Catherine's presentation started off with a reminder to find inspiration, and told the story of the graphic artist Arnaud Mercier who inspired her to become a designer. In a sad twist, the co-founder of Area 17 passed away this Monday.
Dashboard is 35 unique friends who push each other, brainstorm, build ideas, share recipes, battle it out in video games, take it on the volleyball court, take breaks to KFC, have jam sessions, legendary parties and create ingenious work.
One of their main clients is ING DIRECT Canada. Check out The Money Movement, an ongoing campaign to simplify financial literacy.
Another really cool project by Dashboard is the marketing campaign for the Toronto Santa Claus Parada which was all done pro bono.
Catherine's 5 Steps to Success
1. Be a really, REALLY good designer
-employers don't care about your cool css skills, they want to see your designs
-can you make a facebook page, do you know what's possible and not possible
2. Understand (and love) technology
-get excited about the new stuff coming out and embrace the ever changing environment
3. Learn video, flash animation and social media
-being able to create video content, animation and understanding social media will give you an edge
4. Understand what user experience and information architecture are
-sets Sheridan grads apart
5. Work hard, be flexible and keep up to date!
Her advice on 5 things you should do to get a job: (stolen from Cora's Blog)
1. Be prepared
1. Be prepared
-Get your best work together in a simple easy to read format
-This could be a website or better, a PDF with your resume and samples of work with links to live websites
-Don’t make me work too hard
-Don’t fumble around in an interview
-No one will look at your resume if they don’t like your work
-Email PDF (6 pages of your best work and resume). Make all photos clickable to your website if they want to see more
-Want to see the work fast (1-2 minutes)
-Your work and your personality is the only thing that will get you a job
-Just send your work, don’t ask if you can send a portfolio.
2. Do something unusual
2. Do something unusual
-I get 5 emails a day from people who want me to look at their work
-Do something different. Draw a sketch of the Creative Director, send a hand written card, brand yourself, and make a video. Even doing something unusual in your email is worth a try. Email is too easy.
3. Follow up and don’t write long emails
3. Follow up and don’t write long emails
-Creative Directors are busier and more stressed out that you could possibly imagine. If it’s long, no one is going to have the time to read it
-If you stalk someone you’re not going to get a job. If you send gentle reminders, you’ll better your chances.
4. Show Diversity
4. Show Diversity
-Show your paintings if you come from a fine art background. If you are musician, add some links to your songs. If you do anything other than design it shows you are well rounded, interesting, and creative. Show it. It’s also a conversation starter in an interview.
5. Network
5. Network
-The easiest way to get a job is to network and build up a group of people who respect your work and work ethic
-Be nice, work hard and don’t burn bridges. It’s a SMALL industry. Go to events, take people out for coffee, get out there!
Trick – If a Creative Director won’t get you in for an interview, ask him/her to do a “portfolio review.” They may hire you based off of your personality and “fit” with the company. But remember
