Behind the Mic: Magpie Girl Designer, Neil Sittler

Today in the wake of our Magpie Girl re-launch, I’d like to express my deep gratitude to Neil Sittler of stickflower graphic design for making it happen. Neil and I have worked on several projects together over the years, from my first logo, to my membership site, to this beautiful circus. (He likes to start with words! Can you see why we have such a nice partnership?)

Today in a special edition of the 3Q Interview, Neil talks about his process as a designer and gives you a peek into his favorite projects.

Q:  What would you say are your strengths as a designer?  

I have a wide range of personal interests, which gives me broad cultural references to choose from. I can “speak” in a number of visual languages, so my design style is varied and adaptable to any number of client visions. I’m also a natural observer of everyday life. This lifelong practice of observation makes it easier for me to understand where a client might want to go with design needs or concepts.

I’m good at asking questions that get closer to the heart of a design problem.  I like to use the client’s knowledge of the heart of thier own business to find a possible solutions. This requires asking the right questions. 

Also, I always start with words; I love lists and free association to jump-start thinking on a project. I’m equal-parts a word thinker and a visual/picture thinker — this helps with communicating a design strategy.

My experience is  heavily bent towards print, but I’m gaining web-type experience all the time. I’ve done a lot of html email newsletters and direct mail lately, and I’ve always built my own portfolio sites. I’m currently working on 3 websites from scratch (restaurant in California, woodworking shop in S. Carolina, and a local business group portal/blog) and I’m comfortable with html and css. I’m starting to really enjoy working in WordPress because of the flexibility and the end user options (ie, my clients don’t have to learn a bunch of html to use the site from their end). I’m learning more about PHP and Javascript, too, but I rely on knowledgeable partners for most of this and then I act as a project manager/art director, which is another aspect of collaboration I like.

 Q. How do you work with your clients? What is your process? 

I learn something about positive collaboration from every client. At the beginning of a project, especially with new clients, I always give a rough process schedule to show how it might work —  the exchange of concepts and designs, broad time lines, the steps in the process etc. Projects never unfold exactly how we might envision them in the beginning. So I’m learning to be flexible. I always appreciate a client who is also flexible and willing to adapt. Collaboration is organic and full of surprises. I can’t say I’m always comfortable with this, but the end result is better than it might have been than if we had worked in isolation. I love that. 

I like to hear what a client likes and doesn’t like about anything they’ve seen or tried before. It even helps when a client says “I’m not sure what I want.”  If that’s the case, it’s helpful if the client understands and respects the “up front” work that will need to go into the exploring  of ideas and solutions. 

Sometimes it helps to discuss the end goal without thinking of the artwork involved, and then work backwards. Many times the strategy will reveal itself and then whatever art we come up with will have more depth and meaning. That’s satisfying for both parties.

Q: What are some of your favorite projects so far?  

The one that comes to mind immediately is an 88-page full color magazine I created for the Seattle SupersonicsNBA team. I knew very little about basketball, but I convinced them that I could create a Sonics-lifestyle magazine that would be interesting enough to be read, and quality enough to use as a new high-end marketing vehicle. I concepted the editorial content, created the layout and design elements, art-directed and commissioned illustration, and directed photo-shoots. It was incredible! I learned so much and was given so much trust and latitude. In the end, they said I gave them exactly what they asked for.

I like the same things about web design that I like about magazine design: a structure to plan for, a balance between creativity and strategy, longer term-projects, a lasting artifact that allows for redesigns and updates, etc. I experienced some of this with the Flock and Magpie Girl sites, too, plus I got to work with a client who respects collaboration and the creative process, which was great. (Seriously, thanks Rachelle!)

For smaller projects, I really like anything from brochures to invitations that help my clients stand out and gain more success in their business. I love to make a client happy with my work, and little else feels as good as someone calling again to give me another project.

You can find Neil and see a his work at stickflower graphic design. Based in Colorado, Neil is available for long-distance contracts via email, phone, or Skype.

Neil and I will continue to create beautifully presented work together, including  an upcoming book/MP3 project, ecourses and ebooks.

 To see more of our collaborations, visit the public pages of Flock: Soulcare with Magpie Girl, or browse through my free ebook SoulFood. Neil’s also created a template for the Magpie Girl Guidebooks, seen here.

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Behind the Mic. Need a little inspiration? Looking for some good advice? Artists and Coaches get interviewed most Mondays at Magpie Girl. Want to be behind the mic? Send me an email telling me why Magpie Girl readers need to hear from Y.O.U.

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