The Basics

Name: Cole Alexander Nicks RGD

Company: BC Children's Hospital Foundation

Title: Graphic Designer

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work?

Before I even walk into the office, I make sure to grab a coffee, since my day doesn't truly start till I am halfway through my first coffee. Once I am at my desk, I take a look at my list from the previous day and start to plan out the projects I need to work on while it is still quiet in the office, before most of the Foundation staff trickle in.

List the things you spend the most time on during a typical workday.

65% — Design & Production Work

15% — Project Management

10% — Meetings

3% — Admin (I manage the accounts for a few different softwares used across the Foundation)

7% — Emails & Phone Calls

Of all your daily tasks, what is your favourite?

When I can actually complete a project. I am typically working on a couple  dozen projects in many phases of completion. When I can finally check a project off the list, it is quite satisfying.

What is your least favourite?

Checking my voicemails. I tend to avoid talking on the phone, but people still keep leaving messages.

What are your strategies to keep up productivity/inspiration over the day?

My days are fast-paced with a lot of deliverables, questions and conversations. I try to take short breaks throughout the day, just 5 minutes here and there, maybe grab a second (or third) coffee depending on how long the day is going to be. Those few minutes away from my desk are quite helpful when I'm trying to solve a problem I have been struggling with.

What tasks do you like to do at the end of the day? 

I will update my to-do list for the next day and make sure that I mark any emails that I still need to address so I don't waste time in the morning figuring out what I need to work on.

How has your job changed?

As a graphic designer, my day to day has stayed pretty steady. But in the past few years, there has been a shift in the focus of my office, and it has required me to take on more responsibility, specifically more administration and more meetings.

What is one thing you wish you knew when you started your career?

That just because you have the education, it doesn't mean you know everything. You can never stop learning since the industry keeps progressing with or without you. Also that you will never have the time to be perfect and sometimes you have to make sure good is good enough and don't stress over the little details that only you will be bothered by.