Dayton Creative Syndicate

Vote Today for Activated Spaces

Keith.Lambert@creativesyndicate.org (Keith Lambert) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:55:07 +0000

~ By Rebecca Bernard, DCS PR Coordinator

Dayton Creative Syndicate is proud to participate in Activated Spaces, a program started by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Generation Dayton, and updayton as a way to bring life to downtown Dayton’s empty spaces. This installation, commandeered by Public Service Coordinator Artie Toth, is part of the first phase of Activated Spaces, where empty downtown storefronts are beautified by artwork made right here in Dayton. Each installation is meant to feature a unique part of the city and is refreshed bi-annually in conjunction with Urban Nights.

Using graphic design, set and interior design, landscape painting and screen-printing, DCS brings the Historic South Park neighborhood to life in the Biltmore Towers’ empty storefronts on the corner of Main and First streets. This mixed media message is an appropriate project to reflect South Park’s national "Neighborhood of the Year" recognition for the physical rejuvenation of the area. Like the residents who came together to restore their district, DCS’ creative members joined forces to showcase South Park’s community improvements, narratives and entertainment.

The Dayton Creative Syndicate chose the South Park neighborhood because the spirit of the neighborhood—creativity, culture, entertainment, community and betterment—reflects what DCS looks for in our own members. It is hoped the displays will encourage viewers, whether new to the area or long-time residents, to go take a look at South Park and see it with new eyes. Involvement with Activated Spaces is key to DCS, as we care for the welfare of our downtown area, and as our organization’s profile in the community grows, so does visibility for new member involvement and exciting new opportunities.

As time goes on, Activated Spaces will progress to its projected second stage, where temporary retail events will "pop up" in vacant spaces. The final phase of the project is soliciting businesses looking to open in downtown Dayton, giving new life to our city center.

DCS would like to thank Digital Fringe for their contribution of vinyl printing, without which the project would not have been possible. We would also like to thank Agust Roestamadji for the paintings features in the display. If you would like to help DCS with future Activated Spaces displays, please contact Artie Toth at artie.toth@creativesyndicate.org

Please vote for our Activated Spaces installation for the People's Choice Award! Voting ends this Friday, September 30.

Summit Up Returns with Tips to Help You Operate Your Social Media Smarter

Keith.Lambert@creativesyndicate.org (Keith Lambert) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:10:00 +0000

If you're involved with commanding social media for your business or civic organization (or if you'd like to join the conversation and aren't quite sure how to jump in with both feet), you can't afford to miss SummitUp. This year's event takes place October 18 at Sinclair Community College. In response to attendee surveys, this year's event will only be a half-day, starting at 8 a.m. and running to noon.

Members of DCS and AAF-Dayton can get in at the $49 member rate. (Non-members can attend for $69.) For that, you will get four incredible speakers, breakout sessions, networking with like-minded professionals, breakfast, snack, and free parking in the garage.

Inspring speakers will engage you with keynote addresses and facilitate breakout sessions to help you learn what/how your business should be using the web, tips for developing a social media strategy, establishing and using ROI to demonstrate your social media success, and more!

Check out the website for details. See you at the summit!

AAF-Dayton Celebrates 100 Years with Special Anniversary Retrospective

val.hunt@creativesyndicate.org (Val Hunt) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:22:42 +0000

DCS sister organization, AAF-Dayton, is celebrating its 100th anniversary--starting with last Hermes Awards and concluding at the 2012 Hermes. Coming up Thursday, November 3, AAF-Dayton is hosting its 100th Anniversary Retrospective, hosted by Cox Media Group Ohio, featuring a number of events:

RETROSPECTIVE
AAF-Dayton has been sifting through the archives and will have historical documents and photos on display, and they're seeking other Dayton-area agencies, printers, design studios, and businesses to tell their story, as well.

Displays can tell any story: the history of your agency, award-winning client work, favorite pro-bono work--whatever you want to showcase from your archives. AAF-Dayton is are asking for a $100 sponsorship donation that will cover display space and event promotion. Click here for sponsorship the details.

SILENT AUCTION
Get your holiday shopping done early and gift some uniquely Dayton items via the silent auction. AAF-Dayton is seeking more prizes to auction off. If you or your business would like to promote yourselves by donating an auction item (suggested retail value of at least $100), contact AAF-Dayton and be one of the first to be added to the list.

Donations are extremely important and greatly appreciated. Funds raised will support scholarships, public service campaigns and programs. Donors will receive pre-event publicity, which includes an item/donor list posted on the AAF-Dayton website and e-mail blasts.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Sara McCatherine at (937) 248-4697 or e-mail her at director@aafdayton.org.

MONTHLY MEETING

This event is also considered the November monthly meeting. This event will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, limited beer and wine, and tours of the Cox Media Group Ohio facility, which has expanded to include the TV and radio stations.

Here are the details:

Date - Thursday, November 3
Location - Cox Media Group Ohio, 1611 S. Main Street
Time: Registration begins at 5:30pm.
Cost: AAF-Dayton Traditional & Company members, no cost; AAF-Dayton Associate & DCS members, $30; Non-members, $40.
Reservation deadline is Friday, October 28. Reservations made after that date, and walk-ins will be $5 higher.
Cost includes hearty hors d'ouevres and 2 drink tickets.
Cancellations must be received prior to NOON on Tuesday to receive a refund (if applicable).
No-show's and late cancellations will be charged the full event price. You may send a substitute; just be sure to contact us at (937) 248-4697.
If you make a reservation but are unable to attend, we are still responsible for the cost of your food. As we sometimes have a waiting list, please let us know even if you must cancel your reservation later than the refund deadline.
Click here to make your reservation.

Opening Portfolio's Portfolio

sam@dragonflyeditorial.com (Samantha Enslen) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:58:04 +0000

This summer, Porfolio Creative and Freelance Dayton hosted a happy hour for DCS members.

For those of you who don’t know, Portfolio is a creative staffing agency based in Columbus. They match employers with talent for either freelance or full-time assignments. They handle design, writing, interactive, and project management.

We caught up with Portfolio co-owner Kristen Harris to ask how things are going and what they have in store moving forward.

Sam: Kristen, I know Portfolio expanded into Dayton about a couple years ago. How’s that going?

Kristen: Dayton is good, it’s a really creative and welcoming community. We’ve built nice client relationships in the area, and we’re are always meeting fantastic creative talent here.

It’s interesting to work on new and different projects or searches, and to see how the needs of our Dayton clients vary from what we see in Columbus. That learning process and building relationships is a lot fun for me and our team!

Sam: Has the expansion been worthwhile for your business?

Kristen: It has been worthwhile, in many ways. Of course working with new clients and talent is wonderful, but this move also allowed us to explore and learn about expanding into cities beyond Columbus. We plan on doing more of that, and Dayton was an excellent first venture out beyond our home base.

We’ve learned some really valuable things, like how to connect with the right people in a new city and weighing whether we really need a physical office (for us, that answer was not really).

Sam: Sounds like Portfolio has grown a lot the past few years. Why is that?

Kristen: Yes, we have grown. There are a lot of factors, but I think the biggest one is that we understand and truly care about our clients and talent.

Catherine [Portfolio co-owner] and I started this business because we needed help finding the right creative people to work with us when we were designers and art directors. I would have loved to utilize a company like ours, but it simply didn’t exist. Having that industry experience and ability to figure out what someone really needs (which may be different than what they ask for) has proven to be extremely important.

As is connecting with our creative talent to really understand what they need and are looking for in their career. When we add someone to our internal team, we’re always looking for industry experience—we can teach the recruiting and staffing piece, but we can’t teach a passion for working with creative people.

Sam: Why should freelancers think about working with Portfolio, rather than pursuing business directly with various companies? Wouldn't it be better to "cut out the middleman" and do it yourself?

Kristen: It really depends on what you do and what your goals are.

If you’re looking to build up a business, have solid experience and connections, have a steady stream of work well into the future, and are comfortable marketing yourself, you’re probably doing great on your own. These tend to be people who are established freelancers, have a solid client base, are well-known in the market, and truly want to work independently and run their own business.

If you’re missing any of those key pieces, a company like ours can be a good resource to fill that gap, whether it’s finding more work, building up experience, or making connections in the local creative community.

Sam: Who's the best fit for you guys? Experienced freelancers or newbies?

Kristen: Both. There are a lot of factors that go into making the perfect match with one of our clients—skill set and experience level matter, but so do soft skills, personality, availability (our clients generally need people onsite at their location), and whether the rate fits their budget.

Most clients are looking for some professional experience, but it really depends on the position they need to fill and what other support they already have on their team. We have clients who are looking for the whole range, from recent grads to experienced executive-level creatives, and everything in between.

Of course, what we’re looking for is always based on what our clients are looking for. So right now interactive design and/or development and writing specifically for marketing or advertising are really top on their lists. But recently we’ve placed graphic designers, creative project managers, account managers, writers, developers, visual merchandising specialists, photo retouchers, illustrators … it’s a wide variety. And we never know what a client will ask for next!

Sam: Dayton is a small community. If you had a full-time job but wanted to look around, could you turn to Portfolio? Is there a truly confidential way to work with you guys?

Kristen: We are a vault. Confidentiality is extremely important to us, as it is to our clients and talent. The nature of our business is that we know a lot of things about a lot of people and companies, and we keep it all to ourselves.

If you’re working somewhere and just want to explore around for other options, that’s a great time to talk to us. We may not have the perfect opportunity for you right now, but if we know who you are and what you’re looking for, we’ll know it when we see it. The best time to look for a job is when you already have a job.

Sam: Anything else a creative should know about Portfolio?

Kristen: The more we know about you and what you’re looking for, the better opportunity we have to make a good match with one of our clients.

We work with a lot of creative companies and departments both in Columbus and Dayton, and we know what they’re looking for. Not just what they say or put in their online job description, but what they’re really looking for.

When we work together, it’s a partnership with the end goal of finding the right fit for our client, and getting you into the right place for the next step in your career. I think we’re pretty fun and friendly. People should feel free to reach out to us any time through the site at portfolioiscreative.com or call us at 614.839.4897.

Sam: Thanks, Kristen!

Samantha Enslen runs Dragonfly Editorial.

Make Your Holidays Local with Activated Spaces

val.hunt@creativesyndicate.org (Val Hunt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:22:14 +0000

Picking the perfect holiday present doesn’t have to induce panic. Gift giving can be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday season (I won’t even get into awkward confessions from your inebriated relatives). What kind of gift should it be? How much should you spend? Will the present-getter be upset you didn’t spend more? Or will he or she be angry if you did spend a lot and it winds up being inequitable in value to the gift you received? So much pressure! Santa makes it look easy since his recipients are typically under the age of 8. Toys? Yes. Socks? No. Done. For the rest of us, there’s Activated Spaces.

What started out as an art project to give downtown Dayton properties some jazz hands has entered its second phase: pop-up retail. “The ultimate goal of Activated Spaces is to bring new life and vibrancy to downtown Dayton,” says updayton cofounder Scott Murphy. “Pop-up shops offer the flexibility small business owners need in an atmosphere that will let them ‘test drive’ a location before committing to a longer-term lease.”

For the inaugural round, three shops were chosen from a list of applicants to put their merch up for sale in selected locations. Beaute Box, located at 116 W. Fifth St., specializes in high-end nail and spa services. Situated at 519 E. Fifth St. is PEACE on Fifth, the retail arm of the Dayton International Peace Museum offering certified slave-free, eco-friendly and fair-trade products. Comfort and Joy, 521 E. Fifth St., is a warm and fuzzy co-op of women whose handmade goods are said to “get you through the coldest winter night.”

The gift you give someone is necessarily reflective of your opinion of the person receiving the present. This year, avoid the shrink-wrapped basket of “deluxe” bath items and for goodness’ sake, put DOWN the Chia pet! Choose to purchase a lovingly hand-crafted item or personal service from a local business. “I take pleasure in knowing my products weren’t mass-produced from an assembly line or concocted in some Frankenstein laboratory,” says Comfort and Joy’s Evelyn Gordon, who creates scented Mason jar candles in her kitchen to sell at the pop-up on Fifth. “In a small business, products are driven not only by retail performance, but by direct feedback from customers. If someone asks me to modify the scent of a candle—maybe add a hint of cinnamon or cloves—I can do that and come back with new, customer-driven products the next day.”

Matching local businesses with vacant storefronts, overseeing the placement process, outfitting each space with signage and décor, supporting marketing needs and helping small business owners navigate the retail industry is no small order, especially for a group of volunteers representing a variety of industries and professional backgrounds. “We are fortunate to have a good group of passionate people who care about seeing downtown succeed,” says entertainment purveyor Jay Nigro, a Generation Dayton member coordinating pop-up retail efforts. “Research shows time and again that spending money locally—purchasing goods and services from locally owned businesses—keeps that money circulating in a community. That money gets invested in schools, nonprofit groups and feeds into the tax base. Buying local helps create and support jobs and education right here in the Miami Valley.”

Taking advantage of the “try-before-you-buy” lease options Activated Spaces offers gives small business owners like Lisa Scott the opportunity to see how a location will work before committing to a longer-term lease. “Activated Spaces is a great way to get started in operating your own business,” the Beaute Box owner says. “You never know how a relationship will work out with a property owner if you’re leasing, or if your location will get the traffic you think it will until you get in a space, and I’m glad Activated Spaces offers this option to ‘test drive’ my location before I sign a long-term lease.”

Peace on Fifth takes buying local to the global extreme. Their products are certified free-trade, which means you can help artisans in third-world countries have a joyous holiday season. “We are encouraging people to do all or part of their holiday shopping at our store instead of buying products from large companies who exploit workers,” explains PEACE’s Abigail Reed. “Our products are certified fair trade; they only come from companies that comply with the nine principals of fair trade.”

So no matter what kind of gift, large or small, take the stress out of holiday shopping and remember to buy local this holiday season. Your purchase of a handcrafted item undoubtedly will make the season merry and bright for your recipient and the families of the local merchants and artisans. Revitalizing the local economy is the gift that keeps on giving, unlike a leopard-print Snuggie.

Mandaly Job Opportunities

Keith.Lambert@creativesyndicate.org (Keith Lambert) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:16:51 +0000

Job Title: Junior Web Designer

Department: Creative, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Director of Creative Services

Hours: Unpaid Seasonal Internship (College credit available if applicable), 20-25 hours per week

Start Date: Feb 13, 2012

Mandalay Baseball Properties currently owns and operates five Minor League Baseball teams, in addition to numerous consulting agreements that focus on various aspects of ballpark construction, ticket sales, and sponsorship sales. In 2009, Mandalay Creative Services was formed as an in-house creative group to provide a one-stop shop for various creative needs—including newspaper ads, brochures, website design, logo creation, print collateral, digital signage creation, radio and television production, and more.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Web Design/Graphics Intern for their in-house creative department. A candidate for this position will work closely with the Director and will be involved with various projects from inception to completion. Duties and responsibilities may include working within the provided content management system (CMS), designing and updating page layouts, graphic creation for various promotions or events, rebranding team newsletters, brainstorming new ideas for use on the web, involvement in discussion and implementation of social media strategies, and more as determined.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

The best candidate will be proactive and a self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude. He or she will possess the ability to work closely with an industry professional, be excited and ready to grow in the field, have a calm demeanor, be flexible to change, and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, a troubleshooter, a creative thinker and is detail oriented, organized, and resourceful. He or she should have a basic understanding of the creative process, but be willing to adapt to new systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support the creative group in executing the vision and strategy for improving MBP team sites.

Develop custom web advertisements supporting both sponsor and team initiatives.

Assist in maintaining the club’s e-newsletters and marketing emails.

Stay current with developments in HTML email marketing to improve campaign strategies.

Edit and optimize photos.

Ask questions and come ready to learn.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Good written and oral communication skills, as well as visualization skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Proactive self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive attitude.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in quality work while being open to constructive criticism.

Knowledge of HTML 5, CSS 3 and emerging web trends.

Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver).

Experience with Adobe Flash and Javascript is a plus.

Knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Has received or is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or design school certification in visual communications, web design/development, or a related field. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment is preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume and a link to your portfolio to creative@mandalaycs.com, or mail your resume to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Job Title: Junior Video Production & Motion Graphics Animator

Department: Creative, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Motion Graphic Designer and Video Production Specialist

Hours: Unpaid Seasonal Internship (College credit available if applicable), 20-25 hours per week

Start Date: Feb 13, 2012

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Video Production and Animation intern for their in-house creative department. A candidate for this position will be responsible for working closely with a motion graphics designer and will be involved with various projects from inception to completion. The scope of the work is broad, and includes marketing and PR communication materials, concepts and designs for digital signage content, and editing highlights clips. Other work may include 3-D logo illustration and animation, animated TV spots, and audio for radio commercials. This position will also learn about brand guidelines and how to deliver projects on time and under budget.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

The best candidate will be proactive and a self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude. He or she will possess the ability to work closely with an industry professional; be excited and ready to grow in the field; have calm demeanor; be flexible to change; and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, a troubleshooter, a creative thinker and is detail oriented, organized, and resourceful. He or she should have a basic understanding of the creative process but be willing to adapt to new systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work with a Creative Content Designer on all aspects of our projects from concept, storyboard, preproduction, voice-over sessions, shooting, and acquisition though editing, post-production, motion graphics, distribution, and review.

Create motion graphic content in various sizes and formats for LED video walls, video boards, and LCD displays at our five stadiums.

Assist with graphic design, animation, audio, and video editing requests.

Meet with clients to determine their specific needs and explain concepts and ideas.

Establish and work within timelines and budgets.

Gain knowledge of not only motion graphics and production, but also design for print, digital and press publishing processes, concepts, and techniques.

Ask questions and come ready to learn.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Good written and oral communication skills, as well as visualization skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Proactive self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive attitude.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in quality work while being open to constructive criticism.

Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite CS4 (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash) and Final Cut Studio (Final Cut, Soundtrack, Compressor) is preferred.

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

Knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Has received or is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or design school certification in multimedia design, animation, visual communication, or a related field. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment is preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume and a link to your demo reel to Creative Services at creative@mandalaycs.com, or mail your resume and a DVD to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd.

Dayton, OH 45402

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Department: Creative Services, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Graphic Designer

Hours: Paid Seasonal Internship, 25 hours per week

Start Date: February 13, 2012

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Junior Graphic Designer for their in-house creative agency. The Junior Graphic Designer will be responsible for project work from inception to completion of marketing and PR communication materials. Projects include developing concepts in addition to designing and producing print collateral, signage, web/digital communication, logo illustration and original design. Project designs must follow brand guidelines while delivering within defined timeliness and set budgets.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

Proactive, self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude; ability to work with minimal supervision; calm demeanor; flexible to change; and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, troubleshooter, creative thinker, detail-oriented, organized, resourceful and understanding of the creative process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and present drafts and ideas to clients.

Create logos for various initiatives and events.

Assist with other graphic design requests, sponsorship presentations, and PowerPoint templates.

Develop publication projects, including print advertising in newspapers and magazines.

Design stadium signage that often includes large format pieces.

Possess a knowledge of design for print, digital and press publishing processes, concepts, and techniques.

Meet with clients to determine their specific needs and explain concepts and ideas.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as visualization skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Proactive self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive attitude.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in the quality of their work.

Ability to work in a supportive role and take direction.

Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate unpredictable deadlines.

Willingness and ability to do what it takes to see projects through to completion and meet deadlines.

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite CS5 (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) in a Mac environment.

Experience in motion graphics using After Effects, Flash, and/or Final Cut preferred, but not required.

Ample knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A study of design, visual communications, or equivalent in graphic design experience. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume & portfolio to Creative Services at creative@mandalaycs.com, or mail to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Job Title: Junior Copywriter

Department: Creative Services, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Copywriter

Hours: Unpaid Seasonal Internship (College credit available if applicable), 20-25 hours per week

Start Date: Feb 13, 2012

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Junior Copywriter for their in-house creative agency. The Junior Copywriter is responsible for the conception and execution of innovative copy for integrated, cross-channel initiatives including print advertising, digital marketing, online advertising and direct mail. The Junior Copywriter will partner with the copywriter of Creative Services and designers to ensure the art direction supports the concept.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

Proactive, self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude; ability to work with minimal supervision; calm demeanor; flexible to change; and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, troubleshooter, creative thinker, detail oriented, organized, resourceful, and understanding of the creative process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and present drafts and ideas to clients.

Vary a message based on medium, target audience, and product.

Edit or rewrite existing copy as necessary and submit for approval.

Write newspaper advertisements, sales letters, and other related marketing, informative, and promotional material.

Create names and slogans that appear on brochures, packaging and other miscellaneous items.

Develop advertising campaigns.

Meet with clients to determine their specific needs and explain concepts and ideas.

Proofread existing copy and design drafts.

Brainstorm ideas for print, video, and design.

Communicate the status of all projects by means of daily updates and status reports.

Research services or products associated with an advertisement’s focus.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as proofreading skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Good interviewing, listening, and visualization skills.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in the quality of their work.

Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate unpredictable deadlines.

Willingness and ability to do what it takes to see projects through to completion and meet deadlines.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel and Outlook/Entourage in a Mac environment.

Ample knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

A study of English, journalism, communications or related field, or equivalent experience. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume & writing samples to Creative Services at creative@mandalaycs.com, or mail to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Shake Hands with Your DCS Sponsor: Insignia Signs

val.hunt@creativesyndicate.org (Val Hunt) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:19:08 +0000

By Rebecca Bernard

This month’s sponsor focus is on Insignia Signs and Daytonian founders Elizabeth and Michael Riley. Founded in 2003, Insignia is a locally-owned company specializing in large format digital printing, vehicle advertising and display graphics. Recognized several times by AAF-Dayton for their outstanding work with and for customers, the Insignia team is who you go to make creative plans a reality.

What unique skill/feature/product/service do you bring to the Gem City?
We're a production house; it's our job to take the creative person's idea and make it a reality, whether that's a banner, a trade show display or a vehicle wrap. The physical products we offer aren't always unique, but our approach to helping our customers is. We take tremendous pride in our ability to think outside the box, to figure out how to make the impossible possible, to come up with new ways of doing things, new applications for otherwise "old" materials and media, and to meet impossible deadlines. We sell solutions to problems.

When you were growing up, what did you want to be? How did that path change? What steps did you take to get to where you are today?
Michael: As a youngster I wanted to be an architect, but growing up my family owned a golf course, and we started making welcome banners and outing sponsor signage (albeit crude by today's standards) in house. That experience led me to a job in the sign industry and eventually to owning my own wide format print shop.
Elizabeth: Growing up, I wanted to be a journalist. I married Michael and the sign industry, all in one day! ;)

In your creative career, have you encountered a challenge or face adversity, and how did you overcome that obstacle?
When we first started our company I was 20 years old and Michael was 21. We knew what we were doing and we knew how to deliver what the customer wanted, but it's hard to be taken seriously by larger companies or seasoned professionals when you're that young. That meant we had to work harder, faster, smarter and more efficiently than other people just to be noticed. Eventually that hard work and dedication paid off. While we originally thought our age was a limiting factor, the fact that it forced us to think outside the box became our biggest market advantage.

Why do you feel cultivating a creative community is important?
Well for one thing, the Dayton creative community keeps us in business. But Dayton is no longer a powerhouse of the industrial and manufacturing world; it's slowly evolving into a technological and creative hub. Creativity breeds creativity, so the more active and participatory the entire community becomes, the more that fuels innovative and creative thinking, and the better off the whole Dayton region will be as a result.

In what ways does your company contribute to the creative community?
Well, we have the humbling and sometimes intimidating job of outputting the visions of the Dayton creative community. It is so fun and fulfilling to see a designer stand by one of our printers and watch something that they designed come to life! In terms of community involvement, our staff has chosen the K12 Gallery for Young People as our company non-profit to support in 2012.

What creative industry leaders do you think have a great positive influence, or are there any creatives that you admire?
It's hard to admire or single out just a few individuals or companies, as that's counter to what creativity really is all about. For us, we tend to be enamored by the people behind the curtain making the whole machine work. The Steve Jobs, Tony Hsiens, Jeff Bezoses and other industry leaders and obscenely innovative thinkers. At Insignia, our job isn't necessarily to be the creative, but rather to support the creatives and bring their visions to life -- so the people who are always striving to do it better, faster, more efficiently, more cost effectively, etc., are the ones that get us excited.

What do you like most about living/working in Dayton?
Dayton has so much to offer. The more I travel, the more I realize that we are so lucky. We have so much great art, great food, an awesome park system and some really amazing companies in town. For as small as we are, we pack a pretty good punch!

What’s your best piece of advice to Dayton Creative Syndicate members?
Michael: Ask questions and learn; don't assume you know everything; assume you know nothing. This opens the door for innovation.
Elizabeth: Approach each work day as if it is your first day on the job!

Many thanks to Insignia and all they do for DCS!

Shake Hands with Your DCS Sponsor: Four Ambition

val.hunt@creativesyndicate.org (Val Hunt) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:39:02 +0000

By Rebecca Bernard

Our featured sponsor for March is Four Ambition! Founded in 2007 by native Daytonian Shannon Thomas, Four Ambition provides services mainly focusing on screen printed apparel but also featuring screen printed posters, promotional materials, embroidery, and graphic design to assist customers in achieving their final look. Joined by partners Mitch Baker and Jessica Bostelman in 2008, Four Ambition is located just a few blocks from downtown and is a proud member of the community.

1. What unique skill/feature/product/service do you bring to the Gem City?
We believe Four Ambition brings a type of enthusiastic service not many other screen printing companies offer. Being a younger company, we are always open to new techniques or services to offer and different ways to make a better end product. I know not many other apparel printers offer screen printed posters, discharge and dye discharge printing or water-based printing. We also offer oversize printing that can cover the majority of a t-shirt. We also have several small to medium sized companies who don’t have an actual logo or brand established and we help get them in the right direction to grow their business and that's what we're all about. We want to see ambitious people succeed with their business or organization in Dayton.

2. Are you or the company a “Dayton original”? If not, what brought you/your company to this area?
Yes, I was born and raised here and I don't ever plan on leaving. I see so much potential here and love seeing Dayton's progression and trying to be a part of that.

3. When you were growing up, what did you want to be? How did that path change? What steps did you take to get to where you are today?
Actually when i was younger, I used to ride bmx bikes with Mitch Baker and I really just wanted to own a bmx parts and apparel company cause it's what we loved. So I took the "digital design" tech program at Fairmont High School where I learned graphic design, screen printing and offset printing. I put that knowledge to work for me and just really took to the printing of things. Even in high school I was staying after school to print orders for other people. And ever since, I've been screen printing even while working during the day at Oregon Printing (a commercial offset and digital print shop). Mitch and Jessica both graduated from the School of Advertising Art and when I had the idea to for this company we joined forces.

4. In your creative career, have you encountered a challenge or face adversity, and how did you overcome that obstacle?
There will always be challenges when starting and growing a company. Whether it's building the clientele or just establishing yourself. I think the hardest part was trying to get the company off the ground while still working a full time job. You end up working 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and trying to balance all your responsibilities. It was a struggle but it grew it to the point where it just wasn’t possible to keep doing both and you have to take a risk. Turned out to be the greatest decision I've ever made because once you dedicate yourself 100% to something, it allows things to really flourish.

5. Why do you feel cultivating a creative community is important?
I think it pushes things in a positive direction and its pretty amazing to see how it's grown here in Dayton. We believe it's especially important for us since a lot of our clients are design firms or freelance designers. Having a growing creative community I think really unifies Dayton as well.

6. In what ways does your company contribute to the creative community?
Almost anything that would help or benefit Dayton, we do. Whether it be donating our services for event t-shirts or helping a new company get off the ground. I think I get a call from Richard Kaiser, of The Ohlman Group, once a month with a new exciting idea and it's always something that would benefit Dayton. We recently just donated the printing of the shirts for the Big Hoopla, which is about the March Madness here in Dayton. I’ve also seen or read about what an organization is doing, like an event, and called them up to tell them how much we liked it and want to help by providing our services. Four Ambition just does those types of things regularly. Since we're all designers here as well, we take extra caution to details and color matching so our clients know their order is in good hands.

7. What creative industry leaders do you think have a great positive influence, or are there any creatives that you admire?
I think Judd Platenburg and Bob Allbery of Oregon Printing are great of course. We learned so much about the business side of things that were able to apply to Four Ambition. They really are great mentors. Also we love seeing Chris Wire and everyone at Real Art Design Group do the things they do over there. They really have evolved and they are all about pushing the boundaries! Always excited to see what they come up with next. Matt Sears of Little Lines and everyone at Forge Ideas, they always put out some amazing work. Honestly there is so many amazing creative professionals that we look up to!

8. What do you like most about living/working in Dayton?
The community and atmosphere here in Dayton is wonderful. Always something to do or events to attend. Fifth Third Field is right down the street, as is RiverScape MetroPark, and the Oregon District and Brown Street offer tons of restaurants and bars. Our favorite thing here lately is going to a new place for lunch at least once a week. You can't deny Dayton is a wonderful, beautiful city when driving around downtown on a sunny day.

9. What’s your best piece of advice to Dayton Creative Syndicate members?
DCS is a great organization that has really brought creative professionals together. Get involved and be open to new things, meet new people, and go to some of the wonderful events that DCS puts on.

Shake Hands with Your DCS Sponsor
By Rebecca Bernard

Our featured sponsor for March is Four Ambition! Founded in 2007 by native Daytonian Shannon Thomas, Four Ambition provides services mainly focusing on screen printed apparel but also featuring screen printed posters, promotional materials, embroidery, and graphic design to assist customers in achieving their final look. Joined by partners Mitch Baker and Jessica Bostelman in 2008, Four Ambition is located just a few blocks from downtown and is a proud member of the community.

1. What unique skill/feature/product/service do you bring to the Gem City?

We believe Four Ambition brings a type of enthusiastic service not many other screen printing companies offer. Being a younger company, we are always open to new techniques or services to offer and different ways to make a better end product. I know not many other apparel printers offer screen printed posters, discharge and dye discharge printing or water-based printing. We also offer oversize printing that can cover the majority of a t-shirt. We also have several small to medium sized companies who don’t have an actual logo or brand established and we help get them in the right direction to grow their business and that's what we're all about. We want to see ambitious people succeed with their business or organization in Dayton.

2. Are you or the company a “Dayton original”? If not, what brought you/your company to this area?

Yes, I was born and raised here and I don't ever plan on leaving. I see so much potential here and love seeing Dayton's progression and trying to be a part of that.

3. When you were growing up, what did you want to be? How did that path change? What steps did you take to get to where you are today?

Actually when i was younger, I used to ride bmx bikes with Mitch Baker and I really just wanted to own a bmx parts and apparel company cause it's what we loved. So I took the "digital design" tech program at Fairmont High School where I learned graphic design, screen printing and offset printing. I put that knowledge to work for me and just really took to the printing of things. Even in high school I was staying after school to print orders for other people. And ever since, I've been screen printing even while working during the day at Oregon Printing (a commercial offset and digital print shop). Mitch and Jessica both graduated from the School of Advertising Art and when I had the idea to for this company we joined forces.

4. In your creative career, have you encountered a challenge or face adversity, and how did you overcome that obstacle?

There will always be challenges when starting and growing a company. Whether it's building the clientele or just establishing yourself. I think the hardest part was trying to get the company off the ground while still working a full time job. You end up working 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and trying to balance all your responsibilities. It was a struggle but it grew it to the point where it just wasn’t possible to keep doing both and you have to take a risk. Turned out to be the greatest decision I've ever made because once you dedicate yourself 100% to something, it allows things to really flourish.

5. Why do you feel cultivating a creative community is important?

I think it pushes things in a positive direction and its pretty amazing to see how it's grown here in Dayton. We believe it's especially important for us since a lot of our clients are design firms or freelance designers. Having a growing creative community I think really unifies Dayton as well.

6. In what ways does your company contribute to the creative community?

Almost anything that would help or benefit Dayton, we do. Whether it be donating our services for event t-shirts or helping a new company get off the ground. I think I get a call from Richard Kaiser, of The Ohlman Group, once a month with a new exciting idea and it's always something that would benefit Dayton. We recently just donated the printing of the shirts for the Big Hoopla, which is about the March Madness here in Dayton. I’ve also seen or read about what an organization is doing, like an event, and called them up to tell them how much we liked it and want to help by providing our services. Four Ambition just does those types of things regularly. Since we're all designers here as well, we take extra caution to details and color matching so our clients know their order is in good hands.

7. What creative industry leaders do you think have a great positive influence, or are there any creatives that you admire?

I think Judd Platenburg and Bob Allbery of Oregon Printing are great of course. We learned so much about the business side of things that were able to apply to Four Ambition. They really are great mentors. Also we love seeing Chris Wire and everyone at Real Art Design Group do the things they do over there. They really have evolved and they are all about pushing the boundaries! Always excited to see what they come up with next. Matt Sears of Little Lines and everyone at Forge Ideas, they always put out some amazing work. Honestly there is so many amazing creative professionals that we look up to!

8. What do you like most about living/working in Dayton?

The community and atmosphere here in Dayton is wonderful. Always something to do or events to attend. Fifth Third Field is right down the street, as is RiverScape MetroPark, and the Oregon District and Brown Street offer tons of restaurants and bars. Our favorite thing here lately is going to a new place for lunch at least once a week. You can't deny Dayton is a wonderful, beautiful city when driving around downtown on a sunny day.

9. What’s your best piece of advice to Dayton Creative Syndicate members?

DCS is a great organization that has really brought creative professionals together. Get involved and be open to new things, meet new people, and go to some of the wonderful events that DCS puts on.

Get One-on-One Feedback on Your Design Portfolio

Keith.Lambert@creativesyndicate.org (Keith Lambert) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:39:28 +0000

Design students -- why waste time with generic reviews for your portfolio? In this economy, an outstanding portfolio will help you rise to the top of job applicants. Outshine the competition and get one-on-one feedback from local design experts who will help you polish your portfolio until it gleams!

Student and DCS member alike can take advantage of this annual event. Bring your portfolio to the school of advertising art on Wednesday, April 18, where your work will be critiqued by local professionals in a one-on-one setting!

Start the night out with a panel discussion and gain valuable insight to the creative industry from local experts. Bring your curiosity and and open mind so you'll be ready for the open Q&A session that follows. Reviews begin around 7 p.m.; portfolio review participants will be matched with an expert who shares their interests. While you wait for your one-on-one session, join our discussion group with recent grads and other burgeoning pros as they share what it's like to transition to the creative working world.

Make your reservations now. Early sign-up fees are $10; $15 at the door. DCS members who are not getting their portfolio reviewed are invited to attend the panel and discussion groups free of charge.

If you'd like to learn more about the DCS educational programs, or have ideas to share for an upcoming educational event, contact Education Coordinator Kate Anderson.

DCS Nabs "Judges' Choice" Title for Activated Spaces

val.hunt@creativesyndicate.org (Val Hunt) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:43:08 +0000

The Dayton Creative Syndicate earned the title of "Judges' Choice" for the May 2012 installation of Activated Spaces. "We all know our members are creatives in their own right, but getting recognition from the community for doing great work, that's an honor unto itself," says Public Service Coordinator Artie Toth, who headed up the project.

The judges scored each Activated Spaces entry on creative and inventive use of medium, innovative style and concept, outstanding technical proficiency or craftsmanship, and how well the theme was expressed. Check out this award-winning installation yourself tonight at Urban Nights. You'll find the project in the windows of the Biltmore Building at First and Main streets in downtown Dayton. Support DCS and this cool project by voting for the installation as a People's Choice winner!

Activated Spaces is a project led by updayton and Generation Dayton as part of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan. "The goal of Activated Spaces is to invigorate our urban areas and fill vacant downtown storefronts," Artie explains. "The first step is art installations, and DCS is proud to have participated (and been a top-tier entry) in all rounds so far." Subsequent installations beyond the art exhibits include Pop-Up Shops, which are short-term spaces for services and retail, with the goal of reaching the final phase, long-term tenancy.

The theme for this Activated Spaces installation was "Naturally Dayton." Applicants were to demonstrate how Dayton's natural spaces contribute to our city's unique vibe. "I chose the focus of the DCS project to be the PNC 2nd Street Market," Artie says. "If you've never been to this year-round farmer's market at the corner of Second and Webster streets, it's worth a visit. They sell fresh produce, bread, spices and wine, as well as handmade goods like jewelry, clothing and accessories, vegan soaps, upcycled crafts and artwork. Not only does the venue show off Dayton's 'natural' features, it supports diverse and eclectic creative industries, which marries with the DCS mission perfectly."

Want to use your creative powers for good and be part of fantastic projects that make your city a vibrant and great place to live? Contact Artie or become a member today!