What Memorable Advice Have You Received in Your Career?
In the ever-evolving world of visual creativity, the right advice can transform how projects are approached. This article gathers insights from leading voices like a Founder and a CEO, offering invaluable wisdom. Discover how seven expert emphasizes the importance of storytelling in floral arrangements, while another highlights the necessity of focusing on the story over the design. Explore all seven insights that promise to reshape creative processes and outcomes.
- Tell a Story with Your Floral Arrangements
- Show Up Consistently to Complete Your Work
- Build an Experience, Not Just a Product
- Start with the Story, Not the Tools
- Focus on the Message, Not the Medium
- Embrace Every Learning Opportunity
- Focus on the Story, Not Just the Design
Tell a Story with Your Floral Arrangements
As a florist, one of the most memorable pieces of advice I received early in my career was, "Don't just arrange flowers-tell a story." This completely shifted how I approach every project, from wedding bouquets to corporate event designs. Instead of merely focusing on aesthetics, I now think about the emotions and narratives that the arrangements evoke. For instance, a bridal bouquet isn't just flowers; it's a reflection of the bride's journey, personality, and dreams.
This advice has also taught me the importance of understanding my clients deeply. I always ask questions about their vision, their preferences, and even the memories they associate with certain flowers. Recently, for a 50th wedding anniversary, I designed an arrangement featuring the same blooms the couple had at their wedding, creating an emotional connection that left them in tears. This storytelling approach has become a hallmark of my brand.
Another takeaway from this advice is the value of simplicity. Sometimes, the most powerful stories are told through minimalism-using a few thoughtfully chosen flowers rather than overwhelming the design with excess. This has not only enhanced the quality of my work but also helped me stand out in a competitive industry.
Show Up Consistently to Complete Your Work
As both the CEO of Mandel Marketing and the author of a book about art & commerce, An MFA for Your MBA, I've found that some of the most impactful advice for creative professionals comes from the book Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. One quote from the book that has profoundly shaped how I approach projects is this: "The hardest part of art-making is living your life in such a way that your work gets done."
This pithy statement speaks to the importance of showing up consistently, regardless of doubt, external pressures, or the fear of failure. In the world of marketing and visual creativity, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of perfection or to hesitate when faced with the unknown. But this perspective reminds me-and the teams I work with-that progress comes from action. The key is to trust the process, even when the outcome feels uncertain.
When taking on a new project, I encourage my team and clients to embrace this mindset. Start where you are, focus on the work in front of you, and don't let the fear of imperfection hold you back. Great creative solutions often emerge not from waiting for inspiration to strike, but from the commitment to keep working until the spark appears.
In marketing, as in art, the act of creation requires both discipline and courage. Whether it's launching a bold campaign or designing a fresh visual concept, success comes from pushing through the challenges and trusting that the work will lead you to the result. That advice has kept me grounded through countless campaigns, and I hope it resonates with other visual creatives navigating their own paths.
Build an Experience, Not Just a Product
A piece of advice that has always stuck with me is, "Don't just build a product, build an experience." Early on, when we were growing Festoon House, I focused a lot on the technical side of things, making sure our products were high quality, offering the best prices, and getting our logistics right. But as we grew, I realized it wasn't just about selling lights but how we made people feel when they bought them.
I began thinking about the entire customer journey, from browsing our website to unboxing the product. That mindset changed the way we approached our marketing and customer service. For example, we started focusing on creating a memorable unboxing experience for our customers. We added small personal touches, like hand-written thank you notes and eco-friendly packaging, to make the experience feel more special. It's these little things that create lasting impressions and build customer loyalty.
Start with the Story, Not the Tools
One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received in my career is, "Always start with the story, not the tools." When you're working in visual design or content creation, it's easy to get distracted by the latest tech or design trends. But what I learned early on is that the core of any project, whether it's a video, an ad, or a brand campaign, is the story you're trying to tell. The visuals should always serve that story, not take over or distract from it.
When we worked with a client on a brand awareness campaign, we didn't rush into creating flashy visuals. We first spent time understanding what their brand stood for, the emotions they wanted to evoke, and the core message they wanted their audience to take away. Once we had the story mapped out, we designed the visuals to amplify that message. The campaign felt more authentic, and the audience connected with it in a way that was far deeper than if we had just focused on making something look cool.
Focus on the Message, Not the Medium
One piece of advice that has stuck with me is to "focus on the message, not just the medium." At Edumentors, I always remind my team that the most important aspect of any project is how it connects with the audience. When we redesigned our website, we focused on making sure it was user-friendly and conveyed our mission. This approach led to a 30% increase in engagement. The key takeaway is that clarity and purpose are what make your work truly impactful.
Embrace Every Learning Opportunity
A memorable piece of advice I received early in my career was to embrace every opportunity to learn, no matter how small the task seemed. When I first started in IT services, I was often handed projects others didn't want-like fixing outdated documentation or troubleshooting minor technical hiccups. Instead of seeing these as mundane, I treated them as opportunities to improve my problem-solving skills and build a foundation for deeper technical understanding. These small wins gave me the confidence to take on larger challenges over time.
Another lesson that stuck with me was to seek feedback regularly. When you're new to a field or exploring unfamiliar territory, it's easy to second-guess yourself. I learned to ask for input from peers and mentors, not only to validate my work but to identify areas where I could improve. Early on, a mentor pointed out that I was overly focused on solving the problem quickly instead of solving it well. That advice shifted my perspective, reminding me to focus on quality and long-term impact, even when under pressure.
Finally, the best advice I've followed is to align work with personal passions. For me, that meant focusing on IT services with a human touch-something I deeply value. One of my first major breakthroughs at Parachute involved helping a client through a stressful security breach. The situation called for not just technical expertise but also clear, empathetic communication. Reflecting on that experience, I realized that combining technical skills with genuine care and collaboration is what sets our approach apart.
Focus on the Story, Not Just the Design
One piece of advice that has always stuck with me is to "focus on the story, not just the design." In my work at PinProsPlus, I learned that understanding the deeper message behind a project helps create more meaningful designs. For example, we recently worked on a custom pin design for a client, ensuring the design not only looked great but told a story. That approach led to stronger connections with our customers. The lesson: great design is about more than just aesthetics, it's about impact.
