Jenn Wilson
Jenn Wilson
Web Designer / Brand Strategist
Toronto, Canada
www.jennwilsondesign.com
Twitter
Instagram @jennwilsondesign
Pinterest
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a brand strategist, web designer and Squarespace specialist whose work is rooted in beautiful imagery, whitespace and the power of good typography. ”
I love to help bloggers, photographers, designers and makers build beautiful brands and websites that help grow their passions and build the business they love.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
After I graduated from University I felt a little lost so, I did what any self-respecting woman who was afraid of entering the "real world" would do: I enrolled in art school. I studied graphic design for three years and began my career working for a small Marketing and PR agency doing design. Eight years later and a few jobs and big-city moves, I'm working for a Toronto-based digital agency, specializing in web design and branding. In the last year I started my own freelance gig jennwilsondesign.com where I work with fellow creatives and entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
I find a lot of designers, especially when first starting out, have a "more is more" approach to design. That means being super eager to help their clients (which is a good thing, absolutely!), but sometimes forgetting to stay true to their design sensibilities. I've started to take a minimalism approach to design (and my life), where every design detail is intentional and with purpose. That's not to say that design needs to lack personality, it's rather about quality over quantity in design and being strategic with decisions.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I'm working on my personal website, jennwilsondesign.com and growing my blog. I'm interested in creating more resources for designers and DIYers to help them take a more minimalist approach to design. I'm also working on some pretty fab branding projects for some exciting new clients that I can't wait to share with everyone once they're finished.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
Whitespace is my jam. My style is clean and modern with a touch of whimsy. I love neutral colours with pops of colour, clean lines and good typography. I think my Instagram feed is the perfect representation of my design aesthetic.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I wish I could focus more time up-leveling my web development skills. As a trained designer with web experience, it would be nice to be as skilled in development as I am in design.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Working a full-time job and freelancing means a serious lack of hours in the day. If I could somehow stretch time, take a nap and get all of my work done I would be a happy girl.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Edit my blog posts. I love to write but I am a terrible speller.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish when I was first starting out as a professional designer that I knew how to say "no". That means saying no to "more more more" in my designs to please a client when I knew that the design and integrity of the work was suffering. It's about finding the perfect balance between content, design and the strategy that fuels it all.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Process. I'm always looking for ways to better my client-process as well as my design-process.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Brand and web design projects.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I love working with clients with a similar design aesthetic to my own. I think that's an important first-step in a working/collaborative relationship. I also think collaborative is the key word here. I love bringing ideas to the table and working with my clients to find the BEST solution for their business goals.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
It varies, but typically my work begins at $1,500 for a brand and website.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Send me an email at hello@jennwilsondesign.com or fill out this form
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Tap dancing. Live music. Ukulele.
This member profile was originally published in December 2016.