Paul's First Three Month's Designing For Effect

Transitioning from running my own business, Cocoon, for the past nine years to joining the team at Effect Digital as their Principal Designer has been a journey of sadness combined with great exhilaration and craziness. This article sees me reflect on the past three months, in particular The Good, The Learnings and The Future.

To give a bit of context, it was always an aspiration of mine to start my own business, and in 2015 I took the leap with my (now ex) business partner Steve. Over the years, we worked with some amazing clients, predominantly within the Startup and SME space, however, being a small company, COVID hit us and our clients incredibly hard and although we were able to stay afloat throughout the endless lockdowns, it was the years which followed where we began to truly struggle. After much debate, at the end of 2023, we made the hard decision to start closing the business and begin exploring the next chapter of our lives.

Introducing Effect Digital.

Over the past 3 months, one of the most heartwarming aspects of joining Effect has been the incredible atmosphere and supportive culture that permeates the studio environment. From day one, I’ve been embraced by colleagues who are not only exceptionally talented but also genuinely collaborative and encouraging. We win and we lose together. There isn’t any aspect of finger pointing and we face all challenges as a team. This office culture flows seamlessly into how they work with their clients, creating long-standing working relationships which are positive, supportive and informative. This ethos is something I felt very passionate about whilst building Cocoon and inherently made my decision of excepting the role of Principal Designer at Effect that much easier.

A core concern of mine during the transition from business owner to working for someone else was the limiting of creative freedom. I’ve had the misfortune of working in other agencies where the design direction was suffocated by the MD or PM without much reasoning, and I knew it was going to be a risk moving back into the agency environment. I felt like the answers Effect gave me during the interview process were on the right lines of what I was looking for in terms of a position, but you can never be too sure…

I’m pleased to say I’ve been granted substantial creative freedom, allowing me to explore innovative ideas and bring my unique vision to the table. The autonomy has been invigorating, reminiscent of my days at Cocoon, yet within a structured and resourceful environment. It’s a perfect blend of independence and support that fuels my passion for design.

Alongside the creative freedom received, Effect’s diverse and interesting range of clientele has also contributed to my positive experience. Working with a wide range of industries and projects has continued to challenge me to think outside the box and deliver creative concepts which elevate the agencies reputation with their current client base.

By self-admittance, Cocoon was a lifestyle business. We kept the primary workforce small with reliance on freelancers to bolster our team when required. This approach allowed us to be extremely flexible as to when we worked whilst still maintaining that level of professionalism towards our clients and their requirements. The transition to a larger agency with more established processes and larger clientele was initially challenging. The differences in workflow, communication methods, and project management naturally required a period of adjustment, and I must admit, I’m still getting to grips with the natural flow of things when new work comes in and although it’s been full-on. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. One major element I really struggled with for the first two months was the feeling of knowing everything about my own business to feeling like I was always one step behind in the new environment. It felt like I was fumbling in the dark, which was disorientating and frustrating at times, having to really focus on letting go and realising that I’m now part of a team which is broken into many moving cogs. Once I got past this phase, I felt a significant weight lift from my shoulders. No longer burdened with running every aspect of a business, I could focus entirely on what I love the most: designing. This shift has been liberating and has allowed me to fully immerse myself in my creative work.

Another challenging aspect of making the move from running a business to working for someone else again was the criticism and scepticism I received. People were quick to judge me as a failure, that I wouldn’t have the freedom I once had, that I was making a huge mistake. On the contrary, this move wasn’t a reflection of me giving up, but better understanding what I needed at this juncture of my life. I will always value the nine years I worked for myself and with Steve and I believe it has given me a great insight and understanding into other avenues of agency life which some may not experience at all. In addition, Effect has provided me with a platform to voice my aspirations, thoughts, and opinions without judgement or fear or retaliation. This inclusive environment has not only allowed me to integrate seamlessly but also grow personally and professionally, finding fulfilment in a different yet equally rewarding capacity.

Although I’ve given up my business, my ambition remains as strong as ever. Joining Effect feels like the right step for me at this stage in my life. I’m driven to contribute meaningfully to the agency’s success and am excited about the potential growth within the company.

My focus is now on leveraging my skills and experience to support Effect in expanding and enhancing their design team, fostering an environment where creativity and innovation thrive. Alongside the lead UX designer, I hope to cultivate a robust team that can tackle diverse projects and continue to push the boundaries of design excellence. My love for design remains unwavering. Watching the industry evolve and being inspired by new trends, technologies, and creative approaches is a continual source of motivation. I’m excited to continue learning and adapting, ensuring that my work remains relevant and impactful. In conclusion, my first three months at Effect have been a period of significant learning and growth. The supportive team, creative freedom, and diverse clientele have enriched my experience. The challenges have already taught me valuable lessons, and I look forward to a future filled with opportunities to support Effect’s growth, continue my passion for design, and strive for excellence in everything we do.