TAXI

This week Stephen Coomber of TAXI was our guest speaker. Stephen was once a Sheridan student, having graduated from the New Media Design Program. Upon leaving Sheridan, he was a Flash Animator at Organic for two years. Before starting at TAXI, he was at Young and Rubicam for a short time.  Stephen had an inspiring yet realistic view of the design industry.



Stephen had some valuable advice to share:

1) Have basic knowledge of the industry and who they work with.
2) Find someone to act as your mentor
3) Make yourself known and jump at opportunity
4) Always have control of where your career is heading.
5) Use social media
6) Never stop learning
7) Maintain work relationships
8) Do not take yourself too seriously
9) Always have passion
10) Don't be afraid to say no
11) Document everything!

Contact:
STEPHEN.COOMBER@TAXI.CA

Taxi Canada
Inc.
495 Wellington Street West, Suite 102
Toronto, ON M5V 1E9
T: 416-342-8294 x424
F: 416-979-7626

NURUN

This week we were fortunate enough to have Hilary Jackson, Dondy Razon and Nadeem Visanji come to visit us from NuRun. They discussed the art of marketing and the progression it has taken through time. Early on, they described advertising as "shouting at people," whereas today, they listen to the consumer and their needs.

They also discussed the process of the job search and interviews.

Their  advice:

-gain something from every experience, whether it be good or bad.

-do not ask if you are right for a particular company, but rather are they right for you.

-do not narrow yourself to one position

-make connections

-be confident in yourself as an individual

-realize what makes you different from the rest

-have other interests and passions

Contact Information:

Hilary Jackson

Project Coordinator
Email: hilary.jackson@nurun.com

Dondy Razon
Associate Creative Director
Twitter: @dondy
Email: dondy.razon@nurun.com

Nadeem Visanji
Digital Strategist
Email: nadeem.visanji@nurun.com

Nurun
96 Spadina Avenue, 9th Floor
Tel: (416) 591-6000
Toronto (Ontario) M5V 2J6
Fax: (416) 591-6100
Canada

Investors Group

This past Friday we had the pleasure of having two representatives of Investors Group. Rachelle Allen and Adam Plaxton gave us an informative presentation on the changing realities of the market, different ways to invest and protect our earnings, and suggestions on how to handle our money and plan for the future. 
They were able to break down the different types of accounts (ie. Tax Free Savings Account), retirements plans (ie. RRSP) and insurance plans (ie. Mortgages, Life Altering Illness).

Contact
Adam Plaxton 
416-695-8600
295 The West Mall Suite 700, Etobicoke, ON M9C 4Z4
adam.plaxton@investorsgroup.com

Rachelle Allen
416-860-1668 ext. 227
145 King Street West, Suite 2800, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8
rachelle.allen@investorsgroup.com

Dashboard

"Everything is youtube and facebook"


The Associate Creative Direct from Dashboard, Catherine Baird, came to speak to Professional topics class this past friday.  Ms. Baird is a fine arts grad, and attended the Sheridan Web Design program. Before Dashboard, Ms. Baird spent time at  Eccentricarts for 4 years,  Henderson Bas, 5emegauche in Paris and Draft.

Dashboard is a 'digital engagement agency." Privately run, with approximately 30 staff.  The creative team consists of 6-8 people.

Tips:
1) Be Prepared
2) Do something original to get attention
3) Follow up and don't write long emails
4) Show diversity
5) Network
6) Trick (if you can't get an interview, ask for a portfolio review)

The Future:
-touchscreens
-apps
-augmented reality
-cloud computing
-"unity"
-html5
-webfonts

Contact Information
Catherine Baird
Dashboard
355 Adelaide St. West
Suite 100
Toronto ON
M5V 1S2

http://www.dashboard.ca/

Leo Burnett

Brendan Good was our guest speaker from Leo Burnett. It was a great presentation, as I found he was honest and truthful in his information and had an obvious passion for what he was doing.  Leo Burnett is an international company;  a shop run by 'creatives.' It is the 4th most awarded design agency and the only Canadian shop to make the list. Clients include: Kellogs, TVO, Blackberry and Bell.

Contact Information:
Brendan Good
Leo Burnett
175 Bloor St. East
Toronto ON
http://www.leoburnett.com/

One Method

 This week our guest speaker was Steve Miller, Creative Director of One Method.  He gave an in-depth presentation on the industry, his personal experiences, creative processes and tips for obtaining success as a designer. Steve was enthusiastic about staying on top of current trends and to constantly be striving to learn new skills.  

Check out their website: http://onemethod.com/
Check out their reel of work: http://onemethod.com/2010-demo-reel/


Contact Information
135 Liberty St. Suite 201
Toronto Ontario CAN M6K 1A7
steven@onemethod.com
t 416 649 0191
c 416 816 7077
888 OneMethod

Ecentricarts

This past Friday, we had the pleasure of welcoming Keith Durrant and Leslie Horan of Ecentricarts. Their work includes work for arts&culture organizations, law firms and services.  Examples of their clients include:

• Osler 
• Kids Help Phone
• National Ballet of Canada
• Glasgow School of Art
• Cultural Careers Council of Ontario
• Textile Museum of Canada
• Toronto Museum Project

I found their presentation refreshing and inspiring, as it was mainly focused on the aesthetics and execution of good design for clients in the arts and culture sector. The culture of Ecentricarts sounds to be hardworking, friendly and laid back with a low turn over rate. 


 Ecentricarts
317 Adelaide St. W, Suite 300
Toronto ON
M5V 1P9
416 644 5000 x221