Contrary to popular beliefs, creatives can’t just sit down first thing in the morning and produce “pretty” things. The creative process takes time, and more importantly…inspiration.

Sometimes it takes nothing more than an “ah-ha!” moment the night before, where you’re able to envision every little detail about this thing you want to create, and you know exactly how it will turn out. Other times creating a decent concept that you’re happy with is an uphill battle, in the rain, wearing heavy armor, carrying sandbags. It can be a constant struggle.

In my opinion, if you don’t know what great design is, you’ll never be able to create it. Consuming design, of all shapes and forms, is just as important and beneficial as practicing it. So that’s why I make it a point each day to be inspired, and stay on top of the game. Here is how I do it, and what inspires me:

Smashing Magazine

Smashing Magazine delivers useful and innovative information to Web designers and developers. Their aim is to inform readers about the latest trends and techniques in Web design and development.

Abduzeedo

The list could go on, and these are just some of my daily go-to resources on the web, but there are plenty of other places to get inspired off line as well. Take the time out, about 45 min to an hour, to just soak up how-to’s, newest trends, awesome branding, and just overall great design across all mediums. The best thing you can do as a designer is look outside of your box, because you never know what might give you that spark.

Dynamit was honored as one of the “Best Places to Work” in 2010 & 2011 by Columbus Business First newspaper and Interactive Agency of the Year. Times are even better in 2012 and we’re hiring a Web/Graphic Designer for our aggressively growing team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting edge projects for well-known brands in a dynamic, entrepreneurial and highly creative environment. Please email resumes/cover letters and portfolio information (documents or links to online examples) to Gary Moneysmith via gmoney@dynamit.us.

A web/graphic designer on the Dynamit team will:

• Be well versed with Adobe Creative Suite: Strong knowledge of Photoshop, experience with Illustrator and InDesign.
• Have a strong understanding of Usability & Web Trends: Experience with user interface design, knowledge of best practices & examples of this in a portfolio or live site/application design. They will also be up-to-date on web trends and design tactics with examples.
• Have experience in user experience design (UXD) designing application and system interfaces. This experience is crucial for this position.
• Have Basic Programming Knowledge: We’re not looking for a developer here, but the designer should have the ability to design for web with a knowledge of the boundaries and how to design for execution by a programmer.
• Have a Strong Portfolio: We’d like to see much more web work than print.
• Be eager to learn, with a passion for design & the web. The designer should have a strong internal drive for industry knowledge and be committed to furthering the craft.

Experience is important, but personality is key. Our culture is what drives us, and we’re looking to build our team with someone who both fits and contributes to it.

The position is full time at our office in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package as well as a fun, high-energy, intellectually-stimulating work environment.

Benefits Include

• Competitive salary (compensation will be based on skills and experience)
• Fully paid medical/dental insurance for employees
• Paid parking
• Unlimited vacation time (within reason)
• Office bar + climbing wall — not recommended together

Don’t sit back. If you want to work in a fast paced work environment with great people who love what they do, apply today.

About Dynamit
Dynamit is a digital agency based in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We work with clients and brands on digital initiatives that include strategy, design, user experience and development. We influence communication and commerce. Client work includes Hilton Worldwide, Charley's Grilled Subs, McGraw-Hill, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), E-Z-GO, American Electric Power (AEP), Columbus College of Art & Design and the Ohio State Medical Center (OSUMC) to name but a few.