The Question and Answer feature helps readers learn more about prominent people in the business community. This issue’s Q&A profiles Doug Moss, creative director and principal at Insight Marketing Design.
 Doug Moss of Insight Marketing Design (Inertia/for the SFBJ)
Name: Doug Moss
Title: Creative director, principal at Insight Marketing Design
Hometown: Born in Chicago, moved to Cincinnati in 1975
Age: 38
Background: Graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with concentrations in graphic arts and illustration; moved to Sioux Falls in 1992; worked at the Argus Leader, Lawrence & Schiller and Paulsen Marketing before starting Insight Marketing Design with Candy Van Dam in 2003
Family: Wife, Kristi; and 6-year-old son, Drew
Q: Tell me about your interests and hobbies.
A: “I’m one of the very fortunate in that my job is the thing I love to do. Some work a regular 8-to-5 so they can spend their evenings and weekends painting, shooting photos, writing in a journal or their ‘someday’ novel. I get to sketch, write, photograph and create every day. And enjoy honing those crafts week after week.”
Q: How did you become interested in your field?
A: “I started college with a head start on becoming an architect. I had taken all of the drafting, architecture and art courses I could in high school. And loved math: geometry, trig, calc. So I began my college degree focused on architecture. In the middle of my freshman year a speaker came in – Rick Tharp of Tharp Did It – and spoke to 200-plus students about graphic design. I walked out of that auditorium and changed my major to fine arts. I concentrated on graphic design – so I could get a job – but fell in love with illustration. Throughout my career I’ve made an effort to interject fine arts into my work.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
A: “Starting a new project.”
Q: What project has brought you the greatest satisfaction?
A: “The next project. I am continuously exhilarated by what might come next.”
Q: Your work from “A Classic Christmas Tail” will be on display in New York as part of an exhibit at the Museum of American Illustration through April 26. Will you make a trip to see it?
A: “My wife and I talked about it briefly, and we’re undecided.”
Q: What else will you do if you go?
A: “I’m sure we will make it a vacation and explore touristy options, including some art museums and galleries. Oh, and the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue.”
Q: When you hit a creative block, what do you do to break it?
A: “Research. The solution for any creative problem can come from anywhere.”
Q: What’s your favorite children’s book?
A: “Shel Silverstein’s ‘The Giving Tree’ and any book illustrated by Stephen Gammell.”
Q: What is something about you that people might be surprised to know?
A: “I was really into break-dancing in the ’80s.”
Q: Do you have a charity or organization that’s especially close to your heart?
A: “I really believe in supporting any organization that helps kids.”
Q: How do you find time to balance your job and your family?
A: “I try as hard as anyone. I know I focus on my career more than I should. But, at the same time, I love what I do.”
Q: What kind of music is in your car or what do you listen to on the radio?
A: “Blues, R&B, classic rock, alternative rock, oldies, pop – in that order.”
Q: If you could have dinner with two or three people, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
A: “Thomas Edison, Walt Disney and my grandmother. Thomas Edison, to pick his brain about inventing, explore any process he may have used to solve a problem. Walt Disney, for his amazing talent, vision and marketing brilliance. I have always been impressed with everything he accomplished. And my grandmother, so we could just visit.”
Q: What do you think are the best and worst things about Sioux Falls?
A: “The best thing about Sioux Falls are the people. That’s why I moved here. I helped some friends move here and stayed with them for a couple of weeks while they settled in. I went on walks every afternoon. And every person I passed greeted me in some kind fashion. ‘Beautiful weather, huh?’ ‘How’s it going?’ ‘Good afternoon.’ ‘Hi.’ You get the idea. So I decided to move here. Sent out résumés as soon as I returned to Ohio and moved a few months later. I still didn’t have a job when I started packing up the rented moving truck. I was confident I would find something after I arrived. I ended up getting the job at the Argus (Leader) two days before I moved. The worst thing about Sioux Falls is the lack of investment in educators. This goes for the entire state. I’m embarrassed to see how we compare to the nation with teachers’ salaries.”
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