A lot has changed since I first joined Constructive back in 2018. I’ve seen workplace changes, like I used to go in person to our office—every day. I’ve seen our team grow in size, scope, and responsibility. I’ve also seen industry changes as nonprofits take leading roles in solving the crises of climate, racial injustice, and healthcare.
It’s safe to say that through these past five years at Constructive, I’ve seen a lot, but I’ve learned a lot too. Working with amazing people and partners—like the impact-driven teams at St.David’s Foundation and the Serious Illness Messaging Toolkit— has taught me so much about the social impact space. The projects I’ve worked on, from rebuilding the American Forests website to creating the Drug Pricing Lab’s website, have amplified organizations’ impact and transformed their ability to connect with core audiences.
I’ve also learned that visual design is one of our best tools for telling the story at the heart of social impact organizations. As a Senior Designer, I’ve combined graphic design with visual storytelling to advance our partners’ solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time. Working with our partners to communicate their core message is a huge part of my job, but they’re not my only collaborators. Here at Constructive, I work alongside expert designers, UX designers, and web developers.
These people and experiences have helped me grow as a designer, as a storyteller, and as a professional interested in advancing social change. With every project and every partner, through the ups and downs, I’ve learned so much more than I could cover in one article—but I’m in the business of making the impossible possible. So, I’ve summed up five of the most important learnings from my five years at Constructive.
1. Have a Plan
I’ve been in countless meetings in my career, worked on hundreds of projects, and collaborated with dozens of partners. Through all of that, I’ve learned that preparing a plan is essential. When I think about a project’s success, one quote comes to mind: “The will to succeed is important, but what’s more important is the will to prepare.” So when it comes to presenting something to clients, I like to make sure I have an agenda with discussion items and goals established. Then, at the top of a meeting, I’ll make sure to review our plan and keep everyone on the same page. Building a solid plan is the first step to success in any project.
2. Really Listen
When you work in an industry with so many creative and brilliant people, there are a lot of ideas and questions to consider. When I communicate with clients and colleagues, I like to slow things down and really listen. I think it’s important to take a moment, digest everything, and then you can respond thoughtfully. If you’re answering a question, back it up with facts and take the time to really hear the question instead of rushing to a response. I also try to keep an open mind. Really listening to people means you have to be willing to hear things you might not like or disagree with. It’s important to hear people out. And finally, really listening, for me, means that you need to listen to yourself too. Take the time to critically interact with your work, question its quality, and be willing to listen to your instincts or that voice in your head pushing you to go the extra mile.
3. Write It Out
When you’re juggling different projects, presentations, clients, brainstorms—you name it—I’ve learned that documentation is absolutely essential. Sometimes, I can come up with a dozen different ideas on one call, and at the end, nothing is more frustrating than forgetting those ideas. One key to documentation, for me, has been taking the stress off of perfection. I try to remember, they’re just notes. I’m not writing a novel. So I try to write simply, take quick notes, and keep the ideas rolling.
4. Have Fun
At Constructive, we work on a lot of large projects. Rebuilding a website or rebranding an organization can be daunting, but when you’re excited about a project, your clients are excited too. It’s important during these long projects to stay positive, lighten the mood, and keep everyone on the same page—and when you do, people will not only enjoy working with you, but they’ll also have fun!
5. It Takes a Village
No one works well in a bubble, and that’s especially true in such a collaborative, creative business. I’ve learned that you can’t put everything on yourself, and teamwork really does make the dream work. It’s important to cherish your coworkers and clients, and beyond that, you should take the time to get to know them. What makes people tick, what makes them thrive? When you’re driving big projects, it takes a village, and you should get to know your fellow villagers!
Thanks to these learnings, the past five years have been filled with fun and growth for me. Looking ahead, I can’t wait to see what the next five years hold.
