Jill Goodson

My Story

Q.

Hi Jill. So, what is it that you do? Much more than just graphic design, correct

A.

 I do Print Design, Web Design, Product Photography, Branding & Logo Design, Social Media / Email Marketing campaigns, and so much more!

Q.

Can you tell me about the long and twisting road that has led you to working for yourself?

A.

While finishing my degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in Painting at Boise State University, I worked as a graphic designer at a weekly publication. I then transitioned over to the Idaho Statesman in Boise Idaho for fifteen years. During that time, I worked on print and animated ads for local customers, however with a layer of salespeople between us, I never felt that I was able to give them the proper attention for the absolute best results.

My family and I moved to Southern Oregon where I worked at the Lithia Motors corporate office in Medford. There I had my own clients, but still felt that I didn’t have the time for the personalized results that I would have liked to see.

In 2015 we moved to Teton Valley and I found a large need for design, and clients that just didn’t have time to do it themselves. I was finally able to provide more services than just a go-to designer. I am able to give them back the time they needed to do a top-notch job at what they specialize in. Now I work with Nonprofits, Small Businesses, Marketing Agencies, and a few larger clients on the East Coast.

Q.

I believe you also worked at Kinkos at one point. Does the experience of the production side of the print industry help you now?

A.

I worked the graveyard shift at Kinko’s in Boise, Idaho during college. I learned great customer service skills, the limitations of what a copy center can produce, and fine tuned my ability to prioritize my workload. It’s nice to be able to create a flyer or poster that a client can email to their local print shop and then easily pick up an hour later. I gained the skills that allow me to format files for online printing so the results are exactly what I need. Working with a web press at the Idaho Statesman gave me the knowledge base of larger print jobs like the annual reports I do for the non-profits.

Q.

What is it that drives the work you do?

A.

Being able to help a business or Non-profit get their message out in an impactful way is what drives me. I enjoy helping make them look professional and effective. If a social campaign I do for the Education Foundation provides materials and resources for five more children in need, that’s a gigantic win.

Q.

A strong, memorable logo leaves an imprint. In some ways it seems to be the very first part of a conversation between a business or non-profit and another person. What are your thoughts on how you best create bridges of conversation?

A.

I would say that, if it has a strong or unique logo, it can be the first part of a conversation. It’s a huge way to differentiate yourself from a competitor. If you keep a consistent brand (ex. color, font, style, Language tone, logo usage), then you create that specific mark in your materials that lets people know who the message is from even when your logo isn’t present. It makes initial conversations easier, and the message of what you do more obvious to a customer or client.

Creating bridges of conversation might be relative in making your brand obvious, quickly telling the story of what you / your company offers.

Q.

Is there a particular project that has brought you the most joy? One that you might be most proud of?

A.

It’s hard to just pick one…A marketing agency came to me with our county hospital’s Covid information and prevention campaign. With the Brandstalk I created, materials for Covid-19 awareness including light post banners, stickers, informational packets, advertisements, social media posts, posters for schools and the hospital. This campaign was extremely important in our small town where the hospital only has seven beds. I also worked with the city during the mandates to put together messaging for the business to hang in their windows. This made it clear for people walking into a business to remember to put their mask on. The Leader of that project would always say “It’s all worth it if we save just one life”. I agree.

Q.

You seem to be a Jill-of-all-trades that can meet the needs of any client. What does the future look like for you?

A.

I am for sure – I’ve learned a great deal about web design on many platforms. The simplicity of Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly, and the intricacies of WordPress. I’ve had clients that say, “I managed a website on this platform, do you know it?” And my answer is “I will!” 

My most recent venture has honed my skills in product photography. I’m learning new and creative ways to shoot shiney, intricate knives and knife art. I plan on taking my product photography further to meet the needs of growing e-Commerce.

I plan to evolve a more simplistic style of visual storytelling by creating impactful, effective images for social media that will stop people from scrolling past. I’m also working on creative ways to edit eye-catching videos.

Q.

What hobbies do you have? I’m assuming that even though you’re busy with clients’ needs you still find time.

A.

I like to get outdoors – the balance from desk to foot. You’ll usually find me at a local golf course walking a quick nine after work, going for a run/walk on the local trails, paddle-boarding down the Teton River, or Skiing (mostly flats) with my dog Bob. I also love to paint in oils on big canvases that take up my parking space in the garage.

Contact

I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.

jill@raecreativearts.com