I’m the Art Director at Voltage, which means I lead the design team and all the design projects.

— Garrett

I am a Copywriter at VOLTAGE, so I write various types of content for our clients.

— Allie

Like most designers, our design team submits its work for awards for the benefit of having the harshest critique applied to it. More than just looking to satisfy a client, pursuing awards like the Muse awards motivate us to do our very best work. And winning those awards inspire us to continue working hard and creating amazing things.

— Garrett

Winning this Muse Award is great reassurance that our team is on top of our game! It’s validating to be recognized by those who don’t see your work every day (or pay for it). These awards also act as trail markers - they let us know we’re on the right path, they point out the skills that need to be developed and give us an outside sense for what’s working.

— Allie

I see the creative industry evolving in a lot of interesting ways! With site-builders like Squarespace becoming so user-friendly, quality web design is becoming more and more commoditized. I imagine the same thing will happen for apps and other interactive digital products. So, at least for the types of services a traditional agency provides, customers will likely soon be able to provide many of those themselves.

That said, the one aspect of the creative process that can never be easily replicated by an automated process or an entry-level program is the thinking that the creative industry can provide. My vision of the future for creatives has them all becoming more strategic-thinkers and providing a higher level of work than any inexperienced customer could provide themselves. This could mean designing and developing platforms that allow people to build their own products. It could mean being involved in higher-level projects that require more brand strategy, business thinking, or user experience expertise. It could mean getting into films or games. Or it could be any form of creative work that is difficult to replicate.

— Garrett

The creative industry has a crazy future ahead! With technology like AI and VR becoming more accessible and mainstream, I think creative-industry workers need to tailor their skills more towards strategy and innovation for the future. Being forward thinking and open to industry change is crucial for future success. I do believe human creativity can’t be fabricated by a computer, which means we’ve got an interesting future alongside technology ahead.

— Allie

My favorite thing about the creative industry is the sense of fulfillment from creating something. That feeling when a project is wrapping up and you are really proud of something that you created cannot be found in any other industry. I love the idea that at the beginning of a project all you had was an idea and by the end, you have a tangible product or piece of work that you created.

My second favorite thing is the people. I’ve loved the vast majority of the people I’ve worked with throughout my career. I love being able to work with equally or more creative, talented, and smart people every day.

My third favorite thing is the fun we get to have! We’re incredibly fortunate to have jobs that are fun to go to every day.

— Garrett

1. I love the fast pace of our industry. You’re never bored with your work.

2. I enjoy working in an industry where there are (seemingly) no rules. You don’t get a “how to creative” handbook your first day on the job. There is no black-and-white way to do your work, and instead, you get to flex your creative muscles every day to work out creative solutions.

3. The people. Everyone in this industry has something unique to contribute, and you can learn something from just about everyone.

— Allie

Match your creative endeavors with technical skill, even if it doesn’t come naturally. The more a designer or creative can understand the technical side of things the better off they’ll be.

— Garrett

Leave your doubt at the door. In this industry you don’t just need thick skin, you need confidence in your own abilities. You have to be willing to put yourself out there, speak up for your ideas and be fearless.

— Allie

I recommend being a part of the design community. Whether that’s local events, sharing your work on Dribbble/Behance, or seeking critique from other designers. As you spend more time showcasing your work and viewing the work of others, you’ll find yourself more motivated, inspired, and creative.

I also recommend finding creative news/inspiration outlets that resonate with you and inspire you. I’ll recommend a few here and shamelessly plug our own:

The Current: https://voltagead.com/blog/
Magenta: https://magenta.as/
Designer News: https://www.designernews.co/
Invision: https://www.invisionapp.com/blog

— Garrett

Connecting with others in your industry is SO important. Old classmates or coworkers, meetup groups, networking events, whatever. Building connections are the first steps to building a career. I’d also recommend finding hobbies that complement your work. For example, writers should read/watch all different types of content. I would also recommend creatives take time to create without work restrictions. Spend some of your free time writing/designing whatever you want, without a brief, deadline or budget in mind.

— Allie