Working in the mobile field which is constantly changing and evolving, Chelsea Klukas finds it her job to be consistently reinventing and imagining the ways of technology in advertising and design. Combining her passion into creating and running her own company ‘Chelsea Klukas Creative’ on the side, check out the ups and downs she in today’s YPDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
My full-time job is the Design Lead for Poynt, a local mobile advertising and application company. I work on developing the company’s brand and design print materials and our online presence. I also design the user interface for the smartphone search application which is currently available in 9 countries and has over 11 million users. In my evenings and weekends I run my own business, Chelsea Klukas Creative, where I do web, advertising, illustration and print design for local and international companies.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I started with Poynt less than a year ago. The challenges and opportunities within a small Calgary-based company were appealing to me and I have a passion for technology and mobile design. My own business started over 5 years ago. I have always been a creative person, and feel fortunate that I have a career where I can be creative every day.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
I love mobile and web design since it’s a field that’s always growing and changing. There are new innovations every day and new ways to use them to improve branding, marketing, and user experience. One of the challenges can be balancing good design practices and creativity with business needs and requirements.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’d like to continue to do creative work in the web and mobile space. I enjoy working with companies that embrace technology and have an appreciation for creativity and innovation. Any client or company that allows me to continue to grow and push for high standards is my ideal for the next 5 years.
What does success look like to you?
Being successful is about having a balanced lifestyle and being happy and healthy. Being in a positive environment and having the flexibility to pursue my passions is important to me. I love my career because I’m continually challenged and inspired.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
When I started getting referrals for large businesses I remember being excited as well as nervous about the responsibility. Gaining the confidence to work on large projects that had a big impact was a memorable milestone.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
It’s important to have confidence in your abilities, and confidence comes from experience. Whatever your field is, try to get as much work and experience as possible. Being engaged in your industry’s community is crucial to staying on top of what other leaders are doing and making connections. Learn everywhere you can: just working 9-5 isn’t enough to get ahead.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I do a lot of design work for non-profits and charities. Marketing and web is just as important to charities and non-profits, and they often don’t have the financial resources to hire a designer at full-price. Marketing can make a big difference in bringing awareness to a charity.
What to you is notable?
To me “notable” is anything that is interesting or inspiring. I find inspiration in what other young professionals are doing, and it encourages me to strive to be the best I can be. Working in a creative industry, I try to be as engaged in culture as possible: from music to nightlife to social media.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
I’m an apple fan, so I have an iPhone, but I design for Blackberry, Android, Windows Phones, Nokia, and tablets. Each phone has different features and unique interfaces.