Member Spotlight: Ilene Haddad

by Samantha Furry

This month, I sat down with Ilene Haddad(aka ileenieweenie), owner of Ilene Haddad Graphic Design. She’s a regular at AWC Austin luncheons and can be spotted co-working around town or causing a ruckus (just kidding!) at #BATHH.  Sit back and take a moment to learn about our November spotlight!

AWC AUSTIN: How long have you been a member of AWC Austin?
IH: I think around two years.

AWC AUSTIN: What do you use your membership for?
IH: Education and networking are the main two. I really enjoy the speakers and learn a lot from them.

AWC AUSTIN: You have multiple career outlets. How would you best describe them?
IH: Graphic designer would definitely be number one. Other than that, perhaps I do blog a bit, but that’s more of a hobby. My husband, Bill, and I also have a business together – we collaborate on live event design and production. When a conference requires printed materials, staging elements or onscreen content; we develop the graphics, videos, PowerPoint presentations and 3-D models of the space. Bill also creates the sets and runs the show.

AWC AUSTIN: You seem to have a blast doing what you do. What brings you the most joy from your career?
IH: I enjoy working collaboratively with a team, which can range from a marketing manager or CEO to editors, writers and photographers. I would love to say I’m completely process-oriented, but I get a thrill when I deliver the final product and the client is happy. I’m really lucky that in my line of work, when I’m finished, I get a little souvenir!

AWC AUSTIN: Your business seems to gravitate towards the arts and non-profits. Is this intentional?
IH: It used to be. In the mid-90s I worked at the UT Performing Arts Center (where I met my husband) so the graphic design I did revolved around the arts. But from there, I worked at a publishing company where my work and portfolio began to revolve around educational products. Currently, however, my clients run the gamut.

AWC AUSTIN: You have an impressive background in graphic design. How did you become involved in event production?
IH: I became involved in event production through my husband. That’s really his gig, and I’m more or less behind the scenes. He’s a “techie” and I clearly am not. I know only as much as I need to for my profession and for my hobby as a social media junkie.

AWC AUSTIN: You claim you are “not a writer” and yet, you seem to write a lot through social media channels. Did you develop a passion for it after the social media boom or prior?
IH: I would say before, but I rarely wrote. I was so practical that I felt I needed a reason to write. I eventually realized I could write purely for enjoyment, and blogging served as a great outlet.

AWC AUSTIN: Speaking of blogging, tell me about your recent success with “#BlogathonATX.”
IH: Oh yes! I found I was having a hard time holding myself accountable for my blogging. I wanted to write but wasn’t making it happen, so I thought, “Well, maybe I can get someone else to hold me accountable.” I put out a tweet asking if anyone was interested in getting together for an afternoon of blogging, and all of a sudden, it got out of control. Sponsors called in to donate, and we eventually had to distribute tickets because so many people wanted to attend. The event sold out in days, and we had a considerable waiting list. People loved it and everyone got a lot of writing done except for me because I was so busy. Due to popular demand we’ve scheduled another one for this January. Maybe I’ll get some writing done this time.

AWC AUSTIN: For those of us who aren’t as technologically hip, can you describe what a blog-a-thon would entail?
IH: We kind of made it up as we went along. There were a few things that were important to me — like holding the event in a “homey” space and having LOTS of food. I wasn’t interested in formal workshops or seminars, but I did want there to be open dialogue. I invited friends who are professionals in web development, marketing and public relations to moderate free-form roundtable discussions. These were held in a separate room dedicated to conversations about content creation and other related topics. We also had a “tech room” where people could go if they needed help with technical issues or to set up their own blogs. Two larger rooms were open for blogging, and we ended the day with a happy hour and live music. It was such a nice time, and I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback.

AWC AUSTIN: For someone starting out in communications, what would be your number one tip?
IH: Ask questions. Find people who are doing what you want to do and simply ask them questions. When I was coming up in my industry, there were a lot of people who gave me opportunities, information and advice. I could not pay them back at the time because I really had nothing to offer,
so I try my best to pay it forward and pass knowledge on to designers who are just coming into theprofession.

AWC AUSTIN: You seem to truly love being and thriving in Austin. Do you have a favorite thing to do in your down time?
IH: Oh gosh, I’m kind of a homebody. I like eating, working in my garden, eating more, watching movies, etc. When I’m out in Austin I enjoy simple things like having coffee with friends or co-working at a restaurant. I love being with other creative, independent, like-minded professionals, but when I have down time I tend to hang close to home. (Some might even say I have trouble crossing the river.) During the summer I rarely leave my air-conditioned house at all. Some hibernate in the winter, I hibernate in the summer.

AWC AUSTIN: What’s your favorite lunch spot? Or is that painfully obvious, as we sit and chat in Galaxy Café?
IH: I have too many to name, but Galaxy Café, which hosts my co-working group, is definitely one of them. I also like this little spot on Oltorf called Tarbouch. The food is fabulous, and I can stuff myself silly!

Connect with Ilene: Twitter | Blog | LinkedIn