We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Bricker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
“Balance” doesn’t have to mean “symmetry”… When designing, be it visual or spatial, we can weight emphasis and focus in differing proportions to balance a design with vastly different volumes. Simply put, it means that equal time doesn’t mean equal emphasis. For me and for most I imagine, that means being very intentional about the quality of time with your family and friends vs. the quantity of time your work life consumes. I’m a work in progress and I have been focusing on prioritizing time, scheduling and communicating expectations. I think like so many, this COVID season has forced me “in a good way” to be home and together with my family, but now the challenge is finding the distinction between work and life time where the spaces have been forced together.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my urban design/ landscape architecture career I am constantly seeking the most creative solution to designing urban spaces, signature bridges and open space place making, all within the confines of real design, program and budget limitations. In my product design world I am still trying to design for beauty, delight, function an novelness equally confined by another set of market, brand, customer and manufacturability limitations. In my art I am the only limitation. I don’t really create for anyone, any style or market. I just create where the idea leads me. I don’t really try and learn or apply a technique or common medium, but rather experiment with materiality and solutions and learn by discovery and doing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Dallas and how each neighborhood keeps evolving to become its own. I’d start any friend downtown in Dallas. The arts district is my urban home. Lunch at the Nasher sculpture center is this hidden gem no one seems to know about. I take friends and clients there all the time for lunch on the patio in the garden and its a true oasis. Uptown has its spots, but I would certainly spend time in Deep Ellum and the Bishop Arts spots to give them a real feel for some eclectic spots, epic Barbecue and boutique retail. I’ve become a bit of a “close to home” guy and feel that almost everything I need is near me in Lakewood/East Dallas. Greenville Avenue’s Truck Yard for drinks and HG supply’s rooftop are a must, and certainly a night at Terelli’s. If it’s spring time, the Dallas arboretum outdoor concerts on the lawn overlooking White Rock Lake is hands down one of my favorite things to do in Dallas. You can always hit Lounge Here for cocktails nearby. And although I’m not a fan of malls, North Park Center is more of an art gallery with retail in my mind. And while you’re in the Park Cities I would always take friends to Highland Park Village. Honor Bar is one of my favorite spots in Dallas as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
People often think of creatives and artists cloistered up like mad scientist in their labs or studios, but it’s the authentic wide network of relationships with mentors and collaborators across fields that truly moves your work forward. In the past few years Adam and Jordan Bornstein and their community TWO12 have been instrumental in connecting me to so many possibilities. Michael Zeller has been a loyal coach and friend that believes in me more than I think I believe in myself. Stephen Key was just an author of a book that became a mentor and friend. Chris Kleinert befriended and mentored me and has shown me the power of influence, impact and integrity of life and business at the highest levels. And shout out to the world of podcasting that has ignited my desire to learn more and more on a daily basis.

Website: www.rebrickerstudio.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanebricker/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-e-bricker-1570543/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.bricker.98

Image Credits
Will Graham for the artwork images Carissa Byers for the 2 pics of me

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.