Meet Madi McGinnis: Media & Digital Marketing Associate for CCG Catalyst, a consultancy serving banks, credit unions, and fintechs and partner of tech Tuesday.
Prior to CCG Catalyst, Madi worked both freelance and for a publication, focusing mainly on printed media and packaging design. Her academic background is in graphic design, and her focus has now shifted toward digital design and brand identity.
There is a growing awareness that design is crucially important, and was perhaps overlooked, in financial services. Capital One signaled this to the industry, acquiring design firms in both 2014 and 2015. Financial institutions of all sizes have learned that design is a crucial piece of the user experience. Companies that design beautiful products and superior user experiences will earn and keep loyal customers.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
How/why did you get into your space?
I’ve always been very passionate about art in all of its forms. The main reason I got into graphic design, in particular, is that I love the challenge of it. Design is constantly changing. In order to stay ahead of trends, you have to experiment with new tools and think outside of the box. It never gets boring because there’s always something new to learn!
What role do you play in the tech ecosystem and why is that role important?
Design and tech go hand-in-hand. Combining the functionality of technology with a visual aesthetic makes it more inviting for users. Design allows websites and apps to set themselves apart by establishing a unique brand identity.
How has technology impacted your industry and why is this important?
Design programs are always getting updated so that designers are able to create projects more efficiently. Photoshop, for example, has added multiple features in the past year alone that make editing images faster and easier. This is important because designers can spend less time making simple adjustments to images, and more time being creative.
What do you believe is the most exciting tech trend for 2020 (as it relates to your industry)?
Branded GIFs and short animations are becoming more and more popular, especially on social media. Companies like Google, Starbucks, and Netflix use GIFs on a regular basis to build brand association. GIFs are an easy way to capture attention online and tend to be more visually attractive than a static image.
Who is a person that inspires you in the space and why?
Daniel White, known on YouTube as Dansky, is one of my favorite graphic designers. I love his aesthetic and his ability to communicate the intention behind each of his designs. Dansky consistently puts out new content to help aspiring designers learn how to best use creative tools. When I first started designing, I drew a lot of inspiration from his work.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into your space?
Always stay up to date with what’s trending! A design that’s innovative and unique now can quickly become overdone and unoriginal. Even when using a template, try to add or change elements to help the design better reflect the brand you’re representing.
