Some of you may have seen me speak about a big announcement I had a couple weeks back on twitter. And although I was not able to say anything then I am finally being allowed to let the cat out of the bag. A few weeks ago Ben Matthews contacted me about some design work he needed done for a project he was spearheading. One thing led to another and another and before I knew it Ben and I were talking about how and if I could fit into the project he was developing. After a whirlwind of a conversation it was decided that I would become the Communities Manager of a new communications firm called Bright One.

What is Bright One? Ben puts it best so let me share with you a clip from our site.

Bright One is a communications agency aimed at charities, non-profits and social enterprises, run by volunteers from the industry who want to broaden their communication’s experience and use their expertise for social good.

We aim to deliver high quality communications for charities, non-profit organizations and social enterprises, and in turn help them to reach those they are trying to help. We do this by developing the communications experience and expertise of volunteers who are driven by the social potential of their work, by providing training and support, and providing access to a valuable network of communications professionals.

Bright One also provides a link between charities and non-profits, between communications students and volunteers, and between industry companies and professionals, providing an understanding of the role that each plays in relation to each other.

- from the Bright One “About” page

Now that you know what Bright One does I’m sure you’re asking what exactly I’m going to be doing. My role in the company is two fold. External and Internal. I’m charged with making sure Bright One and our clients are using social networks in the best ways possible. I’m also charged with fostering communities for our clients and creating and maintaining a community for Bright One. These tasks although they may sound easy always represent a challenge and I’m looking forward to helping Bright One and our clients succeed.

Want to know more? Head over to Bright One and check it out!

I was having a conversation on Twitter last night with the amazing Sarah Hudson of Huddy Design (link) about a project she was working on that almost made her sacrifice her artistic integrity and vision in order to complete. It’s a dilemma we all, as artists run into at one point or another. Make the client happy by doing something we’re not happy with or try to find that happy medium? I myself am of the school of thought that if I portray who am I and what kind of artist I am to the client right from the start I shouldn’t have to sacrifice anything.

However, I do realize that clients can and do often times change their minds about the direction they want to go and that direction might suddenly start to interfere with who you are as an artist. Troubling? Yes, of course it’s troubling. I can remember when I had an intern working with me this summer, he would hand me things just to meet deadlines. When I would ask about whether or not he was happy with the work it was always the same answer, no. I likened this to a chef. If a chef isn’t happy with what he cooked he will start over, have the wait staff address the customer about the problem in a professional way and proceed to make the customer an out of this world meal he’s happy with serving. The same mindset ought to go for us as artists. If you’re in constant communication with a client about the project and notice that the way it’s going isn’t something you’re happy with handing over to them, take a step back, talk with the client, come to a solution and hopefully do something that knocks their socks off and that you’re super happy with.

Never ever should an artist sacrifice their integrity or vision for a client. There’s always a happy medium one can find which makes you as the artist feel a lot better about the work and will make the client that much more confident in the work you’re doing for them. The last thing a client needs or wants is someone who isn’t confident in the project they’re working on.