PROCESS
From my 18 years of experience, these 10 things help guide + direct my creative process.
Know the Box
Have a clear grasp of the problem and know what constraints there are before building the solution.
You can't think outside the box without establishing one first.
Large to Small
Focus on the overall layout, idea, or campaign before getting caught up in the details.
Let it Breathe
If you find yourself getting too fussy with a design, step back.
Take a break. Go on a 5 min walk. Brew a cup of coffee. Work on something else. Just step away for a minute.
Then come back with fresh eyes. Better yet, get someone else to look at it.
Design / Edit are Separate
Editing and creativity are necessary for good design, but can't successfully happen at the same time.
Be fully creative. Step back. Then thoroughly edit.
Computers are Tools
So don’t let them limit your creativity. You are the designer and have more tools available to you than just a computer. Use them.
They can also be jerks, so back up often.
Pay Attention
You never know what can inspire new ideas.
Really look around at the world. Stop and take a picture or note of things that grab your attention.
Be Curious
Ask questions. Do the research. Google it.
So what if it’s learning more about 17th century wigs? Allow yourself to keep learning new things.
Wonder, don’t just jump to conclusions.
Add One New Thing
Not only do you continue building your skill-set; like the scientific method, it makes it easy to know if the new thing helped or harmed the outcome.
Say, "I don't know."
There is so much freedom and growth on the other side of this phrase.
Ask knowledgeable colleagues, look for tutorials, books, podcasts or any other resources on the subject.
Have Secret Mentors
Pay attention to the work you admire from peers and experts.
Pull their work apart to understand what makes it good.
Have they ever been interviewed? Find out! Learn as much as you can about their work and process.
ABOUT
Bio:
Jess Paterik is a native St. Louisan, who spent 14 years in Chicago, then returned to be near family – her younger sister was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, fought valiantly, and sadly lost her battle in January of 2019. Being near her sister and family during this time is something she’ll never regret.
Jess loves learning anything new about food, tea, coffee, beer, mixed drinks, art mediums, music, bicycling, roller skating, and the passionate interests of others.
She currently lives in the South City neighborhood of St. Louis, near Ted Drewes (a famous local ice cream shop #priorities) with two very affectionate, fuzzy faced cats, Ollie and Frankie (after Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston – 2 of the original 9 Disney animators).
Resume:
Graphic Designer
Create compelling covers and easy-to-read interiors for adult spirituality books, curriculum, picture books, and more
Present concepts to internal teams
Source illustrations, photos, music, and video templates as needed for projects
Customize sourced art to adhere to brand guidelines and retouch images for marketing materials
Edit audio and video for podcasts and convention sponsor spots
Work with illustration agencies to source talent
Manage external illustrators – setting timelines, check-ins, and feedback
Create materials for trade shows and conventions – displays, banners, signage, etc.
Design notecards, postcards, bookmarks, stickers, posters, and other items to support authors in promotion of new books
Graphic Designer
- Research and design new website using Sketch
- Oversee development of website with external vendor
- Create additional functionality (PHP/CSS), pages, and templates for website ( WordPress + Elementor)
- Direct three camera operators / Video switch between eight cameras for two live services on Sunday mornings
- Operate roaming / stationary camera rigs
- Shoot / video edit weekly announcement videos
- Take photographs of staff and events using DSLR
- Create graphics that span print / video / digital / social media for church and ministries – both still and animated
- Design branding systems for ministries
- Create training and support materials for colleagues and volunteers – guidebooks / videos / presentations / Canva templates
Freelance Art Director / Illustrator
jpaterik.com
- 15+ years of experience in digital, print and video/animation both B2B and B2C
- Able to tie designs directly to business goals
- Love collaborating with creative team and client from concept to finish
- Have a proven track record of taking ideas from sketch to completion
- Unique set of experience and love for learning makes for expert problem solving
Senior Art Director
- Senior art director on the Enjoy Life Foods (ELF), Blue Bunny, Orchard Valley Harvest, and Ortega accounts
- Worked closely with CD, ACD, Copywriter, Digital and Social teams to create major campaigns spanning print, video and digital
- Developed brand guidelines that became templates used by other ADs on our other brand accounts in the agency
- Reviewed / approved creative work across video / print / digital to ensure consistency
- Provided art direction on-set at video shoots and with post production vendors
- Assisted in creating storyboards for commercials and other video applications for brands like Bomb Pop, Ortega, Revlon, Vicks Humidifiers and others
- Developed creative concepts for new business pitches and campaigns that could easily translate into any tactic
Skills:
All items marked with a ‘*’ designate a passed LinkedIn Skill Assessment badge.
Advanced
SOFTWARE:
- Photoshop*
- Illustrator*
- InDesign*
- After Effects
HARDWARE:
- Wacom Tablet
MEDIA / OTHER:
- Pencil / Charcoal
- Marker
- Crafting tools / supplies
Intermediate
SOFTWARE:
- Mac OS / Windows
- Premiere Pro
- CSS* / HTML
- WordPress*
- ProcreateÂ
- Office – GSuite, Microsoft Office, Apple iWork
HARDWARE:
- Nikon DSLR
- Sewing Machine
MEDIA / OTHER:
- Watercolor / Arylic
- Spanish
Beginner
SOFTWARE:
- Blender (3D)
- Sketch
- PHP
- Terminal
HARDWARE:
- Dremel Tool
- Gimbal for phones
MEDIA / OTHER:
- Ink
- French Macarons
Learning + remaining curious are the skills I’ve developed most.
If you have tips, resources, or would like to chat about any of the above, PLEASE shoot me an email: hello@jpaterik.com
Currently Learning
SOFTWARE:
- Javascript / Python / Django / etc.
(taking this class on Udemy)
Sample project work from class: Bootstrap 101 project
HARDWARE:
- Arduino
MEDIA / OTHER:
- How to make legit Ramen
- Refresher Figure Drawing Course – Fall 2023
- Fiction Writing Course – Fall 2023
Want to learn
SOFTWARE:
- AR / VR
HARDWARE:
- 3D Printer
- Laser Cutter
MEDIA / OTHER:
- How to make legit croissants
References:
Jessica has many talents, skills and a very positive attitude.
We worked together in an entrepreneurial environment and these stand out for me:
1) Her ability to take a complex project and break it down into manageable steps; and
2) Her ability to research what is needed for a project, and then, exerting the time and effort to learn new things and immediately apply them to the tasks at hand.
( Former Supervisor )
Jessica is an amazing artist and an amazing professional.
She directed production meetings in a way that clarified the process for the client while harvesting wonderful and productive brainstorms. Having someone like Jessica on the team makes everyone around her that much more productive. And obviously, I'd love to work with her again.
( Former Colleague )
Nothing could make me sadder than having to say goodbye to the powerhouse talent that was Jessica Paterik, but my loss should hopefully be your gain. Snatch her up immediately. I've worked at a lot of agencies in my day (Leo, FCB, DDB to name a few) and rarely do I see an art director with this much talent AND heart. You aren't just hiring a skilled technician with a great eye and a keen brain, you are hiring a good soul. Something this industry could use way more of.
( Former Supervisor )
© 2022 Jess Paterik
Photos by Samantha Sherwood
