How We Make Our MARK – A Day in the Life featuring Kylie Burst

Get to know us … even better! Learn more about what makes On The Mark the creative, dependable and client-centric organization that it is. Take a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of our team, their experiences, passions, advice and personalities! We’re excited to bring you on this journey.

First up – we caught up with Graphic Design Manager Kylie Burst. Let’s jump into it!

What does your weekly morning routine look like?

“Most mornings start with a fury, 85 lb. yellow Labrador jumping on me at 5:30 am. So, I drag myself out of bed to feed River and, if I’m lucky, I might sneak back to bed for a few extra Z’s. But, if not, I start my early morning slowly with a cup of coffee on the couch. I’m an adamant Netflix binger, so lately I’ve been re-watching Jersey Shore in the morning. I feel like it’s the adult version of morning cartoons!”

Kylie's dog River.

What are your favorite podcasts or commute inspiration?

“On the days I commute, my go-to are crime podcasts! My current favorites are Crime Junkie and Morbid. They’re both similar in that they relay accounts of true crimes and serial killers but they have a very different tone and approach. One is more conversational banter, while the other encompasses storytelling and is very factual. I’m fascinated by these real-life events. Some are active cases in the process of being solved! They captivate my interest on my drive.”

How long have you been at OTM and name one thing you love about this company?

“This was my first job fresh out of college back in 2016! So, my entire adult career as a professional graphic designer has been with On The Mark, and I have grown and evolved greatly during my time here.

At the moment, I’m loving our new office location at Bell Works in Holmdel. The environment is lively and stimulating with so much to do on my breaks, and even outside of work! Sometimes my friends will meet me here after work to grab a drink or enjoy one of the many organized activities that take place!”

What does your typical workday look like? What type of clients do you work with?

“While every day is different based on my project workload, a general workday starts by reviewing current project statuses and creating an agenda based on priorities/deadlines. In the mornings, I dive into independent work so that I can quickly get those items off my plate to then focus on my responsibilities as a manager where I oversee and provide direction to other designers on the team. As far as the types of clients, I work on cornerstone accounts for a variety of industries, including security, education and non-profits – which lends to each day being quite different!”

What are your favorite types of projects to work on?

“Anything to do with client events! Event projects are usually larger campaigns that encompass multiple types of marketing strategies from digital to print, so I get to work on a variety of different pieces that all connect with the same incorporated branding throughout. The duration of these projects is also typically quite lengthy and can span a few months or longer, so you become familiar with the intricacies of the campaign.”

How do you stay energized and focused throughout the day, especially when you hit the midday slump?

“I love music so I usually work with it playing in the background. Also, when I’m home, my dog River is my little helper in reminding me that it’s healthy and productive to take frequent short breaks by getting up and moving my body. He will put his head on my lap to let me know he wants my attention. Plus, it’s hard to not feel a boost of serotonin just from his adorableness!”

In your opinion, what is one of the most important skills for a graphic design manager to have?

“Organization. I know it sounds generic, but I truly feel at the end of the day it’s super important, especially in a managerial role. As a leader, you have a secondary set of responsibilities managing others in addition to your own day-to-day tasks, so it’s vital to prioritize your obligations so that you don’t neglect other areas of your work.”

Share with us a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?

“Working as a designer for a variety of clients also means working with a variety of differing programs and applications. Recently, an existing client leaned on us to assist with their overall CMS maintenance, including blog/campaign releases, SEO enhancements and landing page creation. Naturally, their platform was one I had never worked on before and relied heavily on back-end coding. Fortunately, I love a challenge and teaching myself new things. I took a handful of online courses that provided educational tutorials to help familiarize myself with the functionality of the site. Then, I spent time exploring the platform myself in its entirety. Overall, the transition felt seamless for both my team and the client – and now I have a new skillset to offer!”

When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

“I love live events – concerts, festivals and comedy shows. I’ve been to over ten this year already! Other than that, I spend a lot of time playing with River, trying new breweries, bowling and hanging out with friends.”

Do you have a nighttime routine?

“I like to keep it simple and unwind after work. Sometimes I’ll decompress by cleaning for 20 – 30 minutes before my boyfriend and I make dinner, followed by taking River for a walk. Now that football season is back, most of my nights will be dedicated to watching the games. Go Steelers!”

Do you have any closing advice for someone beginning their graphic design career?

“Don’t be afraid to think outside the box or explore things beyond the bounds of what you’ve been asked. Of course, you want to be cooperative and provide work that is requested but there is also a lot of value in offering your creative expertise and advice. Don’t shy away from making suggestions and showcasing your personality in your designs. It will be appreciated!”

Kylie pictured with bassist Kyle Fasel of Real Friends at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park.
BONUS! In the spirit of spooky season, we played a game of This or That with Kylie.
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