Getting Creative with Logistics | Q&A with TA’s Design Specialist – Garret Kelly

When it comes to a career in supply chain logistics, creativity is key. In logistics, it’s all about coming up with out of the box logistics design solutions to help shippers. At TA Services, we know it takes creativity to Make.Ship.Happen.® and keep supply chains running smoothly. We value those who think outside of the box and use their creativity to deliver incredible results, exceptional customer service, and an impactful message.

So, to highlight the behind-the-scenes creativity here at TA, we caught up with our Design Specialist, Garret Kelly for a Q&A about his process representing the TA Brand and Marketing Team. 

Q: When did your love of design start?

A: I’ve always been interested in converting ideas into imagery and exploring the different ways to turn a concept into something visual. At its core, design work is the manipulation of lines, shapes, and elements, to cater to a specific aesthetic: an act of creation using an artist’s mental blueprint.

Growing up, I was an aspiring artist with drawings, paintings, and music as my main mediums, but what I have realized throughout the years is: creativity translates. No matter if you’re negotiating, organizing, writing, or designing – the ability to think outside of the box for a solution is invaluable and necessary. Especially when working for a company, like TA Services, which is always looking for new ways to break the mold.

Q: How did you find yourself in the role of Design Specialist for TA Services?

A: I began my career at TA around 4 years ago as a logistics coordinator, spending two years in that role. I found creative ways within the company to apply my design talent and fulfill my artistic drive. I would photoshop fellow team members onto comic book heroes if they hit a significant milestone, alter our logos with festive flair around the holidays, or even customize TA-branded hats.

In my third year with TA, I moved to the then newly developed internal sales team and was tasked with bringing on new business and reviving dormant accounts, which in itself required a certain amount of creativity. In that role, I was also given opportunities to design customer holiday cards and TA-branded merch – most memorable, TA’s 35^th anniversary jerseys. Shortly after my move to the sales team, there was a need in our growing marketing department for help with general marketing support and specifically for design work. I quickly made the move to the marketing team!

Q: What’s the most fun project you’ve worked on?

A: It’s always fun to see my work on display and sported by fellow coworkers. Whether it’s a new shirt, some golf gear, or the latest milestone-celebrating hat – it’s nice to say, “I did that.” So, it was extra fun to help coordinate a mural honoring the great city where I work in Leeds, AL. The collaboration with the muralists to turn an image created on a computer screen into a 20 ft. tall, 70 ft. wide work of art was a pleasure and exciting to watch come to life!

Q: What’s the most challenging project you have worked on?

A: With TA’s rapid growth and extensive service offerings, it’s always a challenge to make sure we quickly and effectively communicate to TA employees and customers all the changes and updates in our vast service offerings.  We also must consistently update our website and marketing collateral. Recently, a request to create an equipment type overview for new employees quickly turned into a project that required the input of a dozen specific experts throughout TA and became the definitive transportation playbook, outlining what each mode can and cannot handle. The amount of information that needed to be gathered, verified, and turned into an easily digestible format made for a challenging—but rewarding—project.

Q: What are some of your passion projects outside of work?

A: Music has been a creative medium I’ve used since I was young. I had some moderate success as a touring musician and I still write, play, and record music every chance I get! Currently, my wife and I have been doing a folky duet thing with punk-rock roots called Red Harp. Along with our songs being available on most streaming platforms, we also perform regionally whenever possible.

Q: What do you like most about your role at TA?

A: At any given point in my role, I am in contact with people from every rank and file of the company. It’s always cool to coordinate ideas from all over the continent. The variety of requests I get from Toronto, ON to Monterrey, MX, and everywhere in between, keeps things interesting and makes it so that there’s never a dull moment!

Q: What’s the most unique design request you’ve received?

A:  I’ve designed a TA-branded flag for one of our account managers to carry across the finish line of a marathon. I also designed a puzzle using the many logo updates throughout our 36 years as a retirement gift for one of our founders. I’ve designed graphics to be printed on one of TA’s fishing enthusiast’s motorboats. And while those were all pretty unique, I think the strangest was probably when I designed a TA-branded piece of luggage.

Q: What is a typical day at TA like for you?

A: While my email numbers are nowhere near the volume they were as a logistics coordinator, the day usually begins with follow-ups and correspondence. Our social media presence on LinkedIn and Facebook requires constant upkeep and interaction. At any given point, there are open projects to work on, and I spend most days fielding the assortment of requests for all graphic design needs companywide. In addition to my normal design work duties, I make it a point to ensure the culture at TA remains strong by helping coordinate employee engagement events at our office as much as possible.

Q: In your role, how do you think you’ve helped others within TA’s organization?

A: One of my main objectives has been to give a professional, on-brand look to every project I’m involved in. My job is to convey our leadership team’s ideas throughout the organization in visual format. With our sales collateral detailing each feature of our services, our social media portraying who we are as a company in compelling and interesting posts, and with constant updates of our data and internal supporting imagery, I believe our people are more in sync than ever.

Q: Any advice for others in your line of work who are just starting on their career path?

A: It’s important to find a company that values its people and provides enough opportunities for success. Keep moving forward. If the road you are on looks like it’s ending, don’t stop. Use your creativity to make a new trail.

Ready to join a team where your creativity can come to life? Check out our career opportunities!