Design Studio helps our clients do so many things — from reenvisioning their brands to revamping their user experience to bringing campaigns to life. Name: Suz NelsonTitle: Design Studio LeadLocation: Indianapolis, Indiana What is your role? What are your responsibilities in your role at TrendyMinds? Suz: I’m Suz, and I am Design Studio Lead! That means I oversee a team of 13 designers and ensure we partner with clients to deliver amazing work. That includes managing workflows to ensure the right designers are working on the right projects, providing quality assurance, and collaborating with other studios on strategic and creative initiatives. At the end of the day, my job is to help the team develop and stay on track toward our company’s (and our clients’) overall goals. What is your Studio? What services and capabilities does Design Studio offer? Suz: Design Studio helps our clients do so many things — from reenvisioning their brands to revamping their user experience to bringing campaigns to life. Broadly speaking, we offer services across Brand & Visual Design, UI/UX Design, Campaign Design, and Brand Experience Design. Probably our greatest impact, though, happens when we can combine multiple of these capabilities to help our clients ensure the look, feel, and execution of their brand is consistent and compelling across every interaction with their audiences. (Psst, discover Design Studio’s full capabilities here.) What types of challenges does Design Studio help to solve for clients? Suz: Our clients come to us with a wide range of challenges. Whether they need strategic and creative guidance, tactical execution and production, or a combination of it all, our studio is equipped to tackle their needs. We are made up of visual and creative problem solvers that have a talent for organizing, visualizing, and building all kinds of materials that connect with audiences, are on-brand, and support overall marketing and business goals. We partner with our clients in so many ways. For many of our clients, we are their go-to design team and brand stewards. We often function as an extension of their marketing or design teams, especially if their own internal resources are stretched thin. We also work alongside other agency partners on larger initiatives. What types of projects do you enjoy most or find intriguing? Suz: I love branding projects! They involve a start-to-finish experience that hits on so many different creative aspects from a design position. Then, once a new brand is established, we get to explore opportunities for growing and pushing what we can do with it. I also have a background in informational/graphic design, so I love turning information into a story people can interact with. It might seem limiting to some, but I actually love starting with a set of requirements. I find constraints liberating! What is your background? What were you up to before you joined TrendyMinds? Suz: My career started at a tech startup where I led a small team. I was hired to focus on UI/UX for their product, but that wasn’t my background, so it was a huge learning experience. At the same time, I was helping to build their brand in the marketing sense. I was really doing a little of everything. Then I decided to try out agency life and learn what it was like to work with different brands. I’ve been with TrendyMinds for eight years now. What new developments or current trends do you find most exciting about your area of expertise? Suz: AI is the hot topic of the moment. I’m excited for how it can improve our internal efficiencies as designers. It’s not taking over our jobs, but it is going to help us get to things quicker, such as mining stock imagery or developing mood boards. I’m also intrigued by no-code websites in the right scenario — things like quick-turn, short-lived microsites or resource hubs for event support or sales launches. Do you have advice for anyone starting out in a design career? Suz: Always ask questions. Don’t be afraid to “sound dumb.” You probably don’t. It’s more likely you sound interested. It’s going to help in the long run. Also, who cares? Take as many opportunities as you can to build your portfolio — including the fun and not-so-fun projects. They will all help you get from where you are now to your next role. What are your hobbies outside of work? Or what is something people are surprised to learn about you? Suz: Hobbies: I love to cook! I admire Ina Garten so much. I love her cookbooks. I love pasta, sauces, and garlic! In my opinion, any great recipe starts with sautéed garlic and onions in olive oil or butter. Spending time with my family and being a mom brings me so much joy. The minute my daughter starts coloring, I have to sit down with her. We’ve completed so many masterpieces together! Also, red wine. Cheers!