Wripple is filled with exceptional professionals whose diverse experiences fuel creativity and impact. Their commitment is what makes our community special. This month, we’re thrilled to spotlight Joseph Correa, Art Director/Multimedia Specialist.

‍

1. What do you love most about your work?

What I love most about my work is that there is always room to learn and to grow. I've been crafting unique brands and creative branded content for a long time, and the most important lesson I've learned and continue to learn is that the second you stop seeing yourself as a student of your field, you start to stagnate. I'm lucky to be in a field that's incredibly diverse and constantly shifting, and half the fun is getting to wake up knowing I'm going to learn something new.

2. Why are you so awesome at your job?

I feel as though my passion for the work and my desire to continue bettering myself are what make me a true asset to any team, agency, brand, or project I'm working on. I love good art and I love learning how to make it better. It's because of the unique creative skillset I've honed over more than a decade of diverse creative work that I've become as good as I am at what I do, but I love more than anything knowing that there's always more to learn.

3. What was your favorite client project and why?

I love projects that allow me to connect with people. I'm a firm believer that authenticity is the rare, secret ingredient that so much creative and branded content is missing. Recently, I was collaborating with a local agency to create some social media content for Advent Health. We were creating Mother's Day content that involved interviewing various NICU staff and specialists, including doctors, nurses, and midwives. A few generous new mothers allowed us to film some B-roll of them and their newborns. Since we were able to finish ahead of schedule and I already had a professional DSLR and a lighting package on me, I was able to give the mothers a quick newborn photoshoot as a thank you. Being able to use my creativity to connect with someone during such a monumental life event is why this job can sometimes be truly magical.

4. What are the top 2–3 ingredients for a team being successful on a project?

1) Leave your ego at the door and think like a student. There's nothing wrong with knowing your strengths, so long as you know and understand your weaknesses as well. It's within this balance that you'll be able to collaborate effectively and make creative work that truly shines. Reminding yourself that it's not only okay to still be learning, but it's actually the entire reason we do what we do, goes a long way.

2) Surround yourself with people smarter than you. If you're the smartest person in the room (or even if you just believe yourself to be the smartest person in the room), you're doomed to stagnation. You want to be surrounded by people who force you to grow and learn, and this is especially true when it comes to creating and working on a team.

3) Proactive communication. Getting on the same page, being proactive about clearing up miscommunications, and listening with purpose is truly 90% of effective collaboration. Have the conversation, speak up if you're confused, and ensure that everyone is on the same page as early as possible to minimize blockers later on!

5. Is there anything else you’d like to share? ‍

I'm a jack of all trades both creatively and in my personal life when it comes to hobbies and passions. When I'm not crafting brands or producing creative content, you can usually find me working on my Dungeons & Dragons campaign, practicing guitar, futzing with my 3d printer, playing a way-too-complicated board game with some friends, or far too invested in the most recent episode of Below Deck Mediterranean!