Its been a blast!
The day has finally arrived and I must pack up my things and say farewell.
Two and half years have now passed since I began at Nichiai. Its been a pleasure working here and being part of something that I’ve seen grow in countless ways.
In the early days I saw myself getting to grips with the clients that we had and figuring out simply how to get the work out quick enough for mere client satisfaction. This was fine in the beginning, but then as products and projects came and went I decided that, to not just stay in the game, but expand and broaden, adding value to the client, getting the right mix of quality and quantity was going to have to rely on something else.
I poured myself into the job, fueled by my passion to make an image of the company that we’d be proud of, not just on a designer-aesthetic level but also making the money work. By reaching for the best in every possible project, and attempting to bring the best out of the client each time, I felt that this was the method to success. By utilizing great talent and know-how with a positive attitude and inquisitive spirit each project continues to receive excellent analysis and direction. Sometimes we didn’t produce material we were always proud of; such is the nature of the beast – Trying to bring together sometimes disparate ideas while protecting unrealistic or impractical objectives was always something that I felt obliged to warn of at the beginning of any project. Its amazing to see the different perspectives held by clients and third parties towards the designer and the industry in general, and I’m happy to look back over the jobs and say that everyone of our clients got excellent work, truly representing the effort put in by both sides of a contract.
My decision to move on was not an easy one. Having put so much into the department and having been at there at major decision making times its hard to leave something that has grown on you and that you’ve become so much a part of. That said it was at this point that I realised I had succeeded in bringing the image and quality of Nichiai Creative to the level I had envisioned at the time of entering the company. For both myself and the company to grow, fresh ideas and challenges need to be fostered. Despite the satisfaction and success I felt, I feared that I may enter a comfort zone and this, as we all know in 2009, is neither the time, nor creatively a wise move for the future.
The world is in a very bad situation and most people I’ve talked to are hurting from the effects of the recession, looking forward to 2010. Its been a struggle and all the while industries are changing. These are indeed interesting times, and those capable not only to make bold decisions, but also see that their execution of them, is true will indeed prosper. That said there is now a level of flexibility required in any one single position, no matter what the responsibility, job, department, company or organisation.
Its been a ride and one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and gained immensely from. In turn I hope that I’ve given something back and that my influence was positive and nurturing for those that I worked with. I wish nothing but success for Nichiai and all her staff, vendors and of course clients, without whom nobody can prosper, and lastly as the new year is fast approaching I wish everybody health, wealth and happiness in 2010.
-Raymond
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