Battle of the Generations

What decade did you grow up in?

Our team has come to realize that nostalgia varies wide across the office. To celebrate the diversity of “Generations,” we’re sharing our most nostalgic memories. Here’s what we had to say:

Alan

What was your favourite childhood treat or snack?
Pop from The Pop Shoppe. My great grandmother always used to have it at her home and they had a whole bunch of unique flavours. I like lime and black cherry.

When you started out in your career, what was your favourite software/tool?
I’ve always preferred Photoshop over all the other software. I enjoyed the challenge of manipulating photos to bring out the best from them. I later went on to teach Photoshop at St. Clair College.

If you could bring back one fashion trend from your teenage years, what would it be?
I’ve never been much into fashion but JNCO Jeans need to come back!

What was your favourite cartoon/tv show as a kid?
I watched a lot of cartoons as a kid. I used to love Gi Joe, Transformers and Thundercats.  But, above all those, I loved The Muppet Show.

What slang word/term from your Generation is your favourite? 
“All that and a bag of chips” was ridiculous and deserves some credit.

Jose

Favourite childhood treat or snack?
Jos Louis was absolutely my favourite snack! My parents would drop off my lunch every now and then, and it would be the best surprise at school when lunchtime came around. It would have been even better if my Dad hadn’t crushed them by putting them at the bottom of my lunches!

Favourite software/tool?
When I first started out I loved QuarkXpress because it was the perfect tool for layout and symmetrical design. Later, I fell in love with Adobe Illustrator and I’ve been a logo junkie ever since. Illustrator: always and forever.

If you could bring back one fashion trend from your teenage years, what would it be?
In the 90s I felt hip-hop hit its stride and baggy straight-legged jeans became my favourite. I wore them all the time, loving how comfortable they were paired with a fresh pair of sneakers or my Doc Martens.

Favourite cartoon/tv show as a kid?
Transformers was definitely my jam! After school, it was the best feeling to grab snacks, turn on the TV, and chill out with Transformers. Optimus Prime was my favourite character, hands down. Back then, the idea of robots transforming into other objects was just so cool!

Favourite slang word/term from your Generation?
I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but “dope” used to be my favourite slang word.  I’d say things like, “Hey, that outfit is dope!” or “That song was dope!”.

Barb

Favourite childhood treat or snack?
Warm chips from down the street. There was a small business that would give us any potato chips that weren’t perfectly formed.

Favourite software/tool?
The typewriter.

If you could bring back one fashion trend from your teenage years, what would it be?
Chesterfield coat. Poodle skirt.

Favourite cartoon/tv show as a kid?
I wasn’t allowed to watch cartoons. I watched American Bandstand when parents weren’t around.

Favourite slang word/term from your Generation?
“Groovy” and “far out”.

Jess

Favourite childhood treat or snack?
My Dad played as a musician and after Friday night gigs he would stop at Burger King. On Saturday mornings, there would always be a frozen solid Burger King chocolate milkshake for me in the freezer to eat while I watched Saturday morning cartoons.

Favourite software/tool?
I have always preferred traditional mediums, but early on I was excited to use Adobe Illustrator to neatly render illustrations.

If you could bring back one fashion trend from your teenage years, what would it be?
My pre-teen and early teen years were all about the 70s inspiration of the late 90s. I absolutely loved platform boots!

Favourite cartoon/tv show as a kid?
There are so many contenders… sigh. The Super Mario Brothers Super Show. Final answer.

Favourite slang word/term from your Generation?
“Booyah!” is one I still say when I’ve accomplished something. I don’t even know what it means.

Ryan

Favourite childhood treat or snack?
Let’s dive into the late 80s and early 90s. For me, hands down, my favourite after school snacks were Dunkaroos, Gushers, and Soda-Licious. Back then there were no such things as “healthy snacks for kids” the way they market them now.

Favourite software/tool?
I’ve always been an After Effects guy. It was intimidating while I was in school but at one point something just clicked and it became something I pushed myself to learn and excel at. Now I jump at every opportunity to work on a motion graphics project.

If you could bring back one fashion trend from your teenage years, what would it be?
Oh man. I was a teenager in the early 2000s so we’re talking about an era of trucker hats, cargo pants, seashell necklaces and frosted tips. But I would bring back the long sleeve t-shirt worn under a short sleeve t-shirt. Maybe the pair of extra-wide bootcut jeans and studded belt that I most definitely rocked everyday in high school. You couldn’t even tell I was wearing shoes.

Favourite cartoon/tv show as a kid?
Batman the Animated Series was always stellar. The great thing about it is that I watch it now with my kids and they love it. But also the Saturday morning staples that were so classic like The Real Ghostbusters (my kids also love it now), Inspector Gadget, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and C.O.P.S. (not the awful reality show, I’m talking the short-lived 1988 cartoon Central Organization of Police Specialists). In choosing a favourite beyond the shadow of a doubt: The Muppet Show.

Favourite slang word/term from your Generation?
So many to choose from! “Talk to the hand”, “whatever”, “oh snap”, and “aight?”… but let’s be honest, I was obsessed with SNL’s Wayne’s World and the subsequent movies, so for me, it’s “Not!”

Emma

Favourite childhood treat or snack?
Dunkaroos are the snack that I remember most fondly. One day, I’ll make a homemade batch.

Favourite software/tool?
My early career wasn’t really very exciting to be honest. Lots of typing, so I guess you could say that my keyboard was my favourite tool.

If you could bring back one fashion trend from your teenage years, what would it be?
I just about missed the Y2K era by the time I hit my teens, but anything that bled over from that. Velour tracksuits were cool, especially the ones that said ANGEL on the butt.

Favourite cartoon/tv show as a kid?
I loved watching cartoons with my sister as a kid. SpongeBob SquarePants might have been my favourite. I want to see the musical when it comes to Windsor!

Favourite slang word/term from your Generation?
Oh man. I really don’t like slang generally. I like emoticons if that counts :3c

Anna

Favourite childhood treat or snack?
I’ve always been a fan of KitKat chocolate bars because I’ll never say no to chocolate!

Favourite software/tool?
When I was beginning my design journey—and to this day—Illustrator is my go-to Adobe software. There’s something about the flexibility, clean lines and creativity that I always gravitate toward.

If you could bring back one fashion trend from your teenage years, what would it be?
Ooo! I’d have to say the shoes when Converse was huge a few years back. Such a staple in every collection!

Favourite cartoon/tv show as a kid?
My favourite TV show as a kid was the Disney show Good Luck Charlie; my sister and I watched it a lot when we were little. 

Favourite slang word/term from your Generation?
I still say the words: bestie, era, and extra. I use them often and especially with my friends and sister!