Outside of Voom’s founder, Melissa McGath, you’ve been with Voom the longest. How did you become a Voomie?

It was January 2014. I had just graduated college and was working my part-time job at a floral shop on the last day before it closed. Melissa McGath’s pastor was at the floral shop and asked what I was going to do since the business was closing, and I told him, “I’m looking for a job.” He contacted Melissa and she emailed me that night. It just serendipitously happened. I met with Melissa and she offered me a role as a contract designer to get a feel for how we would work together. After about six months, I was offered a full-time role and became an employee. It was perfect timing for both of us.

A lot of my professors advocated for my first role to be at a big agency, but I’m glad I didn’t take their advice. Working with Voom has been amazing and has provided me with one-on-one opportunities to learn directly from Melissa. I learned a lot from her deep design experience. She was really like a mentor to me. Voom would not be what it is without Melissa.

I feel really honored to be with Voom for so long because we have gone through many changes and I’ve seen it at every different point. It’s really awesome to be part of a company that has evolved and I’ve evolved with it.

Walk us through a typical day in your job at Voom.

I typically have two or three projects in the works on any given day. I’ll often start my day with meetings and then move into doing the work. I like to keep the projects in rotation, which allows me to have a fresh perspective when I circle back to each one. I’m also investing more time into managing Voom’s social media presence.

For one new client, I’m working on two poster concepts and a brochure. It’s a particularly fun project because we get to do the photography. It’s been nice to be one of the art directors to plan out the big picture, take the photos and create the designs.

Working at Voom is awesome because I get to go outside of my typical role at times. We’re not all super compartmentalized. We all have our specialties, but we’re allowed to venture off and try new things.

Has anything surprised you about your experience at Voom?

Before I started at Voom, I wasn’t sure what client relationships looked like. I was not expecting to have personal relationships with clients. I was surprised, in a good way, that we get to know the people we’re working for and have great relationships with them. That’s what sets Voom apart.

Do you have a work-related accomplishment you’re really proud of?

The A-Plus Transportation work I did won several awards. Submitting your work and getting an award for it is reassurance you’re doing well in your job. It’s great to be recognized for your work and share that with your client.

What led you to a career as a graphic designer?

I was 20 years old and taking some general courses at Century College because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do something creative. Someone I knew was in the graphic design program at the University of Minnesota and they gave me the opportunity to shadow them for a day. That really opened up my eyes. I didn’t know a lot about graphic design prior to that experience, but it felt like the perfect marriage between the creative and linear parts of my brain. Graphic design also felt like a sustainable path to a long-term career, something businesses would need well into the future.

If you weren’t a graphic designer, what would you be?

I would either be a chef or something related to botany or gardening. All through college I worked in greenhouses and developed a passion for that.

What advice do you have for others seeking to start a career in graphic design?

Get all the experience you can. Don’t be too good for any job. Experience is a huge benefit – ask for an internship, shadow someone, do what you have to do to get more knowledge.

Are there certain skills all graphic designers and marketers should have?

Being organized and being a good communicator are two skills everyone should have. For a smooth process in the agency world, it is vital to be a good communicator. You don’t truly realize how important communications is until you get into the industry and see how many points of contact there are. And when you’re a smaller business, you have more of an opportunity to work directly with clients and you need to know how to communicate appropriately for each client and project.

Any particular skills you’re currently learning?

I’m learning more about social media management. A lot of people seem to look at social media and think it’s something you can do in your free time, but it does require a lot of thought and planning.

I also have a goal to learn Sketch, which is a program a lot of designers use for user experience design of websites and mobile apps.

Technology is always evolving. Do you foresee technological innovations that will impact graphic design or marketing in the next 3-5 years?

Adobe programs are old and each has their own role. It would be great to see Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator blend and have merged capabilities. There’s always something new to learn as graphic design programs are updated over time.

Your Voom bio states you are “an outdoors enthusiast, plant aficionado and avid concertgoer.” Tell us more about each.

My favorite thing to do outdoors is to go camping and exploring, especially in northern Minnesota. Every year, I go camping at Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche State Park.

As far as being a plant aficionado, I have an interest in it and there’s so much to learn. My mom studied plant biology in college so she had a passion for plants. She got me a job at Linder’s Greenhouse and I grew to love plants in my own way. Now I have a house with lots of space for my plants.

I am an avid concertgoer, but it’s hard to pick just one great concert. The most impressive lineup I’ve seen was at the Minnesota State Fair with Al Green, B.B. King and Etta James.

Do you have any secret talents few people know about?

I can bend backwards and touch my toes to my head.

This last question can be very divisive. Pineapple on pizza – yay or nay?

Thumbs down. Pineapple on pizza is not for me.

Andrea and our team are ready to build success for your business.

hello@voomcreative.com

612.296.6675