JW: So Tibor, how long have you worked at NAEA?
TS: I’ve been with NAEA around six months.
JW: And how did you become interested in graphic design?
TS: I became interested in graphic design while I was pursuing my undergraduate degree in architecture. I was required to develop and keep a visual presentation portfolio of my daily work. For each project I had a vast amount of working material. The challenging part was how to sort through the work and present the information in the most effective way, without overburdening the viewers mind, but instead guide the user along in a storytelling way from start to finish. Simplifying and focusing your message while creating hierarchy really helps to communicate visually. Graphic design elements such as color, font, proportions, regulating lines, spacing, and orientation help create an organized way of communicating your message, tactically speaking.
JW: What do you typically work on?
TS: My fixed tasks are working on the ISA Boot Camp & RAMP Camp binders, along with Mastermind booklets, at least right now. These are the main events we run on at least a quarterly basis. These events generate a great deal of value to real estate agents, no matter what level they are on, and it’s my job to make sure that everything coming out of NAEA is aligned to those goals, from the print and visual side. Most of my other work is variable and changes from day to day, and includes tear sheets, order forms, and sales slicks, among other things.
JW: Let’s talk about tear sheets. It seems like a lot of work goes into making them.
TS: We have a working template for tear sheets. We have specific directions on them, in order to add the most value to the real estate agent. My advice to any RAMP member who submits images for the tear sheets is this: really think about the message you’re wanting to convey and how you’d like to be perceived, in case your tear sheet IS your first impression; that is, in case you’re unable to first have a direct conversation with the prospective client. Your cover image may be the only thing the client sees without opening the tear sheet; and in that split second he/she may already formulate an opinion about you before you start your presentation. It is very important to me, when our RAMP members receive the tear sheet, that it provides them confidence and another powerful tool in their arsenal during their listing presentation with clients, that highlights them as an industry leader.
JW: Well, Tibor, thanks so much for your work, and for taking the time to talk with me about what you do.
