Imaeyen, Designer, Social Media at EGOT Winning Animation Studio: Advize Career Interview
A social media designer at a prestigious EGOT-winning animation studio, this individual's career journey began with three internships and simultaneous freelance graphic design work for campus organizations, often assuming senior-level responsibilities.
Their current role encompasses all aspects of the studio's social media design, from fun graphics to holiday campaigns, requiring strong technical skills and the ability to translate design concepts to colleagues without design backgrounds.
The most rewarding aspect is bringing creative visions to life, transforming abstract ideas into tangible results, while the biggest challenge involves bridging the communication gap between design and execution.
A lifelong love of animation fuels their passion for contributing to projects that excite children.
Success in this field, the individual emphasizes, requires continuous learning and adaptation to rapid technological advancements, starting with proactively seeking entry-level positions and building a portfolio through practical experience and networking.
A critical lesson learned underscores the importance of data backup, learned the hard way after a significant data loss.
This individual's story is inspiring, showing how dedication, initiative, and strong technical skills can lead to a fulfilling career in the dynamic world of animation and social media design.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Imaeyen Effiong
Designer, Social Media
EGOT Winning Animation Studio
The University of Tampa
Vancouver Film School
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
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Career Path Of A Social Media Designer At EGOT Winning Animation Studio
Imaeyen completed three internships before starting their professional career, simultaneously working as a graphic designer for various campus organizations. This early experience involved responsibilities typically assigned to senior-level designers, with Imaeyen noting that they "rarely had a designer who was above [them] that was mentoring [them]," a common experience among their cohort.
Main Responsibilities Of A Social Media Designer At DreamWorks
Imaeyen, a Social Media Designer at Dreamworks, is responsible for "all things related to anything" the studio posts on its social media platforms, encompassing a wide range of designs from "fun graphics" to holiday-themed content. This role showcases Imaeyen's creative design skills applied within the context of a major animation studio's social media presence.
A Day in the Life of a Social Media Designer at EGOT Winning Animation Studio
Imaeyen, a social media designer at an EGOT-winning animation studio, describes a flexible workday driven by requests from colleagues, ranging from social media content to web design and email newsletters; this variety allows for independent work, punctuated by collaborative discussions to refine project ideas before execution.
Most Important Skills for a Social Media Designer at an Animation Studio
Imaeyen, a Designer, Social Media at an EGOT Winning Animation Studio, emphasizes that strong technical skills are paramount for a graphic designer, stating that "at the end of the day, if you have the technical skills...you're mostly set." While communication and organization are beneficial, technical proficiency forms the foundation of success in this role.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Designer At An EGOT Winning Animation Studio
Imaeyen, a Designer at an EGOT winning Animation Studio, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role is "the blank page," transforming initial concepts into stunning realities. This process allows Imaeyen to witness the "amazement" of others as they see their ideas brought to life, a skill that has earned Imaeyen the title of "magician" for their ability to translate abstract visions into tangible results.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Graphic Designer at an EGOT Winning Animation Studio
Imaeyen's biggest challenge as a designer stems from often being the sole creative individual on their team, requiring them to constantly translate "design language and theory" to colleagues lacking that background. This experience, gained across various industries and roles from agency to in-house positions, highlights the consistent communication hurdle Imaeyen faces in bridging the understanding gap between creative vision and execution.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Animation Industry as a Graphic Designer
Imaeyen, a Designer, Social Media at an EGOT winning Animation Studio, enjoys "being able to have some hand in all of the cool films and shows" the studio produces, fueled by a lifelong love of animation. The excitement of seeing "kids get excited about the stuff that we're creating" and being part of the industry's larger world are also significant aspects of their career satisfaction.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Animation, According To A Designer At An EGOT Winning Animation Studio
Imaeyen, a designer at an EGOT-winning animation studio, highlights the importance of "always staying alert with what's going on" in the graphic design industry, citing the rapid technological advancements as a key factor for success. The anecdote about Imaeyen's aunt, who could not adapt to the shift from analog to digital design, underscores the need for continuous learning and adaptation to thrive in this ever-evolving field.
What A Graphic Designer At An EGOT Winning Animation Studio Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Graphic Design
Imaeyen, a Designer at an EGOT Winning Animation Studio, reflects that graphic design, while a creative medium, is "not like working on an art project," always serving a specific purpose, a crucial aspect to understand before entering the industry. This realization, that the work is "for a purpose," helped shape their perspective on the profession's balance of creativity and client-driven goals.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Designers and Social Media Specialists
Imaeyen, a Designer at an EGOT Winning Animation Studio, advises undergraduates to pursue any entry-level position with "graphic design" in the title, emphasizing that "you will be very quickly qualified to start working," even supplementing formal education with self-learning. The ability to quickly gain relevant skills and pursue readily available opportunities is highlighted as key to career success in this field.
Significant Career Lesson From A Social Media Designer At EGOT Animation Studio
Imaeyen, a Designer at an EGOT Winning Animation Studio, learned the crucial career lesson of always backing up files after losing "everything" on a hard drive, including their undergraduate thesis and client work. This experience highlights the importance of data security and the potential impact of data loss on a professional career.
College Experiences That Helped a Designer at an EGOT Winning Animation Studio Succeed
To prepare for a design career, Imaeyen maximized college experiences by actively participating in campus organizations, creating portfolio pieces through this involvement, and pursuing internships. The strategy also included "cold reaching out to people" in the field for advice and networking, emphasizing proactive self-promotion as key to success.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/imaeyen, imaeyeneffiong.com