Studio Toffolo’s Post

LensCulture Review 4, and why I decided to leave LensCulture.

I’m a big fan of Duolingo’s brand and love how they’ve designed this new NYC office. Designing an office presents so many different considerations than product design. Yet we can identify many parallel design principles. Occupants = Personas Rooms = Screens Paint = Color Bench = Visual resting points Lighting = Light/Dark mode Decor = Decorative elements Hardware = UI Wayfinding = Nav and labels So many more… This is my approach whether I’m designing a museum exhibit or an app. It helps me consider the broader experience and I can apply thinking from the virtual world to the physical. Can you think of other parallels across design disciplines that you have used?

We get asked this alot: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲? *Hint* It’s more than just the combination of “Anonymous + Innovators”. It’s a reflection of our journey as people of colour in the creative space. Here’s what I mean: 𝟭. 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻. My roots are from the Caribbean while my co-founder is South Asian. As designers from diverse backgrounds? We often found ourselves as the hidden creators behind the scenes, our contributions and unique perspectives felt undervalued. Because of that, we always felt conditioned to be anonymous. 𝟮. 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀. Everyone sees the end result, but few witness the birth of an idea and the hard work that goes into bringing it to life. We want to shed light on the creative process and acknowledge the people who make it happen, particularly the creatives from underrepresented communities. Talent, regardless of skin colour, should be valued highly. 𝟯. 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to innovative solutions. Period. The more we can uplift the people around us? The more we can create a thriving, inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Our name tells our story. - Erlen P.S. I’d love to hear from you. Does this message resonate?

To make this happen, I needed: ✅ experience in having done similar before, but usually with different subject matter ✅ an ability to adapt previous experience to the specific situation ✅ a vision and the ability to convey that vision ✅ to develop trust between all those involved, that they were safe and that the output would be achieved of the desired quality ✅ to listen to what the other team members wanted to achieve and meld that all together ✅ to know the kit inside out, being prepared for issues (eg smoke machine not working) ✅ to know how to get from the vision to the output and lead, bring or advise the team members on that journey ✅ to communicate frequently and regularly, before the shoot, during the shoot and, to a lesser extent, after the shoot That all sounds much like consulting / contracting to me

// 6 Years of Carbon How would you relive your journey as a Carbon? With today's question, we take a journey through time, and ask our carbons: "If you could send a message to yourself on your first day at Studio Carbon, what would it be?" The responses offer a fascinating glimpse into the growth, challenges, and revelations our team members have experienced. From embracing authenticity to diving fearlessly headfirst into new experiences, these nuggets of wisdom paint a vivid picture of our culture. It's a culture that encourages risk-taking, celebrates uniqueness, and values personal development alongside professional achievement. What advice would you give to your first-day self in your current role? Share your thoughts in the comments! #StudioCarbon6 #DesignCulture #CreativeJourney #JoinOurTeam #DesignWisdom #EvolvingDesign #DesignImpact #DesignThinking

At The GOODList, a big part of our work involves keeping a close eye on the future of the creative industry and building a community of talent we deem indispensable. The creative industry is undergoing massive transformation, and with this transformation comes a change in hiring, with more focus on what skills you need and tasks completed instead of blanket titles. With this in mind, it gives me great pleasure to unveil our handpicked selection of SET DESIGNERS. Meticulously curated, these individuals embody a versatility beyond the traditional role, seamlessly navigating across diverse teams - be it within retail, design, or content creation. This versatility and ability to create unique environments to elevate the brand narrative are creative skills we see as irreplaceable and crucial for future creativity 🔮 https://lnkd.in/dhk9NjF6

Working at an art company can offer several benefits, such as: 1. Creative Environment: Art companies often foster creativity and provide opportunities for artistic expression, which can be inspiring and fulfilling for employees. 2. Exposure to Artistic Talent: Working alongside talented artists and creative professionals can provide valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth. 3. Diverse Projects: Art companies typically work on a variety of projects spanning different mediums, styles, and subjects, allowing employees to gain diverse experience and expand their skill sets. 4. Impactful Work: Art has the power to evoke emotions, challenge perspectives, and spark meaningful conversations. Working at an art company allows employees to contribute to projects that can have a positive impact on society and culture. 5. Networking Opportunities: Art companies often collaborate with other artists, organizations, and businesses, providing employees with opportunities to network and build connections within the art community. 6. Personal Fulfillment: For those passionate about art, working at an art company can provide a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment by allowing them to pursue their passion professionally. 7. Potential for Growth: As the art industry continues to evolve, there are opportunities for growth and advancement within art companies, whether through developing new skills, taking on leadership roles, or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. #business #art #artist #marketing #leader

🖐️ Happy International Left-Handers Day! 🎉 (*note that the hand emoji above is a right hand 🙄 ) As a left-handed CEO leading an incredible team of designers and animators, I've come to appreciate how diversity in thought and approach can absolutely drive innovation. While I may not be the one sketching assets and characters or crafting animations, I understand the power of seeing things from a different angle—something left-handers are known for. Being left-handed has eventually allowed me to recognise that thinking differently is a strength, not a challenge. This mindset has been instrumental in guiding our studio’s vision, encouraging a culture where unconventional ideas (and bad jokes!) are celebrated and unique perspectives are valued. Today, we celebrate the 10% of the world who bring a fresh perspective to the table, who challenge norms, and who inspire creativity in all its forms. Here’s to the lefties who help push boundaries and lead with a twist! May we all continue to innovate, think differently, and embrace the power of diverse perspectives—whether we’re left-handed or not! ✍️✨ Let me know in the comments if you're also a 'SouthPaw'!! 👇 #InternationalLeftHandersDay #LeftHandedLeadership #Innovation #DiversityInCreativity #ThinkDifferent

Fundamental values of the K&Z Design team🌟 In our vibrant team, we prioritize three fundamental values: a genuine passion for work, surpassing expectations, and maintaining a relaxed approach. 1. Passion for Work: We value the fire of dedication, not for long hours, but for the love of what we do. 2. Exceeding Expectations: I admire team members who bring skills that surpass mine in various domains. 3. Easygoing Attitude: In the face of challenges, an easygoing spirit is key. Together, these values create a team that's passionate, innovative, and joyfully committed. This is the essence of our dream team – a group that thrives on challenge exceeds in skill, and enjoys the journey. What are the core values that shape your ideal team? Share your thoughts and let's explore the diverse principles that drive successful team dynamics! 🧠 #KZDesign #DreamTeam #Innovation #TeamSpirit #PassionForWork

Updated My Old Work Studio😍 I've updated my old work studio with new features and improvements. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the transformation. Check it out and let me know in the comments how you like it! #StudioUpdate #NewBeginnings #CreativeSpace