Seeing The Big Picture

Revisiting an old project always makes for a uniquely introspective experience. There’s the knee-jerk human reaction to shrink away and judge yourself for the work you did years ago, especially when comparing it to where you are now. Of course, there’s also the glass-half-full approach: look at how far you’ve come. Look at that growth.

Recently, I’ve been rehired by a former client for a complete site renovation. Six years ago, I worked with Big Picture, a video production company. I’ve never had to redo my work, so this is a first for me. My creative process has evolved significantly over the past seven years. I didn’t start with a style guide or mood board back then. Nowadays, I can’t work without them. It’s such a crucial part of my process. I must establish the design elements before diving into the design itself.

Admittedly, the process was a bit of a struggle. Some aspects of the branding and design, such as the colors, were already solidified. And, as a human who’s grown since 2017, I would certainly make different creative choices now. But diamonds form under pressure, right? Sometimes, we produce our best work when under that pressure.

So, I created the mood board before beginning the website redesign. Presenting my work to the client is such a vulnerable thing for me. You never know how they’ll react. Thankfully, they loved it. It really fills my cup when a client is excited about what I create. It fuels me to keep forging ahead.

For their mood board, I went with a more modern look. It truly encapsulates what they do and the experience they provide for their clientele. Now that I have a better understanding of the look and feel of their site, I can dig deep into its design.

I think it’s essential for us to remember that, as humans, we’re ever-changing creatures. That applies to us professionally. Our work will never be the same from day to day, let alone year to year. You should be proud of where you are now. I know I am, and I’m glad I reunited with this client to create something better.