The time has come… our “Best Job Ever” series is back, and this month we’re featuring none other than our #dynamicdesignduo: TDR Art Directors Mark and Belinda!
Last week Mark and B were gracious enough to take a break from their design work to chat with me about their time at TDR, their favorite design projects, and advice to aspiring designers.
So — do they have the “Best Job Ever”?
Read on to find out.
Caitlin: Hey guys, thanks for chatting with me. Let’s kick things off. How did you come to work at TDR? How long have you been here?
Mark: I heard through a mutual colleague that TDR was looking for some additional design help. So, I contacted them and was invited in for an interview to see if we’d be a good fit. Over two and a half years later, I’m still here — enjoying life at The Digital Ring!
Belinda: I worked with Matt (a partner) in the past, and when I decided to leave my old job, I asked him if TDR needed another designer. Luckily he said yes. I celebrated my one-year TDR anniversary this past April.
Caitlin: How would you describe your typical day as part of our dynamic design duo?
Mark: I roll in nice and early, throw in the earbuds, and dive into work. I tend to zone in and stay pretty focused on my projects. Usually I’ll take a break at some point and stretch my eyes and talk dogs or something with one of my great coworkers.
Belinda: A typical day? Busy, busy, busy. I make sure to start out my day with at least 2-3 cups of coffee. Then, my fingers are usually glued to my mouse and keyboard — until I step away from my giant Mac to collaborate with the team on our next kick-butt campaign.
Caitlin: What do you like most about your job? About TDR in general?
Mark: We have a great variety of clients and projects so the job stays fresh and challenging. We also have a great leadership team and a lot of talented, positive, and collaborative employees.
Belinda: Like Mark, I really love the variety of clients I get to work on. From church postcards to sandwich billboards to a restoration website… every project is different, which keeps the day interesting. Learning new programs and designing websites has been really fun. Also, our current crew has a lot of positive energy and it’s really motivating.
Caitlin: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Mark: Sitting up straight 🙂 I should probably join the rest of the crew and convert to a standing desk. It’d be much better for my posture.
Belinda: If time or budget wasn’t a concern (which it typically is), I could spend hours and hours on projects (#designnerd) — but I have to remember that no one else will notice if some spacing is slightlyyy off.
Caitlin: What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on, or what project are you most proud of?
Mark: My favorite project this past year was working on the website and brochure for Red Arrow Camp. I really like what they offer young campers. Also, they’ve been around for almost a hundred years so the photo library I had to work with was amazing!
Belinda: This year I got to help re-brand Revive Restoration which was pretty cool since I designed everything from their logo to their trade show booth. It was fun to see it all fall into place. After all these years, I still get excited when I see my designs out in the real world.
Caitlin: What advice would you give somebody just starting their design career? For example, what skills / qualities will be critical to their success (outside of the obvious “know how to use Photoshop”)?
Mark: Be detail-oriented. Having a good design eye is of course great and necessary, but really being able to understand a client’s wants and needs is super important. And pay attention to kerning!
Belinda: Keep your creative mind working and don’t be afraid to wear multiple hats to get the job done. Be adaptable to new programs and ways of doing things — the design world is always changing. Finally, surround yourself with a positive environment and creative individuals. It makes the day so much better.
Can’t get enough of Art Directors Mark and Belinda? We don’t blame you. Click here to check out some of their recent work.
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