Rich Kolopeaua on Creativity, Regret, and Leadership at Ready Set Rocket

Rich Kolopeaua, the creative lead at Ready Set Rocket and its affiliated design firm Addison, has an extensive career exceeding twenty years, during which he has worked with notable brands like Google, Samsung, Milk, Reebok, Michelob Ultra, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and PwC. In a recent Q&A, he reflects on his artistic beginnings, inspired by watching his mother crochet a teddy bear from a single strand of yarn. He fondly remembers transforming a section of his unfinished basement into a personal sanctuary using repurposed items. Although he regrets letting his father's practicality deter him from pursuing music in college, he finds fulfillment in his creative profession. Kolopeaua copes with heartbreak through solitude, sad films, piano playing, and support from friends, often moved to tears by father-son narratives. Initially, he finds pride in his achievements clouded by self-criticism, but this clarity improves over time. He envisions the afterlife as a return of his energy and consciousness to the universe. His favorite dish is his father's curried turkey with mashed potatoes, enjoyed post-Thanksgiving. This interview appeared in PRINT Magazine.