Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, is the largest health plan based in Minnesota. The six-person design team works within the corporate communications department. This team of talented designers create a variety of visual communications for internal and external customers, oversee Blue Cross' corporate identity program, and provide strategic counsel for projects and business areas.

How or when did you know you wanted to be a designer?

Kristine:  I enjoyed illustration and photography and I also enjoyed reading magazines, mostly to look at the ads. I did not know that it was graphic design that I was actually interested in though at the time.

Peter: I had job of creating all the bulletin boards, display cases and murals for my elementary school. I guess you can say that was my first job as an art director.

Laurie: When I was ten years old, I used to cut letters and silhouette shapes out of paper towels and tape them to my bedroom wall. I didn't realize I was doing graphic design until I started working for a printing company and watched what the designers there were doing.

What classes do you remember taking that were the most valuable?

Peter: Take every class you can that you think will be interesting and you will learn from. I worked in the college art gallery and I was the staff photographer for the theater department. The working experience gained was worth thousands of unearned college credits. You need to hone your skills in written and verbal presentation. In retrospect I wish I had practiced more.

Kristine: The classes most valuable in high school were art and photography. I was also on the yearbook committee and learned a lot from that.

What inspires you or how do you keep your creative juices flowing?

Kristine: I find it very helpful to keep active with AIGA because I get a lot back in return. I also find reading magazines such as Print, Communication Arts, How and others keep me updated and informed and also inspire me to see what my peers are doing and what I can be doing better.

Peter: I love to just sit, read, draw, take pictures and make things. It clears my head of my worries or preconceived ideas.

Compare your current job to others you've held in the field of design. What are the pros and cons of each?

Laurie: Working at a financially stable company means that I don't have to worry about my paycheck bouncing. But the healthcare industry is very conservative and it can be hard to do innovative work.

Kristine: My previous experience comes from working in much smaller design firms where the work was more varied and creative, but that went along with longer hours, lack of benefits and sometimes even fear of not getting paychecks on time. Working as a designer for a corporation definitely has its benefits (and I mean benefits). Insurance, family-friendly work hours and environment, stability are all big plusses for me.

What words of wisdom do you have for someone interested in graphic design?

Peter:  Learn, learn, learn. Someone once told me I would have to educate myself multiple times during my career. I haven't quit yet. I love it. It is the best feeling in the world when it all comes together, everyone is happy and the project is successful.

Kristine: Do some research online, look at agencies and their work. Meet with people in the industry to see what it's all about. It's a great place to start and even get your foot in the door.

Laurie: Try to work with other designers who are better that you so that you're constantly learning. It's much better to be a small fish in a big pond.

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