About
Other Designers
You Should Know
In Brief
I'm a writer, designer and publisher interested in, investing in, and working with startups. I'm based in Palo Alto, CA and Tokyo, Japan.
Are you a publishing or books & education related startup? I'd love to chat! Mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
My work for 2012 focuses on how digital affects the way we think about books, publishing, distribution and education.
From October 2010 to January 2012, I was employed by Flipboard. Working most notably as a lead on Flipboard for iPhone for most of 2011.
Writing
I've written about the future of books and publishing for a variety of publications including New Scientist, The New York Times, Codex and A List Apart. I've also spoken about these same topics at a number of venues including: Do Lectures (Wales), School of Visual Arts (NYC), Bookbuilders West (SF), Books in Browsers (SF), Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Apple.
Interests
I've written a few essays in particular that the internet seems to like:
- Books in the Age of the iPad sums up many of my thoughts on the future of publishing as a whole
- Kickstartup is a thorough breakdown of the effects of digital on fundraising, community building and sustainability in publishing
- Post Artifact Books and Publishing is an attempt to create language around the digital shift
- The GF1 Fieldtest is a camera review-cum-travelogue that has, apparently, helped sell a staggering number of cameras
All of my writing is collected here: http://craigmod.com/journal/
I'm deeply inspired by the work of people like John Wood and his A Room to Read group.
I think traveling is a fundamental cornerstone of personal growth. There are few things I enjoy more than those first days in an unknown city or countryside — where you can feel your memory of that locale being painted with broad, thick strokes of new experience.
I know the nooks of Tokyo better than anywhere else in the world. And in a strange, culturally confused part of my heart, Tokyo will always be a hometown of sorts.
A journalist once asked me what my favorite aspect of Tokyo was. I responded the safety (but really, let's be honest: it's the food): it's a truly wondrous feeling to never worry about personal safety. And the corollary of this is you can wander at all hours of the nights, in all areas of the city. Which I wholeheartedly recommend if you ever find yourself here.
Say hi
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I try to respond as best I can, but recently it's become a question of replying to emails or doing good work. I read everything but if I don't respond, please don't take it personally.
Abbreviated Bio
Born in New Britain, CT (1980). Raised in Hartford.
I studied fine arts and computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 2002 with a BSE from the Digital Media Design program. My US collegiate experience was punctuated by two years of intensive Japanese language studies in Tokyo at Waseda University.
I helped found Chin Music Press in 2003 (and subsequently left the company at the end of 2008). Was awarded a Fabrica fellowship in 2005. Acted as design judge for the 85th annual Art Directors Club.
Not currently accepting client work. (But you should still email me if you think your project is really, really awesome and aligns with my work.)
About
Tokyo's my hometown.
Palo Alto's where the work gets done.
Thinking about the future of books and publishing and story telling.
More? More!
