But Less About Me

Green Day

2009-04-24T20:27:36Z

You've probably never been happier it's Friday, right?

Just think, you can visit this blog on Monday and I will be done hitting you over the head with my endless eco-diatribe.

Come Monday you can throw recyclable cans and Compact Florescent LIghts out the window of your SUV and try to hit me and Olivia as we bike to work. (Okay, I'm not currently biking to work due to an unrelated foot injury, but you get my drift.)

I promised you a two-week break of green-related blogging.

But you're not out of the woods yet, my friend. Because your local AIGA is hosting their second SEEing Green conference tomorrow, and I can talk all about it during Earth Week.

So if you're not heading over to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books tomorrow and Sunday (a highly recommended FREE event), you can swing by the Skirball Cultural Center to
"learn new ways of approaching sustainability for designers and their clients."

Speakers on hand will include:

Aaris Sherin, author of SustainAble: A handbook of materials and applications for graphic designers and their clients (Rockport Publishers), will discuss "Sustainable Problem Solving"

Duke Stump, Principal & Chief Architect of The Northstar Manifesto, former CMO Seventh Generation and VP Nike delivers a Bonfire on the cultural changes affecting how we approach branding in "Shift Happens"

Kevin O'Donnell, Al Gore's prolific Climate Project speaker and director of WD Ecologic, presenting "Green Design - Thinking Beyond Deliverables"

If you want to be really Green, they even tell you which Metro Rapid Bus to climb aboard to get you there!

More info is here at the AIGA | LA site.

Oh, yes, you're going to relish your weekend, aren't you?

(If you haven't had enough of me and crave more, be sure to check out speaker Duke Stump's "The Real 100" site and prepared to get lost for hours.)

Drive Your House Like Your Car

2009-04-22T04:08:46Z

Why is the staff at Google smarter than everyone else?

Because their offices look like this? And this?

Honestly, I wish I could name one executive at Google. I'm wondering if I asked anyone in my office (include the technologically advanced Jenn Tran), they'd be hard pressed for a name as well.

Maybe that's a good thing. Perhaps they don't need a Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Which would be good, because I don't think Steve and Bill are allowed to fly on the same airplane together, for fear we might lose both.

(Here they are in case you were wondering.)

Regardless, they've come up with another great idea and almost beat everyone to the punch.

If there's one thing I've learned about hybrid car drivers, it's that they're very aware of how they're driving. Why? Because the car teaches them how to drive so they eke the most mileage out of a gallon of gas. No jackrabbit starts. No donuts in the school parking lot. No people on skateboards hanging onto the bumper. (Boy, was that a trip down memory lane.)

Which got me to thinking, if I could tell how much energy my plasma screen TV is sucking up (well, if I had one), or my air conditioning, or clothes dryer - I mean at the very moment I'm using them - then I might want to conserve a little bit. I mean, we use energy and water all month and then go into sticker shock when we get the bill.

Here's what Google has to say on the subject:

"Studies show that access to your household's personal energy information is likely to save you between 5-15% on your monthly bill, and the potential impact of large numbers of people achieving similar efficiencies is even more exciting."

Cue the Google PowerMeter:

"Google PowerMeter, now in prototype, will receive information from utility smart meters and energy management devices and provide anyone who signs up access to her home electricity consumption right on her iGoogle homepage."

The blog Treehugger reports that Google isn't the only one who wants to get in the action, there's at least 4 other companies creating dashboards like Google's.

Okay, maybe there are some people out there as smart as the folks at Google.

I don't care, as long as all of them can get people to cut back energy use from "5 to 15%" as advertised, I'm on board.

Save me the corner office.

It Looks Like Fun, But Really...

2009-04-22T03:54:00Z

In light of Earth Day, this seems like a sort of eco nightmare.

Long Range Panning

2009-04-20T23:50:39Z

One of the things I'm really bad at, (in my personal life, anyway) is long range planning.

Just ask my Tax Adviser.

Which is why those special celebration days that I might enjoy always seem to slip by me. Say March 28th, when millions of people celebrated Earth Hour by turning off their lights for 60 minutes at 8pm in whatever time zone they were in.

That was neat.

But I was whiling away the evening with every light in my house turned on.

Dang.

And here, eco me almost missed planning for Earth Day, which is Wednesday. Happily everyone else has the foresight to get their Web pages built month ago, like the US government (including the Environmental Protection Agency), Seventh Generation, World Wildlife Fund, and yes, Lowe's.

So now the only thing to do is not get overwhelmed by the amount of information and actually try to accomplish something.

But first, I should probably buy an anniversary gift for my wife.

Since it's today and all...

The Dollar Purple

2009-04-14T19:41:20Z

What if I told you there was an online application that has you judge your favorite colors (and least favorite) that would come up with the best career for you?

"That's a bunch of hooey?"

After reading the article about the Dewey Color System on CareerBuilder, I decided to take the Color Career Councilor test on the Career Path site.

The results were interesting. Part of my job description here is Writer, part is Stuff Coordinator (events, trainings, etc.). The Career Councilor picked out Organizer as my best occupational category. Which isn't shabby, if I do say so myself.

But then again, I'm wondering if this is anything like reading the horoscope for a sign other than your own. Which always leads you to say, "Wow, that's exactly what I'm going through!"

I looked a little further into the system, invented by staffing industry vet, Dewey Sadka and couldn't find any real science behind the system he invented.

Which is not to say I think it doesn't work, but it really does seem like Magical Thinking.

Did anyone take the test? What were your thoughts?

Swagger with Your Meet & Greet?

2009-04-11T00:25:09Z

From our Are You There Aquent? part of the blog (you're welcome to ask your own questions!)

Hi guys,

I found this blog very useful and it inspired me. I do have one question related to the topic of networking: As a Designer I should be aware of all of the swag that is required to market one's self (after all, it is my business to produce swag), but I haven't been in the business of networking for quite some time and was wondering if you had any insight into the materials we should have on hand at these networking events (business cards, promo items, etc.).

Are there any trends to be aware of? I know back in the day a simple business card that offered your contact info and URL would suffice.

Will a business card alone still make you competitive in today's job market?

Kerry

(Reply from Monica, former Designer and present Print Design Account Manager at Aquent)

Hi Kerry,

Heck yes, a business card with your URL and contact info is just fine! You could be creative and make an extending, accordion-folding business card that has samples of your work on it... but that's a little crazy. (Unless you are a student fresh outta school. Then that might be kinda cool and inventive. You have permission to steal the idea.)

Here's the thing, if you make a good impression and have rapport with someone at a networking event, your card will be great. It's just a vehicle to convey your information so that they can check out your work when they get home!

However, if you don't really know a person and you are just randomly putting your business card in peoples' pockets and purses (which I do not recommend), then maybe bust out the accordion-folded thing with glitter and jewels. I'm kidding. But really, it's a networking event, which means you are there to meet and greet. Your personality should shine and showing off your swag might detract from the fabulous you.

Thanks for writing!

Monica

Whiter Shade Of Board

2009-04-09T22:57:50Z

The folks at Tuesday Creative were nice enough to extend us an invitation to their inaugural Tuesdays@Tuesday Happy Hour.

Mmm, tacos, margaritas, Rock Band (complete with fog machine), clever signage, and something that almost made me drop my rice and beans: the coolest white boards anyone has ever seen.

I talked to Beau Gieson, their Sr. Designer about how he made them and he was nice enough to provide the pictures! They wanted to utilize some old white boards they weren't using (what a green idea!) and didn't want them to look like... well, the white boards everyone else has. One of the owners of Tuesday is a skilled woodworker and was able to chop the old boards up without injuring anyone.

I still can't stop talking about them.

This is Beau, going "old school" on the Tuesday lettering.

The weird connection we made after talking for a few minutes? Beau's wife was placed by us at her current job 11 years ago!

It is a small world after all.

(Thanks to Diana Scott for the stellar party throwing and invite!)

Social RE-Media (or The Importance of Networking)

2009-04-07T04:28:23Z

(from guest Blogger, Jenn Tran)

As one of the Interactive Account Managers in the LA office, I manage Talent and client relationships. This means I am constantly talking to Talent about their job search and clients about their current and future needs. Having a gauge of the topography of the current job market goes without saying... And let's face it, the job market has changed and fluctuated significantly over the past year. With the current scenario as it is (no matter where you are in your job search) it is important, now more than ever, to "think outside the box" (to be as cliché as possible about it).

So here are a few general suggestions that you may find useful. Here at Aquent, we love our Talent and want nothing but the best possible opportunities for them. As great as we are at marketing our Talent, we are but one of several resources you should be using to find a job opportunity. Aside from being signed up with a staffing agency and applying to positions on the job boards, NETWORKING is huge (especially now) in finding opportunities. You know the old saying, "it's not what you know but who you know" - we are in LA after all!

"But, Jenn, I hate the idea of networking," you say (yes, someone actually said this to me recently). Well, baby steps will lead the way. Here are some steps:

1) Know what you do (target your network)
Depending on what your specialization is, there are several networking events that are being hosted by various organizations with a ton of highly reputable companies looking to meet talented people. Some of the up and coming events can be seen on our blog in the right hand column.

2) Seek our your networks
For finding relevant events or people in your field, meetup.com is a good place to start. Say you're a UX Designer... There's UI/UX Meetup group that is just for you!
Check out AIGAlosangeles.org for other local events sponsored or co-sponsored by the AIGA.
Check out your local college alumni group.
LinkedIn.com also has online groups catered to job specific topics.
For all the technical Web devs in the house: http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/calendar.php

And there are many many more!

3) Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
Say you are not the most social person in the world. Okay, but you have to know this: you will never network yourself into your next career unless you try! Surrounding yourself with your peers at one of these networking events is the perfect way to get yourself geared for other events (or the same ones) where you can meet potential employers. What easier thing to talk about as a topic of conversation than your own professional expertise. When you find yourself starting off small (baby steps) by networking with peers (see step 2) you will not only get into the swing of what's going on in your profession - you can learn helpful tips from people who do what you do. If you start off with the internet (get LinkedIn, Facebook, Meetup.com, Twitter.com) and be a squeaky wheel - you are off to a good start!

4) Just Do It (I think that slogan is branded by someone else). Get out there and make your own opportunities! Aquent has some awesome networking events coming up so make sure you check the blog or our Facebook page to keep up to date.

I just heard this morning that one of our Talent got an interview through meeting someone at a party. Opportunities are everywhere - you just need to get out and find them!

Hope this helps! If you have any questions feel free to call and ask or email me at jtran@aquent.com.

April Foolin'

2009-04-03T23:42:37Z

(I thought at least you'd like an image from the "Rens Faire", correct?)

Maybe I'm mistaken but it seems to me in the 5 years since I've been doing an April Fool's version of our Client Newsletter, that a lot of other people have been jumping on my bandwagon.

Not that I mind. It's a rather big bandwagon.

Besides our newsletter, Toshiba unleashed their computer for dogs, Google launched CADIE, the Project for Public Spaces sent out their fake newsletter, and funny lady Ann Coulter fell for a fake Car & Driver story about President Obama ordering GM and Chrysler to cease their participation in NASCAR.

It's good to see the recession isn't hurting the shenanigans industry.

I believe it's referred to as a Recession Proof Industry.

Vomit Comet

2009-04-01T20:56:37Z

It's easy to be a critic.

Everyone's a critic, right?

And do you know why?

Because it far, far easier to be a critic than to be a Designer, Writer, Actor, or any other kind of creative. Actually, it's far, far easier to be a critic than to be the person crossing a busy street during a rainstorm.

But I digress...

While critiquing professionally designed logos, Web sites, and marketing materials is necessary to keep the bar high in the design world, poking fun of really poorly designed ones is part and parcel of being a Designer. The problem is, spouses and friends many times don't enjoy a good dig at a bad logo.

Which is where the popular site YourLogoMakesMeBarf.com comes in. Here you can join other Designers as you wade through interesting creative choices such as these:

^ Scientists have proven that victims of a recent crime feel better when greeted with business cards that look as they are promoting a tan salon.

^ Wow. Where do you start? The bald kid? The "dog"? The Frisbee that looks like a black hole leading to God knows where?

There's much more at the Your Logo Makes Me Barf site.

Feel free to contribute!

(Thanks to Larry for finding, then kindly passing along)