Meet Our Pride: Elena Mintzias
Name: Elena Mintzias
Position and Practice: Associate Creative Director – Commerce Realized
Location: New York City
LYONSCG Tenure: 5+ Years
Q: First off, tell me about yourself
A: I began my design career working at Playboy Enterprises as both a print and web designer for the Playboy catalog. As a client, that job led me to LYONSCG where I now get to work on a variety of leading brands and have been spending the past few months getting our New York office up and running.
Q: What is a typical day like for you?
A: A typical day usually entails collaborating with current project team members, prepping for an upcoming presentation or discovery, and sometimes it is a quiet day simply spent zoning in on a design project.
Q: What has been your favorite project? Why did you enjoy it?
A: Every project has it’s challenges—in a good way, but I think one of my favorites was working on e.l.f. cosmetics. They are a client who really knows their users, so we were able to make design decisions based on that knowledge as well as create innovative and strategic design concepts that pushed the envelope. Those projects are always exciting.
Q: How did you first get involved in graphic and digital experience design?
A: I went to the School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan, so outside of college football Saturdays in Ann Arbor, I found myself discovering a passion for design. It was in college where I knew I wanted to make a career of it.
Q: Quickly, what are the top 3 skills most important to your job?
A: Expertise. Attitude. Communication. Flexibility.
I believe you can never underestimate the power of experience. I truly worked my way up through the design ranks and performing production-oriented tasks really helped shaped me into a more well-rounded designer. Been-there-done-that is valuable! Having a good attitude is another key to success. No matter where you work, there will always be challenges and as long as you can keep a good attitude and remain patient and optimistic, things always seem to work out.
Q: What is the most fulfilling part of your role? What makes it all worthwhile?
A: Working alongside amazing, talented people who care. Having good, encouraging people (who are also very funny) truly makes all the difference. Of course, the work is great and keeps getting better! I’ve been with LYONSCG long enough to see the company grow from a small agency to now a global leader and I am very grateful to be part of a thriving company that has not lost its core values and love for its employees.
Outside of the company itself, I love leading a design project and there’s nothing better than getting positive client feedback after a design presentation! And the variety of projects we get to work on throughout the year definitely keeps the job interesting and fun.
Q: What is your favorite LYONSCG memory?
A: We have a work-hard-play-hard approach and I must say I love our annual company events. Our annual all-hands meeting allows employees a chance to get together, let loose and have fun.
Want to work with Elena and join the LYONSCG Pride? Check out our CAREERS page today!
