Finding Home in the Digital Space: A Creative's Journey at TAG

I spent the first chunk of my career doing what most designers do—chasing the perfect studio. You know the one: exposed brick, a ping pong table gathering dust in the corner, a culture that actually cares about the people behind the pixels. I worked for a handful of smaller in-person agencies, each one teaching me something valuable about craft, collaboration, and what I wanted from a creative home.

My criteria has always been simple: I wanted to work somewhere I could genuinely fit in, where I'd enjoy the people around me, and where they'd push me to be better. Yes, to create better work, but also be a better person. Ironically, I found that place 2,000 miles away, in a fully remote position at Third and Grove.

The journey before TAG

The agencies I worked for before TAG were instrumental in shaping who I am as a creative. I had Creative Directors who understood something crucial about me: I was terrified of public speaking. Not just nervous—terrified. Those early mentors were sensitive to that fear, but more importantly, they didn't let me hide in the background. They saw value in how I thought and presented ideas, even when I couldn't see it myself.

When I started looking at TAG six years ago, I was drawn to their portfolio. The work was thoughtful, strategic, and beautiful. But what really drew me in wasn't just the case studies—it was the company culture and remote work style that came through in every conversation. What I couldn't have known from a website was how much they cared about their people.

Finding connection across time zones

I felt like part of the team immediately. Rather than trying to replicate the traditional office, TAG leans into the virtual space. There are yearly retreats where we see each other's faces in 3D, but there are also virtual activities designed to build camaraderie when we can't physically gather, like cooking classes and team trivia.

More importantly, I learned that TAG doesn't just avoid hiring jerks—they actively cultivate an environment where jerks can't thrive. It's not just a policy; it's a practice. When everyone genuinely likes and respects each other, toxic behavior has nowhere to hide.

The conversations that changed everything

Early on, I had a conversation with TAG's leadership about those pesky presentation fears. Instead of the usual platitudes, I was met with understanding and genuine care. Our Creative Director has become a true mentor—someone who's invested in my growth because they actually care about who I become as a creative and as a person.

They found courses for me to enroll in concerning public speaking, strategic thinking, and alternate frameworks to work from. Through that process, I learned that most of my coworkers have their own fears and uncertainties. Sometimes you have to accept the fear and do it anyway. Knowing that other talented people I respect feel the same way changed everything.

Growing beyond the ladder

A couple of years in, I assumed the only path forward was to eventually stop making things and start managing people. After a few discussions with leadership, TAG created a custom growth plan for me to become the company's first Principal Designer.

Principal Designers aren't people managers. We grow our technical expertise, educate others, and serve as key decision-makers on projects. It's a path that honors craft while still offering growth and leadership. They saw what I wanted before I could fully articulate it, and they built a role around it. That's culture.

When culture becomes your competitive advantage

Six years of working together makes you efficient in ways that feel almost unfair. We anticipate what each other is thinking because we've collaborated on so many projects together. We know each other's strengths, quirks, and communication styles.

The real magic happens with our clients. They get the benefit of plugging into our team culture. When you genuinely enjoy working together, it shows. It's easier to push boundaries and invite clients into the creative process. Our relationship with our development team is particularly strong, built on mutual respect and trust.

More than statements

Over the past six years, I've faced personal struggles that test whether a company's core values are legit. TAG walked the walk. Their values proved to be more than statements, and when it mattered, they showed up.

What home means now

Home isn't a physical place with exposed brick and a ping pong table. Home is the people who push you to be better and the safety to be vulnerable. Home is knowing that when you lean in, even when you're terrified, there are people who will catch you if you fall.

I found that home in the digital space, connected by fiber optic cables and a genuine commitment to each other's success. If you're a creative looking for a place that will invest in your growth as much as your output, let's talk. We're always looking for talented people who care about craft and collaboration—just as long as you're not a butthead.