At Econoprint, our creative team’s philosophy is centered on creative collaboration, consistency, and connection. This is the focus you’ll see for every creative project our designers take on. Our team is composed of individuals who love all things branding, print, signage, and … the written word. Each team member has their own unique love for design and style, but ultimately works toward one common goal – creating something that meets (or exceeds) the clients’ needs.
This “meet-the-team” blog post will give you a glimpse into the creatives who jump at the chance to bring a brand to life, and let’s be honest, create some really cool design with a meaningful message that is clear and on point.
So, take a minute to look behind the scenes and see what motivates the Econoprint design team as they approach design projects, and the creativity they tap into every day to give their clients designs that wow!
“People don’t use a product because of the great design; great design helps them use the product.” -Author Unknown
Senior Creative Designer, 14 Years at EP. 17 Years as a Designer!
What’s your favorite part about working in graphic design?
Variety! In a typical day I work on jobs with strict brand standards, and then I’m simultaneously given full creative freedom on others. I truly enjoy both!
How do you approach design?
Brainstorming is my golden ticket. I am constantly hand-sketching quick thumbnail layouts and brainstorming – all day long. This initial step gives me direction before I even touch the computer. Once it’s on screen, I’m able to experiment and elaborate on those ideas, refine them, add in the details, and look forward to feedback!
What’s your greatest inspiration for what you do?
3 websites I love:
behance.net
dribble.com
skillshare.com
How do you keep the creative juices flowing?
I keep an inspiration “dump box.” If I see an idea or design that inspires me, I save it. Later on, I’ll pull elements from those ideas and find ways to elevate them and make them my own. I do not always use this approach, but if I ever hit a creative block, this is one more tool in the toolbox!
What is the best design advice you have ever received?
Do not let yourself become stale! Do your research, stay current, watch trends evolve, and continue to learn.
What helps you stay creative each day?
Music! You’ll catch me hard rockin’, country twangin’, reggae jammin’, and everything in- between. My music taste is about as eclectic as my designs … and the genre I choose to listen to often depends on what type of design I’m working on.
What’s your favorite design trend?
Right now, I’m fascinated by surrealism collage – due to the way it combines seemingly unrelated images to create dreamlike visuals.
If you could design any type of project, what would it be?
I’d love to design a large-scale branded mural—one that combines surrealist photography, bold typography, and unexpected textures. Any takers?
Brand Identity Specialist, 19 years at EP. A graphic designer my entire life.
I get to create! I have always loved art and visual communication. Being able to bring a new idea to life with color, texture, photography, and typography is a gratifying feeling.
What’s your greatest inspiration for creative design?
My top 3 favorite websites:
Behance.net
Underconsideration.com
Dribbble.com
I like to move my body. Getting away from the computer and going for a walk, hike, or run, allows me to boost my creative thinking.
White space is not your enemy.
To stay creative, I need my morning cup of coffee and my afternoon Spotify jams. Also, my snack drawer. When hunger strikes, I have nut butter, crackers, granola bars, mixed nuts, and … chocolate. It’s always better to have more snacks than not enough!
Mismatched and Bold. The graphic design style is all about creating eye-catching, versatile designs with playful shapes, unique fonts, and bold, unexpected colors.
I would love to design environmental graphics for a museum.
Senior Creative Designer, (Many Moons) 20+ Years
What’s your favorite part about working in graphic design? Different types of jobs and new challenges every day.
I try to look at all parts of the project first to see how everything will work together as a whole, vs. working on all the different pieces individually and hoping it is all cohesive at the end.
I am always taking screenshots, quick iPhone photos, or bookmarking anything that piques my interest. It could be anything from other designs, the colors of a landscape, vintage photos, you never know when you might draw on those items for inspiration.
I usually have a wide variety of music playing in the background most of the day (anything from Johnny Cash to Slayer) Oh, and Peach Snapple Iced Tea!
I like to be involved from the beginning, starting with the initial logo design, working that into all the stationery and collateral materials, and then envisioning how the logo/look will be incorporated into the company retail/workspace.
If you weren’t a graphic designer, what job would you like to have?
I have always been drawn to music and have a pretty extensive music library. A job I would love to try would be a movie Music Supervisor, getting to pick the songs and background music used in films and TV. You are in control, subtly setting the tone and flow of the movie or show.
Side interests?
Photography (T-Zone Photography), travel (I have been to 45 of the 50 states in America, working on seeing the rest), disc golf, hiking, and fishing.
Senior Creative Designer, started at Econoprint in May of 2023 (40 years in the industry)
Transforming words into a visually interesting format that is memorable. I love using people’s intent of words and design to create impactful messages with visuals to capture their ideas.
What’s your creative M.O. (style or manner of doing design)?
Conveying an artistic vision through design elements such as color, typography, and layout, where the creativity of my work is both tangible and visible.
List top 3 blog websites, platforms, etc.
Behance
Designspiration
identitydesigned
I enjoy flipping through design magazines/books and following creative professionals on social media along with the my favorite inspirations listed above. I also take time to learn new design software and experiment with various techniques. Through this process, I’ve discovered that experimenting can lead to unexpected ideas or what I like to call “happy accidents.”
Creativity in design isn’t just about aesthetics and making things look pretty. It’s about solving problems, engagingly conveying complex ideas, and tackling design challenges in unique ways.
Favorite thing (drink, treat, music, etc.) that helps you stay creative each day?
My morning energy and protein fruit and vegetable packed smoothie
What’s your favorite design trend right now?
I enjoy using textures to create depth and dimension in my designs. Incorporating unique contrasts can enhance the overall tone of a composition. Textures can help achieve a more balanced look, establish a focal point, and guide the viewer’s eye into the artwork subliminally.
If you could design any type of project, what would that dream project be?
Designing for an outdoor adventure campaign such as REI, Patagonia, or Trek brands. Designing a campaign or catalog for Trek Travel will always be my aspiration.
Graphic Designer, on and off at Econoprint since 1997. I have been designing for almost 28 years!
I love looking for fonts and graphics that give a piece personality. I’ve described the process as being like putting a puzzle together – when everything fits it’s a great feeling!
I read a lot of magazines (Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, HGTV, Real Simple). They’re great resources for fonts, color combinations, and photography.
You get such a wide variety of projects working at Econoprint, that you are always challenged in new ways. Jumping from a technical medical form to a creative postcard featuring a fun event keeps you from burning out.
Keep it simple.
Cold water. As plain as that is, it gives me a little boost with every sip.
A catalog with beautiful photos or a billboard I could drive past.
Proofreader/ Design Coordinator, 18 Years
What’s your favorite part about working as a proofreader and copywriter?
We have clients in just about every field you can imagine, so naturally there’s a lot of variety in the types of projects we work on from day to day. I get to see what it’s like to market for everything from small local businesses to large international corporations. I enjoy all the different perspectives and helping our clients reach their target audience in a way that’s approachable and consistent.
Do you have a favorite pen color you use to make edits?
Purple is my go-to color for edits. I think it’s calming, which is great when you’re telling people to correct their mistakes all day. And red … is that even really an option? I mean, who needs more elementary school flashbacks? I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen enough red ink to last me a lifetime.
What is one of the most challenging aspects of your job?
My role with the design team involves a lot of multitasking (which I actually enjoy). I frequently move between different roles – proofreading, copywriting, coordinating with sales staff, etc. There’s always something new to work on, and with the quick turnaround it’s never boring.
Your job is part technical, and part creative. What resources do you use to keep informed and inspired?
For the technical side of things, I primarily rely on the AP Stylebook. I studied journalism back in the day, so I’ve always turned to this guide to stay up to date on the latest changes in grammar, etc. Language is always changing, so you have to keep up. And for creative inspiration, I read. I see a lot on the job, but I’ve always been an avid reader of fiction. It’s a great way to find that creative spark.
Do you have any pet peeves about the things you proofread/edit?
I don’t know why exactly, but I can’t stand the word thus. So, if you ever send anything my way, be prepared … if you use thus, it might mysteriously disappear!
We love creative design! We’re excited and ready to talk to you about your next project. Get started here.
Updated December 2024
