Back to musings

Written By Michael Ball

Hello, my title is not graphic designer

Disclaimer: I’m not trying to offend anybody’s profession, personal opinion or love of the term graphic designer. A lot of people might aspire to be graphic designers. The whole premise is that over the years I’ve seen a lot of people with a lot of roles that are called a graphic designer—a senior graphic designer […]

2024-07-22
Read

Guiding your design team on a path of excellence

What makes a strong creative leader? A proficient design leader skillfully identifies and nurtures the potential within their team. They establish clear boundaries and offer guidance, creating a space where designers can experiment and grow within these parameters. This approach strikes a balance between direction and autonomy, empowering designers to explore their creativity. Such leaders […]

2024-07-15
Read

Fostering a Culture of Curiosity

At Initiate, curiosity is the cornerstone of our creativity. We cultivate an environment where every idea is valued, encouraging our team to think beyond conventional design norms. This approach fosters a dynamic, collaborative atmosphere, enabling us to explore innovative solutions and grow together as creative professionals. Curiosity is the foundation of creative problem-solving, much like […]

2024-07-01
Read

Leading Through Transition and Loss of Talent

Navigating my team’s personal and professional choices has been a significant part of my leadership journey. Realizing that it’s tougher to see a skilled employee become disengaged than to lose them has shifted my focus. I’ve learned to prioritize their growth and aspirations over my preferences, which has been crucial for my development as a […]

2024-06-10
Read

Mi diseño es su diseño

Reflecting on Initiate’s journey, I can confidently affirm that our success is a testament to collective effort. This realization, simple yet profound, has taken me 15 years to fully grasp. Initiate is more than just an extension of my personal endeavors; it’s a collaborative enterprise. Picture this, Ottawa, 2008… Rewinding to 2008, I departed from […]

2024-04-09
Read

AI in the Design Industry: Friend or Foe?

AI… is not a new thing. AI brings up a variety of emotions for people: some are excited about the possibilities, others don’t want anything to change. At the end of the day, AI has been around for a long time, in everything we’ve been doing, from online shopping to systems in our technology. So […]

2024-01-26
Read
View
Newsletter

Wanna stay in touch?

Get quarterly updates and details on everything Initiate – delivered right to your inbox, no strings attached.

Join now