Making it in the creative industry is kinda funny.

Everyone says they don’t know what they’re doing, but it’s clear that they do. At the beginning of my career, imposter syndrome whooped my @$! I went to school for fashion design, not visual comms. I didn’t even know what a banner was… until I did.

After a few years of saying “wtf do I do” every time I got a new brief, I’m almost an expert at figuring out wtf you can do when you don’t know wtf to do at work.

This is not professional advice. Please proceed with caution.

  1. Handy Dandy Voice Record App

    99.999% of the time, I’m multitasking during meetings. Shhh, don’t tell the clients. Anyway, multitasking = can’t fully pay attention during KO. So, I use my voice memo app to record in real time and plan to give it a listen eod when I have the time and focus to listen.

    Legally, it’s important to get people’s permission. lol

  2. P.A.P. “Panic and Pray”

    I’m a crashout queen when I’m overstimulated and overwhelmed —
    sprints hate to see me coming. So, whenever things get a little to hot, hectic, and stressful, I lay down and pray. Seriously, just stop, lay on the floor, cry, and pray. If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve had to do this to get thru the day, I’d have enough money to buy the Switch 2 in cash and several new games.

  3. Phone A Friend… or Your Mom

    As a certified yapper, nothing gets my mind goin like a conversation about things not related to work. So many sparks have sparked from conversations with my mom about life and groceries. True story. It’s like phoning a friend in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Stakes are high, the pressure’s on, and someone outside the box can always help you get out of it.

    Legally, I’m obligated to tell you to be mindful, cutesy, and demure — remember your NDAs.

  4. Ask Dumb Questions

    Curious, confused, taking notes and in need of clarity? Ask the question.
    I promise you, someone else is thinking the same exact thing and no one will shame you for doing it.

  5. Go Touch Grass

    Believe it or not, sitting in the same spot and staring at the computer for hours might not help. Powering thru only works when you have the mental capacity. If you’re in need of a hard reset, go outside. Like outside your home and out in the world, in nature,
    to the bodega. Fresh air is good for you, and maybe a snack too.

  6. It’s All The Same

    When you get a brief always look, read, simplify. Every brief is the same: there’s a problem, an opportunity, an audience, an insight. Start there, then figure out your flow. How you answer the brief is up to you. Here’s my process: Google, Pinterest, Saveeit, Eyecandy, Gemini, do nothing. Big on the “do nothing.”

  7. You Have Enough

    3 ideas to your partner’s 7? That’s okay. Only 2 brain cells to build on the ideas? That’s okay too. You already answered the brief? Fantastic, you’re a super hero. Whatever you bring to the table, always be confident that it’s enough.

  8. Trash Bags Full of Shinies

    One client’s trash — or “it’s too expensive” or “I just don’t know” or “legal won’t let us do it” — is another\client’s treasure. Save all your fave and best ideas for another time.

    Be sustainable: reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign and re-present. No one’s gonna know.

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