We recently connected with Henry MacEachern and have shared our conversation below.
Henry , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
When thinking about a risk I have taken, there is one that comes to mind almost immediately, and it was a life decision. I had just finished my first year at Montana State University, and I was stuck. Although this year was one of the best years of my life, it was one of the most difficult as well. By the end of this year I had skied over 100 days, learned to fly-fish, worked two different jobs, failed some classes, and had no idea what I wanted to do. I thought I was interested in studying film but It didn’t grab my attention in any major way. I was considering dropping out and becoming a ski/fly-fishing guide, but I didn’t feel like that was the best way I can show up in the world and give back. I knew I was meant to contribute in a more meaningful way. I kept going back to the thought that I loved graphic design when I took three years of classes in high school. It never felt like class and it was truly enjoyable experience. It was an awesome creative outlet for me, but it never felt like it could be a serious thing. For whatever reason, I had these limiting beliefs around graphic design as a career path during my first year in college. After long conversations, reflections, and journaling about it, I said screw it. I am going to “do what I love, and love what I do”. I didn’t care about the money, I didn’t care about anything other then following my heart. This felt scary and all I could do was trust my heart and the intention I set for how I want to live.
Soon after this decision I declared my major as graphic design and after the first few classes the following year I knew I had made the right decision. I had teachers who genuinely were interested in my education, and my classmates were talented. So the environment I was in was inspirational and it felt good to be there.
After my second year in the graphic design program I made a goal for myself to find an internship. After applying to about forty different roles that year, I got an offer to be the Nike Swim Graphic Design Intern. I was blown away to have landed this opportunity having only finished my sophomore year in the program. I remember looking in the mirror and thinking about the decision I had made a couple years prior, to study graphic design, to do what I love, and to listen to my heart. It was a moment that felt like I had been manifesting this opportunity because of the risk I took to follow to the heartfelt intention I had set for myself. That experience gave me confidence as a designer. This role, and the team of people I worked along side helped me develop an understanding of storytelling through graphics, and how seasonal directions influence design. My passion for graphic design begin to solidify.
After I graduated, I was offered a job to work for Ford Motor Company as a Communication Designer, and I worked there just under two years. I was drawn to this role because of the multidisciplinary teams and human centered design philosophy. I had developed and valued a creative approach rooted in strategy by this time, so this position was enticing. It also hit home because my grandpa had worked for Ford for 37 years, and my uncle was currently working there. I was able to work with some of the most talented people I have met, and contribute to the future of mobility.
Now I am 25 years old, and I look back at this risk I took with a feeling of gratitude. I led with my heart, and leaned into what made me happy. I have gained experience working with big brands, and have a developed passion for the power that design has to tell stories and inspire others. I can look back and smile, knowing that making the decision to do what I love and to love what I do allowed everything else to fall into line, combined with hard work and intention.
A quote I love that I find relatable to this mentality is, “Beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living within that way of life.” – Hunter S. Thompson.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a multifaceted graphic and communication designer with 3+ years experience designing for Fortune 500 brands. Consistently exceeding expectations as a team player and peer leader, driving strategy and delivering elegant, effective design solutions that connect with the customer and support the business.
Over the past decade I have become proficient with the adobe creative suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Lightroom). I have experience working with Figma, and other creative tools as well. This range of knowledge allows me to create a range of solutions across a variety of different projects.
Before (and during) a creative project, I ask “why” to understand key factors that will influence the projects direction. Starting here allows me to understand the issue at hand, as well as the goals and expectations. This inquisitiveness allows me to create successful design solutions that incorporate empathy and emotion into design solutions that will resonate with the target audience. When challenged with a problem our team at Ford had never faced before, I did endless research to navigate both front and backend of SharePoint and then prototyped until I found a solution that saved our colleagues valuable time while providing them a much more aesthetically pleasing newsletter and newly integrated website. During the initial conversation I learned that the current newsletter process was time consuming, and taking time away from other work. It became my goal to help make this teams workflow more efficient while uplifting their newsletter. To hear the teams positive feedback at the end of the project, brought value to my work. Nothing makes you feel better as a designer then when you are able to make your clients life easier, let alone solve their problem. Although I am not a huge fan of Sharepoint, this was the correct platform to use for this teams situation. Finding the right solution is the most important thing, and I am not afraid to dive into something new in order to figure out what that might be.
Designing album covers and logos are some of my favorite things to create and bring to life. Whether it be a song or a logo, there is a story being told. It is an exciting process to help artists and businesses to discover and clarify that story, while turning it into a visual that leaves a lasting impression. If there is no story or strategy within design, there is no intention. When there is intention, that is when design has the ability to make an impact.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being a designer is like being a super hero. You have all the power to create, tell stories, and to inspire others. To be able to offer these services to those who are in need is very rewarding process. As an artist/creative we have the ability to change the world. A logo for the right client with the right message could tell a much larger story. I feel grateful to be in a profession that has this potential. I have always looked at the LIVESTRONG brand (even though it came crashing down because of Lance’s scandal) as a unique example of how design can embody more then what is at the surface. There was an idea and a message. It was then attached to a simple yellow wristband. Without that idea and message it would just be a yellow wristband. This example is great because it goes to show the power of design and storytelling. Knowing the power of design, I strive to create impact in the world using my skills and creative abilities.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Although I have not managed a team on a day to day basis, I have been apart of multiple teams both in person and remote across different industries. For me personally I find value in teams and leaders who value balance and walk how they talk. They work hard, but they don’t forget to play. Whether it’s time for socializing in the office, or bringing the team out to events or dinners. I also think clear communication amongst a team is important, and setting aside time for people to openly express their work, concerns, or what ever is on their mind allows teams to have empathy and understanding for one another.
Having worked remote for a period of time as well, I think it’s important for managers to include remote workers in person every now and then. Seeing people in person and being in the same space builds connection as well as communication. My boss at ford completely agreed with this, and she helped me get flown out to Detroit to work in person after 1.5 years of being remote. Even though the work probably could have been done remote, It helped me feel like a valued team member and it was an exciting experience. My boss heard me express this desire to want to come to the office to meet people and she did everything she could to make it happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.biglinedesign.com
- Instagram: henrymaceachern
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-maceachern-589257175/