Nicole Messina | Graphic Designer
Nicole Messina is a graphic designer at Integraphix. Her focus is involved primarily in the creation of print media including logo design and branding strategies. Nicole also has been expanding her skills to website design. She hopes to one day even further her knowledge in web development not only because of her desire to always see a project through from start to finish but to become an even greater entity to the design world.
Nicole graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her favorite execution of design is publication layout and designing with type. Despite the world transitioning over to digital medias, Nicole is still excited by print design and all of the printer options available that further complete your design vision. The excitement of seeing your work printed, holding the finished product, especially if you've chosen a quality stock and an interesting format, is really rewarding.
Nicole has always had a secret desire to design invitations and stationery for a living: if only it was a high demand service! She hopes to one day fulfill this dream and also develop/fully design her own brand—down to the four walls and floor that will encase it—in the form of a clothing boutique.
What's the one thing you can't picture working without?
So besides the obvious answer, which would be my computer, I'm going to pretend that that's off limits to answer this question. I can't imagine working without my mouse. A lot of designers like to use a tablet but I really haven't wanted to give that a chance just yet -- maybe one day but for now I'm content with my Mighty Mouse. I love my mouse even more so now that Mac has enabled a right click feature. All of those extra options that are just a click away really help make things go a whole lot faster.
What has brought you to the designing field?
I think I always knew that I wanted to be an artist of sorts. I just didn't know what area exactly. I think you begin to find out in high school that your parents were basically lying to you as a child when they said, "you can be whatever you want to be", because guess what?! That's not quite true since being say a famous fashion designer doesn't happen over night and might not happen at all so you need to do something to pay the bills. If I wanted to be a painter, I doubt I'd be selling a ton of work right now, let's be serious. Are people buying paintings daily? But my dad is a graphic designer too and he use to host pretend art shows for my sister and I on a rainy day -- So it's in my blood you can say. I always knew I had a knack for writing too. I was constantly begged by my teachers to join the newspaper but that was kind of a nerdy thing to do in school so until I decided to pursue a Journalism degree in college, my writing was basically constrained to paper requirements. In college, I realized I hated writing news stories so that didn't go far. I love to talk and I can go on for days. Pretty sure you can tell that just from my babble here on this question.
What's your favorite part about working at Integraphix?
My favorite part about working at Integraphix is the laid back environment that we have here. I never really have been a 9-5 kinda worker. Sometimes my best ideas come at most people's "end" of the day. I'm not a morning person and I think the only thing that gets me through the morning is my Starbucks mocha that I refuse to stop buying since I don't think I will know how to function properly.
Best perks that you have ever had at a job?
Here at Integraphix, I'm allowed to bring my pit bull Shelby to work with me. She is such a lover and to glance over at her while she's sleeping under my desk helps make the work day that much more enjoyable. Hopefully you all will get to meet her when you come by to visit our office. She'll greet you with her forceful tail wag. Really the only thing vicious about my pit bull is her gas!
What is your favorite bumper sticker?
"My pit bull is smarter than your honor student"
What would you do if you didn't have to work?
If I didn't have to work I think I would be shopping or sleeping -- Probably sleeping since you need to have a lot of money to shop.
What is your pet peeve in traffic?
Oh my. Don't get me started. I HATE when people are staring at you as they drive by. Why are your eyes not on the road ahead of you?! I also hate how people drive side by side with another car preventing you from passing either of them. I hate that people drive slow in the left lane -- My list can go on for MILES!
What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
I love food and I have staples I buy every time that I go to the grocery store: bread, mascarpone cheese, pasta (not really something I store in the fridge), Pillsbury Simply Chocolate Chip Cookies (yes, it must be that exact item) and ice cream -- only Chocolate Chip though.
If your house was on fire and you could grab only 3 things before leaving, what would they be?
I'd probably try to stuff everything I could grab into some bag so I had everything I owned but I think my most important things would be Shelby, my down comforter and my Gucci.
If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
I would buy myself a home, pay off my enormous amount of debt and then go on a vacation somewhere since it's been quite a long time since I've gone anywhere.
If you don't know the words to a song, do you improvise?
Somewhat. I tend to memorize songs really easily and so I'm constantly singing in the car or around my house and whatnot. I tend to start realizing my mistake with the lyrics after I've listened to a song on repeat for the 8 millionth time.
