Five Things Friday is a departure from the interviews and features we typically post. Part conversation, Part Proust Questionnaire – but with just five questions, Five Things Friday (hashtag alert! #5TF) shows the lighter (and sometimes sillier) side of our interviewees. We’ll be talking to everyone we can get our grubby little hands on; it’s our way of introducing you to the communications, marketing and creative cognoscenti who rock their respective industries. This week, Joanne M. Brathwaite dabbles in the creative side of things with graphic-designer-cum-yogi, Jenny McCracken.
How long did it take you in the industry to get to where you are today?
Oh no. 16 years. How did that happen? I’m only 29, right? Right?
Besides artistic abilities, what are some of the qualities that a good Graphic Designer should possess?
Design is, first and foremost, about problem solving and communication. A good designer has the ability to identify a problem and approach it with a balance of creativity and efficacy. S/he is also able to use design tools and principals to tell a story or relay a message that is both engaging and unmistakable.
What are your days like – What are some of the pros and perks of your job? The cons/downsides?
I feel very lucky to get paid to do what I do. Let’s face it, as designers, generally we aren’t standing in the way of life or death.
Sure, there’s stress, particularly in the ad biz, but if you learn how to manage stress, being a designer is a fun job – you get to meet lots of kooky, eccentric, smart-as-a-whip folks who make the space between work and life feel seamless. You also get to flex your visually and conceptually creative side while also becoming business-savvy.
When I’m working for myself, I’m doing so from my home studio. I wake up at 5 am, make some coffee and take my dog to the park for some fun. When we return home, I spend anywhere between 90 mins and 2 hours on my yoga mat. Sometimes my practice is physical and sweaty. Other times I practice seated meditation and restorative poses. Working independently can get isolating, so I make an effort each evening to do something social like hit an art show, take a walk with a friend or lace up the skates and go for a spin on the rink at Harbourfont. (Otherwise my LCBO bill would break me.)
What a graphic designer did 10 years ago is vastly different from what one will do now and that metamorphosis is only speeding up.The industry is ever-changing due to how we communicate using social media, etc., so it can be challenging to stay ahead of the curve in terms of new technologies.
Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for new grads/people in the industry who aspire to get where you are?
Be a pleasure to work with. Have a sense of humour and a smile. Make the success of your colleagues and clients equal to your own. Never stop playing. Make friends with teenagers because they know what’s coming. Connect with professionals you respect and admire; they will be priceless resources in the future.
One of my mentors Jane Chang (currently Art Director of Food & Drink) went above and beyond to teach me to constantly ask questions, to make thoughtful decisions, to never settle for “good enough” and to ALWAYS print out my work. That last one is serious: don’t get stuck on-screen. Printing out your work will act as a magnification glass for technical errors and spelling mistakes, etc.
Also: take care of yourself physically and maintain your interests outside of work because burn out is a real thing.
One last question: Who are some of the people in the (Canadian) graphic design industry whose work you admire, and why?
Frank Viva is definitely one of my design mentors. His work is both illustrative and graphic, which I love and often try to do myself. Also, his style is exquisitely human while often feeling quite high end. That is a hard balance to strike! Check out his site for the real deal.
Also, I’ve been watching a Toronto-based streetwear brand, Yaudie. The Creative Director, Corwin Hall, tweaks the brand’s logo to communicate ideas regarding Jamaica’s social, economic and historical narrative. I really enjoy the simplicity, graphic nature, attitude and inclusivity of the line.
(PS – are you still teaching yoga?)
Haha! Not at the moment, but I sure do miss it!
Jenny is a multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer, typophile and yoga instructor. A graduate of Fine Art with Parsons and Communication & Design with OCAD, Jenny now creates on-brand, on-trend and on-point communications for clients like The Bay, The Royal Conservatory of Music, University of British Columbia and more. Jenny is a committed yoga student and instructor who has finally accepted that her yoga mat is best shared with her poodle, Jackson (after Michael Jackson. PYT anyone?! ) and his many squeaky toys. You can view more of her wonderful work here.
Know anyone who would be a great fit for #5TF? We want to hear from you! Drop us a line, or leave a comment below.