All Rights Reserved | Lorraine Fleck

This week we take a different direction and peek into the world of Canadian Copyright Law with Lorraine Fleck, Lawyer and Trade-mark agent with Hoffer Adler LLC.

MINIBIO

Lorraine has been coming to Sheridan to talk about the ins and outs of the world of copywrite law and how it affects us as students and as designers for a few years. In her real job though Lorraine deals with advertising and marketing, contest, copyright, information technology, licensing and distribution, packaging and labeling, privacy and trademark law issues in the Canadian courts.

THE WISDOM
1997 was 15 years ago. That's also when the Canadian Copyright Legislation was last revisited and defined. Seems like a lot has changed in the past 15 years that would really require the laws to be updated. Let's hope they are soon. Also, it's important to know the the laws in Canada and quite different from those in the United States. So what exactly does the current Canadian Copyright law state?

CANADA SAYS
WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?

The exclusive right to reproduce original content and stop others from reproducing that content. This means that you must get others permission to use their content unless your activity falls within an exception to infringement. It does apply to the internet!

WHAT DOES COPYRIGHT PROTECT?

ORIGINAL literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works
HOW IS COPYRIGHT CREATED?

Original work is selected by a Canadian citizen or citizen of a Berne Convention country
The work must come into physical existence
No need to register or mark (e.g. ©2012, Lorraine M. Fleck)
HOW LONG DOES COPYRIGHT EXIST?

Most works: life of the author + 50 years
Joint Authors: Term lasts to the end of the 50th year of the last author death
Unknown Author: End of the 50th year after publication or 75 years after the work was made
Photographs: To the end of the 50th year from the making of the initial work
Movies: To the end of the 50th year from the first publication
Sound Recordings: 50 years from when first recorded
Broadcasters: 50 years from communication

WHO OWNS COPYRIGHT?

Usually the person who creates the copyright work, but there are exceptions.
WHO CAN USE COPYRIGHT MATERIALS?

The owner: Ownership can be transferred, but must be in writing
Anyone who has permission "License". License determines what user can do
Licensee: Buyer/user
Licensor: copyright owner

WHAT IS COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT?

The making of an unauthorized copy
There must be a substantial portion of the material copied.
No hard and fast rules as to what is substantial
Test is quality, not quantity. Does the copy take enough of the work so to convey at least a portion of the value of the work?
EXCEPTIONS (FAIR DEALINGS)

Research private studies (can be for commercial use)
Criticism/review
News reporting
Fair dealing has specific factors:
  Purpose
  Character
  Amount
  Nature (of work)
  Available alternatives
  Effect (of the dealing on the work)
WHAT ARE MORAL RIGHTS?
The creator/authors have the right to:
Retain integrity of the work;
Not have work distorted;
Name associated or not associated with the work
Activities must be shown to be the determent of authors honour/reputation
Cannot be transferred, but can be waived
Can prevent you from altering content

SO?

Now we're all a little more wise on the legalese of Copyright Law. While a major update is certainly well overdue knowing what exactly is required of us as designers and how we can protect ourselves in the current market is a leg up, certainly. It's also a relief to know that there are people out there like Lorraine that can help should any issues arise in the future. Just remember, it's always easier to ask permission than forgiveness.

Need more? Say hi: Lorraine on Linkedin.

Going Mobile | Alexander Younger

You know that song 'Going Mobile' by The Who from the early seventies? Well, it's not very good, but it always pops up in my head when people talk about mobile. Which is unfortunate because that's what we are talking about today with Alexander Younger, Vice President of Design Lab. Although to be fair we're talking about mobile design and mobile internet whereas that song is about owning an RV.

MINIBIO
Alexander Younger [I hope he has a son named Alex so he would be Alex Younger Senior] started Design Lab 20 years ago backed with a history in fine arts and economics and a passion for emerging technologies. At that time the web was still a dream and Alex has grow Design Lab along side the ever changing, ever evolving industry to be today, a well recognized player in the world of design strategies and solutions.

THE WISDOM
Mobile is HOT! He said it with words, he said it with charts and stats (which you can check out at www.lukew.com). Mobile. Is. Hot. The majority of phone users these days are on mobile capable devices and most new devices are mobile capable, so it you're not getting on mobile to promote your site, sell your wares, connect with your audience, you're missing out on a major opportunity. 

ALEXANDER SAYS
BEST PRACTICES IN MOBILE DESIGN
ESTABLISH BUSINESS GOALS

Know your audience
Insist on this!

KEEP IT SIMPLE
"Don't make me think"

GET INSPIRED

Get out there and use, consume
Be on top by knowing what's available and doable

GO SOCIAL

Make it personal
Make it fun

REMEMBER RANKINGS

Other people's opinions matter
A bad ranking is as bad as no app

HOW TO IMPRESS (IN THE WORLD OF DESIGN)
GREAT PORTFOLIO

Simple, clean, your best work
Be accountable and be clear
GREAT ATTITUDE

Have fun, but be challenging
"Attitude determines Altitude"

RESEARCH THE COMPANY & INTERVIEWER

Get a sense of who the company is
What's in it for you?
ASK QUESTIONS(!!)

Don't be shy, ask the questions you want to ask
Interview them about the company and how it suits you
DON'T SETTLE
Don't.

WORKS
Alexander showed us a great campaign currently being done for The Beer Store [Kids, never drink and mobile] check out the campaign here. Or just check out the Design Lab site for all the great work they do.

SO?
The future is in our hands. The future of design, the future of commerce, the future of technology is literally in our hands [well not my hands, my phone is relatively ancient], but in most of our hands. Information when you want it. Be connected at all times to your client base, your customers. Better be ready to deliver. Hee Hoo! Beep Beep!

Need more? Say hi: Alexander on Linkedin, Twitter.

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.

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.

Filled to Capacity | Alison Garnett

Somehow I managed to shrink my favourite hoodie and turn my white socks purple all in one washing nightmare. There's something to be said about the ability to run effectively and efficiently at capacity without ruining everything. Luckily today Alison Garnett, Creative Director at Critical Mass, is here to talk Work-Life balance and how to run at supercapacity. Hopefully she won't notice my socks.

MINIBIO
Like most of our speakers Alison has moved about a bit in the industry: with stops at OCAD and Sheridan, as well as a jealousy inducing year in Florence studying painting. Upon her return she worked for companies ICE, HendersonBas, and Taxi before her current position at Critical Mass. Along the way Alison's been involved with her own freelance entity called SuperCapacity as well. Sometimes, busy just isn't enough.

THE WISDOM
Alison may run at full capacity, or even super capacity, but she definitely advocates a proper work-life balance. Family is paramount to her; work must always come second. Even though you may need to be a jack of all trades, available to do anything at anytime for work, family must come first. Being able to find your limits with work whether it be family related, or not, finding your limits and your balance will keep you healthy and creative. Don't always rely on your work to fulfill your creative needs either. 

ALISON SAYS
PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

Get exposed to opportunities
Your first job isn't about getting it perfect
Get recognition, get experience, get work in your book
Fake it 'til you make it

FILL YOUR CREATIVE NEED

Don't always rely on your job
Do Pro Bono
Volunteer for cool projects
Take part in contests

IT'S JUST ADVERTISING

So have fun
Don't be so serious
Make cool shit 

WORKS

If I tried to pick a piece of work or two to show off here I'd be doing an injstice to all the other amazing work Alison has done. Instead I'll just post a link to Alison's personal sites and tell you to check out everything. alisongarnett.com & mylalaland.com

SO?
For someone like me who can't ever handle the simple task of not screwing up laundry Alison Garnet is astounding. An incredible designer, family member, creative mind, painter... plus more, it's a wonder to me and an inspiration to work harder and try to reach that capacity for greatness we all often hope for. I just hope I didn't over do it on the soap again.

Need more? Say hi: Alison on Linkedin, Twitter.

The Business We Are In | Sapient Nitro

On the Fall Interactive Tour, I visited Sapient. When we filed out of the creaky building I felt like I had come to a solid decision about my future employment. I did NOT want to work for Sapient. Today, a team from Sapient came by to talk to us about Design, Information Architecture, and the Koolaide. Here's a chance, I thought, for a more personal meeting, maybe Sapient can win me back. 

MINIBIO

Sapient is a huge player in the design industry. They have offices all over the world and a global workforce of around 10,000 employees. The Toronto office houses 240 people that's admittedly "heavy on the senior side". Being a large company really attracts the attention of the big name clients though: like Dodge, Target, and Fiat. 

THE WISDOM

I had a hard time seeing the wisdom of what the Sapient team was saying. There were definite good points about putting your client first and treating them as partners. And how empathy should be a driving force in design. However I couldn't get past one little quote that stuck with me. With a generic car ad flashing on the screen and the team explaining their involvement, I heard "these ads are manipulative and putrid in my opinion, but that's just the business we are in". If that's the attitude Sapient expects then I just reinforced a decision about my future. Sapient, you are not winning me back.

SAPIENT SAYS

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SAPIENT

Environment for learning
Big clients
Variation
Opportunity for promotion
Mentorship
Amazing culture

WHAT SAPIENT EXPECTS FROM YOU

Forward thinking design
Fluency in digital channels
Typography
Presentation Skills
Eagerness
Compassion & Drive

HOW SAPIENT HELPS YOU SUCCEED

Choose your supervisor
Own your stuff
Contribute & Collaborate

WORKS

I can't deny Sapient Nitro does fantastic, interesting and beautiful work. Much of which can been seen on their website. 

SO?

I didn't drink the Koolaide. Maybe it's the size of the company that turns me off, maybe the culture. In any case it's a lesson in my future. If there's one thing I've learned it's that it's just as important to find out where you don't want to work as it is to find where you do. So cheers, but I'll be having water.

Need more? Say hi: The Sapient Nitro team was Norma Penner, Gail Leija, Kim Welch, and Sonia Janovjak.

Social Butterfly | Meg Kerr

This week's blog is brought to you by the letters A and M and the number 11; as in 11am. Which is how late I slept in and missed this week's guest speaker Meg Kerr, Social Media Integration Manager at Mosaic Experiential Marketing (that's a mouthful). Fortunately today's blog is also brought to you by my lovely and talented class mates whose notes and own blogs I referenced for this information. Thanks guys.

MINIBIO
How exactly does one get to become Social Media Integration Manager at Mosaic Experiential Marketing I hear you ask. Well first off you should know exactly what Social Media Integration Manager at Mos...sheesh. What that is. The position was custom built for Meg, her expertise in social media and savvy marketing mind satisfied a need that until recently hadn't existed. Having honed her skills as a Broadcast Journalism student, a grad of Western's Media, Information and Technoculture, a newscaster with Corus and a Promotions Coordinator at Exclusive models, she eventually wound up at Mosaic working as Labatt's Brand Ambassador. Stay with me now. At Mosaic Meg found herself managing online communities, moderating and strategizing, and she was doing it for Coke, Diageo, Matell, Rogers, Labatt, to name a few, and that's how she became Social Media Inte... that's how she got her job.

THE WISDOM
Ever wonder how social media works for advertisers; or even what exactly social media is? Well wonder no more. If you're sharing content, chances are you're involved in social media. Any network that allows you to share content easily among others is at it's core a social media network. It's like teen sex, social media (to paraphrase Avinash Kaushik). Everyone wants to do it. No one knows how, and when it's finally done, there is surprise it's not better. Advertisers quickly latched on to social media networks because it works. People trust peer to peer information much more than they do advertisements so let people distribute ads for you. Companies can also target people based on very detailed information or analytics. Digital media is always changing because user habits are getting more savvy, says Meg. So companies need people like Meg to keep up with the world of social media. 

MEGG SAYS

4 CURRENT TRENDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA

REAL TIME + SMART PHONES = GAME CHANGER

Word of mouth on steroids
1/3 of Canadians own a smartphone
1/2 all web searches are via mobile devices
Traditional News Media is no longer first line for breaking news
Twitter breaks stories instantly

LOCATION BASED SERVICES & GEOTAGGING
Foursquare, Godwalla, Yelp, Facebook, Twitter
GPS enabled smart phones allow location relevant sharing
Let your friends know where you are easily
It's a game

PRIVACY

Users are more sensitive to privacy issues online now
Increased privacy attracts users, but limits info/revenue
Services need to find happy medium
There is always risk involved with using non-private social media 

SOCIAL MEDIA GETTING LESS SOCIAL

Too much sharing going on
Users just want to get through the noise and access the features important to them
If you like you can commit social suicide!

WORKS

Mosaic does some fantastic work. Check out their portfolio and even read up more about Social Media Integration on their company site.

SO?
Kevin has checked in at "Bed" at 11am on Friday morning. Maybe there's a social media service that could check my phone's GPS and see if I'm at class when I'm supposed to be and if not could trigger an alarm or send me a message telling me to move my ass. Maybe I just need a better alarm clock. So, I'm disappointed I missed what seems like it was a very interesting and informative talk. Maybe if I wasn't up all night on Facebook...

Need more? Say hi: Megg on Linkedin, Twitter.

Stretching Our Legs | Physio Clinic

Enough hard work, let's play! No guest speaker this week, instead we got our legs moving and trekked up to Brampton to Sheridan's Athletic Centre to learn about the dangers of being a lump at a desk. Also, to use the gym and get some treatment. Play time and a massage? Um, yes please.

STRETCH

Ok so since this trip is really about stretching and keeping active here's some notes on how to avoid desk related injuries.

COMMON INJURIES

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Eye Strain
Sciatic Nerve Irritation

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Tightness and aches in forearms
'Knots' in shoulder and neck
Tension headaches
Tingling/Numbness
Decreased range of motion
Pain

WHY STRETCH?

Lack of movement can lead to muscle strain
Stretching helps prevent further damage to injury
Issues untreated may require surgical treatment

WHAT TO DO

Take a 5—10 minute break every hour spent at a desk
Vary your work tasks.
Stand up and move around
Look away from screen occasionally
Relax, stretch and change positions

NOTES

Try to get an adjustable chair and desk
A good chair is extremely important
Keep wrists as straight as possible.

Don't slouch

PLAY

Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about the gym. The range of equipment at in gym put a big smile on my face and a slight worry into muscles. I hit the bike, the free weights, the chin up bar, the big machines, more free weights, medicine balls, kettle balls, jump rope, and the yoga mat (for a quick lie down). Best of all though was the undulating ropes. A little plyometrics in the morning really gets the blood flowing (and the sweat).

TREAT
After a few hours of trying out all the equipment in the gym and getting sufficiently sore and tired I headed to the physio room to get 'treatment'. Fortunately for me I don't have any lingering issues so I didn't need fixing. More fortunately that meant I just got a heat pad and a massage for my newly sore muscles. 

Check out Derek the Designer for some awesome shots of the day.

Small Town Big Talent | Jason Bouwman

There's a little country twang in the air coming up from Burlington Ontario this week. So come back down to earth with the grounded and magnetic Jason Bouwman, owner, founder, and principle creative of Compass Creative, all thirty feet of him.

MINIBIO
Jason has roots: blue collar immigrant family roots, small town roots, industrial design and technical illustration roots. And there's no better way to stay grounded than to know your roots. From humble beginnings at Fanshaw and Sheridan to opening up shop and running his own business with Compass Creative, Jason's remained grounded. With hard work and a keen business mind, not to mention incredible design/illustration skills, he's clearly found the balance between what he loves to do and getting paid for it. Also, he loves me... he told me so.

THE WISDOM
Work Hard. Be Smart. Have Drive. Care. Do what you love and suffer through the pain of it and the burn outs. Develop skills, many of them. Find your market, not understanding the business you are in will lead to problems. It's hard to listen to Jason speak and not see the value of hard work and passion. Maybe impossible.

JASON SAYS
DO AN HONEST DAYS WORK

Work hard and do a good job
Have integrity in what you do

BE A TRANSLATOR
Organize given information
Make it make sense
Ask questions!
It's not about you

INSIGHT BEFORE WEBSITE

People don't want websites, people want dollars

BRAND

People buy from people, not entities, not corporations
Push clients on positioning and branding

CAREER = 3 THINGS

Passion
Skills
Market

JOB vs. LIFE

Take care of business
Take care of self
Create an area of expertise
De-passion the business side of work
Live by a compass, not a clock

WORKS

Check out all the case studies on Compass Creative's site for some examples of their fantastic work. Myself, I'm partial to the Mike Fisher branding (Go Sens Go). If you like money... or more specifically, coins, Jason still forays into the world of illustration with some awesome commemorative pieces.

SO?
Self declared introversion aside, Jason came through as one of the most motivational and inspiring speakers thus far. Hard work is king and know it's possible to stay grounded in the big flashy world of design. So key your compass for success and work until you get it. And remember to put your big rocks in first. 

Need more? Say hi: Compass Creative. Jason on Linkedin, Twitter.

Super Sonic | Alex Pejcic

Get out your protective ear wear and brace for impact. The high flying Alex Pejcic, Co Founder and Vice President of Sonic Boom Creative Group is here. Mach II, Go!

MINIBIO
Ever heard of that internet thing? Alex Pejcic has. Fifteen years ago he and his basement cohorts decided that there was gold in them there hills and set out to create a viable internet business. Today Sonic Boom Creative Media does work for giants like Bell Mobility, Pepsi, and RIM. Not a bad step up from going door to door in Hamilton selling web services. 

THE WISDOM
Head, heart, and hands. Be smart. Care. Be skilled. If you can do this you can succeed. At the end of the day, this thing we do is still a business. It's still driven by money and while creativity and passion are so so important, you still have to get paid. It's not all foosball and beer, but if you're smart, if you take the work to heart, and you can do the work (and do it well), you'll thrive.

ALEX SAYS
USE THIS
Know social media
Know what's out there
Show that you can use it and are interested in trends

UNDERSTAND THIS
The meaning and role of a brand
Marketing basics: Direct & Mass
Latest trends & tech
Social design

POSSESS THIS
Proven skills in your discipline. Know your stuff!
A positive attitude. Be a team player
A willingness to learn. You know nothing.
References. Good ones
A strong portfolio
PASSION!

DO THIS

Get noticed, recognized, and respected. It will take time
Join interactive media groups
Submit your portfolio to online communities
Create your online space
Ask for advice. Ask for interviews
See an opportunity? Take it
Find inspiration outside of work
Lose the ego
Pay your dues!
Be prepared for shittiness

PAY YOUR DUES

Work. Hard.
Don't be disillusioned. It's not all fun
This is a job. It's business

WORKS

So much to show... I suggest you just check out the portfolio at SonicBoom.com. Just be sure you check out the fantastic TrufflePig Travel Site and the very cool WWF polar bear tracking site.

SO?
A lesson from the business side. The suit jacket tipped us off I think. Though the same core messages came through: be passionate, get involved, work for it, pay your dues. Now if your seat backs and tray tables are in the upright and locked position we'll be off... at Mach II. Boom.

Need more? Say hi: Alex on Linkedin, Twitter.

On Being Creative | Jay Schacher

Are you being creative right now? Jay Schacher is. It's his job (officially it's Art Director at Henderson Bas Kohn). He may be the nicest guy in our industry (so says Gillian) but he knows how to play a mean prank and design an even meaner website. So cue up your favourite playlist and rev up your creative juices; it's learning time.

MINIBIO
Four years isn't really a long time. It's the amount of time between the good Olympic games (read:winter); it's how long you have to wait for a leap year; it's how long an American president has to screw up the country. In four years a maple tree only grows about four feet, the earth only travels 3750 kilometers around the sun (ok that one's pretty impressive); and yet, in only four years Jay Schacher took himself from a bewildered recent grad of Sheridan's Web Design program with a BFA and New Media certificate from York University to the suave confident and influential Art Director of Henderson Bas Kohn, one of Toronto's top ad shops. How'd he do it? Lucky us, he's here to explain.

THE WISDOM
Your job is to be creative. Every day you could be brainstorming or concepting or designing. Every day you'll need to be creative. Find ways to push your creativity, unleash your skills. Just make sure client needs and timelines are met too; possibly in creative ways.

JAY SAYS
WHEN WORKING WITH THE CLIENT
Chances are, it's not always going to go the way you want
You may love an idea or design and they may not
At the end of the day it's about what the client wants
So have a thick skin and be willing/able to adapt

SKETCH
Do it

BUILD A PROFILE
Create a brand for yourself online
Be exciting, be punchy, promote yourself
Exploit social media channels
Get your name out there
Get Found!

AFTER YOU GRADUATE

Stay close with your classmates
Network a lot (talk to as many people as you can)
Be a team player, not a hero
There are no heros!

SPECIALIZE

Understand a bit of everything but do one thing exceptionally well
You want to be a designer? Be a designer
Find inspiration
Be creative. It's your job

YOUR PORTFOLIO

Know the shop your going to and customize your book accordingly
Dress your work and your résumé for the work they do
Show the whole process
Believe in your work
Emphasize your creativity

WORKS

In his rise to the top Jay's put his time in at some pretty heavy hitters in the Toronto Ad Market, including Organic, Sonic Boom, and now HBK. A fact that is reflected nicely in the collection of work he laid before us. A repertoire that includes clients Mercedes Benz, LG, and Timex. There's much more to see at JayShack.com. 

SO?
A few lessons. Nice guys don't always finish last and creativity is the fuel that drives our industry. Jay came in a proved that it's possible to have fun and enjoy your work all while getting to work on some big name, exciting projects. The other lesson to take from this, is we are still three years away from decent Olympic coverage.

Need more? Say hi: Jay on Linkedin.

Out & About | Fall Interactive Tour

Coming Soon. I swear.

The Cool Shit | John Alabaszowski

Like a battle ready ninja John Alabaszowski, VP Group Creative Director at MacLaren McCann, burst into our classroom. Imparting knowledge like a shuriken to the brain. Though truthfully his presentation was far less violent than how that sounds...

MINIBIO
John has been places. John has done things. You don't get to be VP Group Creative Director at one of Canada's largest agencies without having done things. Good things. Coming out of Ryerson's New Media program John brought his big ideas to NuRun, and Infinet Communications after starting out at a few small shops. Freelance called and John answered living the life of a renegade designer until settling in for the long haul (currently 7 years) at MacLaren McCann. He may have never attended Sheridan College, but today he's here, ninja style.

THE WISDOM
The world of design isn't so serious. Work hard and have fun. You can do the cool shit, the fun projects; they're out there. Go after then, work towards what you want to do. Show your interests and get involved, and definitely don't take yourself too seriously. Think broadly. Be open to possibilities. 

JOHN SAYS
YOUR PORTFOLIO. HAVE ONE
Put it online. Want to work in web? Be on the web
Show your best work
Put your strengths up front
Good skills are transferrable, show your skills
Let your passion and initiative show
Keep growing your book
Show it off
and for Godsake organize it!

INTERVIEWS. NAIL THEM
Be organized! Have your work ready to show and know how to show it
Know the company you're interviewing
Having a hook doesn't hurt but your work has to be good
Ask for feedback afterwards: "What did you think of my book?"
Listen!

THE JOB. GOT IT, NOW MAKE IT

Go after the work you want to do
Do what you're paid for, then do more
Be active, get noticed
Be part of the culture
Don't take criticism personally
More ideas die than survive
Don't be more drunk than your boss

WORKS

Here's the cool shit. John's worked on some huge and impressive campaigns, for some equally huge and impressive companies. He's been in the driver's seat with Chevy with sites for the Volt, the Sonic, and the Orlando. He's helped sell Locust Meat to hungry gamers for Microsoft's Gears of War 3 campaign. Though the coolest shit of all is the non-profit work done by MacClaren McCann's Kindred division: Camp Oochigeas. Whether you want to be slaughtering aliens into a gory mess or helping kids go off to camp and just be kids, there's cool shit out there, and you can be making it. 

SO?
Clearly John didn't go full ninja mode on us (we saw him after all) but he definitely brought the cool shit. The big guys aren't so bad after all it seems. Job=Fun is a great lesson to learn. Thanks John. Smokebomb. Gone.

We are the Sultans... | Dwayne Grech

Forget Swing! Crank that heavy shit... this is the Sultan of Beard! Throw away your razors and slip into something a little more aviator Dwayne Grech is here.

MINIBIO

Dwayne's done his time in the trenches. Starting at Seneca College's Graphic Design program (with yours truly) post grad saw him off to Australia (without yours truly) for a year of working, backpacking, designing, surfing, living. Back in Canada and back in school. This time Sheridan's now famous Web Design program. Fresh out of school again Dwayne bounced around from Organic to Young & Rubicam to The Marketing Store to Sirius Satellite and now to Momentum. All the while freelancing as and evolving the alias The Sultan of Beard. (Not to mention cultivating a rather solid face sweater). Today though, his big personality and his big beard are back at Sheridan; this time... to impart wisdom.

THE WISDOM

This isn't going to be easy. You're going to lose sleep; you're going to compete. You're going to have to ditch the ego and fight your way through tough times, and you're going to love it. Love what you do and where you do it because it makes all the difference in the world. Don't work for the money; work for the work. Work for the pride, for you. Most of all, no matter what you do or where you do it: Do More! Improve your self, improve your worth.

DWAYNE SAYS
BURNING BRIDGES IS EMPLOYMENT SUICIDE
Never a wise move, even more so in such a small industry
Your boss has friends at that agency you want to work at, don't rage quit

NETWORKING EVENTS ARE YOUR EASIEST WAY INTO AN INTERVIEW
Events are essentially informal interviews
Free booze, free schmooze

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO STOP LEARNING

If you feel you've learned enough, chances are you're an idiot
Read a book, scour the web, take a night course—keep yourself inspired

THEFWA.COM IS THE BIBLE

Just go

YOU'LL HAVE TO SACRIFICE A WEEKEND OR SIX
Sometimes the proverbial fan needs a lot of cleaning
Take a weekend to get more work done, show initiative
Work on your own terms and don't sweat the stress

RED. BULL. THE SAVIOR OF LAST-MINUTE ALL NIGHTERS

Working all night? Yep.
Be a hero, get that promotion

PAY IT FORWARD

Lady luck can be a bitch, play your karma right
Mentor a student or two
Volunteer at the Tall Studio Tour
Teach

NOT ENJOYING THE WHAT AND WHERE? CHANGE.

You have to love where you work
Stay loyal and motivated
There are shitty places out there and you will pay your dues
Know when to get out and move up

BOOZE IS YOUR FRIEND

Alcohol is a part of the industry
Whether your seeking advice from old man Jack Daniels or spinning ideas with your good buddy Heineken no one is judging you

SOCIAL MEDIA
Info Out—Info In
Stay connected, it's your life blood

WORKS

Dwayne's a man of many sunglasses, and his ability to switch from classic aviators to... uh... another equally cool pair of aviators comes through on his badass online alter ego's site The Sultan of Beard. Check out some music vids, learn about the new Porsche, follow a gnome through the streets of Japan. It's all good.

SO?

Pulling punches isn't the Sultan's style and he certainly came out swinging. Dwayne's a big personality and a big talent. He talks straight and loves his craft. I've know Dwayne for several years now and I'm always impressed by his approach to life and design and his attitude towards work. Industry friends are always nice to have. So... drinks?

Speed of Light | Catherine Baird

Put some jazz on the radio, buckle in, and get inspired cause we're moving at the speed of light with Dashboard ACD Catherine Baird.

MINIBIO
Swooning over the nuances of Monet's Water Lilies at U of T; Calling the shots at little guy ecentricarts, Following an idol to Paris, Running with the big guns at Henderson Bas; Yeah, Catherine Baird has done that. Not to mention surviving the gauntlet that is Sheridan Web Design. Now she brings her wealth of knowledge, experience, and talent to the Dashboard family... and to us.

THE WISDOM
Inspiration and Passion. 'Get Inspired' and 'Do what you love'. Love design, love technology, love your work, love who you work with, love to learn, and love to work. If you work hard and love what you do you'll always be inspired and engaged. When you love what you do, it's not a job it's an adventure. 

CATHERINE SAYS
BE A REALLY REALLY GOOD DESIGNER
Even when your overwhelmed with technology, you are first and foremost a designer and you will be getting applying for a design job
Creative directors don't care about your coding, they care about design

UNDERSTAND (AND LOVE) TECHNOLOGY
The tech world in an ever changing environment, embrace it

Play. Get excited for new toys and new tech.

LEARN FOR YOURSELF

Learn video editing, flash animation, proper social media design techniques

The more you know the more adaptable and hireable you are

UNDERSTAND UX & IA
User Experience and Information Architecture
First things first, your design has to work

Most importantly, design for the user

WORK HARD, BE FLEXIBLE, AND KEEP UP
Embrace the changing, evolving, moving industry you're in

Stay late when needed
Prove yourself

WORKS

If a varied portfolio is the sign of a well-traveled hard-working designer put two checks by Catherine's name. She's saved you money, she's saved christmas; she knows what's happening in Toronto and she want you to too. Whether it's for peanut butter of the Olympics Catherine's checkmarks keep piling up: talented (check), passionate (check), inspiring (check).

SO?
Big affable grin in tow Catherine came with a message of inspiration and passion and she walked the walk. She also has some pretty solid advice: learn, love, design, grow, succeed. So I'm coming along for the ride. Lightspeed. Punch it.