From the desk in the apt of Marques Gartrell

Name: Marques Gartrell

Age: 23

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Undergrad: Hampton University, Graphic Design

Graduate: The Creative Circus, Art Direction

What do you want to be when you grow up:
I want to continue to do whatever the hell I'm doing what now. What's more important about advertising to me right now is that I thoroughly enjoy it. Coming up with crazy ideas, that make laugh, or connect some other way emotionally. The plan is that advertising continue to make me as happy as it does now. i don't really care what the title I have is, as long as I'm still enjoying myself. Just like relationships, if the good outweighs the bad, I'll take it.

Who Inspires you most:
My family and my friends. My mother is absolutely amazing, a living inspiration and never ever gave up, or doubted me. My brother is one of the most genuine people that I've ever met, and has had a huge impact on my development thus far. My father…there are no words that can express what he means to me, and this likely explains why our phone conversations never exceed 10 minutes. The older I get the more of him I see in myself, our connection is ridiculous.

Then you got these guys that I'm posting with, and my friends from high school and my childhood. All unlike anyone else I've ever met, and the potential and talent of all of them push me even more.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years:
Married, some kids, happy, and loving what I'm doing. I believe any material success will be a result of the passion that I have, so there is no way I could proclaim a job level for myself. We'll just ride out whatever God has in store for me.

What would you do if your dreams coulnd't come true:
Man I would love to rededicate, and connect with music more. The emotional appeal of music easily trumps advertising to me, good music gives me chills. Now if I couldn't do anything related to art whatsoever…hmmm…I might want to be a farmer, they seem to love what they do, and live a very controlled life.