So, Sleek Design has taken some major changes recently – namely I’m no longer a full-time freelancer. It’s kind of sad in a way. It’s almost like the end of era for me. I had been freelancing for quite some time on my own – several years in fact. I’m grateful for that time though. Being on my own for so long, I’ve gained some invaluable experience from winning clients, to accomplishing the work, growing a small business for myself and more. But all that has finally paid off as I’ve decided to join a team at my very first agency, ever. As of February 2012, I’ve joined the creative interactive team over Archer>Malmo, probably the top full-service ad agency in the region. (no bias right?)
I felt that it was a great move for me though. There are times in your design career when the freedom of freelancing is great, and there are times when a steady check and benefits are great too. Besides that, I’ve never worked at an agency before and the chance to get some experience in such a top-notch place, working with some of the best talent in at the area is pretty awesome.
Thankfully most of my clients were really excited and happy for me. In fact a lot of them expressed something along the lines of, “It’s about time somebody got you!” So that’s really cool. More than that, I’ll still be able to take care of them as I have time as this agency – while they do have a no-compete agreement – has no problem with me doing work on my own time.
So yes, I am still taking work depending on what I’ve got going go. It’s just way less, and it takes me a little longer now. So if you need a website designed and built, some print design work, or some branding, give me a hollar. I plan on adding a little availability message on my home page so that people will know if I’m booked up or not. So be on the lookout for that.
But enough about me, I want to tell you about my new job. First of all, my new official title is “Web Designer.” Cool fact – they hired me for the position of “Junior Web Designer” but thought I was so cool, they dropped the “junior.” Not bad, huh? I work with the Interactive peeps inside, providing creative design work for anything web for many clients (some national even!). I have my own workspace which is pretty nice. At least for now. Things change so much around there, people tend to move around the building every so often. Their offices are located in a really cool building downtown called the “Cotton Exchange” building. It’s at the corner of Front and Union. Another cool fact – scenes from the movie “The Firm” were filmed in this building. Some of the awesome perks include a snack closet that we all raid frequently, they bring in a massage therapist once a month, we go out to lunch at cool local spots pretty often, and there’s a dusty ping pong table I have yet to see. Oh yea, and there’s a beer cart that comes around from time to time. All in all, it’s a pretty sweet place to work, and I’m in environment where I really hope to challenge myself and continue to grow as a designer. It’s really refreshing to get the chance to work with such talented people.
Here’s some cool shots of the place to give you an idea of what’s it’s like in there.
The painting in the photo above is actually done by one of the illustration artists on staff – Kong Wee Pang. She just got her masters in fine art from the Memphis College of Art. Remember her name. She’ll be going places for sure.
My office space where I do my thing. (for now… remember I said people move a lot)
