creativecircle, Author at Creative Circle

If I ask my friends about their dating deal-breakers, I get a long, hilarious, and highly specific list. One friend won’t date a guy if his car has a spoiler (and in case you’re wondering, this friend is not 19, but 35). I have a guy friend who’s ghosted on smart, cute, funny girls for what he felt was the gratuitous, non-ironic use of “LOL” in written communications. (As a thinking, feeling human being, I hate it. Yet as a writer, I get it.)

But if I were to ask that same group of friends about their professional deal-breakers, they would give generic answers: the job must pay X dollars and offer benefits, give them the opportunity to work with people they enjoy, and not much beyond that.

Unfortunately, many of us believe that, when it comes to what we expect from our employers, we’re there at their pleasure and convenience, and beyond a paycheck, we shouldn’t be too picky. Not only is that a recipe for personal unhappiness, you’re setting a prospective employer up for mediocrity: if you’re burnt out, annoyed, or constantly watching the clock, you won’t do your best work.

Take stock of your deal-breakers

The same way you inventory your talents and then polish them into talking points, you should articulate (at least, to yourself) the things that would make an employment opportunity a no-go. Think back to jobs you’ve enjoyed, and also jobs you hated. Was there something specific that made it a slog? Maybe the job itself was fine, but you just couldn’t deal with the commute. Or you felt like you didn’t have a life outside of work. Or there was an annoying cubemate who wore nauseating cologne every day.

Below are common deal-breakers, as well as calculated yet diplomatic questions that will help you find out the truth, and look like an engaged, eager candidate, too.

Deal-breaker #1: cube life or open spaces

We all have different working styles: some of us enjoy sequestering ourselves in meeting rooms with a team, while others—myself included—would choose to work in a closet if it meant getting some privacy. And for many of us, this is really important.

Solution: If workspace is a deal-breaker for you, make sure you’re as observant as possible of the office layout. It at least merits a casual inquiry during the interview.

Deal-breaker #2: long, unpredictable hours

I’ve worked at advertising agencies where everyone was out the door by 6 p.m., but I’ve also freelanced at a few that were as busy at 9:00 p.m.as they were at 9:00 a.m. Working on a product launch or a pitch may mean late nights at the office and 6:00 a.m. conference calls with clients in another time zone. If you have pressing obligations outside your job (e.g., kids, schooling), this is something to ask about. Often businesses don’t hire freelancers until the workload exceeds their full-time employees’ ability to get it done, and this can factor into whether or not the job goes 9–5 or much, much later.

Solution: During the interview, ask questions like, “Why is this position available now?” or “What does work/life balance look like here?” Any reputable employer knows better than to ask if you are married or have a family, and while you shouldn’t volunteer that information on a first interview, it’s appropriate to ask if overtime is expected.

Deal-breaker #3: the corporate environment

Most creative people don’t dream about spending their days in meetings or working on spreadsheets. Yet that’s the reality with most “corporate” jobs – and that includes major or larger advertising agencies. True, there is usually a trade-off, and most of the time, it includes job security, prestige, a better paycheck, and high-caliber professional colleagues. Some people enjoy it, some people tolerate it…and some people want a casual environment that enables them to spend six months out of the year surfing in Costa Rica.

Solution: Ask questions such as, “What does a typical workday look like?” or “What is the ratio of actual creative/production time versus meetings and administrative time?”

Deal-breaker #4: never knowing what to expect

Are you comfortable working with tight timelines, juggling multiple projects, and working with new coworkers on an almost-daily basis, or do you prefer more workday stability?

Solution: Ask those targeted questions about the typical workday, why the job is available, and even what qualities the winning candidate should bring to the table.

Freelancing Gives You the Real Story

Much like a date lets you really get to know a potential bae, freelancing lets you take a job for a test spin. Even if you’re interviewing for a full-time, direct-hire position, you can always ask to freelance for a few weeks. Finding and recruiting the right fit can be a long and expensive process, so employers want to make sure it’s mutual infatuation.

Before you even start your job search, figure out your own deal-breakers. Remember, everyone wins when you’re happy at your job, but you’re the only person who knows what that looks like!

Lisa is a seasoned advertising copywriter who lives in Los Angeles. Her background includes both in-house and agency work on Fortune 500 and global accounts in the consumer and healthcare/pharmaceutical fields. She excels at words, fashion, and cats.

The daily grind – you’re really starting to feel it. Work is less like something that drives and inspires you and more like the bane of your existence. Your passion is gone, and you’re just going through the motions. You’ve put in several good years, but are you seeing any kind of payoff? Would that payoff even be worth it?

If this is a familiar feeling, then it’s time for a daunting pair of words: career transition.

When we started our careers, we all knew that nothing was really set in stone. Life gets in the way, our interests change, our priorities change. All of this is completely normal; total stagnation is not how life unfolds. So why does the idea of career transition – especially when you’re in your 30s or older – seem so scary and impossible? The fact is that changing your career takes added work on top of the work you’ve done and are already doing. Unless you can afford to take a long time off to recalibrate the way you live (and pay for) your whole life, career transition means taking a few steps back and in several different directions. But there are a couple of key things to keep in mind that might help you navigate such a crazy path.

What is it about your current job that drew you to it in the first place?

Was this a short-term gig that just kept going, or was there something you loved about it that has faded? Figure out what brought you back, then try to figure out where you can find it elsewhere. There was something there in the beginning that sucked you in, something that motivated you and interested you enough into doing it as a career. If you know what drives you, then you can start to look for it somewhere else, whether that’s a new company or in a new field.

Fundamentally speaking, what are your skills?

Not what do you do, but what can you do? You can’t really go from one career to another if those careers require completely different skillsets. Unless you’re prepared to start all over again, (which is certainly one option to consider if it’s a possibility) you need to identify what your core and talents are. What are the skills you can take with you anywhere?

What do you want to be doing?

This is a really loaded question, I know. But if there’s something about your current job that you don’t like, it’s obviously not what you want to be doing. It’s not as easy as “I don’t want to work at an agency” or “I don’t want to work for a small business.” It’s more like, “is what I’m doing truly fulfilling?” It may sound dramatic, but if you’re already thinking about leaving your current career behind, then you clearly think that what you’re doing just isn’t serving you or anyone else.

Are you worried that you’re “selling out?”

Did you start off your career as one of the coolest kids in town? Were you on the ground floor of something brand new, or living the flashy life in entertainment or PR? Now that you’ve been around the block a few times, it might not seem as fun as it used to be. But does wanting something more stable and reliable kill the wild spirit you started out with? The answer isn’t going to help you: this is entirely up to you.

As someone who recently decided to transition out of “super cool” careers in blogging and entertainment, I can understand this conundrum. But when I examined what I really wanted to do with my life now and in the future, I knew that looking for a more stable field would allow me to do so much more of the things I really wanted. It took years and many failures to get here, but by the time I left, I had a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as tons and tons of great people who could vouch for me.

A career transition doesn’t happen after trying a job out for six months; it happens after years of giving it your all and then realizing you want something different. Hey, you might even change careers again after this!

Wanting to be happy and live your life to the fullest is not selling out. You can’t betray a younger version of yourself because that person is gone, evolved into the wiser, more experienced present-day version of yourself. And trust me, you should listen to that second person.

Jamie is a Creative Circle candidate in New York. If you are interested in working with someone like Jamie, contact your nearest Creative Circle office.

Have you ever dreamed about waking up and walking a few steps over to your office chair to begin your workday? Working from home is increasingly becoming the norm these days as a perk that most job seekers covet and as a way for businesses to save on office expenses. Most people love the idea of not having to report to an office every day, but while it may come as a surprise, there are also some who do not. There are many things to consider before deciding what type of work environment suits you. The following is a list of advantages and disadvantages of working at home vs. working in an office-type setting.

Advantages

The first advantage of working from home is the financial savings. The money you will save on gas alone driving to and from work can add up. Depending on the city you live in, you may be able to go without a car altogether, which can save you thousands per year in insurance, repairs, parking and annual fees.

In addition, there is no need to dress up or look presentable every day. When you don’t have to go through everything it takes to get ready and then drive to work, you have more time for sleep and may feel more energized throughout the day.

The best part of working from home is the fact that you are in 100% control of your environment. Being in the comfort of your own home offers a very relaxed, stress-free atmosphere, which can lead to a more productive day.

Disadvantages

However, as mentioned earlier, there are some who may not like working from home. For people who enjoy the company of others, working at home alone takes away from daily social interactions. The atmosphere an office provides encourages human contact, even if just to bounce ideas off a co-worker.

In addition, some people are not self-disciplined enough to stay productive at home. They work best when they are under supervision to keep them motivated throughout the day. Think about what will be tempting or distracting you from doing your work if you are at home: a TV to watch, a bed to sleep in, a gaming console or just plain good weather to go out and enjoy. These become very tough to pass up when you are having a bad day or simply don’t feel self-motivated.

Tips to Successfully Work From Home

If you decide working from home is for you, then a little structure and strategy can go a long way.

Create a routine that you enjoy and stick with it if it works.
Create a workspace that allows you to be efficient. You have no rules on how you design your workspace, so ensure that you create it exactly how you want it.
Stay in constant communication with coworkers via online platforms. This will allow you to stay involved, be productive and feel like you are a part of the team.
If staying inside your home office everyday can start to become dull, work from the coffee shop on the corner a few times a week – getting dressed and going somewhere else for a few hours a day can do wonders when you start to fall into that slump.
If you can’t jump into working from home every day, see if your company will let you start with one or two days a week and then move up from there.

Only you can decide if working in the office or working remotely is the right fit for you. Consider all angles before deciding which direction to go. You may eventually get the opportunity to pick one type of environment over the other, or enjoy a mix of both. Individuals can be equally successful in office or remotely; it is just about finding the one that best fits your needs.

Krista is a Creative Circle candidate, creative writer and content creator in Los Angeles. Her background includes news, marketing, copywriting and editing. If you are interested in working with Krista, please contact Creative Circle LA.

It’s your first day on the job. You may know a few people, but you have no clue what it’s really like to work at your new company. What are the people like? How do your new co-workers interact and get along? Will it be easy to fit in?

You were likely hired because the company believes you are the best fit for their values and that you can do the job. Fitting in and, at the same time, learning a new job can be stressful and awkward, but here are five ways you can make the transition easier.

1. Do Your Research

Use your network, acquaintances, the internet or just simple word of mouth to find out as much information as possible about your new job before you start. Some workplaces are more traditional and some are more progressive and cutting edge. The culture you’ve become accustomed to in your old job may be much different; prepare yourself as much as possible so you’re not surprised on your first day.

2. Be Observant and Look at Your Surroundings

Your first look into company culture is the introductory stroll around the office. Yes, it’s uneasy, and yes, people are looking curiously at the newbie, but it’s your opportunity to observe simple things like how the physical layout of the office will influence your job. Are there cubicles or is it an open space? Are people quiet and tending to work individually, or do you see movement and open collaboration? Are managers and supervisors accessible or behind closed doors? Your first impression is important, and paying close attention to those early cues will let you know what you’ll need to navigate during your first days on the job.

3. Ask Questions

You probably asked about the basics of office culture during your interview, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Being the new person at work for a week or two is never easy, so the questions you ask are important in learning how the company operates and getting an idea of how you’ll be expected to contribute to workplace culture. It’s very important to be humble enough to ask even the “stupid” questions, be willing to listen to the answers and adjust to office norms. Those initial questions are not only helpful, but they will let your coworkers and managers know more about you and your priorities.

4. Start Building Relationships Right Away

One of the first things you’ll do is meet your new coworkers, so you need to be open and ready to start new relationships. Your fellow employees have been with the company for some time and know the ins and outs. You will be depending on your peers to get you through the first few weeks, so take some risks, get out of your comfort zone and make yourself available, approachable and inquisitive. These early relationships will be some of the most meaningful as you grow into your new job and beyond.

5. Use Your Experience

Unless it’s your first job, you probably have worked in several different types of office cultures. You may find that many of your past experiences will carry over into your new job. Just remember you’ve been there before, and with the right mindset, you can do it again and be successful.

Good luck and congrats on the new job!

Are you out of the honeymoon stage at your new job? Remember when you had that feeling of excitement, fulfillment and curiosity all wrapped into one? If you are not feeling that way anymore, then you may need to make a few small changes that can bring you back to that feeling you had on day one. The next time you find yourself unmotivated, try out some of the tips below to ensure you get back on track.

Stay away from Negative Nancy.

Is your negative attitude the result of a disgruntled coworker? Nothing is worse than someone walking over to your desk every single morning complaining about the job. What’s even worse is when you come in ready to put in a solid day’s work and your coworker wrecks your positive outlook.
Staying away from negative people is vital. The next time they come over, make sure you are too busy to engage in the regular negative conversation. Try surrounding yourself with positive and motivated coworkers. Once the Negative Nancy’s see your new positive vibe, they will get the hint that you don’t have time to engage in negative conversations. Even if they don’t at first, they will eventually get the hint.

Good communication with management.

Open and continuous dialogue with your manager can go a long way. Nothing wreaks more havoc on your week than a problem arising due to miscommunication with management or fear to take suggestions to your boss. With continuous dialogue comes good rapport – which leads to trust. Once you’ve established a sense of trust with management, your workplace becomes a whole new world.

Remember your purpose and goals.

The workplace is constantly evolving, and with changes, you can sometimes forget your purpose for taking the job in the first place. Stay focused on why you are there and what your goal is no matter how much change comes. One tip is to find inspiration with motivational quotes. Keep the quotes fresh and change them out depending on what aspect in your life you need to kick into gear. If you can wear ear phones at your desk while you work, listen to your favorite music that puts you in a good mood. You can even find some motivational speakers on YouTube to listen to when you need that extra motivation.

Check out for a minute and smell the fresh air.

Working hard and going the extra mile always yields positive outcomes, but we all need a break for some personal time. If you are inside all day staring at a computer screen, then go outside and walk around to get some fresh air. Take your mind off what you have been working on for the past several hours. Checking out for 10-15 minutes and getting some fresh air will recharge your mind.

Take care of your health.

I think we can all agree that a clear mind is an important piece for performing at our highest level in the workplace, but sometimes we forget about our health. A good diet and regular exercise can keep your positive attitude constant. If you are truly sick, make sure you use a sick day and take the time you need to get yourself feeling better. Trying to work through a seasonal bug can make you feel sluggish, and it may take your body even longer to recover. In addition, people around you don’t appreciate you coming into work if you are spreading germs. If you are taking care of your body and your mind, then you are ready to perform at the highest level possible.

The next time you are feeling yourself falling into a funk at work, try out some of the above tips to turn things around. You’d be surprised how a slight tweak in your daily habits can improve your attitude. Don’t let yourself turn into the Negative Nancy others don’t have time for in the workplace!

Work is just like life: you encounter different personalities, dispositions, and temperaments.

But work is different. You can’t simply walk away and disengage with someone who has opinions and values that don’t align with your own. You can spend as much as a third of your life at work, so it’s important to make the most of it; learning the skills to cope with many different personality types can help you navigate challenging situations that may arise.

Personal conflicts in the workplace can be even more common during presidential election years (a recent survey found 42% of U.S. workers have had political disagreements at work), so keeping these top tips top-of-mind can help avoid workplace strife before it arises.

1. Don’t take everything personally.

Right now, your coworkers are likely dealing with their own issues, and their actions may be a reflection of something they’re going through either at work or in their personal lives. If others are being negative or unpleasant to be around, remember, not every negative or uncomfortable encounter is directed at you. Take a few minutes to step back and assess the situation fully; maybe they are worried about something going on at home or stressed about a big project. The best skill you can have is to just offer help and rather than contributing to a hostile environment, even if someone else is.

At times, others’ actions can feel like personal attacks, but ask yourself, “Am I telling myself a story?” Perhaps someone’s email response was curt. Ask yourself: Did this person intend to upset me, or are they just in a rush between meetings? This mindset can help you talk yourself off of proverbial ledges — and can help keep the peace.

2. Remember: It’s okay to disagree.

Being a team player is one of the most common phrases in job descriptions, and it’s a soft skill that can have a large impact on your team dynamic, promotion potential, and more. It’s natural to feel frustrated with a coworker in the face personal or professional disagreements — but try not to let this frustration get in the way of your own productivity. Don’t be afraid to sit down with this coworker (if you feel comfortable doing so) and explain your frustrations; if you can focus the conversation on facts and events rather than emotions, it’s easier to engage in a rational discussion.

And if you cannot come to a consensus, it’s okay to disagree. Disagreement in moderation is healthy in any relationship, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of your mental health and overall working relationship. At the end of the day, everyone on your team is (or should be) working toward the same goal and outcomes.

3. Learn to handle egos.

He got a big ego? It’s not uncommon to encounter coworkers with large egos, and the tension egos can cause is often a source of conflict — particularly when egos clash. People may go out of their way to prop themselves up and stand out by positioning their coworkers as lesser than them in quality of work and stature. To avoid an ego-driven conflict, it’s important to remind yourself that this isn’t personal. Like it or not, you only have control over your own response to others’ personalities. If you’re frustrated by a coworker who puts others down, try to find ways to level-set with an honest conversation, based in facts rather than emotions. Your coworker may not even realize that their behaviors are negatively impacting you. (Of course, if someone’s ego turns into bullying you or others, it’s best go down the proper channels with your manager or with HR.)

4. Keep gossip positive.

No matter the office or industry or team, gossip has a way of festering in a work environment. Gossip is a slippery slope and can often increase interpersonal conflict and decrease morale — while simultaneously straining relationships and decreasing productivity. The best way to avoid gossip is by identifying “gossip triggers,” so you can find ways to work around them. Sometimes, gossip is unavoidable, particularly if you’re part of a group conversation. If you’re able, try to tactfully redirect the conversation to something positive, or disengage.

As with any work environment, there will be frustrations and the desire to vent — but tread lightly. A certain level of venting is okay, as long as you can trust this person 100%. If you have a “work best friend” (a recent Gallup poll finds that you should!), try to confide in them and keep the conversation between the two of you, in order to avoid any inadvertent gossip and conflicts down the line.

Remember, your priority is doing great work. Try to maintain a non-judgmental attitude and know that at the end of the day, it’s all about how you react.

Krista is a Creative Circle candidate, creative writer and content creator in Los Angeles. Her background includes news, marketing, copywriting and editing.

In college, design schooling outlines the basic requirements for career preparedness, and instructors try to give as much real-world training as they can in such a short amount of time. Not everything you need to know in preparation for your design career can be taught in four years, and instructors know that not every concept can be realized or practiced.

We asked design educators from some of the top design programs in the nation to share the number one fundamental area of typography that their students have a hard time grasping. Think of these answers as recommendations on typography areas to brush up on to help excel past your peers.

Mindset of the Craft

“Type learners only get into technical (historical, analog, digital) and aesthetic detail when they see how they need to be invested in the craft as part of learning and eventually working as typographers, in addition to being visual artists; not illustrators, Photoshoppers, game designers or other fields or technology they might first be exposed to as young artists and designers in high school, community college, or foundation classes.”
— Joseph Coates, Lecturer at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)

“Negative space and relatedly, scale.”
— Margaret Urban, Associate Professor of Graphic Design at the State University of New York at Fredonia

“The proportion of type size to page and everything in between: margins to column widths to type size to leading. They keep looking at the type itself, not at the type and how it’s connected to the page holistically. Everything’s connected proportionally.”
— Michael Stinson, Adjunct Faculty at Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD)

Personality

“That type has a specific voice that comes along with it. I try to get my students to actually find photos of people that match type.”
— Andrew Hochradel, Design & Photography Educator, California Baptist University, Riverside

“Choosing an appropriate typeface for a project.”
—Victoria Pickett, Lecturer of Visual Communication, Northern Arizona University

Don’t Leave It to the Software

“I think most students fail to understand that they do not have to use the default settings that come in a font. Type is scalable and the type designer optimized the internal metrics of a font for a particular size. Once a student starts changing the size and setting, adjustments to the letter space and word space must be made, and that is where they generally go wrong. I would also add that I think there is too much emphasis on ‘experimental’ or ‘conceptual’ typography in design schools. Most students cannot set a proper paragraph justified, rag right, rag left or centered. And most still cannot find the correct quote marks. But it shouldn’t surprise me, most working designers cannot do it either.”
– James Montalbano, Assistant Professor at Parsons School of Design

“That perception trumps mathematics. It’s developing a typographic sensitivity to know when to break the mathematical system in order to perceptually adhere to it. Like how an ‘O’ overhangs the baseline so it isn’t perceived as floating.”
— Ben Hannam, Associate Professor at Elon University

“All type needs to be adjusted once typed. Auto leading and kerning is not acceptable. Also stretching type and not “knowing” about the fonts they choose. For example, I say, “why did you choose Impact as the type for this project?” and they say ‘how did you know I used Impact?’ and ‘I don’t know, I like it.’”
— George Garrastegui Jr., Design Educator at New York City College of Technology

Final Details

“Have you ever had a client say they gave proofed copy to a designer and it came back with formatting errors? Students are not catching the basics. I tell my design students they should be known for caring about accuracy and quality. They don’t understand that typography is about communication and when they don’t run spell checks or understand the basics of grammar, they are doing themselves and their clients a disservice.”
— Rachelle Woo Chuang, Graphic Design Educator, Chapman University, Orange

“Restraint.”
— Nikki Juen, Design Faculty at Rhode Island School of Design and Vermont College of Fine Arts

Are you an educator who feels your students could improve their typography in a certain area? Let us know what they have a hard time grasping by tweeting at @TypeEd.

Rachel Elnar is the producer and co-founder at TypeEd, where she helps bring the craft of typography back to design education. Get more type in your inbox and sign up for more about TypeEd columns (and other announcements).

Lisa, a socially conscious handbag designer, found Barry through Instagram. Lisa was impressed with Barry’s work so much, that she wanted to hire him to work on her branding. She filled out the new client survey on his website and things took off from there. Of course, they came across some design differences but Lisa thought she was clear about her wishes. Things were going great until Lisa received the first proofs for her branding. She hated it! Was Barry not listening to her needs at all? Lisa reached out to Barry because she felt like he clearly didn’t understand her vision. She spent way too much money to end up with a product she did not ask for. Enter, conflict.

There will be times when you and your client will not see eye to eye. If perfect situations existed, everyone would be happy and conflict would not be an issue. Unfortunately, sometimes, situations between client and consultant, can become tense. Conflict isn’t a bad thing, though. Because we are all human with unique personalities and temperaments, we will disagree. In fact, if we really think about it, most conflict is purely based off of our misunderstandings. It’s not about having conflict, it’s about how we resolve conflict.

Clarity is the difference between your client being pissed off at you for not doing as you were told and them praising you for listening and making adjustments based off of those words.

What happens when client and freelancer do not have clarity? When conflict is left unresolved, the quality of work suffers. Unresolved conflict with a client leads to decreased productivity, stress, poor communication, overall unhappiness with the project, among a host of other things. How you deal with these moments of conflict make a world of difference.

The good news is, negative conflict can be resolved. If you are someone who hates conflict, whether good or bad, here are seven steps you should consider to resolve them when they arise.

1. Analyze the situation.

Is what you’re experiencing something that needs to be addressed or can it be let go? Sometimes an issue really isn’t an issue. Have a chat with yourself. Is it all in your head? Once you’ve confirmed that the issue does need to be addressed, you move forward.

2. Address the situation quickly.

Nothing sucks more than when both client and freelancer knows there’s an issue, but no one addresses the elephant in the room. After you’ve identified the problem, approach your client (preferably in person or over the phone) about the situation. The longer you wait to address an issue, the worse it will get.

3. Don’t speak when you’re angry.

When you and a client have come into conflict, emotions may come up that can prevent you from speaking rationally. If it helps, write out bullet points you want to address. Go a step further and write everything out in speech form. Have someone proofread it for offensiveness.

4. Seek to understand.

If you think you’re always right, you’re wrong. Have you considered the other party’s perspective? Put yourself in their shoes. Listen to them. Try to understand their frustration.

5. Ask questions.

If something is not crystal clear to you, speak up. Do not move forward with a project if you’re unsure about the scope of work. And along the way, they may find that their expectations aren’t being met. Find out why and what you can do to remedy the situation.

6. Show some respect.

Whether you agree with someone or not, the least you can do is respect their opinions. Everyone wants to be heard. No one wants to feel as though they do not have that simple right. You gain respect by being respectful. Keep it professional.

7. Don’t play the blame game.

No, the customer isn’t always right but there is a way to resolve a problem by including yourself in the solution. Maybe the misunderstanding was on their part, which led to you not creating the product they wanted. Instead of saying, “Well, you told me to do this,” try, “Here’s the problem and here’s how we’re going to solve it.”

Lisa was unhappy with the product she received, so Barry called her, apologized for the misunderstanding, listened to her needs and offered several solutions to resolve the problem. He remained professional and ended his project with a happy customer.

Conflict is inevitable. Finding ways to effectively communicate needs and meeting expectations in the relationship is vital. Not every situation results in a happy ending but if you make the effort to resolve conflict the right way, you’re sure to have better client relationships in the future.

Lucy is a former Creative Circle candidate in Atlanta. She is a freelance writer and visual storyteller. When she’s not writing, she’s most likely exploring new restaurants around town, traveling, taking pictures or reading blogs dedicated to SELF – awareness, development/discovery and expression. If you are interested in working with someone like Lucy, contact your nearest Creative Circle office.

Most people work with inches when designing their pages. Makes sense, right? We are used to working with inches when we start designing because that’s the physical measurement unit of the format, and where we typically start: the size of the flyer, brochure, box, etc.

But when we stay in inches, the type is not in harmony with the page. To rectify, we need to use the correct unit of measurement.

Our type is measured in points. For example, 9 – 12 point size for body copy is typical. So how do we build visual uniformity from the page to the type? Easy. Picas.

I think I just heard you groan out loud. Yeah, yeah, I hear you, designers don’t like math. Well guess what, this isn’t rocket science, it’s simple division. The units are so small using picas are easier than using inches because there’s little need for fractions and decimals.

A pica is a unit of space that connects points to inches. There are 6 picas to an inch. See? Sooooo simple. It is a term from the 1580s, probably from pica, a name of a book of rules in the Church of England for determining holy days. I know, a little random.

A point is the unit we use to measure overall type size, and there are 12 of them in a pica. So, if there are 12 points in a pica and 6 picas to an inch, there is 72 points to an inch. That means, depending on the typeface, a header that’s 72-point type size, could be possibly an inch high. Easy, right?

Next time you open up a fresh Adobe InDesign document, don’t immediately switch your measurement system to inches (um yes, points and picas are the default!).

Instead, try typing in your format size in an inch measurement (for example: 8 in), and InDesign will convert it automatically for you. Thanks, Adobe. Picas and points are the measurement system of the environment you’re working in for print. It’s not inches. It’s not pixels. It’s points and picas.

I use points and picas to create a visual relationship from the page to the type. It’s that intimate relationship that creates great looking copy on the page. Columns, alleys, gutters, margins; they all look better if set in a relative measure to the type size.

Develop a fondness with points and picas. Love them and they’ll love you back.

Do you use picas or inches? Tweet us at @TypeEd and let us know your preference.

Michael Stinson is a co-founder and instructor at TypeEd, where he helps designers implement better typography, efficiently. Get more typography in your inbox when you sign up for more updates about TypeEd.