Graduated from  Ringling College of Art and Design in 1968 with honors and an A.A. in commercial design. In 1970 he was hired as a production artist in the art department of Rolling Stone Magazine. He had a 25 year employment at the Hearst Corporation owned “San Francisco Examiner and Chronicle” as senior designer, art director, and design director. Don left the chronicle in 2002 and continues to work as a contractor for a large range of clients. Don and his wife, artist Kay Carlson, live in San Rafael, California.