Taxi

Stephen Coomber, Interactive Designer from TAXI came in on 

March 25th, 2011.

About Taxi:

-All began of 4 individuals at a cab.

-Creative minded , different, work you to the bone, 

cutting edge and award-winning designs.

-Current clients: 

1. Canadian Tire: spring launch, new campaign direction.

2.Boston Pizza

3. West Jet

4. Telus: touch concepts, ideas are always changed

Address: 495 Wellington Street West, 

Suite 102Toronto, On M5V 1E9

Tel.: 416 342 8294 

About Stephen Coomber:

-Began at Organic as a Junior Designer

-After, at Taxi

-Both are two different environments with different approaches and styles. 

-Did flash animation, transitioned to conceptual concepts and photoshop (design

before it gets animated. 

Contact Info.: 

email: stephen.cioomber@taxi.ca

tel.: 416 342 8294 x424

cell: 416 979 7626

He gave us a very informative lecture:

-Social: Know your guest speakers and companies, narrows down your fit. 

eg.: Y & R: business driven, less creative versus other agencies 

that are creative.

Advice:

-Find a mentor that can help you by guiding your path hrough training

and suggestions.

-Speak up, jump at opportunities by asking if you can handle a 

particular project of interest. The art directors usually 

think you're happy with what you do at work when

you don't ask.

-Always sit on the drivers seat, take control by stating your 

views on things and much more. 

Tweets:

@mashable (social), @CanonOBrien (funny), @jtoeman (tech), @taxiCanada

Links:

http://www.inspiration.com/

http://mashable.com/

http://www.thefwa.com/

http://creativity-online.com/

http://www.engadget.com/

http://www.noupe.com/ 

http://www.bannerblog.com.au/

Nurun

On March 11th, 2011, Nurun came in for a presentation.
The presenters were Hilary Jackson (Project Coordinator), Dondy Razon (Associate Creative Director), and Nadeem Visanji (Digital Strategist) from Nurun.

Address:

96 Spadina Avenue, 9th Floor

Toronto (Ontario) M5V 2J6

Canada

Tel: (416) 591-6000

Fax: (416) 591-6100

Email: toronto@nurun.com

 

 


Then, Now, The Future:

Then:
During WWII, everyone believed everything that was stated on Radios and Television because consumers weren't educated.
Now: 
Social environment, feedback, you gather your own information about products. Because of this, products always change because they listen to the feedback they are receiving in the online community.
Future:
We read minds, we anticipate what customers want. You won't be bombarded with banner ads, instead, appropriate information.

How will we do the Future?
-By asking appropriate questions: What do you need? & What do you want?
-Connect consumers and brands by saying that you need that particular product
-Think beyond sexy commercial

-Mac is a great example:
1. Customers are shocked how much customer service they get with their products; eg. Mac employees personally call their recent new customers asking how their product is treating them.
2. Their how to videos for their products make you want  a product of theirs, just because...without an actual clear push statement.
3. They put little bits of information out into the public, making people curious, which causes people to talk (interest rate goes high even before the product gets released).

When in an Interview:
-When going into an interview you should know what makes you different than any one else.
-Always ask about the companies environment and culture.

Investors Group

On February 25th, 2011, Rachelle Allen, Financial Consultant, and Adam Plaxton, Consultant, of the Investors Group.

Contact Info.:

Adam Plaxton
416-695-8600
295 The West Mall Suite 700, Etobicoke, ON M9C 4Z4
adam.plaxton@investorsgroup.com

Rachelle Allen
416-860-1668 ext. 227
145 King Street West, Suite 2800, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8
rachelle.allen@investorsgroup.com

What was interesting was hearing that because we are living longer, we need to save money for retirement or we will out-live our money.

Usually, peoples retirement money interest lacks due to lack of plan, taxes, procrastination and investor behavior.

It was interesting to learn about a investing on a regular basis. This will really help you in the long run.

When speaking of education,  RSP loans is a good option. If you earn 50,000 and contribute 10,000 then you only claim 40,000 on your tax refund.

We touched base on three types of Insurance:
1. Life Altering Illness:
-Covers 22 illness
-One time tax free lump sum of $50, 000
-Premiums are paid back to you if you don't get sick ($40-$50 a month)
-Highest claims are from 20-30 year old women with breast cancer

2. Mortgage Insurance:
-Protection

3. Term Life Insurance:
-Protection
-Cheaper, same premium, coverage stays the same
-Will receive money

Dashboard

On February 18th, 2011, dashboard came to present.

Our guest speaker this week was Catherine Baird, Associate Creative Director from Dashboard. She is a Sheridan Web Design graduate and has currently worked with a graduate from the program every year since graduating here from 2001.

About Catherin Baird:
-Ecentricarts,  Senior Designer
-Henderson Bas, Senior Designer
-Henderson Bas, Associate Creative Director
-5emegauche, Paris France, Senior Art Director
-Draft FCB, Senior Art Director

 









Address:
355 Adelaide St. W. Suite 100
Toronto, ON M5V 1S2
P. 416.504.4422
F. 416.504.6644
TF. 1.866.503.6354

About Dashboard:
-They are a Digital, Engagement Agency. They are about engaging people online.
-Creative team is 6 to 8 people, and there are around 30 employees in the shop.

Some Clients include:
-Santa Claus parade (whole brand)
-Joe
-Kraft peanut butter
-Capital One
-Wagner
-Hellmann’s
-Ing Direct

5 Steps to getting a Job:
1. Gather your best work only with a pdf and links, linking your portfolio website.
2. Do something unusual: brand yourself not only through emailing the agency but perhaps sending a business card,  video of you etc.
3. Follow up with not long emails.
4. Show diversity: if your a painter, musician etc, show it, not only design.
5. Network: Build communication with people who respect your work.

Hint: If you are not asked for an interview, then ask for a portfolio interview. This will higher your chances in getting in due to your personality instead.

Leo Burnett

On February 11th, 2011, Leo Burnett came for a visit; guest speaker was Brendan Good, Associate Creative Director from Leo Burnett.

Address:

175 Bloor Street East
North Tower
Toronto, Ontario M

4W 3R9
http://www.leoburnett.ca
p.416. 925. 5997
f. 416. 926. 3343

Brendan Good Contact Info.:

LinkedIn

 About Leo Burnett:
    •    Leo Burnett is the 4th most awarded design agency - the only Canadian Company
    •    Creatives run the shop
    •    Clients include: Kellogg's, Healthy Choice, Bell, TVO, P&G, Blackberry, and more

About Brendan Good:

- Worked at D3, Organic and at  Jam3Media.

Brendan not only came with a presentation, but he also came with interesting books, "The Internet Case Study" and "Guidelines for Online Success." These books are both by Rob Ford and Julius Wiedemann.

He gave very interesting resource links for guidance in the design world:

Typodermic: Free online fonts by designer Tobias Frere Jones.
Salary Guide: Keeps you up-to-date with the current design salaries depending on occupation.
Creative Group is also a great resource as well.
FITC is worth the investment.

He emphasized on:

-Having passion for design to succeed
-You have to be a fit for their environment

Good Places to work at:

-Red Interactive Agency
-Camp Organic at Organic: Learn how to get out of your comfort zone by dealing with people within the public in crazy ways.

Type of Shops:

    •    Futurists
    •    Brand Leads (ideas & clients)
    •    Independent (mom and pop or BFF shop)
    •    Vendor / Specialists (a skill: research, Papervision 3D, Wordpress)
    •    Social Crews (digital guerrilla)
    •    Freelance (join Behance - can work from anywhere)
    •    Co-operatives (get freelancers together with different skill sets)