"helpers high"

Words like helper and helpfulness have always followed me around – they would pop up in every personality quiz I took. At first, I resented it. Don't get me wrong – I love to give back. It just seemed like a trait that would be a burden to carry around. But once I gave in and embraced this helpfulness, I began to realize how rewarding the simple act of helping out felt. Then I found greenlight. Helpfulness flourishes here, regardless of title, because greenlight thrives on being a team, collaboration and being part of something bigger. Helping others triggers the "mesolimbic system" or portion of the brain that releases feelings of reward. It's that feeling after a day spent volunteering for a foundation you're passionate about or simply getting the door for someone who can’t. These sometimes even instinctive actions are proven to boost self-esteem and give you a greater sense of belonging.

A couple ways you can trigger this "helpers high" at work? Offer to contribute on a tough problem-solving brainstorm or lend a hand on a coworker's project. Proof read an email or offer to take something off someone’s seemingly never ending to-do list. I guarantee the reward is worth the extra effort to help out – just ask any greenlighter.

-Jamey Molberg, Agency Operations Lead

design trend predictions

It’s that time of year again. All of the design-savvy pubs are letting us “creative types" in on the design trends that are headed our way for the New Year. It’s fun reading, and there are plenty of setters out there letting us know what’s going to be trendy, but year after year I can’t help but notice an old stand-by that creeps on the list; minimalism. For one, if it’s on the list every year, then it’s not a trend. And two, minimalism isn’t a trend at all – it’s a movement. Minimalism broke on the post-WW2 scene in American visual arts and has never left. And for us in the commercial visual arts, it’s a mighty coup in our creative quiver. When you’re competing for eyeballs in a world where a literal half-second is worth more than a whole minute; a simple concept, word and visual is your secret weapon. Clever and stunningly simple communication and design is tried and true, and apparently trendy too. Take that 21st Century!

-Todd Lancaster, Creative Director

responsive design

Remember the adage, “You have seven seconds to grab their attention?” For us ad folk, this originated around radio and TV, then morphed into the mantra for print, and eventually web. But thanks to Steve Jobs et al, seven seconds now feels like seven minutes. Actually, Litmus.com says 51% of recipients delete your email within two seconds of opening it. People are busy, folks. That’s one reason why you’ll be hearing “mobile first” even more loudly in 2017. So when we sit down to design and develop emails, designers need to focus on designing for mobile, then expanding that to desktop. The challenge in 2017 is catching your audience in that crucial fraction of time it takes to swipe up. Having design that looks good and works on smartphones is what’s going to make that difference.

-Damon Dycus, Web Developer

importance of refinement

Maybe you’ve come across people who seemed to “have it,” though they weren’t more imaginative, more talented, or had some ethereal quality others lacked, but definitely had something that made their work more… finished. That mysterious quality was likely the practice of refinement. Where some will work until they’re tired of looking at something, or have procrastinated until time ran out and the client needs SOMETHING. NOW., the artist who refines will create work that elicits unprovoked compliments from passers by. Spending a few extra moments means the difference between a collection of shouted copy points and beautifully effective communication. Success is borne from exploring one more angle; doing one more version knowing it’s wrong but necessary to contrast the right one. We should refine until only a clear message can be wrung from our work. Refinement isn’t an inherent gift, so here are some simple thoughts to consider in order to get there:

• Don’t stop prematurely, but definitely take breaks. 5 minutes away and sometimes you see a new solution the instant you return to your screen.

• Ask someone for a look, but prepare to forget what they tell you if needed (have a gracious reason you didn’t do what they suggested!)

• Refine until you can’t. Just don’t stop until the work is really done. That is the secret to creating a body of work that shows you have a seemingly indefinable quality.

A well-executed weak idea is easier to sell than a half-assedly constructed mind-blowing concept.

-Aaron White, Senior Production Artist

greenlight's 2017 resolution

greenlight’s 2017 resolution? To live a 'more inspired life.' I know, my banker husband is shaking his head wondering what the hell that even means. It means something, honest. Let me rant for a moment. Being a creative thinker is harder than it looks. We believe you have to have a healthy work/life blend to be truly creative... it's about being just as happy at home as you are at work. It’s about pushing yourself to think differently at work AND at home. And when you put these ideas into motion, you’re living what we can “an inspired life”. In November, our team spent an afternoon with Rocky Garza of Staff Retreat Co. and we mapped out our personal identities. Short version: We determined HOW we operate and defined personal values for the WHY and combined those with WHAT we do. The idea is that everything you do should align with your map. If they don’t, you won’t be happy. If you’re not happy, you’re never going to create anything. If you don’t create anything, well…that’s just making me depressed thinking about it. It’s far from inspiring. In the new year, we’re using our identity maps to find inspiration in our professional and personal lives. In the agency, we all have a deeper understanding of each other, what makes us flourish, how we think and adversely, what stops our ideas from forming. At home, I personally share hopes for the future, nurturing my need for connection and teach my children generosity. This harmonious blend is giving me an inspired life. One that I never want to lose!

-Olivia Cole, COO