In today’s episode Mark interviews Allyson Brown. Ally is an Award-winning Senior Creative Director at Essence Communication. Ally has 22+ years of experience leading and developing design strategies for the brand’s identity, marketing, print, digital, video, social, and experiential. Year-round Ally research, plans, and designs for the Essence Festival.

“Creative design, when done well is a powerful tool of Storytelling” – Allyson Brown.

In this episode, we discuss:

1:15 Ally’s 12 years of experience at Essence

2:30 Ally’s background in Art

4:30 Starting out at Glamour Magazine

6:44 Storytelling and the Design process

13:30 Creating Visual Boards that evoke an emotional reaction.

14:46 Creating/building the Essence Festival Airstream—"Live Loud” Theme

19:30 Ally talks about her most memorable event & most beloved project

24:00 Useful advice on presenting three design ideas, instead of one

26:18 Essence Fashion House - Upcoming live event in September

34:05 Tips to manage deadlines and budgets

37:13 Advice for working with creatives

Additional Resources:
https://www.pantone.com/color-finder

Allyson BrownInstagram @allybees
https://www.essence.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-brown-574558a/

Mark TestaInstagram @markstephenea
https://www.markstephenagency.com
info@markstephenagency.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-stephen-design-&-production/