Lead Designer Steve Colombo hopes you’ve seen our “immensely talented” graphic design team’s work.
“You really should,” he said. “We once showed a graphic to a client that was so amazing, they went blind, because in comparison, everything else in the world was ugly and they could no longer bear to see.” *
Alongside blinding our clients (just kidding, he admitted later that it was an *unfounded and completely false statement) Steve said his agenda is filled with “cool stuff” on a daily basis.
“Day-to-day, outside of crushing my own designs for clients, I also team up with Ken, our Design Director, to review other designers’ work before delivery,” he said. “I try to be available to anyone who needs some direction with design or a program. We also have meetings to talk about cool design things that we’re working on, that we want to work on or that we think our customers should try.”
“[On the design team] we all learn from each others varied design approaches and styles. There’s never a shortage of inspiration.”
Despite working from home in Maine, he still remains a close mentor to his Boston and Chicago teammates.
“I like that no one on the team is a robot,” he said. “We’ve all seen Terminator, right? Sentient machines—no thanks. As a team of humans we all bring different skills to the group. We all learn from each others varied design approaches and styles. There’s never a shortage of inspiration.”
Learn more about Steve in our Brafton Q&A:
Q: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was really little I wanted to be the color red, because I really, really liked red. When I was in third grade I wanted to learn
how to play guitar, not just any guitar, the ELECTRIC GUITAR, and be in a band, and I just kind of gave away a question further down. I answered most of these questions in reverse order and I’m sorry.
Q: What do you think is the most important quality needed for success?
I guess that all depends how you define success. I suppose you could argue being self-aware is the most important quality overall. You can crack open the philosophy books on that one all day. I heard it also helps if your parents are rich.
Q: What do you value most in a job?
I can’t stand to be bored. Also, living in Maine, working from home is pretty valuable.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
Do you technically own your child? How does that work? I guess not, right? As far as material things, for the amount of time I spend on it, my computer should be in there, but it’s a real toss up between guitars, my ’89 VW GTI and my ’76 Harley XLCH. Those three things are pretty much what I do with my spare time. I bought my kid some tools and we work on machines together – it’s awesome.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of your job?
The diversity of topics and clients we partner with. I’m always learning something about some industry, vertical or subject matter I didn’t know existed.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My son. In his first school picture from his first year of preschool he wanted to wear two ties to be extra fancy. Couldn’t be prouder.
Q: Have any “hidden talents”?
I play guitar, I played in band for years and toured all over the place, had a video on Headbangers Ball on MTV2 once. I’m kind of (not) famous.
Q: If Brafton were a TV show, which character – from any sitcom, drama or reality show (of any time period) – would represent you?
The Greatest American Hero’s ability to land after flying. See below.
Steve’s awesome. Want to work with him? We’re hiring designers in Boston and Chicago! Check out our graphic design openings.
*unfounded and completely false statement
