January 23, 2019
BBW MEMBER INTERVIEW WITH: Niki Blaker, owner + design strategist of Five Sigma Studio
What is your name and occupation?
Niki Blaker, owner + design strategist of Five Sigma Studio
What is your instagram handle?
@nikiblaker
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
I'm originally from Maryland - where I grew up and went to school. I moved to Phoenix, AZ for in 2004 and stayed there for 10 years, and it's where I met my husband! I was really missing the east coast and my husband was up for an adventure, so we visited Boston and fell in love with it here. We traded in a house in the Phoenix suburbs for a tiny apartment and no cars to live up city life in Boston. We absolutely love it!
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
Design is my absolute passion. I enjoy taking a strategic approach to solving user experience and design problems by combining collaboration and in-depth research to create meaningful brand strategies and design experiences. I've worked as an Art Director at both ad agencies and boutique UX firms, where my clients included Goodyear Tire, Honeywell, CBS, and JDA. I've received ADDY awards for my work and was recognized as one of Phoenix’s Top 100 Creatives by the Phoenix New Times and Graphic Design USA's 2017 list of Designers to Watch. I served on the AIGA National Board as the Presidents Council Chair, am the President Emeritus of AIGA Arizona, and was the Phoenix Design Week director for 2 years.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
That I take a thoughtful approach to their work and am very good at working with them to help come up with the best design solutions.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Learning how to explain and sell your solutions is even more important than coming up with one. I should take the time to learn and speak my clients' lingo.
What is your favorite book?
Currently - anything by Stephen King
What is your secret weapon? An app, a tool, a organization method, anything?! (Can be a personal or professional life tool)
Meditation! It's been an incredible aid in keeping me focused and staying positive.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don't second guess yourself! Trust your gut.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I'm the daughter of Greek immigrants and the first one in my family born in the U.S. I'm a huge fan of 80s music, video games (I've played every Tomb Raider game in the franchise), and horror films!
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