July 25, 2023

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Tom Bates, senior graphic designer at Fresh Produce.

Name: Tom Bates

Age: 27

Hometown: Waverly, Iowa

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

Internship with Fresh Produce in 2019.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

I love the work I do at Fresh Produce. I’ve been able to be challenged creatively with projects that have impact in the city. My wife was born and raised here, so our connection to family is strong.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I’m passionate about every project we get to work on. The last four years at Fresh Produce, my work has been heavily focused on brand identity, and I’m fortunate that I work in an environment and with a team that supports unorthodox thinking and ideas. Our crew is what makes Fresh Produce so special.

How did you get connected to your industry?

Long story short, I started my college career as a mechanical engineering student but found after two years that it wasn’t the right fit. Luckily, my mom knew me better than I did and suggested graphic design since I had a love for art growing up. I had no idea what graphic design was but went for it anyways. It was exactly what I was meant to do, and I owe a giant thank-you to all the people in school who shaped my career. My senior year in school, I applied for the Fresh Produce internship, Famous, and have been here ever since.

Describe your workplace in three words.

I can’t sum it up in three words. Here is a three-word phrase instead: “Danger and Delight.”

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m an assistant hurdles and sprints coach for the Sioux Falls Washington High School track and field team. Go Warriors!

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Coaching track has been a great way for me to give back to these high school kids. I’m also a new board member of the AIGA, American Institute of Graphic Arts, South Dakota chapter, and I’m excited to connect more with the creative community in the state.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

I had a hard time coming up with an answer, so I asked around what other people thought. I think it would be nice to have a place like RAYGUN T-shirts in town that can create city pride through merchandise and also be another place for graphic designers and artists to work and create.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

I would start a school of some kind. Something that combines art school and business school.