Interview with
Mr. Council
If Erik had a chance to sit down with you , and you happened to have time for 10 questions, you might ask some questions similar to below. Check out some of his answers, and get to know him a little better.
So what do you consider yourself professionally?
Professionally, I've been developing my craft for over 20 years, I've had many titles and responsibilities, such as Art Director, Creative Director, various creative management roles, but systemically, I'm a digital designer and web developer with a strong dose of team and project management. I manage and create projects on all levels of business application, with a variety of team size, from major advertisement campaigns, to corporate collateral branding, to social media integration, all the way down to the finest detail of corporate email signatures. It is important to present consistency to every detail, and that is what I do...professionally, with the skill sets of hands-on design, integration and teamwork.
What are your strongest creative tools currently?
Now that's a hard one. I use so many tools for different reasons. I really love the Adobe Creative Cloud, mainly Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign for print and digital. I also use Webflow/Dreamweaver for coding, and I also love Sketch/Flinto, which make UI/UX design very intuitive and workflows fluid. In video editing, I like Premiere and Final Cut Pro, and then there's Cinema4D and Spine ...for motion graphics....and MPCX 2.0 and Abletonlive for sound design...
See?... hard question, because they all are a piece of the puzzle.
How do you manage workflows with clients?
That really comes down to the client and how they are most comfortable with production expectations and what the product scope is. My principal role is to work with the teams to assess productivity and if project goals are on time, based on established schedules. In addition, part of the process is assessing teams and operations challenges (vendors, integrative teams, production deadlines, budget goals). Every challenge has unique needs and solutions. I look forward to the next project.
Do you have a particular strategy in design?
Yes. It's rather simple, I listen to the client and stakeholders, to assist in comprehending the pain-points discovered and strategies to strengthen that intention and the future of the brand in all platforms.
I collaborate on the creative objectives and find innovative ways to approach it. Different clients have different goals. My go-to strategy is usually providing at least three viable options for each assignment that meets best practices, and present that to stakeholders,
Just check out my case studies, everything you see there began with at least three options to choose from.
What are your immediate design goals?
I'm open to how the universe presents itself. I appreciate innovation and unique design challenges. I wouldn't want to limit myself in expectations. I want the best possible opportunities, I hope that answers your question...lol
What do you do for fun, besides design?
Great question, but it's hard for me to approach it actually, because everything i do is design related, whether creating websites, tightening my animation skills (Open GL/codepen), or composing a musical sound score, or designing a new suit/hat ...working on an invention, It's all design, and It's all fun. so...Final answer: I'd have to say, hanging out with my kids and giving them new experiences and sharing them together, and teaching them something new...and enjoying them teaching me something as well.
Have you had any bad experiences as a designer?
Not really. I'm a professional, I learn from every challenge that presents itself and work on transforming it into a positive.
What would you tell someone who wants to do what you do?
I've had quite a few people ask me that actually. I tell them, first you have to love design and be open to it in its many forms, you have to always write down the ideas that come to you, which can then allow you to build on them to a higher objective. You have to be willing to constantly be updating your skill sets and learn new platform and software that are in alignment with current industry best practices.
There's a lot of information on the internet that can assist you in increasing your skill sets, just takes time and dedication. You can do it.
Finally, above all else, Love what you do!
Last Word?
Yes. First of all, thank you for taking the time to allow me to share a little about me, and why I love design. I hope to meet you personally and see how we can tackle new challenges together. Salute!
-Erik
