Jayce Bennett Designs

As a graphic designer, media and marketing specialist, and creative in general, my brain doesn't really have an off-switch. A lot of my thoughts throughout the day are ideas for new projects, ways I could improve past work, or cool long-term projects I'd love to take on. With all of these ideas floating around, I obviously don't want to forget them. I need somewhere to put them, but I also need a system that will actually make sense when I come back to an idea weeks or even months later. Over the last year or so, I've developed a specific organization system that has worked really well for me. If I need to get an idea out as quickly as possible, whether I'm short on time or on the verge of falling asleep, I'll record a voice memo, brain-dump the idea, or jot down a quick note explaining what I'm thinking. When I have more time, I'll go back through those brain dumps and organize them in my project ideas spreadsheet. My spreadsheet is divided into six col...

If there’s one thing the internet loves to tell creatives, it’s what we  need  to buy. The newest iPad. A ridiculously expensive (but also very average) notebook. A very specific pen (that you'll lose in a week) that will apparently change our entire creative process. Inspired by the current “5 things worth your money” trend, I decided to put together my own version: 5 things I genuinely think are worth spending money on as a creative. Not because they’re trendy, aesthetic, or plastered all over TikTok, but because they actually make creating a little easier and more enjoyable. Some are tools, some are experiences, all explaining why they're worth the money. Because being a creative can get expensive very quickly. If I’m going to spend the money, I want it to actually be worth it! 1. Invest in your workspace Having a comfortable place to work and be productive is crucial to an efficient creative workflow. Whether it be your physical workspace or your digital workspace, it's...

Since I graduated this past June, I've been experiencing something called Imposter Syndrome. Oh yes , our friend from the dark side has made its return, here to whisper that I am not good enough, under-qualified, and ultimately a failure. As time goes on in my job search, these thoughts get louder and louder with each passing week. Imposter Syndrome is talked about a lot, but I don't think we talk enough about what it can feel like right after graduation, especially in the arts. When you're applying for job after job, getting close, maybe even the top 3, but not quite there, and watching the months go by without the career you worked so hard for, it's hard not to start questioning yourself. I know I'm not the only recent graduate who has found themselves wondering if they're actually good enough, even when they've spent years working toward exactly this. Comparing yourself to others in your field or path is easy to do, but mentally destroying. I went into co...

When I first started learning graphic design and marketing in high school, I think I had a pretty simple idea of what the job was: You make things look good. You can do this using colour, typography, imagery, textures, blah blah blah. But the longer I spend learning about design, the more I realize that making something look good is only a small part of the job. A huge part of design is having  empathy . I’d say putting yourself in the shoes of others is probably 60% of the job. Before you can decide what something should look like, you have to understand who you're making it for; who is the clientele? What deliverables do they require? What is their goal in using your services? What are they looking for, and why are they interested in your specific services? How will this be beneficial, and to whom? How will this help the client AND consumer? Unless you've explicitly answered each of these questions before starting the brief, you're designing solely for yourself and your o...