We asked Adam Smith, of Advent Creative in Logan, Utah to sit down for a “Five With” interview and he graciously accepted. We’ve known Adam for a long time and wanted to catch up with what he’s been doing since he returned from Thailand a couple years ago.

CVN: Adam, what do you do at Advent Creative?

Adam: I am a founder and creative director of our firm. We have four killer teams of creative hooligans at Advent, namely AdventBranding, AdventOnline, AdventVideo and AdventDesign. I try and ensure every project is executed properly and fluidly. The rest of my time is spent developing some of the print and web design for our clients.

CVN: Tell us about yourself and your background – how did you get where you are?

Adam: I have a degree in graphic design. I’ve always had the “entrepreneurial itch.” My tolerance for corporate bureaucracy is thin, and my innate desire to “stick it to the man” drove me to immediate self-employment after schooling.  I started a web agency while living in Thailand and opened an office in Logan when I returned. My agency merged in 2007 with Timeline Films, a video production company, to form Advent Creative.

CVN: What have been some of the toughest challenges you’ve had to deal with?

Adam: Running a business is very challenging (and very rewarding). For a branding firm like mine, the top 3 challenges are:

1. Client relations and agreements. The key to a successful relationship with a client is to set and manage expectations properly. You mess that one up and they’re out the door.
2. Project execution. Nothing is more exciting than starting on a new project. The creative juices are flowing and the conceptual stages are full of exploration and experimentation. But once this “honeymoon” stage is over, it’s time to execute and complete the project. This is often what gets creative types in trouble. Follow-through is key.
3. Creativity vs. Productivity. The balance between creativity and productivity in our industry is a constant struggle. There is a critical need for inter-office creative collaboration – but it’s very easy to lose focus and spend hours conjuring concepts to no end. Business demands productivity, innovation requires creative freedom. The two must coexist to succeed.

CVN: What inspires you?

Adam: I’ve always had a passion for art and its ability to evoke powerful emotions with the simple use of color and symbols. Communication is the foundation of progress as humans … what better career to pursue than one that allows experimental, aesthetic interaction.

CVN: What are your goals for the future?

Adam: One of our mantras as a company is “If I become successful and those who got me there aren’t also successful, then I’ve failed.” My goal is to build a company that promotes innovation, creativity and success. Not just a company providing financial success, but one promoting forward thinking that will empower our employees and benefit our community.

CacheValleyNews.com would like to thank Adam for giving us a look into his world and giving Cache Valley readers some insight into a local business, Advent Creative.