I’m often asked, “what do you do for work”? My answer can sometimes vary, but comes down to “designing marketing collateral”, but that would be just the tip of the iceberg.
In my career, and not in any particular order, I’ve shot/edited videos, photographed people/places/events, designed websites/eBooks/brochures/presentations decks/white papers/emails/info-graphics/logos/branding/print-digital ads, and in-person event & webinar collateral that may include the above more, or less.
All those items above include a lot of research into products, processes, tools, best practices - summarized as gaining the context needed to do the job right. I’m a researcher at heart, so digging in to find what will work best given the context and constraint, is what I thrive on.
Design is also an iterative process that involves many people, moving parts and communication. It’s not easy, and there are often many opinions about what is “best” or “right” for a specific project or piece of collateral. Listening, and often interpreting what a client wants, or specifically needs, is a skill that’s taken years to hone but is never mastered. Like learning and playing a new instrument, there are never-ending ways to approach a project and execute on it that may work well one week, but change again each time. Design improvements are never-ending, but it’s good to know when it’s “good enough” to ship, and then revisit it again or do a complete redesign.
Communication design is a description that wraps a not-so neat little bow on top of how an idea about communicating “something” gets feet, walks and then runs through the finish line. One never the same as another.
The next time you talk to or work with a Designer, like many other job titles, dig a little deeper, and you may unearth a myriad of stories…and skills/talents.
