Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tommy Sheehan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tommy, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I really do believe it takes being a “good listener” to be successful.

Good design starts with placing the right words on the page. Like a good book, the words come first. The correct articulated words have the power to create visuals worlds that one hopes inspire the intended audience.

Tommy, 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?

I was a horrible student in school, but I thoroughly enjoyed art class. I guess I was fortunate to have some great teachers that shared their knowledge and love of the arts. I didn’t really fully understand that one could make a living through art – and the visual articulation within the world of “Brand” was really a guiding light towards my future career. And I guess, like all of us, I’m still trying to figure it out.

Pop culture through music, television, fashion, sport, movies, and food were really my education. I could get lost in any of these platforms with the visual and verbal communication happening. The 80’s & 90’s were just an explosion of human expression – and I was one of those kids glued to the television simply listening to & paying attention to everything.

That’s why I think a lot of my work leans into the more simple & bold aesthetic – knowing that there is such a finite amount of time to peek peoples interest. It’s the ability to somehow cut through the clutter and try to connect with the audience. And for me, when I’m working on projects – I love to rally around a few ideas and really try to amplify what we want the main takeaway to be. Doing this requires to ask the right questions up front. It’s the hidden psychological aspect of design/brand building that makes this world of work so incredibly fascinating.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I remember a fellow coworker telling me “get used to making sandcastles.” I love this sentiment. Meaning, nothing you create will last forever. Enjoy the process as much as the output. The real magic is in the “making”, so enjoy it. And I understand this completely.

We are a design culture that can often be considered as introverts performing in an extrovert world – which can be tricky in the best of times. But diving into the work & chumming up the waters of creativity is where a majority of us love to play.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When I can help a company punch well above it’s weight class. Everybody that I work with is in some type of competitive environment. If I can help a company get to the next level and help the people in the organization step forward with pride & reinforced optimism – that is huge for me. Those are indeed happy days.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tommyink.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommysheehan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033067662615
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-sheehan-57319a89/