Q&A with LCC
Lianne Charlene Creative just celebrated six years in business! Wahoo! The last six years have been amazing but it has also been a rollercoaster ride. We’ve gone from being a solo freelancer to becoming a small team. We started working on anything and everything to narrowing our focus on the projects we’re most passionate about. We’ve moved from home office, to studio, and back to home office and we’ve most definitely grown as individuals. In the spirit of our anniversary (and since we are on our way to hiring another new designer) here’s a quick Q&A with our team to get to know our studio a little better.
10 Questions with Lianne (Creative Director & Owner)
1. Background
Throughout my life, I’ve always loved the arts. From painting to ballet, you could say it’s in my blood. Once I finally decided that Graphic Design was my path, I went to school in Toronto to get my Bachelor of Design degree from OCAD University. After graduation, I worked at a number of corporate companies and small design studios before I made the move to freelance. I am married to the most wonderful partner who supports me and my career every single day. We have a son Remi who is two years old and an abundance of energy!
2. Hobbies
I love spending time with my family outdoors and exploring the city. When we get the chance, we love exploring other cities and traveling around the world. I also love to cook, try new food and recipes. I also like to stay active whether it’s through dance, fitness or just spending time cycling or walking outdoors.
3. What was your original career path?
Well, I’ve had many! haha When I was a teenager, my career path was supposed to be professional ballet. I was training 6-7 days a week in order to become a professional dancer. I eventually lost the passion for it and had also injured myself along the way, prompting me to stop altogether. Upon graduation, it was my goal to become a Fashion Designer. However, it became very clear to me that I couldn’t sew a garment to save my life. I always knew I loved to design but what would I design? I then switched gears into Graphic Design, went to school and started my career shortly after.
4. What brought you into this industry?
I originally went to school for Advertising Design. After four years of schooling, I realized that I was more passionate about graphics and branding than creating ad campaigns. My first design job was in my last year of school. I got to work for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming designing new lottery brands/games and promotional signage. It was at that point that I knew this was the path for me.
5. What was your first project as a freelancer?
My very first project as a freelancer was given to me by my own mother! (She is always my biggest supporter) At the time I needed projects to build up my portfolio. My mother owns an art gallery featuring artists from across the country. She was in need of a book to showcase the artwork of one of her main artists Anna Razumovskaya. In school, I LOVED editorial design, so designing a book with beautiful artwork was a dream come true. From there, I also worked on my mother’s gallery branding; creating a new logo, business cards and a website for her.
6. What are some of your favourite projects you’ve worked on?
It’s no secret that I have a love for food so I would say that my favourite projects all seem to be food-related. From the advent calendars for The Violet Chocolate Company to the branding and packaging for The Colombian. I’ve also been fortunate to design for a noodle company, doughnut company, and a craft beer company. We’ve also got some new projects coming up for some local food producers that are going to be DE-LISH! Working on food-based branding and packaging is a dream, not to mention the taste tests I get to attend!
7. What would you consider to be your dream project?
Any project or client that trusts my abilities and my vision. While I understand the need for brand restrictions and guidelines, there is something magical about creating something from scratch and having a client that lets you explore and be creative. I also have a wish list of projects I hope to create one day. My list includes wine packaging, cookbook design, restaurant branding, and working on a campaign or brand for a performing arts company!
8. What is your biggest takeaway from the last 6 years?
No project or client is the same. I used to think that I could have one process for every project I worked on. While I do have an underlying process that I like to use, I always customize it according to the needs and personality of the client. Trying to fit every client into a mold is next to impossible, so customizing the process along the way makes for a more collaborative and successful end result. As an added bonus, I’ve built a close relationship with my clients and we almost always end up becoming friends!
9. What advice would you give to any new designers trying to make their way as a freelancer?
If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen. And I don’t mean just having an undying passion for something, I mean WORKING hard for what you want. If you want to have a successful freelance career, you’ve got to put in the work and that means putting in processes for your clients, not taking shortcuts in projects, and most of all spending the time to work ON your business (ie. your own website, portfolio, and marketing).
10. What’s next for LCC?
Well, we are on our way to hiring our second Junior Designer! Wahoo! All I’ve ever wanted was a small design studio with two designers working beside me. Once I’ve got that and we’ve moved into our new design studio that’s being constructed above my garage, we’re golden! After that, who knows!
10 Questions with Shaylyn (Junior Graphic Designer)
1. Background
I have always had an abundance of creative energy and love to express that through the work that I do. When I am not working you can usually find me at a dog park with my dog Archie, doing a spin class or checking out what’s new in Edmonton’s food scene.
2. Hobbies
I love cooking, and most weekends I spend mostly in the kitchen. I also love to cycle, go thrifting, try some home décor DIY’s, and spend time with family.
3. What was your original career path?
I was never too sure what I wanted to be when I grew up but I always wanted to do something that made me happy. I started in web design and development at school and shortly learned that it was graphic design and branding that really made my heart sing.
4. What brought you into this industry?
I’ve always been a creative person and wanted to do work every day that I loved and made a difference. I feel graphic design is a great way to use my creative thinking and skills to help people grow their businesses and stand out amongst competitors.
5. How did you feel when you first got hired at LCC?
Excited! To get hired as a brand-new grad in a pandemic felt like a huge accomplishment. I love the work Lianne has done and felt our style, values and personality worked well together. I knew it was going to be a great opportunity for mentorship – and I was right.
6. What was your first project?
Designing a logo for Kakwa Plumbing and Heating.
7. What are some of the favourite projects you've worked on so far?
The apparel for The Makers Keep - Keepsakes Collection, various branded websites as well as creating full logos and brand identities for our small business clients.
8. What are the highlights from working at LCC so far?
Getting to work on client projects right from day one and getting to jump right in. Within the year I have gotten to work on branding, packaging, signage, corporate, apparel, websites. Taking some time to learn what’s new in the design industry through virtual conferences and tutorial days are also a highlight. Work is never boring, and we are always learning.
9. What have you learned so far?
Anything and everything that has to do with printing and print projects, video ads and GIFs, illustrations, as well as how things work behind the scenes with the business and project management.
10. What advice would you give to anyone who is just graduating and entering the industry?
Take advantage and say yes to opportunities that come your way whether that is networking, small freelancing projects, coffee with someone you look up to in the industry. There are always experiences you will learn from. Use Instagram and Pinterest as sources of inspiration and not comparison. Doing passion projects is a great way to creatively let loose and learn new techniques and methods.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the read and getting to know the team behind Lianne Charlene Creative. If you want to know more about our background and expertise, head to our about page.
- The LCC Team