Arielle Walrath
In search of beauty, order and function.
Job Principal / Might & Main
Lives In Just off-peninsula
As a principal at Might & Main, I spend my days working with my team to make things more purposeful, usable, and aesthetically pleasing. Working as a designer lets me delve into the arcane details of diverse businesses and products, and my job allows me to creatively solve visual and communications problems every day. I've lived and worked in Portland since 1999 and love its smaller-than-a-city but bigger-than-a-town feel, its food, its down-to-earth people, and its proximity to the ocean.
Why did you choose Portland? I came here because of an offer of several months of free rent. It took me a few years to realize I loved the city. Having grown up in rural areas, it's the right amount of urbanity without being overwhelming. It's a great place for business because it's such a small and close-knit community. Living in a little city, but having mountains, ocean, forest, and other bigger cities all within a short drive make it the best of a lot of worlds.
Who are Portlanders you admire and why? I admire the heck out of everyone I work with at Might & Main. They are a talented and fun group and I feel lucky to be in their midst. But there are so many smart, ambitious, but completely down-to-earth people running businesses and organizations, creating things, teaching, learning and living all over this city that I wouldn't even begin to try and make a list.
What do you like to do with out-of-towners? Brunch, a wander through town, lounging on the Eastern Prom, maybe a ferry ride, dinner and drinks. The quantity and amazingness of Portland restaurants is rare, so I like to show it off with as much eating as possible.
Do you have a serendipity spot? Where do you always bump into good people? Just walking around town during the day. Every time I go out for coffee or to run an errand, I'm sure to run into a friend, client, or colleague.
