Tools of the Trade is an AgencySpy feature to help highlight the many tools that help make advertising and marketing folks successful. The tools can be anything that helps you perform at your top form, from your favorite drafting table to your best software program to a lucky pen, a vintage typewriter or a pair of headphones.
Next up is Doug Dimon, svp, group creative director at digital strategy agency Definition 6.
Doug Dimon of Definition 6 shows off a pair of his high-top sneakers.
What is one tool you use all the time at work, and how does it inspire your work?
My collection of high-tops. I have an embarrassingly sizable collection of non-fashion high-tops (read: off-brand and cheap) and putting them on is the first creative decision I make every day. As an svp, group creative director, most of my contribution is finding ways to inspire my team to push their creativity. I’m not going to say my sometimes-questionable-but-always-interesting choice in footwear does that, but it does embody the way in which I view creative. I believe good creative is a combination of great design and good decisions wrapped in simple functionality… and if you get too in your head or serious about it, you are likely to fail.
Why is it your favorite?
While not a tool in a traditional sense, my footwear lets me start each day with a moment of self expression that helps to kickstart my creative mind. They are always with me, so just looking at my feet makes me smile and refocuses my mind on design versus the million distractions caused by running a creative organization.
How did you acquire this tool?
I was born with feet and the rest just happened organically.
How does it help you be successful?
I treat my team as peers and I think wearing dodgy high-tops keeps me from being too full of myself.
Do you think your tool could go TikTok viral?
It’s kind of ridiculous… so, maybe?
We want to know what tools you use to make you successful. If you’d like to contribute or know someone who would want to be featured in Tools of the Trade, contact kyle.obrien@adweek.com and fill out our survey.