Amusing stories & views by us
To blog, or not to blog, that is the question. Through these musings, we hope to give you a better sense of who we are, what we believe in, and share our (design) perspective. Below, explore our creative opinion pieces and discover design tips and tricks to use in your daily life.
2024-07-22 Culture Leadership
Hello, my title is not graphic designer
I went to school to be a graphic designer, but I learned that we are much more than that. I want to explore why I’m uncomfortable with this term, its genericism and the boxes it puts designers in. Disclaimer: I’m not trying to offend anybody’s profession, personal opinion or love of the term graphic designer. […]
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2024-07-15 Leadership
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 […]
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2024-07-08 Culture
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
As my father’s daughter, I’m not shy, quiet, or demure but confident, exuberant, and outgoing. Instead of being described as such, like my dad often was, I was mostly labeled “aggressive.” I can’t remember with absolute certainty ever being told by our father that he wanted sons instead of daughters. But I am confident that […]
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2024-07-04 Design thinking
Designer spotlight: Jamie’s creative process
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience in your life that ignited your passion for design? How has that influenced your creative journey since then? I was always fascinated by graphics from an early age. Things like the livery on toy cars or camouflage patterns on toy tanks. Later in my pre-teens, I got […]
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2024-07-01 Leadership
Fostering a culture of curiosity
Curiosity is the foundation of creative problem-solving, much like roots are essential to a tree’s growth. It absorbs inspiration, akin to how roots draw nutrients and water, and as it expands, we forge more connections. We are born with innate curiosity, eagerly exploring the world with every sense. However, societal norms often stifle this inquisitive […]
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2024-06-24 Leadership
How to choose and implement a new project management software
Every organization has faced the frustrating challenge of deciding how to improve its project management process. There are two main decisions: which software to choose and how to seamlessly incorporate the new software into the team’s daily routine. The goal is to be more efficient, productive, and organized with projects and tasks. 1. Choosing a […]
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2024-06-17 Design thinking
A day in the life of a graphic designer
Geneviève is a graphic designer at Initiate. Working remotely while staying close I’m extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work remotely at Initiate. Working from home offers me the flexibility that makes my life run smoothly: I love being able to throw in a load of laundry, pop a recipe in the oven, or […]
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2024-06-10 Leadership
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 […]
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2024-06-03 Design thinking
Design software tips: work smarter, not harder
1. Illustrator: “paste” on all artboards While graphic design is often a creatively driven passion project, it also often involves a lot of copy and pasting. Having a better set of key commands has improved my workflow tremendously. While working in Illustrator, you can hit option+cmd+shift+V to paste an asset across all artboards. This same […]
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2024-05-31 Design thinking
Designer spotlight: Fran’s creative process
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience in your life that ignited your passion for design? How has that influenced your creative journey since then? One pivotal experience that profoundly shaped my journey into design happened unexpectedly while I was still deciding on my career path after graduation. Ironically, my choice to pursue a […]
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