Megan Palicki

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, C|CHANGE, INC., CHICAGO IL

For over 15 years, Megan Palicki has expertly translated business needs into creative outcomes for brands including celebrity entertainment personalities (Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres) and Fortune 500 companies (Grainger, MasterCard, Harley-Davidson, Allstate, Disney). From directing creative work to content development and marketing for brands – nothing is off limits, including interior design. Her passion, and where she thrives, is strategically developing brands and helping them tell cohesive stories through print, animation, web, social, marketing, interior design, and everything in between. Today, as Creative Director at c|change, she spends her days balancing the corporate creative world with being a mom of two crazy boys – imagine how fun art time is!

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Rockford IL and I have lived in Chicago for the last 19 years.

DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I graduated from DePaul University with a BFA in Graphic Design

LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
If I have to choose one, night owl.

FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Winnie the Pooh

ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I played the piano growing up, but I could likely only play Twinkle, Twinkle now

FAVORITE BOOK?
Beautiful Oops!

FAVORITE MOVIE?
I tend not to watch movies twice, I like to try to figure out the ending.

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Facebook, but I’d like it to be Instagram

FAVORITE PODCAST?
The Crazy One, creativity | leadership | innovation

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
All of them. Banksy has intrigued me most.

FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
Any that help less fortunate kids.

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Spending time with my kids and interior design.

COLLECT ANYTHING?
Ideas

WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
I would have to say AR/VR/XR. The digital and dimensional realm in general.

DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
There are many. Most recently, Stephen Gates stands out as someone I resonate in leadership and honesty.

GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Perfectionism

ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Don’t just make it look pretty. Make sure you’re solving a problem, not just vetting a solution.

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
An Interior Designer. Does that count? If not, a business owner in a creative field.

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“What is the problem to be solved? Well begun is half done.”

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