Friday, February 17, 2012

Next Stop... | David Gray

Life takes you crazy places, and often not where you expect it to. Opportunities present themselves, knowing when to take hold of them is a key to success; as are the people you meet along the way. David Gray care to help illustrate that point? Great thanks. 
MINIBIO
After a stint at St. Lawrence College for illustration David Gray ended up [like all of us] at Sheridan College learning the finer points of New Media Design. From there he landed a gig at Publicis Modern Toronto as an interactive designer and lover of banner ads. Now here's where things get muddled. Over then next couple of years David moved from being a designer to a production manager and producer. His experience then took him to positions at TBWA and currently CTV Bell Media as a Producer where he no longer designs, but makes sure everything gets done. 

THE WISDOM
Two things. Organization and contacts. These are especially important in a freelancing role. You're going to be in charge of every aspect of a job when you're freelancing and being able to keep it all in order will save your life; and if you don't have contacts, you don't have clients.  

DAVID SAYS
IT'S ALL ABOUT CONTACTS
Try not to piss people off
Pitch yourself, pitch other people too
LinkedIn is a powerful tool
STAY ORGANIZED
Especially if you're freelancing
It's your business
Stay ahead of the curve

BUSINESS IS BUSINESS
Don't take things to personally
Don't expect too much too soon
Put in the hours

AGENCY LIFE
You will work long and hard
There will be perks and rewards for doing it


WORKS
As a producer David doesn't create much in the way of designs anymore, but you can check out TBWA and CTV where David has worked on projects such as Visa Perks.

SO?
So buy your ticket, use your smarts and hang on for the ride, because you never can tell where the next stop may be. And remember to keep yourself organized, your clients happy and your self entertained.
Need more? Say hi: David on Linkedin.

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