04.14.07
Taking the Plunge
I hate self–indulgent drivel, but this is something that is occupying my days lately. After three years in a vibrant and growing interactive agency, I’m hanging out a shingle as a semi–independent designer. My new professional address is unit interactive.com.
I say “semi–independent” because while I’m starting this enterprise on my own, I’ll be collaborating with personal friends and trusted associates as strategic partners in providing the services offered by UNIT. This is to be an interactive enterprise in every sense of the word and I do not intend to stay even semi–independent for long; fate might indeed have a less appetizing future in store, but this is a business I have every intention of growing beyond these simple beginnings.
My time as creative director at Netsuccess was a terrific learning experience and the company culture was, in some ways, rare and special. There, people were allowed to contribute to the company in ways that best suited their aptitudes, even if it had little to do with their job titles. In addition to adding value and dimension to the company, this culture of permission cultivated a sense of individual value among the staff.
I am grateful for the chance to have worked at Netsuccess and I wish the company continued growth and success. I have some terrific friends there and I hope that never changes.
As for UNIT, this is all quite new and I’m still fumbling to get business cards printed, get logistics, software, and office supplies and everything else squared away. The new site will be something of a sketch for a while and I’m, of course, not able to feature the work I’ve done with my former agency. I expect to have some more nice projects to add to the portfolio soon.
I sincerely hope that those portfolio additions will be a catalog of collaboration. While I am given to independent thinking and ideals, I am most fond of what a close–knit group of energetic individuals can forge together. So as business and opportunity allows, I will be doing my best to build something much bigger than myself in all of this. That is exciting to contemplate.
So now, projects are coming in, work is getting done, and I’m otherwise busy creating all of the new business forms that are now necessary. Like most designers, I’m not entirely comfortable with some of the business generation and management duties that are required in all of this, but thus far they seem nothing like chores; this is my new baby and I’m entirely content to labor away without any complaints. It’s exciting and scary and fun and humbling, all at the same time. Love it.
Eyes wide open, head first over the precipice.
