Drew Beam

in His Own Words

• What do you do (in 5 words or fewer)?

  Dream, Design, Disseminate.

• What's more important to you: to be right or to be liked?

  Be liked. I'm perfectly flawed, and being right leaves very little room for creativity.

• How many times a day do you check your email? Voicemail?

  3 times. I'm mostly analog — good ol' fashioned pen and paper. I love handwritten letters and hearing people's voices over the phone. Wow I sound like an old man here.

• Do you check your email while driving?

  Of course not — that's dangerous! I just maintain my crossbow and juggle starved badgers. Anyone thats says yes here will get an earful.

• Tell me about the happiest you've ever been.

  Psst — it's happening right now — no joke and don't jinx it. I'm getting to live out my dreams as you are reading this.

• If you had a time machine, what historical moment would you rewrite?

  I'm really digging playing with changing the present.

• What's the weirdest job you've ever had (before Free Range)?

  Designing a headstone for Meryl Streep's mother, taxidermy of many animals, and some of the strangest portrait requests.

• Who is your favorite Free Ranger to work with and why?

  Oh brother, this question bites it. It's like when kids ask their parents who they love more -- so of course every single Free Ranger gets all my love. So here's a quick list.

  Jonah: partner in crime on storytelling and brainstorming

  Erica: the biggest heart and makes me almost pee in my pants with laughter

  Ellen: lion hearted, lives the truth and will do anything to make sure we don't drown

  Ben J: the peaceful/thoughtful warrior

  Brad: always on the sunny smart side, and heavy lifting might

  Melissa: she's an energizer bunny with brilliant drive and ideas

  Liz: holds more in her mind than a gumball machine holds gumballs and does it all with a smile

  Brandon: thought provoker 

  Dan: mastermind of keeping so many ships in the water afloat

  Stoyan: my brother from another mother

  Eric: a comedian with da Vinci's skills

  Ruben: grounded and playful at the same time (super rare), not to mention a wizard

  Annie: always game for a game and she takes super care of us all

  Carni: my musician brother

  Allie: will keep on your toes in the most loving way

  Susan: don't let her adorable voice fool you — she's a powerhouse. all love, all smarts

  Emily: she is a grand collector of  information — so curious and spirited

  Chris: ok this dude is a straight up sweetheart — does he ever get stressed?

  Juliet: always has a song and a silly dance for you — plus she'll get any job done

  Leila: the peaceful warrior. laser sharp with a big smile

  Dylan: we are so lucky to have brilliance like this

  Katie: we act like goofy kids together. oh yeah and she's a killer designer

  Kathi: her art blows my mind every time

  Amy: my teacher

  Did I miss anyone? If so, news flash: I love you.

• Free Ranger Bio

  Drew combines his deep experience with a dash of amazing to bring your visions to life. With over 12 years in top branding and innovation firms, his outputs are truly multimedia, from billboards, fine art and videos, to amusement park rides and sneakers, all based on a profound understanding of today’s marketplace of products and ideas. But what he really loves to do is tell stories. By applying his unique approach to “method branding” he lives, eats and breathes your brand to help create breakthroughs in how you tell your story so others will not only listen but participate, and ask for more.

  In addition to partnering on many of Free Range’s key branding engagements he creates complex and rich illustrations, designs interactive games and art directs everything from videos to wacky business cards. After getting his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and spending a beloved decade in Brooklyn, this San Francisco native enjoys being back among the neighborhoods and landscapes that helped shape him. When he’s not working he’s likely to be sculpting, studying falconry, writing music or teaching Stuart, his part Lab, part Chihuahua, how to put his toys away.