Nic Mooney, Creative Brand Identity Designer, Nic Mooney Creative
Nic Mooney is a brand identity and creative graphic designer, creating professional, bold identities and designs for businesses who want to elevate their branding. She creates unique, bold and colourful branding for independent and female-led companies to level up their brand with purpose and personality.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Instagram as it's very visual and not full of drivel (like Facebook).
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
Currently, I am all about branding empowering women. I want to show off their personalities and uniqueness using colours and styles that represent them. I believe people react to people. There are so many brands out there fighting for the same clients, it's about finding those that resonate with you, so it's important this comes through in your branding.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I am very passionate about design, I have been a graphic designer for twenty-five years, but recently it's about more than just your logo and brand design. It's about being honest, open, showing a personal side, and that initial impact on your brand is so important. It's as much about the person as it is the product or service. (This enables me to be more adventurous and colourful with designs.) I get to help women or businesses truly reflect that by getting to know them. It's exciting.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
To not worry what people think of me and to be myself, my dad always used to say it to me growing up. I really don't care now, and I am me. If you don't like me, that's cool, and I am ok with that!
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
New clients and new projects! Every time I start a new project, I dive right in. It is all-consuming. I love it. I am so lucky that I do what I love. Inspiration can be found anywhere these days; there is so much out there from which to draw. I learn something with every new brief, so that's what motivates me and helps me move forward and there are so many women doing great things now; it's inspiring.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I find it hard to think of things to be proud of, as long as I am pushing myself and I'm happy, I have been doing something right.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Real-life, you get to know people much easier when you are face to face. Personalities come through, and it's much more relaxed.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
I am very resilient, and I don't sweat the small stuff. I think that's a good quality to have in life, and I don't let much bother me. If things don't work out, then I move on and put it behind me.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I wish I had jumped on the social media bandwagon long ago. I started designing when it was still a mix of desktop and cut and paste layouts. I went freelance twelve years ago, and I struggled with social media, selling yourself, what to post, etc. I operated by word of mouth mostly, which worked very well for me. But I now realise I should have done it years ago when I started.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Lisa Johnson! I am in a few of her online groups. She brings so many like-minded businesswomen together, and we all help and support each other, and it's a great community. She also makes a fortune and has done it all herself. She is a very inspiring woman.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I love photography, I was training to be one before I became a designer many moons ago, but now it's just a hobby. I also love reading, walking and roller skating, and I am constantly learning new things. I do have a slightly geeky one I am just starting to get into... metal detecting (haha!) I love archaeology, history and being outdoors, and it's something I used to do with my dad when I was young.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
The only real impact was fewer clients for a while. I work from home anyway, so that didn't really change anything. Although having my six-year-old at home with me every day whilst trying to work was a bit of a juggling act!
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I've never mentored anyone, although I did use to teach Graphic Design to A-level students when I worked in-house for Birmingham Metropolitan College. I have had a few people who have mentored me in a way over the years. My manager from the college was a good mentor to me, we had quite similar personalities, and she always encouraged me to believe in myself.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Try to develop your personal style and niche. There are so many out there now offering graphic design and creative services, and they are amazing at what they do. Being unique in your offering and clearly focusing on your ideal client will help you stand out and align with that specific audience.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
I think the main one is not believing in yourself (self-sabotaging). You always think other people are better or you're not experienced enough. But that's not true. We all have unique offerings. You also learn and grow from all your failings; try to remember that.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
There are two. "Be yourself, people don't have to like you, and you don't have to care!" and "Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I don't know about any specific brands off the top of my head. But any brand that uses its name to promote good in the world, who are body positive, eco friendly, who are honest and genuinely have their clients and employees best interests at heart; then they are getting it right.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success isn't just about where I am at in my business or if I am making a ton of money. It's a combination of things. If I still love what I am doing, if I am happy, growing each day as a person, and continuously learning something new. If I am a little wiser, have a little more knowledge than I did yesterday, and am still doing what I enjoy every day, I am successful.