Joe Duffy

MY FAVORITE THINGS

Photo by Todd Buchanan

Chair: Duffy & Partners, a design and branding firm; duffy.com

Joe Duffy is a rebel with a cause. Since leaving Fallon Worldwide five years ago to start his own firm, he has re-imagined and redesigned the identities of Sony, Starbucks, Thymes, and many more. Here, the man behind the brands shares what gets his creative juices flowing. Artist: Chuck Close. Ad campaign: Coke Zero. Visual thinker: Milton Glaser. Local architecture: The Guthrie. Design trend: The “democratization of design.” People are customizing their lives instead of following the herd. TV Show: American Idol is the most fascinating show on television. It’s a cultural phenomenon. On his desk: Piles of “inspiration.” Shoes: Puma. Clothing designer: John Varvatos. Hair product: Aveda Men. Hobby: I paint—mostly portraits of family and friends. City: New York. Vacation spot: It’s a toss-up between Phuket, Thailand, and County Clare, Ireland. I come from a long line of Irish saloon keepers. Kids: Bridget and Joseph, who both work at Duffy. Pets: A “granddog” Weimaraner named Steely. Local restaurant: Spoonriver. Place to have a drink: Zelo. Cocktail: Two shots Herradura Tequila, one shot Cointreau, and a splash of fresh lime. Way to spend Saturday night: Curled up in front of the fire, at the cabin. Travel necessity: My MacBook Air. Way to escape: Cross-country skiing. I’ve skied the Birkebeiner 23 years in a row.