Lauren Grenier – Digital Designer
Front and centre of this month’s staff snapshot is someone usually found behind the scenes. With an affinity for art from a young age, Lauren has developed her long-held passion into a career of design – and more recently, led her down a path of video development for Orion’s clients.
When she’s not editing videos or behind the camera, our purple-coiffed designer spends her time reading and playing MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games)! We’ve loved having Lauren’s keen eye for detail and strong imagination here at Orion since she joined the team just over a year ago.
How long have you been a Digital Designer and how did you get into the industry?
I’ve been a designer for about 8 years. I’ve only officially been employed as a Digital Designer for the last year, previously being a Graphic Designer (a role in which I also did a lot of digital work). I believe it’s a reflection of how design is changing to keep up with the world – we’re much more digital than say, 20 years ago. Some of these digital skills are used for websites and EDMs, photos and video work, and others for motion graphics and animation. I’ve always been into technology, so I think my interest in the digital aspects of design was a natural progression.
I got into design pretty young and was always into art stuff as a kid. I remember my parents would just plonk me down with a huge stack of those perforated print papers. I’d just draw and colour for hours, then rip off all the perforations! My father was a graphic designer before he retired too, so that probably influenced me.
Was there a defining moment (or moments) that made you want to become a Digital Designer?
It was always an option, so not really a defining moment. I remember on one of my work experience adventures, I submitted my first magazine spread to the big shot Art Director guy who remarked, “you’re a natural designer”. I guess that’s a stand out memory that inspired me to follow this career path.
Do you follow any designers on social media and blogs that you admire or who have influenced you?
I was following Jacob Cass and David Airey while in university. These days I just follow a bunch of photographers on Instagram and look at design hashtags. I’m more into finding general inspiration and appreciation from designers all over the world, rather than follow a few.
If you weren’t a Digital Designer, what would you be doing?
I considered being a psychologist at one point, and also a 4 unit English teacher.
How long have you been working at Orion Creative?
Just past one year now!
What would an ‘average day at the office’ look like for you?
Emails, coffee and jumping back into whatever projects I have on. There’s been a bunch of video work lately, so often you’ll find me with one earbud in focusing on whatever I am working on… and the other blasting my music.
What’s the biggest or most complicated project that you’ve worked on at Orion so far?
Some of the biggest jobs are huge events like Cisco Live, where I can easily spend every day for months working exclusively on that project. Video shoots are fun too. There’s been a few of those where we’ve gone to set up for filming, then taken that footage and done some digital post production to output a video or animation.
What do you like to do in your spare time? What goes on during weekends?
I’m actually really into gaming, specifically MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). It’s been my spare time killer my entire life. I’m currently playing Warframe and Divinity, Original Sin 2. A few friends and I move from game to game together. My role is always the healer.
Fave movies/TV show/bands? What are you watching/listening to these days?
I don’t watch much of anything, instead I read a heap of books (2-3 a week) on my Kindle. Most of the stuff I read is either fantasy or urban fiction.
My fave music genres are metal, rock, metalcore and post-hardcore. Pretty much if it’s got wicked breakdowns and I can jam to it, I’m there. My favourites range from classics like The Cure, Metallica and Dire Straits, to Parkway Drive, In Flames, The Amity Affliction and House Vs Hurricane.
What are the top 5 things that would make your Stranded-On-A-Desert-Island list – that you just couldn’t live without?
- Coffee
- A really big fluffy blanket for epic all day sleep-ins
- A variety of cheeses
- My music, and
- A magical gaming computer that self-powers and connects to the internet!
What are some fun or little-known facts about you that would surprise us?
I have two cute dogs, both Jack Russells, named Beans and Sprout. I’ve always ridden a motorcycle, in fact I only bothered to get my car license a few years ago (and now I’m a bit spoilt with all that grocery space!).
