What Do You Look For In a Designer? Alisa Olinova, verynice
Enter a caption (optional)What do you look for in a designer? Whether you're seeking your first job or you're a seasoned pro, the answer to this question can provide valuable insight when answered by the right person. We've decided to ask the best minds in the design world about their hiring practices to learn what it takes to stand out as a creative professional. In a time when technology and trends change at the blink of an eye, we think this question is more relevant than ever.
Los Angeles-based firm verynice specializes in four areas: visual communication, digital product design, design strategy, and strategic foresight. They've worked with over 500 brands, including internationally recognized names like UNICEF, NASA, Google, Disney Imagineering, and the American Heart Association. The firm has also put itself on the map as a leader in the pro-bono movement, providing consulting services and initiatives to hundreds of non-profits.
Enter a caption (optional)Art Director Alisa Olinova has the kind of success story most creative professionals dream about. She started out as an intern at verynice over three years ago and was quickly promoted to Junior Designer. She joined the team just as they began a bit of a growth spurt and was soon promoted to "Designer". Now, as Art Director, Alisa works closely with Founder and Managing Director Matthew Manos to set the direction and vision for all of verynice's visual design projects while also contributing to the overall mission and strategy of the business.
All of this makes Alisa more than qualified to answer questions about what the team at verynice look for when hiring designers.
What do you look for when hiring a designer?
Alisa Olinova: When hiring a designer we look for someone who'll be a good fit all around. Are they a good cultural fit - do they care about what we do and do they seem cool enough to have pizza with? Are they a good technical fit - do they have office experience, branding experience, web experience, and above all, technical production skills? Will they fit in as they grow - can we accommodate their aspirations, are they committed to the experience?
Is there a particular "tell" that signals a good or bad fit?
Signals that someone may be a bad fit are their overall attitude towards facing challenges or working with certain people or in groups. Sometimes someone might be totally capable and amazing, but we are looking for someone that has very particular skills or experience. We don't want to ultimately disappoint someone we can't accommodate.
Enter a caption (optional)What is your best interview "horror story"?
In terms of horror stories, this happens more across the board when you just can't connect with the person. They're talking super fast and say a lot of things, but don't quite answer your questions because they are so nervous. They don't look you in the eyes and just giggle a lot - just not sure what to do with that. I want to shake them and tell them to slow down! It makes me uncomfortable when they are uncomfortable. More offensive was someone who showed up a half-hour late to our half-hour interview and didn't acknowledge it in the slightest.
What is the single most valuable piece of advice you could give to those on the hunt?
The single most valuable thing would be to follow directions. Tailor your portfolio for the position that is described, supply the information that is requested, spell people's names correctly, and turn things in on time. There's a good amount of applications that are really easy to throw out because of simple mistakes and a lot of them end up being "that guy": spelled my name wrong, copied and pasted another application, applied for the wrong position, turned it in late, etc.
Enter a caption (optional)Do you have any specific advice for recent graduates, or people just starting straight out from school?
For recent grads, I would advise to start a collection. Make a list of everything that interests you - studios, causes, brands, campaigns, events, designers, artists, blogs, all the things! Start researching these things and try and get involved. Don't label yourself and pigeon hole yourself into one type of thing until you know what's out there and you know what you want to try. Ask yourself questions and don't be afraid to reach out to others to follow your dreams!
Regarding creative employment, what do you know now that you wished you knew then?
Something I wish I knew then is that everyone you work with is a regular person just like you. They have good ideas, bad ideas, good luck, bad luck, have worked hard, and have slacked off. They eat, sleep, worry, and freak out. Every moment isn't going to be fun or nice or easy. You're going to learn things that you didn't even know were going to be special or valuable. It's important to notice those moments and reward yourself, appreciate the process and not look for the finish line all the time.
Want to know more about verynice? Visit verynice.co or find them on Facebook!
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