Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brandon Puckett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Brandon, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
It’s no secret that many individuals from the Millennial and Gen Z generations sometimes get a bad rap for not being as eager to work hard as their predecessors. As a Millennial myself, I sometimes feel like I’m sounding like an old “Boomer,” but throughout my career spanning over a decade, I’ve come to realize the value of honesty and hard work. From a young age, I was instilled with the belief that hard work is a virtue. I used to engage in activities like mowing lawns, bailing hay, operating tractors, and landscaping, which may seem unrelated to my current profession, but they all played a part in shaping my strong work ethic.
Growing up in a family of farmers, I witnessed firsthand that there’s no profession that demands longer hours and harder work than farming. However, in today’s society, I often hear friends and colleagues discussing their desire to do the bare minimum or complaining about working hard. It seems that a portion of American culture has become complacent or lethargic, which I believe is detrimental both on a personal level and to our nation as a whole.
Frequently, people proclaim, “I don’t live to work; I work to live,” and on the surface, it’s a valid sentiment. We should all aim to enjoy life and find happiness outside of work. However, I believe we’ve taken this ideology to an extreme. A strong work ethic benefits us individually, strengthens our communities, and bolsters our society as a whole. As humans, we are inherently driven by purpose and goals in life, and often, our work serves as a significant part of that purpose. Striving to work diligently and make a positive impact in the world should be applauded once more in our American society.
My own work ethic is deeply rooted in my core principles and a genuine desire to fulfill the talents I’ve been gifted by God. I aspire to achieve greatness not necessarily in terms of wealth, but in terms of excelling and accomplishing my goals through hard work. My goal is to be successful and financially secure, not for the sake of accumulating wealth, but to have the freedom to assist others on their own journeys toward greatness.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I live and breathe branding, marketing, and design as if they were my life’s essence.
My career journey embarked in the exhilarating realm of Hollywood events and design, I have been exposed to international experiences and immersed in diverse cultures that have indelibly shaped my perspective. As an entrepreneur, my imaginative spirit, deep-rooted understanding of business principles, propensity for experimentation, and design philosophy have thrived in the vibrant backdrop of Los Angeles. This dynamic environment afforded me the privilege to collaborate with numerous remarkable and trailblazing companies and organizations. I’ve had the honor of being at the helm, contributing to the inception and success of various brands and companies. My roles have spanned from Creative Director to Art Director, encompassing diverse sectors such as marketing, entertainment, cannabis, event design, technology, after-market products, industrial ventures, and beyond. Some of the brands I’ve had the privilege to influence include Target, Wells Fargo, Summit Entertainment, LA PRIDE, Epic Records, DIRECTV, Quantasy + Associates, GoDigital Media Group, and the list continues.
A common assumption about branding professionals is that we possess a keen eye for detail, an endless wellspring of creative ideas, and a profound mastery of color and typography – a perception that often holds true. Yet, what often goes unnoticed is that, when sculpting a brand, the focal point is the consumer (you).
In the realm of brand creation, my approach always begins with an exploration of the psychographics and demographics of the intended audience. Frequently, the client’s personal preferences and inclinations take a back seat to the paramount consideration of what the consumer desires. One of the most prevalent pitfalls in branding lies in the tendency of designers and clients to craft a brand based solely on their personal aesthetics, neglecting the critical aspect of connecting with the consumer’s psyche, motivations, and aspirations.
As a creative business professional, I am honored to have played a role in elevating underserved communities of color by showcasing their positive contributions. A primary objective in my marketing endeavors is to consistently depict all ethnicities in an uplifting and unifying manner, while also celebrating the beauty and cultural richness of our diverse world. My commitment extends to acknowledging and spotlighting the achievements of Black Culture, Latino Culture, Asian Culture, and more, propelling them to the forefront of the global marketing arena.
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?
Embrace the ‘Figure It Out’ Mentality! One of the most valuable qualities for a young designer or creative is the ability to problem-solve proactively. A vast wellspring of knowledge resides online, within books, and through interactions with peers, offering invaluable insights into the realms of branding, marketing, and design. When faced with an unfamiliar challenge within Adobe Suite, the key is to persevere and find solutions. Always be ready to accept a client’s request and then dedicate yourself to delivering the highest caliber of work.
This brings us to the second critical principle: Mastery and Skill Refinement. Strive for excellence! While it’s improbable to attain expertise in every facet of design and the myriad Adobe software programs (there are more than 50 Adobe applications), channel your passion into a select few skills or programs and hone them to perfection. Master every shortcut, explore unique techniques, and excel in producing content efficiently, effectively, and creatively. This approach will render you indispensable to both employers and clients. Stay up to date with the latest developments in your field and remain technologically current. In the era of AI’s ascent, learn to harness artificial intelligence to enhance your value even further.
Lastly, as you progress into managerial roles, it’s crucial to recognize your own limitations. Understand when it’s time to bring in superior talent. Seek individuals who have the potential to eventually surpass your role. Maintain humility and acknowledge that, despite your pursuit of excellence, there will always be others striving to excel. Identify the moments when external support is essential to achieving project and corporate objectives. Remember that learning flows in both directions: those you manage will gain insights from your practices, and you will likely encounter new and unconventional ideas from them.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I’ve been fortunate to maintain a clear and purposeful trajectory throughout my career. Every project and company I’ve been a part of has served as a stepping stone toward my ultimate goal. Interestingly, I’ve remained steadfast in my career path, a rarity in today’s dynamic world.
A significant milestone in my journey occurred just this year when I was contracted by a major global corporation to oversee and execute an extensive internal creative service audit encompassing the entire organization and its subsidiary companies. This endeavor involved conducting interviews with top-level executives, including C-suite members, presidents, vice presidents, as well as directors, project leads, creatives, and designers across multiple countries. The objective of this substantial undertaking was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the company’s creative aspects, ranging from talent and workloads to design quality, brand knowledge, reporting structures, overall efficiency and much more.
The culmination of this effort resulted in a comprehensive twenty-six-page report, offering a detailed snapshot of the creative departments within all the affiliated companies and brands. In addition to the assessment, I provided actionable recommendations and a meticulous roadmap for the organization’s improvement and growth.
This project represented a significant milestone in my career, challenging my analytical, creative, and business acumen. I am proud to say that I not only met but exceeded this challenge, delivering an impressive and detailed report that lays a solid foundation for the company’s future success. My sincere wish is to witness this organization’s growth and transformation into a truly exceptional entity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bpuckett.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpuckcreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpuckcreative/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-puckett/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/bpuckett
Image Credits
Self-portrait photography: Zeus Views / Insta: @zeus.views All other portfolio images are my own work.
