Each month we shine the spotlight on the members of our team that are making the biggest difference for our subscribers. This month, we focus on Fred Brown, Liftoff’s Creative Director. Fred is an excellent resource for our team, and excels in the creative field. We can always count on him for exemplary creative content and ideas! Continue reading to learn more about Fred and the creative joy he brings to Liftoff.
Liftoff: Fred, you’ve been with us for a very long time. What’s your Liftoff origin story?
Fred: I started before the Liftoff platform existed! My journey started back at the beginning of 2013 when I was only 22. I got a job right out of college at Liftoff as Graphic Designer. I eventually became Creative Director as the company began to expand.
When I started, the Liftoff platform we know and love today wasn’t around, but its initial kernel, iCommerce, was. I remembered during my interview, Andrew Alford, our president, showed me a demo of how iCommerce could edit sites in real-time, and the platform was responsive, which was very new in 2013/late-2012. Not too long after I started, Jaron Hendrix (Product Manager) was hired, and we were both actively helping shape the face of the product. While incredibly cool, iCommerce was very rudimentary of what it was capable of. The need for a successor while retaining the concept of iCommerce is ultilmately what inspired the creation of Liftoff. In fact, it is safe to say that some of iCommerce’s original code can still be found in Liftoff! Today, I manage and maintain the brand that we all know and love as Liftoff. I still can’t believe it’s been almost a decade! Time has flown by so quickly, and the Liftoff platform has basically “grown up with me” throughout the years. Also, I’m getting old!
Liftoff: What does a day at work look like for you?
Fred: As Creative Director, I oversee and review all branding and design collateral. I design any marketing-related graphic materials, (booklets, swag, social media imagery, logos, animations, videos, and more) and I also designed and produced the site you’re reading this on right now! Sometimes I will be involved with UI design-related inquiries too, but my hands are not in that as much as they were in Liftoff’s initial stages.
Liftoff: Tell us about your favorite platform feature!
Fred: That’s an easy one for me – I like the proofing feature the best. Being able to see changes being made and implemented virtually on products is the coolest thing to me!
Liftoff: Who has been a major mentor for you throughout your career?
Fred: Andrew would easily be the best fit here. When I first started, we were learning a lot together and trying new ideas and concepts. Andrew helped me get to where I am today, and in turn, I’ve worked my hardest to make sure I can get Liftoff and its elements to look the best they can.
Liftoff: What makes you happy? What interests you?
Fred: In my spare time, I make games! I’ve been working on a small project for the past few years in my downtime. I’ve taught myself how to program and do pixel art, along with other stuff like animation and directing. I feel like all of the stuff I’ve learned, and keep learning in my hobby aids significantly in solving creative problems and working within limitations.
Liftoff: Do you have any parting thoughts for our subscribers?
Fred: Sometimes you’ll be working on something for months, possibly years, and are constantly improving upon it, and you’re not sure if anyone is noticing. But, never have any doubt that people are paying attention to what you’re doing – they are. If you work on something consistently and diligently, you’ll make something great, no matter what it is. And people will take notice. They will love you and look up to you for it.
