Tools of the Trade is an AgencySpy feature to help highlight the many tools that help make advertising and marketing folks successful. The tools can be anything that helps people perform at their top form, from a favorite drafting table to the best software program to a lucky pen, a vintage typewriter or a pair of headphones.
Next up is Fernanda Canellas, design director at Siegel+Gale.
Fernanda Canellas works with her beloved Wacom mini.
What is one tool you use all the time at work?
My inseparable Wacom mini.
Why is it your favorite?
I absolutely love my Wacom mini because it feels like an extension of my hand. Even a simple page scroll gives me that constant drawing sensation. It gives me the freedom to sketch logos more organically and comes in handy for intricate tasks like selecting elements and adjusting vector points. It’s truly a marvelous tool that sparks my creativity. Honestly, when I have to work with a mouse, my coordination goes out the window; it doesn’t feel right.
How did you acquire your tool or hear about it for the first time?
You won’t believe it, but I discovered this gem late in life. It’s quite amusing that none of my friends in school were using it, so I had no clue about its existence. It wasn’t until I started my first job and spotted this super cool and experienced designer using it that I got intrigued. I thought to myself, “Hey, that looks pretty cool! I want to try it and be cool, too.” Little did I know, this tool wasn’t about trying to be cool—it’s just downright amazing and turbocharges my productivity to the max.
How does it help you be successful?
Using a pen instead of a mouse feels incredibly natural to me. I’ve always had an inclination for hands-on activities—not that the mouse can’t deliver that experience—but this tablet senses the pressure of my hand and offers superior precision. Since I’ve used this tool for over 10 years, returning to a mouse would undeniably put the brakes on my workflow. It’s like trying to ride a bicycle after zooming around in a sports car.
Does it have sentimental value?
Absolutely. It’s a full-blown love story, no doubt about it. I simply can’t function without it. Even when I am casually surfing the web and not engaged in work, I still prefer to navigate using this marvelous tool. It has become an inseparable part of my life.
Do you think your tool could go TikTok viral? Why or why not?
Let me tell you, this tool is about to go viral in a big way. Many rookies out there might feel intimidated, thinking it’s only for advanced illustrators. But when they see me rocking it, creating mind-blowing presentation decks, design systems, and even slaying the art of writing emails, they’ll say, “Holy guacamole, I need one of those.” I predict a wave of Wacom mini enthusiasts coming our way, ready to unleash their inner creativity.
We want to know what tools you use to make you successful. If you’d like to contribute or know someone who would want to be featured in Tools of the Trade, contact kyle.obrien@adweek.com and fill out our survey.