?
Lonely Boy by the Black Keys.

What’s on your DVR right now?
I don’t have DVR… I know, that’s sad.

Just Do It or Think Different?
Think Different.

If you didn’t live in Hawaii where would you live?
Back in the Bay Area. Love the vibe there.

As a member of the Pele Awards committee, how are you contributing to this year’s Pele Awards?
We helped develop a campaign with the Pele Awards Committee to bring back the spirit of friendly competition amongst agencies and firms. The prestige of winning.

Leonard’s or Champions?
Leonard’s.

Shoes or slippers?
Shoes, it covers up my funky looking toes.

Kikaida or Kamen Raider V3?
Switch on, one, two, three. Kikaida of course, I can still sing the theme song.

What inspires you?
Food and Vodka.

What’s the best part about working in design?
Being part of the creative process with the team.

What’s your secret?
My wife keeps me out of trouble.