We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eileen Asher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eileen below.
Eileen, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by getting away from my desk. I’m often going on walks during my lunch break or when my eyes start twitching from staring at the screen so much. It gives my mind a chance to wander and I can usually work through a problem better when I take a step back and away.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Eileen Asher and I am a graphic designer and digital marketer that works closely with nonprofits and social enterprises. Basically, I love working with anyone that is doing good work in their community. I love designing brands for nonprofits that cater to the specific needs of those they serve. Logos are my specialty!
My design process has an inclusive approach where I use fonts and colors that are easily accessible, use diverse imagery, and inclusive language in any digital marketing materials. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong, especially in the nonprofit industry where trust and community are essential to helping others best.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three top skills that have helped me the most in my career journey so far have been my ability to observe, listen, and empathize. I think empathy is the root of all things design and marketing, because how can you reach your ideal audience without getting inside their mind and relating to how they feel. To fully empathize with someone, you need to be able to watch behavior and observe action, while making sure you keep an open ear to the needs of your audience or community.
You can’t help anyone without first watching and listening to what the problem is.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
For me, the most impactful thing my parents did was to let me explore things on my own. When I was in school, I had a lot of people telling me, “you won’t ever make a career out of art. You should find something more practical”. What those people didn’t know is that I have a petty and stubborn streak! My mother knew better than to tell me that I wasn’t capable of something because she knew that I would go out and do it anyway.
So, I became a graphic designer. My work won awards. My work has been published in several magazines. I’ve been featured on podcasts and social media across the county and even just booked my second international client. I serve creatively on two different nonprofit boards. I make a living doing what I love to do most. My mother made an impact by letting me explore what I wanted to do and encouraged me every step of the way in both my education and in my career. Having my mother cheer me on from the sidelines, knowing that I’ll get where I need to be with just a hug and a gentle push was all I needed to help me succeed and I am forever grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eileenasher.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_eileen_asher/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creative.eileen.asher
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-asher/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRBHaYdRAkpZUOhSBO3hF6Q
Image Credits
Headshot: Moments by Anne
