Mollie Ableman
Mollie Ableman
Art Director / Designer
Culver City, Los Angeles, CA
www.mollieableman.com
instagram @molli_pops
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a designer, illustrator and art director. I create content, illustrations, logos, and other visual media that communicates ideas and feelings.”
When partnering with brands I essentially create artwork that helps sell their service or product. I also partner with businesses to come up with creative solutions to their business problems.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I went to a five year program at The New School where I simultaneously earned a BFA in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design as a BA in Cultural and Media Studies from Eugene Lang college. Throughout school I interned at design studios, advertising agencies and media companies. Since graduating I have worked within PR, Social, and Advertising agencies. All the while I have continued to hone my skills outside of "work" by maintaining personal clients and executing my own personal projects.
How do you stand out in your field?
I try to stay true to who I am and what I enjoy making. I think this helps me stand out, as there is no one else who has my life experiences or my exact point of view.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Currently I am working on adjusting to LA life. I just moved here from NY, I had been there for nearly 11 years. Second, I am working on rebranding a yoga studio. I am going to NY for the photoshoot at the end of the month. woohoo!
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My personal style is playful, fun, whimsical, and bold. I try to set my personal tastes aside when working with clients though, to ensure I bring THEIR vision to life and not my own. That said, when working on my own projects, I would say this is a good insight into my style. My tumblr also can give you a sense of my taste.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I would like to focus on making more things with my hands. I enjoy needle felting and would love to spend more time exploring the medium. I also want to spend more time working in video and developing my skills as a storyteller.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I'm often frustrated that I won't have enough hours in my life to complete all the projects and creative endeavors I'd like to. But I am trying to be more mindful of the present and be at peace with what I am able to accomplish. The task that keeps landing at the bottom of my to do list is to organize my bookmark folders :)
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would have them organize my bookmark folders :)
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I would go back to college and would have told myself that its OK to try different things. I am multi disciplined and have MANY interests and I know now that this is a asset not a liability. In college I think I have often felt pressure to be more singularly focused and I know now that was a waste of headspace.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would talk to an expert about tools to manage clients more efficiently. I think if I had more confidence in this area than committing to freelancing full time would feel more manageable.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I am interested in both freelance and full time opportunities. As well as collaborations with other creatives.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I would love to collaborate with a female lead brand within the beauty industry. I love beauty and would love to do branding and video content in that space.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
It all depends on the scope, get in touch and lets talk details!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
ALWAYS KEEP LOOKING LEARNING AND SEEING
This member profile was originally published in October 2018.