What I've Learned
Like most people, I didn't realize what I was learning early in my career would be the building blocks for where I am today.
Now 15 years into my career, I enjoy reflecting on the things I've done and what I've learned along the way. Each stop on the journey had new challenges resulting in new skills.
COACHING CLIENTS TO NEW HEIGHTS
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Let's start at the beginning...
When I was 3 years old I painted my first (I'm just kidding, we'll fast forward a bit.)
Electronic Ink
Philadelphia, PA
Where it all began. After graduating from the Art Institute, I joined the largest agency in Philadelphia, with a great design team already in place. The exceptional work of the designers around me both inspired and set the groundwork for my creative process that I still utilize to this day.
Actionable Learnings
Research: How to thoroughly examine a client's problem through research methods such as interviews, card sorting, and focus groups to develop more intuitive solutions.
Prototyping: How to build and test with a clickable prototype to allow users to provide more accurate feedback as they are performing crucial tasks.
Presenting: How to present to difficult clients through attention-grabbing methods to get clients focused on obtaining the feedback/sign-off needed.
Then NYC came calling
In the midst of creating my own startup I took my idea to UPenn's Wharton Business School. There I was introduced to 2 founders who invited me to join their startup as the Founding Designer.
Stylitics
New York, NY
After years of learning at an agency it was time for a new challenge. I joined Stylitics as the founding designer where I led the branding of the company, the mobile app and web app as well as all marketing materials.
Actionable Learnings
Branding: How to create cohesive branding for a company vying to gain traction amongst a sea of hungry competitors.
Android/iOS Apps: How to design for both Android and iOS apps in order increase the product's footprint in the market.
Working with Developers: How to ensure that developers are included as early in the process as possible, utilizing their expertise to avoid future roadblocks.
Featured in Wall Street Journal
In 2012, upon joining Stylitics as the Founding Designer, the Wall Street Journal visited our still in progress office (see the boxes in the conference room) and wrote about the company's mission.
Remedy Partners
New York, NY
Feelig as if I hit a plateau, I realized I was missing the collaborative environment of a design team. The enthusiastic creativity of one is unmatched and I was searching for that creative boost.
Actionable Learnings
Design System: How to create a design system that enabled our team of designers to rapidly iterate and developers to build quickly.
PM/Design Relationship: How to properly work with Project and Product Managers to understand the business' needs while also accounting for the users' needs.
Contextual Inquiries: How to understand the struggle of our users by meeting them at hospitals, shadowing team members using our applications.
I Took A Break
Having worked at a few companies and on numerous projects it was time for a reset. I enjoyed the summer in NYC as I thought about what my next career step should be.
Founders Factory
New York, NY
I joined a venture studio because I enjoyed working with start ups but didn't want to be in-house working on one problem. As the founding designer I aided in creating 3 companies and accelerating 9 more.
Actionable Learnings
Zero to One: How to take a concept from an early idea, through research, design, and validation resulting in a funded company within 6 months.
Workshops: How to create a workshop depending on the outcome that is desired with numerous attendees in order to have alignment going forward.
Fundraising: How to create a concise, compelling pitch deck through collaboration with our financial lead and founders resulting in multiple successful fundraising rounds.
Able
New York, NY
Looking once again to work with more designers, I joined an agency focused on non-profits, and start-ups with the desire to learn more about the sales process.
Actionable Learnings
Sales Funnel: How to pitch clients on future projects, creating visualizations and assets to aid in establishing a long client relationship.
Design Mentoring: How to share knowledge and guide younger designers on their career journey so they could be prepared for their next steps.
Design Direction: How to provide direction without executing the work by providing direct feedback and constructive criticism to designers in order to keep the project on time and meet expectations.
Goodbye, New York
It was time for a change. My wife and I moved to Mexico City, then Barcelona, got married in Mexico, and now reside in Miami.
Cliff Brookes Design
Mexico City, MEX / Barcelona, ESP / Miami, USA
Years of experience have taught me that at the center of every good idea, product or service is a connective story. My passion for design is grounded in bringing ideas to life and now you can find me working directly with founders, ensuring their stories get out into the world.
Actionable Learnings
Client Relationships: How to demonstrate the value of design for business when discussing potential work with clients, often resulting in deeper and more meaningful involvement.
No-Code Development: How to build websites with no-code tools allowing clients to save time and money by reducing development staffing required to build their website.
Financial Management: How to budget, price services, and manage expenses, all while ensuring design outputs are the core focus of my day to day tasks.
Work With Me
Have a story to tell? Lets work together.