Creative | Onyx Group

March 23, 2010

The real OG in the ATL

The Onyx Group recently visited Creative Circus in the everlasting search for the perfect designer. At Onyx, we believe that creativity and good design are vital to the business process. We think that design belongs at every tier of an organization. From planning to client contact – good design is a key factor to success. And a good designer – one that understands creative branding, social media and current trends is important to us.

Onyx has gathered a team of dynamic individuals with cross-disciplinary backgrounds. From finance, computer science, graphic and interior design to the school of hard knocks (we have several entrepreneurs on staff) – we are as diverse as a young firm can be.

The collaborative environment at Onyx echoes what we saw under “The Big Top.” We love that both creative skills and development skills are a focus of the school. And we are particularly excited about the addition of the new Development Branch. Because here at Onyx, developers and designers collaborate towards one main goal – creativity without sacrificing function. We were impressed with the students and recent grads. So if you are interested in joining our diverse and creative team, please let us know…

November 18, 2009

Design and the Doodler

kris

In this interview our Über-Doodler, Kris Carter, shares some of his creative insight and offers advice to up and coming designers.

How did you become a graphic designer?

My mom is a hand painter and air brusher back in Maine. Her creativity inspired me to be creative. I got my start when my mom and I launched a sign design company together. Then when I came to Florida I worked for Nadia as a graphic designer. When she decided to create Onyx Group I agreed to come on as a partner.

What do you most enjoy about being a graphic designer?

I love being creative day to day. It’s fulfilling to use my creativity making something tangible that benefits our clients.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Running a fast growing company is a constant challenge. The key is to be adaptable to change and to have a dedicated team. I enjoy dealing with the Onyx staff, and believe that an open door policy is essential for successful leadership.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I’m inspired by everything in my environment. I keep up with trends in the market, graphic design is constantly evolving. When I’m really focusing I like to listen to music to keep me in the zone.

Do you have a favorite project that you’ve worked on?

One of my favorite projects to date was the BevShots design. It’s a trendy and new age product. I had a lot of fun creating their design. Also I loved having the opportunity to develop a fully custom e-commerce system for the site.

Are there any new trends in graphic design we should keep an eye out for?

I’m really excited about the new motion graphics trend. It provides a whole new dimension to web development. This new technology will help create interest in our client’s sites and will engage their customers.

Do you have any advice for those interested in becoming graphic designers?

Focus on creating a diverse portfolio! Having a good personality is important and creativity is a given, but ninety nine percent of the time a portfolio speaks for itself.

If you have any additional questions for Kris about graphic design please DM them to @OnyxGroup on twitter or email info@onyxcreates.com and we’ll answer them for you in our next blog.

November 12, 2009

Creativity in Overdrive

Working in an office can get a little monotonous and leave a person feeling very uncreative. At Onyx Group, our mission is to keep ourselves, and our work, fresh and innovative. How do we keep ourselves creative? Below are some of the motivating factors and inspirations that keep us going.

1. The Staff (aka the coolest people you’ll ever meet)
Everyone who works at Onyx Group is here for a reason. We come from diverse backgrounds and bring talent, experience, and passion to our work.

“We’re colleagues, but we’re also friends. I love coming to work every day because I enjoy my work and there’s never a dull moment in the office.”
–Nick Williams, The Man.

2. Free Flowing Ideas
Group brainstorming sessions are how we keep ideas free flowing and where everyone’s ideas are heard. This produces some of our most creative concepts, because ideas build upon each other and everyone has a chance to contribute. In addition, we have an open office plan that fosters relationships between employees and helps keep everyone on the same page.

3. Strong Client Relationships
We value our relationships with clients and love to exceed their expectations. We understand our clients and show them how our work can help them succeed. By maintaining close relationships with clients, they become an extension of the Onyx Group family.

“We try our hardest to get to know our clients – not just as clients, but as people. It’s easier to work with someone you’re comfortable with. We truly look at it as a relationship. There are even some clients we spend time with off the clock.”
–Amanda Doumanian, The Planner.

4. Chloe
Her constant curiosity keeps everyone on their toes. She livens up the office and adds a playful mood to everyone’s day. She loves attention and makes certain that everyone says ‘hi’ to her when they visit our office.

“Hi, Hello! Let’s play fetch.”
–Chloe, The Office Dog.

5. Creative Leadership
Last but certainly not least is our fearless leadership, Nadia and Kris. They understand the value of creativity in the work place and go out of their way to foster it. Our open office structure ensures that they are easily accessible. Our staff knows they can share their ideas and get immediate feedback.

“Our goal is to create a workplace environment where our employees feel valued and respected. We want our employees to enjoy coming into work every day, because when people are happy it shows in their work.”
–Nadia Kamal, Agency Principal.