Inside Robby’s Head: Part I:

A glimpse inside the head of our Co-Founder and Creative Director, Robby Vient, this is the first of a five part series of an interview that was conducted a few years back with LA based creative agency, Eat Sleep Work. Robby had a chance to tackle some tough questions on life, his design process, and what it’s like to run his own design business.

Topic of the day: Smashing Stereotypes of Mexican Culture

Which Stereotypes ring out the loudest, create the biggest annoyance, and which are the most dangerous in your opinion?

Robby:

"I’m for smashing stereotypes, period.  I’ve witnessed misconceptions about both Mexican and U.S. cultures throughout my lifetime.  I find that most issues that are annoying to the opposing party stem from a lack of communication and understanding of one another.

The proverb goes: “You never truly know someone until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes”.  I’ve been fortunate to walk with an American shoe and a Mexican shoe all my life.  I only wish I could share the wonders each culture has provided me with, and the discoveries I’ve made with the rest of the world.  I think most would find that we all have way more in common than not.

About stereotypes, there’s some truth to every stereotype, but a stereotype doesn’t define a person.  Growing up I was surrounded by people from all walks of life, and I learned from a young age not to judge a book by it’s cover.  Sometimes the most unassuming subject can be the recipient for great wisdom, love, or kindness.  My Mom always said: “never assume”, because when you do, you make an ass of “you” and “me”.

What I think is very dangerous is how the media sensationalizes delicate issues with no regard for the negative impact it can have, and the downward spiral it feeds into.  I mean that for both sides of the border, there’s a whole lot of finger pointing instead of taking ownership over problems and making an effort to solve them, and the media always spins only one side of the story. The US and Mexico in particular depend so much on each other, and share so much together: history, culture, resources, it truly is a symbiotic relationship.  And it’s truly a tragedy that it’s made out to be anything less than that.”