Enjoy the Ride | Steve Coomber

Today we were treated to the rock and roll styling of designer, advertiser, TAXI driver, Sheridan grad, and sole Coomberville resident: Steve Coomber.

MINIBIO
Recently the feature of an Applied Arts Article (well... a feature) Steve, Guelph BFA in hand,  cruised out of Sheridan's Web Design Program in 2005 and promptly landed feet first at some of Toronto's Ad giants: namely Organic, Young & Rubicam, and is currently picking up fares for TAXI (How many more taxi metaphors can we throw in here? Who knows?) 

THE WISDOM
The big message Steve laid at our feet? At it's core: learn, work, and socialize. Pretty simple. Below are Steve's actual words but in essence it's all about being willing to grow and evolve through a willingness to learn, to work hard, and to still have fun. 

STEVE SAYS
SPEAK UP
Make your passions known
Jump at opportunities when they present themselves

FIND A MENTOR
They know your job better than you do
Learn from them at every chance you get
Then... be a mentor

NEVER TAKE SHOTGUN
Always sit in the drivers seat (His metaphor, not mine)
You should be in control of your career
The company needs you as much as you need them
Go to Seminars and get your company to foot the bill
Get involved in the projects you want to work on

TWEET
You don't have to love Twitter, but...
Twitter is a great marketing tool
@mashable, @theNextWeb, @TaxiCanada, @ConanObrien

DRINK BEER*
*Or your delicious beverage of choice
Socialize and network
Network and socialize
Beer. 

DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY
It's not brain surgery, it's fun

BE PASSIONATE AND HAVE FUN!

SO?
With mantras like 'Drink Beer' and 'Don't take yourself too seriously' it's safe to say Steve's message resonated with many of us. Be passionate? Steve clearly is. It shows in his work. With The Canadian Tire House of Innovation, a favourite project for Steve, playing on our big screen Steve beamed with pride; clearly happy to show off his work. His passion. So I think it's time for a little social drink... Taxi!

Weeks One & Two | The Adjustment Period

A few weeks into school now and I'm only now getting around to writing my first blog post. It's been a bit of a whirlwind two weeks or so with me starting school, moving to Oakville, freelancing, and just wrapping my head around all the changes going on. Now though, I have settled in and am excited for school to ramp up. I'm definitely looking forward to the guest speakers on whom this blog will be centered.
With so many different backgrounds among my classmates and the chance to pick industry professional's brains the opportunities to learn and develop skills, which ultimately is why I'm here, certainly will be many.