15 years isn’t such a long time…is it?

I began my career with Idealogy (then Selling Ideas) in 1993 as a ‘fresh-faced’ graphic design graduate.  After much ear bending for Simon D, I was given the invaluable opportunity to start my career in the design industry and to be involved in all aspects of a leading creative services organisation. After 5 very happy years I had a change of direction (if you can call it that!) and became a mum, accompanied by more ear bending for Mr D. However, by this time, I had my foot firmly on the creative career ladder and went on to expand my experience and knowledge in the creative sector.

Recently, I’ve returned to Idealogy - 15 years on, and maybe 15 years wiser. So, after all that time, what’s changed?

• Some of the ‘old’ faces are still here, looking as youthful as they did in the 90s. Plus there are some new faces for me to get to know.
• I now have my own email address, not the collective email address that ‘Selling Ideas’ used to share and I rarely, if ever, used.
• The obligatory drawing board is nowhere in sight (well I haven’t found it yet). Plus the dark room and camera have gone! No more bromides and developer fluid spilt down my shirt – oh and the smell!
• I hear that the social occasions haven’t changed and still involve a lot of laughs, drinks, forgotten moments and a few sore heads – I’m looking forward to being reinstated.
• The business itself has changed significantly from a B2B focussed creative agency, specialising in branding campaigns, creative services and trade show management to one that also works in the B2C market with a strong focus on front-end consultancy, customer experience and engagement.
• The Idealogy products now specialise in 3 main areas rather than just creative services. Strategic, Creative Engagement and Digital. We didn’t even have our own website when I left! We’ve now built and hosted up to 200 sites for our clients.
• My role has changed as well, from Studio Manager to Planning Manager and is now a fully integrated part of the business. Workflow planning is on a larger scale with the increase in clients, products, skills and customer expectations. And the world is a faster place with tough to impossible turnaround times. However, my desk position has only gone through a 90 degrees change and is located approximately 10ft from where it used to be.

I suppose one of the biggest challenges is managing and embracing ‘change’ as we all head into a yearlong company-wide Best Practice programme. We are applying our new ethos to 10 key areas of the business, developing processes and, in-turn, ourselves to offer a world class service that stands out from the rest and I’m looking forward to being part of this new journey.

Liz Hellyer

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