Color Collecting

This spring has been the rainiest in the last 80 years in Colorado. And what it has given us are more weeks to enjoy the spring, and all that it provides. The trees are greener, the grass is practically glowing, and the flowers are blooming later and brighter than I’ve ever seen before. Even though the rain brought grayer days than we used to here in Denver, the gorgeousness it provided was more than worth it.

My phone has turned into a repository of greens and pinks and delicate white blooms. I can’t get enough of all the beautiful colors of the season.

And as the summer comes into full swing, and brown spots (hopefully don’t) show up on lawns and dotting bushes, I turn to the beautiful pictures on my phone as a reminder of the beautiful season we’ve just completed. But it also serves as a rich and varied source for design inspiration. The colors are captured, and I can pull the pictures onto my screen and use them as palettes.

While I am aware that my noticing plants and trees and yards means that I’m getting older, and paying more attention to gardens and less to personal style, I’m okay with that. My fanny pack and wide-brimmed hat that I wear on walks are clear indicators of that shift. But the colors this season changed my brain somehow, and my mood, and made me brighter and happier too. And maybe just a little more grateful for the gloomy rainy days, knowing that afterward, we can appreciate the colors they bring with them.

Inspiration is everywhere

When I was working as a receptionist at an ad agency, I did all of the things I could think of to try and climb the ladder. I offered to help anyone that was within a 10-foot radius of my desk. I stayed late and wandered around to see what everyone was working on, and I attended classes at The Ad Club.

While I had assumed that along with the class, I would be offered a job as a creative director as soon as they saw my work, what I received was much more valuable. I learned to brainstorm with writing partners outside of college. I learned how to turn my vision into real ads with deadlines. And I received a truckload of wonderful advice.

One of the best pieces of advice I received was from Shane Hutton, who was a creative director at Modernista! in Boston at the time. He told me to find a way, every day, to keep my creative “bucket” full. It was my job to get out into the world and see what was happening around me. That meant going to art museums, restaurants, musicals, new neighborhoods, and stores. To see, and to learn, and to be inspired, and fill my brain with everything I had seen.

And then, when I was sitting at my desk, with an assignment in front of me, I could use all of those great experiences inspiration to draw from to create something new.

When COVID came, the ways to fill my brain bucket seemed to dry up. Searching the internet is not the same as sitting at a coffee shop, overhearing conversations, and staring at the teacups on the walls. Reading a magazine is great, but doesn’t inspire in the same way looking at thousands of books at a book store does. I kept waiting for it to come—thinking that being in the house with my kids all day would provide me with a different kind of inspiration and motivation to get my work done as efficiently as possible.

While avoiding going into stores and running errands, and not feeling comfortable sitting in coffee shops for hours on end, I found a new source of inspiration. Every day, I started to take longer and longer walks to break up the day. And on those walks, I would try to see friends and family, to talk and connect in a safe way, to hear their stories, and share time with the people I love. When I couldn’t nail one of them down, I listened to podcasts. Everything from business to creativity to home organizing, biographies, and short stories. What I’ve learned is that being outside is inspiring. Moving my body is good for my brain and my body while listening to podcasts has forced my brain to fill in the gaps and add color.

And when I come back to my desk, my brain is full and ready to get back to work.

Stalking Stock Photos

Stock photography is a collection of professional photographs of common places, landmarks, nature, events or people that are bought and sold on a royalty-free basis and can be used and reused for commercial design purposes. Looking for stock photography becomes a part of every job I work on at one point or another. It seems so simple, but if you’ve ever tried to look for images that match a look and feel that you’re going for, you know it can be harder than it looks. And also, incredibly time-consuming.

I’m going to break down my top tips for finding images that work with the brand you’ve established to make the process easier.

First, take stock (sorry) of your brand

Take a look at your logo, brand colors, and fonts. If your designer provided you with sample images, take a look at that as well, and notice if there is a visual trend in what they chose. It all matters to establish your look and feel. Are your colors bright and bold, or mellow and muted? Does your logo utilize any shapes, like circles or squares? Do you want to put content on top of the image? If so you will need a background as part of the image with no visual clutter. Does it make sense to have the models in the images looking directly at the camera, or would you like a more natural feel?

Making a splash (sorry) with stock photography is hugely important when it comes to adding personality and color to your brand.

This image feels very posed. Does this look like your team? Why are they on a desktop outside? Is this telling a story or is it just confusing?

I love the composition of this ad. They’re much more casual, but it also feels like a realistic representation of a team working together. I love the grid of windows behind them and lines to the right of them. This would work well with a brand utilizing a square shape. I also love the yellow wall on the right, but if it weren’t a brand color, I would consider changing that color to compliment the brand.

The right image vs the right image right now

On your initial search, are the images all looking like they were shot in a studio, with a white background? Are they feeling too fake? Are there high-fives and handshakes? Do the smiles feel fake? Are their outfits on-trend? Rarely, those images are exactly what you need, but often they can detract from the ad by being the wrong fit. Corporate does not have to mean stuffy. The difference between getting pictures with an artistic angle and the right light can change the entire image, tone, and message. It takes time to find the right image for the job. Instead of rushing the process, remember that getting this right takes time.

Let’s take office supplies for example. Can the right stock make the difference? Absolutely. The image on the left has no character. It’s also messy and makes me think that maybe the office is disorganized. The image of the right is artistic, and while the pencils are strewn about, the chaos is a composition. The use of color isn’t something to be missed. And if I were using this on a website that didn’t have blue as a complementary color, I would change the color of the image in photoshop so that it fits with the brand.

Feels stocky. The shine on the table feels overdone. The color choices are random and messy.

This image feels clean, intentional, and easy on the eyes. The use of color is great, as is the composition.

Who is your audience?

If you are showing people in your photography, pay close attention to who your end-user is. Also, historically, being inclusive in stock has been a failing of many stock houses. Over the last 15 years that I’ve been doing this, it has gotten a little better, but some sites do better than others. Does your photography reflect any racial/ethnic diversity? Are you excluding entire groups of people by not including them on your website? What about showing same-sex/interracial couples/families if there are couples/families on your website. Is your end-user 50-75? Many of the stock sites have models that are much younger. Are you in a weight loss industry—if so, having size 2 models all over your site might turn away potential clients. Being really thoughtful about each image you choose. When I do work on book covers, I rarely ever show faces of models at all. When we read, the feeling of escapism can be lost if the audience cannot relate to the person on the cover.

You might have to work a bit harder to find a match for your business and brand. Being inclusive of all races, sizes, ages, and lifestyles is hugely important to both show the world who your business is, and also, to push stock houses with our wallets, to encourage more inclusive photography.

Use your words

Search terms matter. If I search ‘business people’, I am going to get very different results than if I search “team meeting casual” or “coffee meeting outside”. You can even search for specific layouts. “Copy space” is a favorite of mine to allow background space to write on top of. I also use “nobody” a lot when I’m not looking to include people in my images. I try multiple combinations on multiple stock sites in an effort to get just the right shot. And I save 75% more images than I end up using in my final designs. Sometimes you think you’ve found the perfect image, but when you put it in your ad, it crops in a way you don’t like, or it feels heavy and weighs down the ad. Design is a balancing act, and if you’re using a large photo, getting that feel right takes finesse. Try again, and again, and maybe again.

She is not in an office. She is not looking at the camera. The reflection from the window outside adds dimension. But she is focused and working with someone else, and that is the feeling I want to capture.

Don’t feel stuck

If you look at your ad or your website, and it’s feeling stale, changing out stock is a great way to refresh your collateral. Even if you don’t have the budget for a redesign of your materials with a graphic designer, an infusion of fresh images will brighten things up. Visual trends come and go. Styles change. When I started in this industry in Boston, showing businesspeople with suits and briefcases felt appropriate for business shots. After living in the Bay Area and seeing the styles in Silicon Valley change, my stock choices had to shift for their brands to be much more casual, and much younger. I am writing this blog in a cafe, and half the people here are working—so traditional office settings don’t make sense anymore for every business. Meetings happen everywhere!

Stock Houses

Where you search matters. Have I found GREAT images on a website filled with cheesy images? You bet. Do I plan on it? No way. Over the years, I have started using a diverse array of sites to look for what I need. I generally start with the cheapest options to save my client’s money and work my way up to the premium sites. Images can range from a few dollars to hundreds for one image. And sometimes, that $700 image is worth the price to establish the brand. And sometimes, I can get the job done for much less.

I have three stock photography subscriptions for the work I do. One site gives me the nuts and bolts of design—thousands of images of everything under the sun, complete with vector graphics to use in infographics and design elements. The price per year for these, for me, is a very worthwhile expense because I use so many images every month. You can also buy packs of images, which works well if you’re working on a brochure or website, and know you’ll be needing 10-15 images to round out the job.

Every year it seems like, more stock sites pop up. Some are great, some are not, but search them all and see for yourself. Here are some links to my favorite places to start:

iStockphoto

Masterfile

Twenty20

Tonl

Unsplash

And most importantly, make sure that you have rights to the images you’re using. Royalty Free images usually cost less than Rights Managed images. When in doubt, read the fine print, and if still in doubt, have your lawyer check it over, or reach out to the stock house with questions. If you found an image on a Google search, and you love it, find the photographer and ask their permission before using it, and don’t assume they’ll grant it. Protect yourself and your business, because no image is worth legal trouble over a misunderstanding.

When in doubt, hire it out

If finding great images is not your core competency, find the person on your team who is great at it. If it’s none of you, hire a designer (moi?), who will usually incorporate stock photography searching into the work they do for you. And if nothing is correctly representing your brand visually, consider hiring a photographer. Check out their portfolios and see if they can capture a style that resonates with your brand.

Whether you’re selling tennis shoes and your own consulting services, bringing a photographer in for an afternoon can give you resources you can use for years to come. Professional portraits of your staff will elevate your ‘About Us’ page, give you great headshots for use on LinkedIn and if you’re ever asked to speak publicly, that image of you will be on the poster. Do you have a beautiful office? Ask your photographer to snap some shots of the exterior and interior of the space. Don’t have a beautiful office to show off? No problem—take your pictures outside. Go to a cool cafe or somewhere with a great view of what makes your city unique. And remember that even your headshots need to be on brand. Are you brand colors blue and red? Bring a couple of blue and red outfits and get some shots of you in each. Does your photographer have someone they recommend for hair and makeup before the shoot, or are you looking for something a little more natural? Do you have swag that you’ve had made for your brand? Make sure you have it on hand, so that you can get a shot of your mugs, t-shirts, pens, etc. Get pictures of your signage, letterhead, or business cards. Plan ahead, and you’ll maximize your sitting fee, and remember, your photographer should be an artist—let them lead you in the process and find inspiration from what you do.

What's in a Name

I am terrible at remembering people’s names. Not just a little bad, the worst. And I know the tricks for remembering names—and I try them, and I slow down and repeat their name back to them, and it’s all just so embarrassing. I freeze on friends names when pressed to introduce them to each other, and don’t get me started on Marissas and Melissas (sorry Marissa). I confuse sisters names with each other’s, dog’s names with your kid’s names, I mean, no one is safe from this fuzzy brain of mine. 

It is incredibly embarrassing, so I often don’t use anyone’s names at all for fear of screwing something up. Even admitting this, I’m afraid someone is going to read this and know my secret. But I share it to pivot to another point.

I work with a lot of wonderful people, a few of them local. But when I do get to see a client in person, I’m thrilled, because we can say hello, and not just over a call, and I can hear about their lives and catch up. One client, we’ll call her, oh, Marissa, happened to be at Starbucks recently, and I waved and smiled to say a quick hello, and it was very clear that she had no idea who I was. I didn’t belabor the point, but we had met in person recently. Granted, I have a ‘you look like my Jewish friend’ ‘has anyone told you that you look like Mayim Bialik—here, let me show you a picture of her’ kind of face, so I get it. And, as someone that often forgets names, I didn’t think much of it. 

I ran into Marissa again a month later at a little party, and as we passed, I said a brief hello, REMEMBERING HER NAME (I know, amazing) and nothing. We were just on a call the day before—and I let my voice kind of kick around her perimeter, because I’m a crazy person, but also, I was assuming she’d turn around and say “Elke, oh HI!”, but she didn’t. She looked at me like those people who think you’re waving at them in a crowd, only to realize they were waving at the person behind them.

I didn’t introduce myself because I didn’t want to embarrass her, or myself, by bringing it up—thinking back, of course I should have. Maybe she knew who I was all along, and that’s how she is in person. Either way, it got me thinking about the importance of knowing someone and knowing their name and knowing their story. 

I have a brand that is an Elk, based off of my name. And having an unusual name helps people remember me. Everyone seems to know my name and plenty of people like to comment on it. But it has been my brand, literally and personally, for my whole life. I’m not used to people freezing on my name as I do with theirs, so this encounter with Melissa, felt, well, crummy. 

The brilliant singing duo Andrew & Polly and Mike Phirman created a hilarious song about the subject of forgetting someone’s name. Very relatable.

I know this isn’t a nice thing, to forget people’s names. It makes them feel crummy, too. Lonnie Mayne was the President of InMoment, a 700-person technology company, and is now a speaker/consultant for organizations on bringing humanity back to business. He just published his first book Red Shoes Living: Stand Out For The Positive In How You Work And Live Your Life.

Lonnie Mayne’s new book-go buy it. Wow, that cover is gorgeous, BTW!

In his book, he shares five deceptively easy principals of being your best self and showing up in business. All of these ideas are centered around showing up, being aware of those around us, and remembering that everyone has a story to tell. Lonnie goes into anecdotes of how serving others and being present has changed his life for the better, and those around him. 

Getting to work with him on this last book, he was like no one I had ever worked with ( a huge thank you to Amy Blaschka and Bruce Kasanoff for connecting us and driving the project). He left videos in my inbox instead of messages on my phone, with personal messages checking in. He spent time to ask about my life, my vacation plans, my kids. He never rushed any conversation with me, and knowing how busy he was, it made me wonder how he did it all! Once I read the book, I understood how important it was to him to connect with me—really connect. He never forgot my name—not only did he remember it, but he also put a thank you to me IN HIS BOOK! An author has never done that, in the 10 years I’ve been working on covers, not that they need to start, but Lonnie took the time to see me, and respect my work, and remember me. 

I can honestly say that I have never been as invested in the success of a book (cover and interior) I’ve worked on with an author, and it was because of him, and how he treated me, and how he made me feel. He thanked me over and over for working with him and respected my process, time and creativity. If you want to learn more from Lonnie, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of the book, or bringing him into work with your company. Here is his site.

So taking a page from Lonnie’s book, I have tried to change my forgetful ways. When I have a meeting, I write down everyone’s names and use them often. When I see someone, and I freeze on their name, I double-check myself, find a quiet place to look them up on social media if I can, and use their name proudly. It might seem ridiculous that I have to go to these lengths, but looking someone in the eye, and greeting them by their name is something I can do to show respect, and maybe, they’ll remember me, too. But if not, I will completely understand. 

The Colorful Page

On This American Life last week, Elna Baker did a piece on having to confess her sins to clergy for a large chunk of her life, starting in adolescence. She was taught, with a whiteboard, how we are born clean and without sin. The sins were represented by little dots drawn onto the board. Erasing the dots could only happen when one confessed, and ‘came clean’, to get their board white again.

Ms. Baker shared that this process involved revealing intensely personal information while fearing judgment to release herself of sin. This pattern of confession has affected her entire adult life. She worries about sinning all the time, and absolving herself of her sins while she’s living her life. I operate under a ‘you do you’ philosophy, so no judgment regarding sinners, or what a sin even is, or religious practices different from my own. But the story got me thinking about how I have always seen a whiteboard or as something so different. There are endless possibilities for design. That blank page could turn into anything. I use color and type and photography to make a story come alive so that it’s unrecognizable by the end. Why would I want to wipe it clean? If I did it would mean that I made a mistake.

Thinking about US being the white board makes sense too, but in no way, to me, in terms of our sins. More that we’re all born with a tabula rasa, a clean slate, and I love the idea of our life experiences filling in the picture. Bad decisions and good have made us all who were are. I have made plenty of sin-level-mistakes, especially growing up, but I learned, and continue to learn so much from them that I wouldn’t wipe them out. Maybe they fade over time, but it has to stay on the page and inform our decisions and our lives.

But the big moments, the life-changing brave strong scary moments, where we took a big risk, I want those all over my whiteboard, even if there were ugly at the time. I don’t want to lose a minute of them, because they add the bright splashes of color that remind me that my backbone is well in place and that I am strong and steady. In business, there is always room for understanding and kindness, but if I am not sure, assertive and confident in my recommendations, well then, I might as well wipe out the thousands of work hours that have taught me the lessons that brought me here.

To quote the great Mel Brooks “If you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy and colorful and lively.”

Belay On

On Monday, my son had the day off of school. We normally go out to breakfast, and then come home, and he lets me work while he plays. But this week, he asked if we could go to an indoor rock climbing gym. When I was a kid, I loved getting to climb the rock wall at summer camp. And I was fast and skinny and young, and I felt very brave when I reached the top.

But 20+ years later, I was very nervous. I didn't know if my hands, feet, muscles and mental space would let me participate. And so much of me wanted to sit out on the sidelines. Scott, a very young, quiet and funny employee, oriented us with high-fives and thumbs up. I told him I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to even get up the wall. He assured me that the first time is tough, but if I can be open-minded and brave, I could do it. As my son was zipping up the walls, Scott was helping me to clip in, and climb up, trusting both him and an auto belay system. This is a device hung high on the ceiling that you clip into, and it boosts you up as you climb, and catches you if you fall.

So now I had to trust Scott, the auto belay, and my own shaky hands and knees, and my brain that was shouting "are you sure?!". That feeling of being truly vulnerable was as exciting as it was scary.

I'm proud to say I climbed some walls, I let go and trusted the auto belay when I reached to top, and we had an amazing morning of bonding and sweating and cheering each other on.

It reminded me of those of us who have clients who put their trust in us. They are giving us their time, their money, and their faith that we will support them, raise them up, and make them shine. We are sometimes the literal safety net for someone starting a new business, or creating an event out of thin air. High-fives and thumbs-up all around.

Paint-by-Number Community Building

This summer, we went on a long road trip to visit national parks and adjacent states. It was hot and dusty and cramped, but mostly, it was awesome. My family looks forward to it all year, and my husband plans it, and I bring snacks, and a desire to try coffee and food in every town we visit. I hike because I love him, and it counts towards my steps. 

Our last stop was in Steamboat Springs, in the mountains of Colorado. It's a beautiful city. We hiked and we scooted. But my favorite part of Steamboat was an accidental stumbling upon a mural painting in progress. Whatsmore, the mural had been outlined on the wall by fine artist Lance Whitner, who was there watching, relaxing and chatting with people outside of Pine Moon Art Gallery. But the mural itself was being painted by anyone who wanted to help! It was collaborative and beautiful and brilliant. When the community piece was complete, she was going to go back in and add shading and dimension. And if I were in charge artist, I don't think I would have ever let anyone touch my mural. I'd be so nervous about making it look perfect, I'd be nervous someone else would make a mistake, and I'd have knots in my stomach. Oh, and did I not mention, it's her first mural.

But that was what made it so amazing. Ms. Whitner had a poster of what she wanted the wall to look like, and everyone who walked by, including kids, were encouraged to grab a paintbrush and dive in, using the poster as a reference. A community-wide paint-by-number.

My little one getting to participate

And my daughter, whose birthday was the same day, loves painting and she jumped right in. Not only did all the volunteers wish her a big happy birthday, but let her paint and paint and paint. It was so sweet and special and totally magical to be able to be included, and now, when we go to Steamboat again, we get to visit the mural, and feel like we were a part of something, because Ms. Whitner made the space for us to join, by setting up brand standards, offering support, and enjoying the process. She is brave, brilliant, and my new hero. 

Lance Whitner's finished mural in beautiful Steamboat Springs

Childlike Inclinations

Parry Gripp's Breakfast Burrito

I swore to myself I would never listen to children's music before I had kids. I envisioned my kids enjoying Radiohead and Sufjan Stevens and Journey and Queen. And they do. When "The Final Countdown" comes on Pandora, my son yells "Mom, it's your favorite song!". 

But in the car, we have Sirius XM, and I LOVE IT. We all get so much enjoyment out of it, that I can't imagine not renewing. And when I'm driving the kids to their various actives, we almost always are listening to Kids Place Live, channel 78. I was reluctant at first, but after a couple of weeks, we couldn't stop! It's gotten to the point where I forget to change the station after I drop the kids off, and happily listen to what they have to offer. Aside from the programming, songs and conversations being incredibly fun, they're also very creative and inspiring. 

Don't believe me? Here's what you're missing.

The Music

Parry Gripp

I thought the music was going to be twinkle-twinkle around the clock. It is so far from it. Let's start with some of the best of the best. Parry Gripp, a very quirky singer/songwriter and the lead singer from Nerf Herder, has some of the funniest songs on the dial. His songs are so beloved by all riders in the car, that you can hear an intake of breath when he comes on. His videos are as nutty as his lyrics. Here's our current favorite, Yum Yum Breakfast Burrito, but other, food-oriented awesomeness includes Raining Tacos, Do you like Waffles and Last Train to Awesometown (which features 5 different nachos). While I am very food oriented, so is Parry, which is just another reason why I love his music.

Andrew and Polly

Aside from being a childhood friend, Polly and her husband Andrew make such fun music together! The song Grapes was a number one for ages on the station, and for a good reason. It's addictive, delicious, and it really pinpoints the feeling of wishing you could leave a party, go home, and eat some grapes. Other hits that I LOOOOOVE are Tiny Dino, a beautiful cover of Forever Young, and a personal favorite, Waiting. They also have an incredible podcast EarSnacks, if you're interested, which provides even more entertainment that is fun for kids and adults. 

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The Hosts

Absolutely Mindy

Mindy is the host of the morning show. She is crazy quirky and unendingly creative. Why this matters is because kids call in to share stories or answer questions. But sometimes, because they're kids, they only give her half the story to work with. Or they share something really gross or personal. Or they get confused because they are in shock to actually talk to her. But she handles all of it with total grace and humor, and she always adds an extra element that you wouldn't expect. If someone calls in to discuss a hard day they're having, she gives them advice, support, and then tell them to fill their mouth with marshmallows and try to sing at the top of their lungs. And everyone laughs. Even the kid who is having a rough day. She also has a WONDERFUL podcast with NPR's Guy Raz called Wow in the World.
 

Jack Forman

Jack Forman is so adorable and friendly and kind I can hardly stand it. His laugh is infectious, and his warmth and playfullness with the kids is heartwarming. He has his own band, Recess Monkey, which is a powerhouse of brilliant, awesome Grammy-nominated nerdy fun. The fact that he makes a song as adorable as Yodeling Yoda, while giving away imaginary spatulas, on a game show where everyone wins, makes me smile. 

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The Shows

Couch Potato Stew

I've mentioned Jack and Mindy above, who host the morning and afternoon shows respectively, but I also have to mention two more shows. Couch Potato Stew, hosted by the great Paul Bachmann, airs on the weekends, and he plays all of your favorite songs from TV, video games, and movies. And sometimes he goes way back. Fraggle Rock theme songs are mixed in with songs from Coco and classic Disney. 

Photograph of Kate and Becky by Lori Epstein

Weird But True Show

Kate and Becky, who are editors for National Geographic as their day job, are two very fun and engaging hosts who talk about, as the name suggests, weird and true events around the globe. And the categories are unpredictable, and the chemistry is undeniable, and I can't get enough. You've never heard the car quieter than when Kate and Becky are describing the world's longest worm. We have all learned so much from Kate and Becky, by accident.

If this seems like a love letter to channel 78, then you're right. They have curated entertainment for a wide range of ages. As a creative professional and human, it is always nice to be surprised by something unexpectedly awesome. As a mom, I bless them for the quiet moments that interrupt an argument in the back seat. Because who can be mad when there is an entire song playing in the background, devoted to finding where the cat threw up (again).

The Need for Space

When my kids were tiny peanuts, strangers would stop me and say "Remember this moment. They grow up so fast, you can't believe it. Savor every minute!" And boy, I try. But with the summer brings long hot days, worn our kids, and infighting that matches the blazing asphalt outside. We often can't even make it home in the car from camp without shouting matches that result in me putting them in their rooms, separately, for much-needed time-outs.

And when I open their doors, 5 or 10 minutes later (or when I remember), they are almost always reading. Or pretending. Or playing on their own. And they don't come flying out of their rooms. They stay, and they play in the quiet. 

In design, the need for space is essential to letting the main message breathe. Halfway between art and science, our brains can only process so much at once, and the need for a clear visual and legible type has been and continues to be king. One of my professors used to say "Purgate the Superfluities", which is a clever and funny reminder that less is more. 

“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off" -Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel's famous quote applies to fashion, and design in general. Less can be more. Restraint can show boldness. And alone time can allow users to fill in the gaps. 

When I stop trying to shove activities and ideas of what to do down my kid's throats, they fill in the gaps, too. More is not always more. In design, parenting, and life.

Crashing Together

I drive a large white SUV. I call her, in my head, Baby Beluga. I never call her that aloud because I feel like she takes good care of me, and I should call her something more regal, perhaps 'The Snow Queen?' It's still a work in progress. 

Yesterday, while driving 'The Snow Queen' to pick up a kid from school, I ever so gently grazed another driver's rearview mirror, leaving a little white line on it. We both pulled over, me with a heavy heart. I'll be the first to admit that I am not an amazing driver. I drive with caution and nervous energy. I've never loved driving, but it is a necessary evil of where we live and send our kids to school.

On the side of the road, the woman looked at me, and then, with tears in her eyes said "I'm sorry, it has been a really rough day. I lost my job, and I'm just not sure what to do next." I apologized, over and over again, and told her we should exchange insurance information to make sure she gets the scratch fixed. Then she started weeping. Head in hands, tears and red-faced, embarrassed and frustrated. She said "It's not you. I'm so sorry. I don't know why I'm crying. I don't have insurance. I'm an illegal. My life is so hard." 

More tears.

My heart completely broke. 

I hate that this sweet woman was reduced to a pool of tears and that I made it a little harder for her.  We hugged each other, while she sobbed. And hugged. And hugged again. Two strangers, on the side of the road, hugging, while her kids looked on and smiled and waved. After resolving the scratch a different way, we both went back to our cars teary-eyed.

This woman is me and I am her. We are a country of immigrants, and I am no different. And this week, when parents are being separated from their children, and families ripped apart, my heart is so heavy. But having a heavy heart doesn't help anyone. We need to take action. We need to use our voices for those who don't feel safe enough to speak for themselves. Here are some organizations who are working to help, and are taking action in a variety of ways.  

Families Belong Together

Donate to Legal Services

Families for Freedom 

Border Angels leave bottles of water on the border and provides immigration consultations, and organizes community events.

Or read this amazing list that has these options,  and more on how to be helpful. 

I would like for my friends, neighbors, or people I meet, if I bump their car, to know that I am working to keep them here, and together, volunteering my time, and opening my wallet.

Nobody Does it Like Me

An important lesson I've learned over the past year is that being true to myself and my process is what makes me able to offer a unique product.

I know it's so simple, but if you just be yourself, you're different than anyone else. -Tony Bennett

I have always been a little different, and I have never had the self-awareness to know what was or wasn't socially acceptable. As I've gotten older, I've started to notice the ways I'm different and embrace them. Because now that my kids are getting older, I have noticed what makes them unique too. And I celebrate those differences fully.

"Nobody Does it Like Me" by Dame Shirley Bassey is an ode to self-realization, self-deprecation, and self-acceptance. And while I feel like it echoes some (many) of my (our?) inner monologues, it's also so honest and sweet and empowering, that I can't get enough. 

If there's a wrong way to do it
A wrong way to play it
Nobody does it like me
If there's a wrong way to do it
A right way to screw it up
Nobody does it like me
I've got a big loud mouth
I'm always talking much to free
If you go for tact and manners
Better stay away from me
If there's a wrong way to keep it cool
A right way to be a fool
Nobody does it like me

Goldie Hawn did an amazing performance of the song in 1978, if you want to enjoy this a step further. 

I love when people are real, and their reactions are genuine and honest, and their heart is in the right place. Seeing peoples eyes well up when they're excited, or being honest about how hard raising kids can be, it speaks to me. I feel like I am very lucky to have a healthy handful of kindred spirits in this world, and I've noticed over the years that all of those friends are people that are honest, warm, and wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Image by Nik Gaffney

There is a Japanese art of repairing broken pottery called Kintsugi. The art form embraces the flaws, fills them with powdered gold (or silver, or platinum), and highlights the cracks. As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.

My flaws lead to work that is special and unique. I can't sit still for too long, I need to constantly be inspired, I need to work in bursts, and I would rather walk into neighborhood shops than ever go to the gym. 

Our history of mistakes may not be visible, but the cracks in us are what makes us who we are. And being real about those flaws makes us relatable and resilient. So, I raise my glass to all of us—we are human, we have flaws, and we are beautiful. In business, family, and all on my own, I will continue to strive to be, unequivocally, me.

Exhibiting Awesomeness

I try visit museums in every city I travel to, and it has as much to do with what the exhibits are about, as it does with the design of the space. So much thought goes into the lighting and the materials to create a special and memorable environment. And it has to make you feel something, and then want to learn something. 

The Star Wars Power of Costume Exhibit that came to the Denver Art Museum last year was fantastic, and not just because it was Star Wars. They fully embraced the fandom, the movies, the sketches, the materials. They used them all together to tell a story of the stories. You could see Princess Leia's Bikini while looking a huge backdrop of Jabba the Hutt, while a screen on the other side showed the scene where she wore it. It is amazing that a bikini could make me feel so nostalgic and excited and connected to something. 

Another exhibit I was jaw-on-the-floor impressed with was The Power of Poison Exhibit, produced by the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The typography alone had me drooling to see it in advance. But the use of green and black and mist and mystery was so clever. Showing how many toxins are perfectly safe in small doses, but can kill in large amounts was my favorite takeaway, illustrated by a huge mountain of salt. It was theatrical and intriguing, and it made me want to stay longer and learn more.

Contrast that with an exhibit I saw a few years ago. It wasn't as hyped, and I was less excited to see it, so that already gave Star Wars and Poison an unfair advantage. But it also had terrible typographic treatments (ack--the three T's). Line-breaks were all over the place. The paragraphs, blown up to three feet high, were misshapen and ragged. And the headers were too close to the body copy. The subject was interesting, but I kept finding myself so distracted and disappointed with the design, that I couldn't focus. I kept trying to will myself, to lose myself in the little wall placards. But, sadly, I couldn't.

And while I know that I am more susceptible to these kinds of issues than most, I also think, with all our work, that the devil is most assuredly in the details. Which is why having someone who can check your work is always a good idea. Go slow, and taper off. Right, Grammarly?

Princess Leia Photo

Power of Poison Photo

Traveling Light

I wish I were the type of person that could carry a big purse. And that bag, in a perfect world, would be full of things that I may or may not use on any given day. I have a girlfriend that can pull a lint roller out of their purse on command. I can't even commit to tissues, and I have young children who sneeze a lot. 

But to me, there is something so freeing about traveling lighter. My guy friends carry a wallet and a set of keys, but even their keys seem more compact than mine. Don't even get me started on how much I wish I could wear cargo pants and just load them up with snacks and water bottles. My legs would look like sad lumpy messes. But my husband can throw on a pair of cargo shorts, and still look totally normal. But, I digress...

I have a client who started a business, and she based it on having a really big purse. And the concept behind it was in reference to the fact that she always has a girl-scout level of preparedness for all situations. And she passed that onto her clients. I feel like I'm absolutely the opposite, but that can be my superpower, too.

I like to leave the house with as little as possible. I hate carrying it. I hate stowing it awkwardly. And I hate the expectant glances a large purse brings. "No, I did not bring your coloring book in here." And I hate fishing around in my bag for things. I need a wallet, my keys, and a phone. And if I'm feeling fancy, a lip gloss. That's it. The rest can live in my car or can be acquired. 

The reason why I like traveling so light is that it opens me up to new experiences I may not have had otherwise. Water fountains are everywhere. Tissue boxes are in most bathrooms (I really need to start packing tissues). And besides, I love finding excuses to pop into a store or a library. 

I feel the same way about work. I like to come into things with a totally open mind. And when I work, I try to do it in places that give me everything I need: smells, sounds, decor, and a little people watching. And those places don't remind me of the laundry sitting unfolded at home, or the dishwasher that needs to be emptied. I'll deal with that when I feel like a very different kind of immersive experience. 

The Big Flashing Arrow

I saw a truck the other day with arrows that light up on the roof—the kind that directs traffic into another lane. So everyone started putting on their turn signals and moving into the left lane. But the strange thing was, the truck was moving forward. So everyone was getting over with urgency, but for no reason. It was just a truck that was just getting to where he needed to go, and the driver just forgot to turn off his 3-foot high arrow. 

It reminds me of the song "Steven's Last Night In Town" by Ben Folds Five, about a guy (Steven) who keeps saying he's leaving town, but never does.

But we thought he was gone
Now he's come back again
Last week it was funny
Now the jokes wearing thin
Everyone knows now
That every night now
Will be Steven's last night in town

They keep throwing him goodbye parties, but he keeps hanging around. I think we've all had friends and co-workers who don't want to be where they currently are. I certainly have been in that position before. I think the frustrating part for me is when someone keeps talking about changing their job or career, but never do. 

As friends and supporters, it's a difficult position, because it feels like they have a big turn arrow above their head, but they just won't, or can't make a move. It can make you question your choices, too. We can offer job listings and support and advice, but Steven, well, we still see him every day, even though we know he doesn't want to be here. 

Life hands us circumstances that make it hard to make a change. Things get complicated. Benefits support families. Changing your life is a big move that doesn't just affect you. But life is short. Watching my kids grow up is a daily reminder that I'm getting older, too. And I would never want my kids to ignore the huge arrow, pointing them in a different direction.

Photo Credit

When It Doesn't Feel Like Work

With Passover this past week, there are a number of preparations I had to make. I cleaned, and I’m not talking about a light dusting. Think spring cleaning on steroids. And I had to shop and shop and shop for food. And once all the cleaning and shopping was done, I had to cook. And cook. And cook. 

And my legs were tired from standing and my fingers hurt from peeling, and my stress levels were getting higher and higher and higher. At one point, I heard the song "Under Pressure" by Queen, and I got tears in my eyes. 

And then I stopped. And I took a break. I didn't want to take a walk or a nap. I opened up my laptop, and I worked. I had a huge long-format brochure to design, and as I finished each spread, I calmed down a little bit more. Because what the screen gives me is order and tidiness and peace. I get to take a very long document, with call-outs and cross-outs and make it something that someone else would want to read. I open up the spaces between paragraphs, I highlight the call-outs, and it transforms into a living document, with images and color and care.

What the Adobe Suite gives me that I don't get elsewhere is a set of tools that have their own unique outcomes. When they work together, I can make something completely new and unique. Just like my clients, and their needs.

After I finished as many spreads as I could manage, I laced up my tennis shoes, washed my hands, and got back in the kitchen. Minus the pressure.

Remembering to thank everyone

It can be really hard to thank everyone who is involved in making your project happen, right down to the executive assistant who took messages while you were in a meeting. I was a receptionist for three years in high school at a car dealership, and then again, 4 years later, while I was breaking into creative work at PARTNERS+Simons. And I still remember the people who took the time to thank me. Car dealers would thank me for sending them client calls. Account Executives would thank me for booking conference rooms and ordering food for their meetings. And when they needed a favor, it was always a pleasure to help them out because they had made the time to see me.

Their acknowledgment made me feel less like 'the help', and more like a partner—including my job title at P+s, The Director of First Impressions, (thank you, Tom Simons). I bring this up because I continue to really appreciate being acknowledged for my work (like most of us). My love language is words of affirmation, and even if yours isn’t, it’s nice to be told thank you. I know that I will work the extra mile for a client that is genuine and kind and complimentary.

This week, I am finishing up a project with a client who, in every interaction, has found a way to encourage and applaud the work, while kindly asking for changes. We all know that we get more flies with honey, but it is such a nice reminder when you get to work with someone that is over-the-top awesome!

Putting Websites into my Clients Capable Hands

Today, I made my first video for a client. It was a training video, to help them understand how the back-end of their new website is structured. And while I'm generally more comfortable behind a screen than in front of a camera, this felt like the best of both worlds. I used the Quicktime screen record feature and was able to use my mouse to steer the client around the in's and out's of their site. They can watch it whenever they need a refresher, and I can rest assured that they have the basics handled.

And while the sound of my own voice makes me cringe, I knew the end result was important. The best part of this new offering, for both of us (I hope), is that they get to make changes to their site without me. The site that they paid for, and should not have to continue paying for, every time they want to make a change. I am always here to help when they need me, but Squarespace, my favorite website builder, is meant to be used and explored in their own, less nasally voice. Not mine.

Spanish Club

Today, I had the pleasure of working in a little cafe with good wifi and great food. Next to me was a group of 15 people speaking Spanish. And it was clear that no one was a native speaker. And no one knew every word in Spanish that he or she were trying to express. But they were all forcing themselves to converse with other people in a second language. In public.  They muscled through. It was uncomfortable to listen to, but also, really inspiring. And a lot of the people there were over 60. 

It. Was. Amazing. 

I don't elect to do things that make me really uncomfortable. I stumble into things that are challenging, but I don't always choose them. Work throws up roadblocks, but I would prefer there weren't always there. But sitting next to people pushing to do something to better themselves was a great reminder. Uncomfortable doesn't equal bad. Growth can come from working really hard and trying something new.  Thank you mid-morning Spanish club. Maybe I will be a little braver mañana.

Image by Pascal Maramis

Changing habits. At work, or elsewhere.

Going to the dentist is not my favorite. Does anyone love it? So I play a game where I make an appointment. If I have work on my plate, I push it out. It's sort of legitimate, and if I do have work on my brain, I usually can't sit still until it's done. And getting my teeth cleaned qualifies as sitting *very* still. I also feel like I'm 6 again every time I go to the dentist, waiting to be reprimanded for not brushing well enough. "Ooooh Elke, this cleaning is going to take a while" I brace for impact and improve the truth about my oral health habits. 

But this year, I made a change. I started using flossers when I drive my kids to and from school. It was my mother's suggestion. And while I was told at my appointment (8 months delayed, to really lay it all out there) that flossers aren't AS effective as flossing, they told me that my teeth had never. looked. better. It's some kind of miracle!  I felt almost as good as when I leave a great meeting, which brings me back to work.

Changing habits is tough. When you're used to doing things your own way, and that way hasn't worked in the past, it shouldn't take 30 years to make a change! If something isn't working, fix it. If you can't figure out what's wrong, perhaps it's time to talk to a coach. Or call your mama. 

Image Credit

Satisfaction Interaction

With Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) starting tonight, it's traditional to evaluate our behavior over the past year. One of the things we're encouraged to do is reach out to friends and family, and apologize for mistakes we have made. We have an extension of this ritual, where we go to a body of water and release our metaphorical sins with crumbs.

I have always taken this responsibility seriously, but never before have I thought to apply it to my business. Alyce Blum, CPC, ICF/iPEC encouraged me to reach out to my clients with a survey, to gauge satisfaction, ask openly and anonymously what they think of my design services, and how I can improve. I was in no way excited to try this. I had never done it before, and it felt vulnerable to ask them to use their time in this way.

So I started with one. And then three. And now, I'm sending it to all of my clients. What it has given me is not only much more insight into why my clients enjoy working with me, but also, it has helped me to see how they view me. Many of my clients have never met me, and yet, I talk to them weekly (sometimes daily). And while meeting with them all face to face is a goal I have for the future, knowing that I am serving them in the way that best works for them, today, has been a priceless insight.

Image Credit