Brian White is the CEO of TriLion Studios. Brian is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Brian provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of TriLion Studios. Brian White joins other leading CEOs and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team has recently awarded TriLion Studios with our Impact Company of 2019 award. We are delighted to have Brian join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Brian, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day for this interview about your company, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
1. Brian, please tell us about TriLion Studios.
This is our motto: FIERCELY CREATIVE. PROUDLY DEPENDABLE. SURPRISINGLY NIMBLE.sm
I wanted the group of talented designers and developers I put together to be:
- Fiercely Creative. We want all our design to be top-notch and stand out from the crowd. Collaborative but fiercely striving to do better and learn something from each job. Building on skills.
- Proudly Dependable. If we say we will do it, we will do it. Being a rock and foundation for companies that need to rely on us. Granted we push back and ask for schedules, but will do our best to serve you to the best of our ability and time.
- Surprisingly Nimble. Our focus is User Interface Design, Branding (Logo Design and more), and Web Design. We are extremely versatile and can do much more than what we say. Full identity build-outs, exterior sign design, way-fair signage, interaction, applications, 150 stage designs for annual conferences, billboards, menus, commercials, etc. If you can think of it we can do it. We just finished a new 3d fan video for translucent products that spin for trade-shows!
2. How did you come up with the idea for TriLion Studios?
Heres a full write up on the breakdown of the logo. https://www.trilionstudios.com/the-trilion-logo/ The idea for the company came about where I wanted to be able to do larger jobs and control the group of developers and designers that were on the job vs just myself.
3. What is the key to your companys success?
Treating the clients the way we would want to be treated. Respectful, on time, and honest.
4. Many of our readers are just starting to build a company. What advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?
Dont try to do too much too fast. Try and do a little every week and build off that time. Instead of bursts of weeks of work, do a few hours per week on building your brand, and the results will be more solid after a few months.
5. For other entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?
Prayer, and listening. Reach out to people you know and dont be afraid to tell people you need work. Everyone has a slow time, it’s what you do in that time that matters the other quarters.
6. How do you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
Treat them well enough that they become friends. Ask them about their day, their life, their family. Know how they tick and what their appreciation language is.
7. In todays fast changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?
Filter what you see by switching magazines every year, or pulling in new web sites. By switching you are broadening your view, and limiting the firehose of information. Be willing to drop your phone down at any moment and talk over coffee. Just thinking – really sinking into thought processes on a walk, shower, (or disc golfing) can produce something fresh and exciting.
8. What is your Why? Why do you get up in the morning, and how do you keep yourself at peak performance to lead TriLion Studios?
My family and my faith are huge drivers for me to do what I do. Also motivation to learn and get better each time I work. Even as a CEO I want to keep my foot in the design world and test and see what is and isnt working today. Im always learning new programs or how to do something differently. I had used photoshop for web design since 1999 up until 2017. I switched to sketch, which was hard but it freed me to duplicate processes faster and focus more on the layout and design. I switched to figma a couple years ago in January and havent looked back due to the speed, reliability, and team collaboration. Its incredible how you can quickly and efficiently build with this program. XD is now starting to take elements from figma and get more bells and whistles to make it more usable with UX/UI web work.
9. Can you recommend a book that has had an influence in your career? How did it influence you?
Von Glitschka is a great illustrator and a friend. He wrote a book called Vector Basic Training that helps direct your movements with vector objects and correlates it with clock hand positioning. Since Im a visual learner it really helps me understand why some logos / marks are great, and what the difference is. Also Logo Font and Lettering Bible by Leslie Cabarga was a great source of information and guide to design and understanding the breakdown of the alphabet in design. And Josef Mller-Brockmann by Kerry William Purcell, helped me understand the grid system and why it works using the Golden Ratio and balance in design. Also understanding when and why to break the grid system which is important.
10. What makes a great leader?
Someone who is humble enough to admit they are wrong and learn from others, yet be strong and hold fast for the things that matter. Being truthful and honest which makes you trustful.
Brian White, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We very much appreciate the time you spent helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course TriLion Studios, nothing but the best.
Thanks again!
