How Field Notes went from side project to cult notebook

Field Notes cofounders Aaron Draplin and Jim Coudal have convened to ostensibly talk about their cult-fave memo book brand. But Draplin—the gregarious, hilarious Portland proprietor of Draplin Design Co.—just wrapped up jury duty. And almost 10 minutes into our conversation, he’s regaling us with courtroom sketches he made during the trial. (“Of course, I had to figure out some way to exploit it for creative purposes.”)

Such freewheeling is just part and parcel of knowing Draplin, but...