Welcome back to Pepper Talk, this month we have Lauren with us. Just a little background before we get started, Lauren has been with Eleven Peppers Studios for about a year and a half. She is a Communications Strategist and is a wonder with words; keep reading to find out more about this multi-faceted dynamo.

1. Do you have any nicknames?
Laur, La, Lala, Fulp.

2. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Wake up around 4:30am-5am, make all of our lunches for the day, either go back to sleep depending on how early it is or take a shower, wake my daughter up and rush around like a mad woman until we’re out the door. I have every intention of getting it all together the day before, but there is always something better to do.

3. How would you describe your design style?
Hm, well… I’m still pretty new in the design world and I’m more on the writing spectrum right now. But if I had to describe the type of design style I gravitate toward most, I would have to say anything with pretty typography (I love doing calligraphy) and the watercolors with simple design embellishments.

4. How did you get started in this industry?
I went to the University of South Carolina (GO GAMECOCKS!) and received a Broadcast Journalism degree. Being there taught me how to look for the ‘so what’ in every story which has in turn really helped me with that I’ve done in my career with Eleven Peppers.

5. What are your favorite tools of the trade? What are the worst?
Oh my goodness… I find myself going to Word Hippo a lot. If I can’t find a word or want to find a more professional word, this is my go-to. I also use the dictionary (obviously, right!?).

6. What is your favorite thing about being a designer?
When starting a new project for writing, I gather my thoughts and write/type what I know to begin with. I then pull together questions to figure out the who, what, when, where, why. I will a lot of times draft up a summary with the questions highlighted. I think it helps the point of contact to get an idea where the story is going.

7. What do you draw inspiration from?
Pinterest all the way. The only issue I have sometimes is that I like too much and wish I could use everything. Or I like their version so much that when I try to put my own spin on it, it’s just not same.

8. Rapid-Fire Round:

Caffeine or No: YES! Absolutely need!!!

Sweet or Savory: Sweet! There will be a lot of people who are not surprised whatsoever.

Favorite Movie: Pride & Prejudice

Guilty Pleasure: Fixer Upper and anything vintage farmhouse/industrial inspired.

Hobbies: Crafting

If you were a color: I would say… Emerald Green. I’ve noticed more than usual I gravitate towards a darker green.

One of your quirks: I am always doodling on papers or adding calligraphic touches to the titles on my notes. I’ve literally been doing this since the 3rd grade (at least that’s when I remember doing it more vividly).

9. Okay, admission time… If you could pick one design that you wish you had come up with first, what would it be?
I’m a fan of clever puns and I’m just not good at them. So pretty much any pun out there.

Thanks for meeting Lauren. As always, stay tuned for next month’s Pepper Talk to meet another member of our team!