Rick Hosmer began his career as a graphic designer 40 years ago when the profession was still performed manually, using X-Acto knives and ink pens. 

Now, at 63, nearly two years after he was involved in selling Klündt Hosmer, a 35-year-old Spokane design and marketing studio, to Boise, Idaho-based advertising agency 116 & West, Hosmer is settling into retirement.

Hosmer grew up in Yakima, Washington, and attended Central Washington University, in Ellensburg. After completing his freshman year, he transferred to Spokane Falls Community College in 1980, where he enrolled in a fine arts and design program that paved the way for a career in graphic design. 

Klündt Hosmer has created brand designs and campaigns for clients throughout the Inland Northwest, including work with Avista Corp., the Innovia Foundation, the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University, Maryhill Winery, and ALSC Architects PS. 

The Journal recently met with Hosmer to discuss his career, advice he has for others, and what he plans to do in retirement.  

What drew you to a career in graphic design?

Almost all kids can draw. But at some point, I think someone tells them they’re not good or they need to try something different. Well, I was always encouraged. So I thought, that’s it, that’s my thing. I’m the illustrator. By the time I got past dinosaurs and wanting to be a paleontologist as a kid in elementary school, I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer. Everything I did from junior high on was on that path. I liked creating artwork that told a story or conveyed some information or communication and influenced people.

I went through the whole transition from working with my hands to create art, to using computer programs, which was a fascinating time to be in this industry. After about 10 years, I began to hire graduates who knew how to use the software better than me, so I shifted gears toward art directing and writing. So my career shifted within my own business from design into writing and then developing proposals.

Was that a difficult transition for you?

It was just a natural progression. I love learning new things and doing new things, which is why I could do this career for 40 years and not be tired of it or bored of it. I always was glad to come to the office after vacation. That must be lucky because most people don’t have careers like that.

I read that you had a heart attack two years ago. Did that influence your retirement decision?

It hasn’t affected me where I need to slow down, so it wasn’t because of that. But it did make me realize that living to 85 or 90 isn’t promised to anybody. And since then, I’ve had other people I know in my graduating class that were in their sixties that have passed away from heart attacks or other conditions. And it was like, you know what? There is a lot of life that I want to do besides just having a career and owning a business. I’m proud of all that. I loved it. I’m going to find out what it’s like to not do that and have other aspects of life open up for me.

Looking back, what have been some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on?

We did some work during the pandemic for Visit Spokane, the convention and tourism organization. We had a statewide campaign to get people, even amid the pandemic, to come visit Spokane. It’s not crowded here and you could get out and do outdoor things and the restaurants weren’t crowded. So we had a wonderful campaign that promoted visiting Spokane that was really successful. That’s something that we’ve done that I’m really proud of.

A lot of our work was branding work and logo design that we developed for companies and organizations. We’ve done over 500 in 35 years. Like the city of Spokane, Riverfront Park, Spokane Airports, and Spokane Public Libraries.

One of my favorite career accomplishments is all the local businesses we’ve given a face to over the years. Some of them are still using the branding or logo we’ve given them 30 years later. That’s a huge accomplishment. I’ve often felt like my little business really created the face of Spokane since 1987. We’ll work on a project for two months but then see it around for 20 years.

What have been some of the challenges in your career?

Well, when you do something for 40 years, it’s not only your business, but your life. So I’ve had some hard challenges, but also some really good challenges. Personally, I had identical triplet daughters. That was scary and challenging. Now it’s wonderful though. They are 25 years old and doing their thing. After that I built a house, which was a really challenging thing to do, and went through a divorce and went through that process.

Our business went through the Great Recession. Financially, that was a really difficult time. We watched friends and other agencies go out of business during those times. We hung on and survived it. Obviously, the pandemic was rough for everybody, and we made it through those times too.

 What advice would you give someone starting their career?

I think creativity is the master key to doing anything in life. It’s a master key that could open up any door I wanted to go through as a designer, or shifting gears and being a writer, or shifting gears and developing proposals, or serving on a board, or volunteering.  

When I first went out into the world looking for a design job, nobody was looking for a designer. KAYU was an independent television station here in Spokane, and they didn’t have a designer on staff, and they weren’t looking for one either. I went to the general manager and said, you need a designer. He told me to make a proposal, why he should hire me, and how much it will cost. I was about 23 years old. I put together the whole plan then came back and presented it to him, and he hired me.

I didn’t wait to find a job that was advertised. I found a place I wanted to work and approached them on why they should hire me. That’s not a normal way to do it, but it’s a way that worked for me, and I think it could work for many people. I always encourage students and remind them not to be afraid of taking chances. Try and do things that are different and stand out and get noticed in a good way. You can direct your own life or your own career instead of waiting for other people to bring you along. 

What do you plan to do in retirement? 

When I sold Klündt Hosmer to 116 & West, it was with the understanding that I would retire within two years. During that time, my job was to make sure everybody else could do what I was doing. I was kind of working myself out of a job on purpose, which was logical. It made sense. A wonderful thing that 116 & West did for me as I was getting closer to the two-year mark, my employer said, go take a look around. What things would you like to volunteer for? 

I love the outdoors. I love hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking, so protecting the land and the water is important to me. I volunteer with the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy and with the Spokane Riverkeeper. I also went through Spokane County search and rescue training, so I’m now a certified search and rescue volunteer for the county. 

I’m involved with the local Native American tribes and their canoe culture. They bring young people out into the canoes in the traditional waterways of the Columbia River, the Spokane River, and Pend Oreille River. I volunteer and paddle with the tribal paddlers. There’s a whole world of things. 

I don’t feel old enough to just sit in a chair all day. And I love this industry still. I’m open to helping other businesses or friends and acquaintances doing writing or editing or illustrations. I’m not looking for a full-time job, but if I could get projects now and then, I’d love to stay involved.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.