By chantelle
I decided to do something a little different with the blog today and give a little insight into the designers at O’Neill Communications. Our three designers are Nancy, myself and Brandon. Nancy O’Neill is the Creative Director, I’m the Assistant Creative Director and Brandon is the Director of Digital Communications.
1. What makes a good designer?
N: Creative, willing to try something new – take it to the next level. Doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
C: A passion for problem solving. You have to love the challenge of creating the perfect look or feel for every project.
B: Being a thoughtful, creative problem solver who has a lot of ambition and a competitive spirit.
2. When did you know you wanted to be a designer?
N: I liked art but did not have the focus to be a fine artist. I needed a reason to design and a deadline to finish a job.
C: I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a fascination with color schemes and art projects. Plus, I failed Chem class in high school so that ruled out a lot of options.
B: In college, I wanted to be an illustrator up until then.
3. Where do you look for inspiration?
N: Other designer’s work, colleagues, nature.
C: Everywhere. I start with design magazines and Web sites but usually end up finding inspiration in nature, in a great piece of fabric, or even at the farmer’s market.
B: I’ve got a list of Web sites that I frequent, but I also really love going back to old design annuals or history of advertising books. Also, the real world and nature.
4. What is your favorite thing about being a designer?
N: There’s a lot of different things to do every day – it never gets boring.
C: The fact that you can have multiple people working on the same project and get completely different looks.
B: My favorite thing is when I’m handed a pile of very very complicated information and have to organize it and style it so that it is at once beautiful to look at and easy to understand.
5. What is your least favorite thing about being a designer?
N: Deadlines that are too short and jobs that never get finished.
C: People think that I play with colors all day. I do, but there’s a deeper thought process than “that one looks pretty!”
B: Any kind of paper work or reporting.
6. What makes an ideal client?
N: Someone who respects your talent and lets you create, giving guidance but not designing for you.
C: Someone who is open to other’s opinions and is not afraid to be honest.
B: Someone who is passionate about what they’re doing usually helps get me excited about it. Also, when they appreciate good design or at least are trusting enough to follow my judgement.
7. Would you rather critique or be critiqued?
N: Neither, but since I don’t take criticism well, I guess I’d rather critique. It gets easier as I get older.
C: Be critiqued. It always makes my work better when someone who hasn’t been staring at my project 24-7 comes in and gives me a new way to view it.
B: I would much rather be critiqued. It’s the only way to get better. I hate critiquing because I’m usually not very good at softening my comments.
8. What are the top 3 design related sites that you recommend?
N: LogoLounge.com • Shutterstock.com • gdusa.com
C: LogoPond.com • WebDesignerDepot.com • HowDesign.com
B: SmashingMagazine.com • Behance.net • PrintMag.com
9. Describe your ideal work environment.
N: O’Neill Communications. Actually, one that allows enough time to do a good job and allows for innovation but keeps me busy. I like to work with people who have a sense of humor.
C: I’m a night owl, so working late at night in my home office with some loud music would be ideal.
B: I work the absolute best in my home studio with long stretches of isolation and no interruptions followed by a flurry of meetings and one-on-one’s.
10. What is your favorite color and why?
N: Blue – It just gives me a lift – it reminds me of summer and blue sky.
C: Green – in almost every shade (Not a fan of pastels). I can’t explain it, but I’m drawn to this color.
B: Probably PMS295. It’s dark, rich and bold and can be quiet and classy or loud and exciting.
Have any more questions for us? Please ask!
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Tags: client, Color, designer, inspiration
About the Author
Chantelle is our Assistant Creative Director, and she pretty much rocks at her job. Whether she’s deciding on color schemes or page layouts, she always bring professionalism to our workplace. When not thinking creatively, she’s either playing tennis or attending a wine tasting. She also has a cat nicknamed “Chicken,” which is pretty profound when you think about it.
