Archive for the ‘Blog Thoughts’ Category

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Company culture. What does that even mean?

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Statistically only about 10% of folks can be quoted as being happy with their job.  Yikes!  That leaves another 90% that would really rather work somewhere else.  What’s up with that, you ask?  And don’t jump to conclusions, for the most part, it’s not salary related.  Gasp!

Well, if the desire isn’t more money, what else is there?   A couple of things actually, all relating to (you guessed it) company culture. So listen up ye managers of unhappy, grumpy folk.  If you’re running a company and continue to see new, strange, and often terrified faces everyday… you, sir, may have a revolving door on your hands.  Here are a couple of things you could work on to improve your internal company culture and cease the flapping of the exit door.

Probably one of the biggest complaints people make about their job is:  MY BOSS IS A DOPE.  (Well, maybe the language has been sweetened a bit, but you get the gist.)   If you are, or you have a boss that is: never in the office, does not respect you, acts holier than thou, and operates under the slogan “do what I say, not as I do” (Think: gone Monday thru Thursday shooting for birdie, and in on Friday until noon to check for full time cards) this is the problem.  And no, not all bosses suck.  But it can cause huge respect issues, in turn impacting productivity and efficiency.

A boss who’s attempting to foster positive company culture should encourage employees to share their thoughts freely.  This “good ideas can come from anyone” attitude creates an open-door, motivating, and collaborative atmosphere.  This equals happy people that won’t jump ship on a whim.  Hell, they may even come up with the next big idea!

Another fatal company flaw that often times spurs employee exodus is: THERE’S NO ROOM FOR ADVANCEMENT.  Granted, some small companies can’t keep promoting its 6 employees, otherwise it would end up with 6 directors of something and 0 doers of anything.  So, obviously this “advancement” doesn’t always have to equal “job promotion.”  It could mean educational opportunities or even growth within a position, like added responsibilities. If people stay engaged and interested in their work, the more likely they are to be… well… engaged and interested in the advancement of the company as a whole.  Phew… good point. (more…)

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Posted in Advertising, Blog Thoughts, Design, Industry News | 1 Comment »

Skirt the New Grad Catch 22

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Party ends, caps with tassels fly, dorm is packed up, and resumes are distributed, on to the bigger and better!  After school, the next step for most grads is the grand job (or should I say “career”) search.

For many, however, this is not the simple transition your professors railed on about.

If you’ve been looking for work since graduation in spring, you’ve most likely read a job description or two.  Your heart probably skipped a beat when you read “Entry Level Designer” in the header.  As you read and the requirements seem as if they were copied directly from your resume, your brain simultaneously scans your closet inventory searching for that “first day” outfit you KNOW you’re going to need after applying to this job.  Then the last line quotes:  “2 years experience required.”  Dagger.

We’ve all been there.  The moment you read that line and think to yourself, “How the hell can ‘entry level’ be for someone who has already ‘entered’ something for 2 years?”  It’s the classic need to work to get experience but need experience to get work.

It’s a frustrating Catch 22 that sticks you squarely between “needing experience” yet not being allowed the “opportunity” to gain those essential years.

Well, it’s not going to be easy but here are some tips for getting experience without being handed opportunity.

Freelance

Easier said than done. Yes, I know.  But it’s possible.  You may need to take gigs that aren’t “sexy” OR that don’t pay much, if at all!  See our previous blog for the lowdown on this.

Intern

Same goes here.  You may work for free for a bit.  But c’mon, weren’t you just a college student? Aren’t they all broke?  What’s another couple of months of ONLY happy hour Pabst?  Truly though, lots of companies do take at least one intern a summer and lots of them will pay you a little.  The key to this is starting your search early.  If you’ve hit graduation already… you may be too late.

(more…)

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Posted in Blog Thoughts, Design | No Comments »

From the Woods.. to the Tall Grass

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

By Ashley ‘Findley’ Diehl, 52LTD PDX

The recession is over!! Right?  Uh…well, I guess that kinda depends.

IF you’re highly connected designer, WITH a killer (and I’m talkin’ “holy shit that’s insanely awesome”) book/site, AND you are well versed in something digital (e.g. Mobile Apps, websites, etc.) you are probably feeling a fair upswing.

HOWEVER, for the new grad, the newly relocated, or those otherwise without ALL three aforementioned qualities, you are probably still wildly wielding your machete to maintain a slight view out of the woods.

Well folks, this isn’t a Get-The-Answers-to-Finding-Your-Perfect-Gig-Post.  In fact if you see one of those…it’s probably loaded with a bunch of cockamamie information that doesn’t really apply to you 100%.  You see, and this is going to be profound so you may consider employing some advance jaw support in case of abrupt droppage: everyone’s situation is different.  Whoa… huh.

So, you ask, if you’re not offering the holy grail of Job-Acquiring-Advice, then what the hell is the point?

Answer: The one thing all ye of the struggling design class do have in common is you do plan to eventually leave your filler job at “Cuppa Joe” or “Jiggles” (a specialty Jello mold shop, of course) to return to your design career.  So… you need to stay sharp!

(more…)

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Resume Re-do?

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Here at 52 Limited, we see a lot of resumes.   Many of them very well done… some over done… and some a tad too vanilla.

You’re a creative right?  Well, look like it.

The hard part is: what does a good “creative” resume look like?  Tough to say.  Here’s a blog post that spells it out, both with examples as well as with some top tips and tricks.

Enjoy!

________________________________________________________________________________________

Cavan Riley

F. Claire Scroggins

Sebastien Nikolaou

________________________________________________________________________________________

Also.. here are some tips to create by.  I’m a huge fan of #7 and #9.

1. If the job you are applying to has resume requirements, follow them. Even if it means keeping a Word version of your resume for such occasions.

Our two cents… or I guess better stated: “52-cents,” get it?: It’s totally OK to have multiple copies of your resume.  In fact some folks who have a very multifaceted background are encouraged to keep a somewhat modular resume where sections can be moved, arranged, or omitted depending on what sort of job requirements the opening or company prefers.

2. Typography is key. This is your potential employer’s first chance to judge your design skills, and almost all design includes some form of type. You are expected to refine and perfect your text layout on your resume just as you would a design for a client.

3. Organization is also key. If people can’t find your information, they won’t be calling you. Some design positions bring in hundreds of resumes daily. There is no time to search for information.

(more…)

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Client vs. Designer: The Missing Feline Poster

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Reposted by Ashley Diehl, account manager 52 PDX  (Thanks Malia)

This post was recently forwarded to me by a friend.  She thought since 52 works and places folks in the advertising, marketing, design field it may strike a chord with us.  Generally I don’t take the time to read through longer forwards, but I did spend 5 minutes on this one… it proved absolutely worth my time.  If you’re in this field, and have ever had to deal with a difficult client or designer, it’ll be worth yours too.

Warning: If you’re prone to spontaneous weeping when forced to laugh hysterically,  you may consider scooting the Puffs Plus box to an arm’s length before beginning.

Here Goes:

_______________________________________________________________________________________
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

________________________________________________________________________________________

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone… possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out “Shannon, where are you?” Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.

________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

(more…)

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Posted in Advertising, Design | 1 Comment »

We Won’t Do it, And Here’s Why

Monday, June 21st, 2010

More on the “Unemployed Need Not Apply” Mess.

By Sara Davey-Schmidt, senior account manager 52 PDX

In an employment economy where there is a disproportionate amount of talent to opportunities available, a trend of vetting candidates by reasons-not-to-hire, rather than reasons-to-hire, starts to become the method for qualifying the shit-tons of resumes that come pouring in at every mention of possible work.  It’s a tempting approach!  That behemoth pile dwindles a lot faster when you can disqualify resumes as soon as you see an end-date on their last position.

Even though the status of “unemployed” doesn’t fall under any law enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the same logic for anti-discrimination should apply. To avoid any perception of discrimination, effective Senior Recruiters tend to develop a habit of thinking less about what they shouldn’t be asking and more about discovering the relevant qualifications of each candidate.  Thus assessing the candidate’s cultural fit and career motivations. This is the most cogent practice for avoiding dangerous discrimination territory, as well as the most effective practice for revealing the most qualified candidate–how convenient!

How relevant is it that a candidate is unemployed? In the fast-paced world of technology, it might matter. In the ever changing world of compliance, it might matter. For the creative class however, where you can keep skills sharp through trade and pro-bono or pro-rata work, the quality of your work matters. Your attitude matters. Your motivations matter. Your professional goals matter.

Apart from “Unemployed Need Not Apply” being a lousy hiring practice, the greatest damage it really does is to the employment brand. There is a seismic shift in attitudes about and patterns of work in the economy from the early 1950s era of William Whyte’s The Organization Man to today’s worker. It’s acceptable and common to see people shifting employers every 3-7 years, and then there’s the rise of the free agents. In fact, as Daniel Pink reveals in Free Agent Nation, over 25 million Americans are now self-employed, and fewer than one in ten works for a Fortune 500 company.

(more…)

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Doughnut Day, Turkey Lovers Month, Iced Tea Day, and Internet Week

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

There seems to be a day, week, or month for everything.  If you look up Obscure Holidays, you’re Google-ometer will read off the charts.  Thankfully not all of them are completely worthless.

This week in NYC, 52 LTD is attending Internet week.  Internet week is a festival of events celebrating NYC’s thriving internet industry and community.

Check out Internet Week’s Happenings

Located at Metropolitan Pavilion, Internet Week HQ features two main areas: Interactive Playground of 12,000 square feet of exposition space. This space will be both a place for attendees to meet, greet, and get a little work done, as well as hosting arts, technology, media and entertainment exhibitions and social events.

Topics range from Custom Silverlight controls, to a day dedicated to “IAmEffed.”  All this and more.. including parties galore scattered throughout various venues across Manhattan.

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Posted in Advertising, Blog Thoughts, Design, Events, Industry News, Media, Technology | No Comments »

Epic.

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Watch it here:  Nike Football, Write the Future.

Those who are not Football (or Soccer, as most folks in in the US of A tend to call it) fans yet…  here’s a brief glimpse into the passion that exists for this sport.  This is an amazing spot that really lays out the love of the sport for us laypeople, through the eyes of those all over the world that live and breathe football.

The folks at Motionographer.com write:

“Although this film has only been bouncing around for about 24 hours, it’s already been garnering claims of one of the most epic spots of all time. This World Cup Anthem features Drogba, Cannavaro, Ribery, Rooney, Walcott and Christiano Ronaldo who even cameos in a Simpsons episode within the spot. Who else to bring it to you but Nike and the folks at W+K Amsterdam who brought in the heavy hitting leadership of Alejandro G. Iñarritu (Amores Perros, 21 Grams and Babel) to direct.

Since the birth of the swoosh, Nike has always been about the big and simple idea. As they’ve evolved, the executions may have become more elaborate, but the ideas have remained universal and pure. This spot is no exception. W+K Amsterdam examines the phenomenon of single moments changing the world. In sports, these moments literally resonate through the hearts, eyes and minds of millions in a single moment.”

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Smarter, by Design

Friday, June 4th, 2010

IDEO’s David Kelley helped design products like the first computer mouse and the first laptop. Next? Reinventing innovation.

James Leynse / Corbis

There was a time when it looked as if David Kelley’s design career might have been summed up in two words: “Lavatory Occupied.”

Kelley, then a fresh grad from Carnegie Mellon, was working for aviation giant Boeing when he helped design the bathroom sign that went into 747s. “I spent six months on that,” recalls Kelley, now 59. “I had a narrow role. I wanted the ability to come up with solutions that were new to the world and to see them have an impact.”

Kelley, now chairman of IDEO, one of the country’s best-known design firms, has come a long way toward that goal, designing scores of wildly successful products. Even before cofounding IDEO, he helped create the first computer mouse for Apple. (The prototype was crafted using the roller ball from a deodorant dispenser and a butter dish.) IDEO later created the first laptop (for Grid Systems) and the first portable defibrillator. The company is responsible for such contemporary creations as the Palm V handheld organizer and the stand-up toothpaste tube. Current customers include Samsung, the Mayo Clinic, and HBO. (more…)

Posted in Design, Uncategorized | No Comments »

The New Helvetica

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Thanks to Leighann Franson for writing this up!

Over the past year, I’ve heard the same response uttered from new clients across various industries, “We want the voice to be real, honest, succinct. No Bullshit.” Of course, this always leads to the conclusion that, in the past, copywriters have been asked to be deliberately deceitful, overly ostentatious, and painfully longwinded. Whatever your assumption, this growing response begs the question—could this be the beginning of a new trend?

Of course, this burgeoning tonal style is an attempt to capture the next generation of consumers. Call them Gen Y or Gen Next, these digital natives grew up online. On top of their keen perception and fleeting attention span, they know how to move fast and process things quickly. They’ve developed a massive BS detector that enables them to sift through the glutton of marketing messages that screams at them from every medium. So if we want them to hear our message over the din of puns, cheeky clichés, and cumbersome adjectives, we’ve got to make it real. Drop the superfluous language or, like a blood hound, they’ll sniff out our crappy metaphors before we’ve even finished writing the sentence.

As a writer, I find this candid approach quite refreshing. I get it. In fact, I welcome it. It requires me to strip the language down to the bare essentials. Be less formal and more conversational. With even shorter fragments. And quicker wit. It requires creativity and math skills in order to fit five major copy points into a 135-character space or ten seconds of air time.

My husband, a freelance graphic designer, describes this trend well. He said, “this simple, uncomplicated approach is the Helvetica for copywriting. It’s so neutral and unobtrusive that it’s a style unto itself.” Perhaps he’s right. This is the new Helvetica for a generation of kids who are smarter, quicker, and faster. It’s a trendy BS filter for an era that demands transparency and truth. Of course, trends come and go. I wonder how long this one will stick around.

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