We recently connected with Nita Thompson and have shared our conversation below.
Nita, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most meaningful project that I’ve worked on would have to be my McDonalds billboard. I had just graduated from grad school and I was working as an intern in Detroit. There wasn’t a lot of opportunities for me as an intern so I did what I always did, built connections. I was able to meet really cool people who could help me get on projects that interns wouldn’t normally get to do.
One day one I was approached by one of the Project Managers that I met named Eric. He presented the billboard to me and told me I was the first person he asked. Me, and intern getting the chance to create something other than resizes.
I got the chance to work with a really cool copywriter named Jay Brockmeier, and together we were able to create a lot of cool concepts.
Being able to see a billboard that I created actually being produced and placed for people to see gave me so much excitement. It was a feeling that I can’t describe.
Nita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
“Siyou Designs” was created while I was a undergraduate at Bowie State University. What started off as doing little jobs here and there turned into something more. Today, Siyou Designs is a small marketing firm dedicated to help companies (big or small) with their marketing needs. We focus on creating and revamping brand identities, marketing materials, and more.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to learn that being me is okay. I have been in situations where my hair was more important then discussing my work. At first I thought I needed to tone down my blackness to get a head. But the older I got I realized that being me is okay. Being me is why my clients like me, and why I won’t the 2019 Portfolio Review in Atlanta, and won the internship spot with Disney’s Yellow Shoes. Each time I came as myself, comfortable in my skin. Natural hair and all.
I say this to say – never hide who YOU are. Bringing yourself to the table is professional.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Word of mouth and networking. A lot of my new clients have been coming from references from previous clients and networking at events. Sometimes I have a problem with networking in a crowded room because Im not sure where I should began. But tackling small groups and making conversations helps.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.siyoudesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siyoudesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiyouDesigns/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siyoudesigns/
Image Credits
Nita Thompson