Friday, February 10, 2012

We Are Lollipop | Michael Gramlow

There's more to the web than just websites. It isn't all just ebay and lolcatz you know. The web is a world all it's own and it's the vessel for most of today's content especially with certain age groups. So someone out there needs to be providing full rich media content that was in the past limited to the television world. Your static pictures are nice and all, but I want full video, full audio; engaging, entertaining. Thankfully, there are production companies like Lollipop doing just that. Full media production for the web. Michael Gramlow is our guest today to talk about Lollipop and what they do.

MINIBIO
Michael started Lollipop with Amanda Loughran back in 2009 after making his way through the agency world of Toronto. He's worked for Dentsu, Henderson bas, and Organic. Now as the creative director at Lollipop, a full production company, he's carved out a little niche in the world of design.

THE WISDOM
There are many ways to make it in the world of design. Every agency, every company does things a little different. The only constant is what you need to do to make it. You're going to have to do what ever it takes. Work hard. Pound the pavement and don't stop until someone says, 'Stop!'. If you want to work in design, find a company doing what you like and get noticed. Call them, email them, bother them until they see you and then bother them until they hire you [or tell you to go away]. There are many ways to work in this industry. Just be willing to work.

MICHAEL SAYS
3 TYPES OF AGENCIES IN THE INDUSTRY
INTERACTIVE PURE PLAY
Tend towards large scale sites
Big Budget Clients
Focus on user experience design & usability
ie. Critical Mass, Organic

INTEGRATED AD AGENCY
Creative & Brand Oriented
Works with TV, Print, Outdoor, etc
ie Taxi, DDB

PRODUCTION COMPANY
Works as partner with above two
Provides Production Techniques (video, audio, animation)
Broad range of clients/projects
It is an emerging speciality
ie PixelPusher, Indus Blue, Fuel, Lollipop

WORKS
All the great work lollipop does can been seen on their website here. I definitely urge you to check it out; especially the fun and rather tongue in cheek Black Sunshine Coffee site which won lollipop an FWA Site of the Day award.

SO?
If you can invision it, you can make it. There's a place for every type of idea and a way to make it happen. Whether you work in straight production or purely in creative, there are ways to get what you want if you're willing to work for it.
Need more? Say hi: Michael on Linkedin, Twitter.