Recently in Interactive Design Category

OK - I have to say I work for a cool company.  Not trying for brownie points here (can't hurt) but a company that invests in the future to me - is awesome.  So Aquent sponsored/is sponsoring some great events in 2010 and I was a very lucky attendee for two of them.

 

1)   An Event Apart - for those of you not familiar with A List Apart - An Event Apart is an intense 2 day seminar for people who make websites with speakers discussing topics ranging from HTML5/CSS3 coding, content strategy, the future of web, and user experience.   http://aneventapart.com/about/

2)   Internet Week NYC and The Webby Awards - www.internetweekny.com and www.webbyawards.com.

 

Let me first begin by saying that both events were very different but offered stories/examples that I've been sharing with talent ever since.   True story!

 

Biggest takeaway from An Event Apart: 

Luke Wroblewski's discussion regarding building mobile applications first, and desktop sites second versus simply shrinking a website to fit a mobile device. http://aneventapart.com/speakers/lukewroblewski/  This ensures an awesome interface and user experience.  Can you say GENIUS?  Think of how awesome most mobile sites are compared to the larger ones.  Case in point - ANY AIRLINE.  J  I triple-dog dare you to log into an airline site you're unfamiliar with and find "check flight status" within 3 seconds.  And then try their mobile site.  J

 

Also - if you ever want to understand the design process and simply don't know which approach to take or even better, an approach that you SHOULD take, you have to listen to any discussion by Jared Spool.  He's funny and really explains the different design decision styles in a fantastic way. http://aneventapart.com/speakers/jaredspool/

 

Biggest takeaway from Internet Week/Webby Awards: 

Other than the fact that people LOVE free stuff?  (ok.. guilty.  I have added 4 new t-shirts to my wardrobe as well).  But overall that people LOVE interactivity, Twitter/Facebook and other social media platforms are ONLY the beginning of connectivity and sharing, the Internet is only getting started and will continue to evolve, and simply that these events are a GREAT way to network and learn some fantastic tidbits about new technology, the importance of content, new ways to engage in social media, etc.. the list goes on and on.    Check out some of the photos/video from the week: http://www.internetweekny.com/ and of course the Webby Awards: youtube.com/webby.

 

That's it for me this month.  No advice you say?  But that's what this blog is about right??   You want advice - GET OUT THERE!  To put it in perspective, a general admission ticket to Internet week for the exhibition rooms was $10.  Think of that - $10.  Two cups of coffee.  One martini in the city.  Two movies On Demand.  Now think of the return on that $10.  Priceless. 

If you're at Internet Week today and haven't stopped by to see the friendly Aquent folks at our booth, consider this your Last Chance to Dance. Or, see us at our booth. But you get the relevance, right?

I imagine there might be a few of the folks there still in recovery mode from our sold out Not-So-Secret Location MIXER.

Everyone except Susie, of course. (When you see her, you'll understand.)

Feel free to stop by, say hello, pick up some swag, and bust out with some favorite dance moves.

Why not? It's not like you'll see any of those people Monday at work...

Just look for us at the Playground.

No, I didn't take my picture myself. I'm not in NYC for this year's Internet Week, but you'll see little bits of me all around the Aquent booth.

Hmm, I didn't mean that to come out as graphic as it did.

Anyway, Aquent's going to be at Internet Week for the entire run and heck, you should stop by and say "Hey" to all the friendly folks at the booth or at our Not So Secret Location mixer on Wednesday. Best of all, if you tell them, "Tim sent me", it will confuse the heck out of our folks from the East Coast who have no idea who I am.

And for the bits of me? Well, I was lucky enough to help come up with the Aquent theme days. Just be thankful I was around to create IAmEffed Day, I Am Not a Number Day, Don't Believe the Hype Day, and the previously mentioned Aquent Not-So-Secret Location MIXER (I was never one to be exclusive).

My bits are everywhere!

And just because I can't be in a hotel in NYC, doesn't mean I can't buy little bottles of liquor and put them in my mini fridge. Or ask my wife to leave a mint on my pillow.

A man can dream, can't he?

If you're headed for the event, have fun!

(Photo by Bob B. Brown)

So you're a Designer working for a corporation that makes other Designers drool when you mention their name. Or are a successful freelance Designer with a handful of good, well-paying clients.

But you keep saying to yourself, "Is this all there is?"

That thought was exactly what was simmering in Interactive Designer and Design Instructor Jon Kolko's brain when he saw former students who had great careers, but craved more meaning in their work.

So Kolko is opening Austin Center for Design, which "will focus solely on solving social problems while making a career path in humanitarian design financially viable", according to Design Observer.

The school is loosely based on Denmark's KAOSPilot program (an interesting site to look at in an of itself).

The Center's site touts that students will be focused on problems related to:

* Homelessness and transient housing solutions
* Healthcare access, affordability, and comprehension
* Nutrition, personal wellness, and consumption
* Education and job placement
* Poverty, as a general state of being
* Sustainability and environmental impact 

The one-year program is based out of Austin, TX and is, according to the site, "ideal for designers, artists and technologists with 2-5 years experience doing professional work, or for more seasoned professionals looking to change the trajectory of their careers."

If you're interested - they're accepting application for 2010-2011 academic year.

And if you go, let me know if they're picky about what you bring to eat in the lunchroom. Because I was wondering.

Suit?  No suit?  Business casual.... What does that even mean?  It's 95 degrees out and you're hauling down the street in a full suit, button down, and tie.  You're lost.  AWESOME... and to top it off, you have about 1 minute to find where you're interviewing and all of a sudden - nobody around you seems to speak English.   Wait?  So Park Street turns into Park Place but I have to cross over the highway? AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Nightmare?  NOPE.  It's called interviewing.  No matter how much you prepare, or feel comfortable, or read the different schools of opinion on the subject, they are still hands down one of the most uncomfortable situations to be in.  Plus - that feeling of dread when you walk into the interview on a Friday wearing your suit while producing gallons of sweat - because suits are not really breathable - and you realize that it's casual Friday.  So there you stand, covered in sweat, clutching your briefcase/messenger bag - and you come trotting in as all heads swivel in your direction and you know what they're thinking........

"Here for an interview - ugh...... looks really hot and uncomfortable in that suit.  SUCKS TO BE HIM."

So you're cruising through the interview.  You've remembered the criticals:
•    Make eye contact
•    Firm handshake
•    Thoughtful answers
•    You've studied the company forward/backward
•    You've formulated fantastic fact-finding questions
•    You brought copies of your resume
•    You truly want/enjoy the role and are selling your interest to the interviewer
•    You are charming, engaging.

And now...... the final question.  The interviewer stops, picks up his very expensive pen that could weigh upwards of a pound and says very matter-of-factly "Well John.  I have to say you seem like a great fit for XYZ Corporation.  So now let me ask you - what is your salary requirement?"  

And it happens.... You feel yourself slipping into the void and your chair turns into a Venus Fly Trap (similar to Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors).  What do you say?  
•    What you "WANT" to be making?
•    What you "NEED" to be making,?
•    What you "HAVE BEEN" making?

...... oh jeez!!!  What if you overprice yourself?  What if you underprice yourself and they could have paid you $10k more?  OH THE MADNESS!!!

Let's face it - money is THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO TALK ABOUT.  (Close 2nd - when a friend has something hanging out of their nose).  Take a deep breath, remember this blog, and remember these tips:

Kelly's 10 Tips for Salary Negotiation

• #1 - You are not there for charity and neither are they.  It is a given that you are there to make a living - money is critical to "making a living."

• #2 - They will rarely if ever quote a salary range to you out of the gate and if they do - it's a vast range.  Ie.  This role will pay between $20k and $120k.  Very similar to the cable guy's work schedule.

• #3 - There are ways for companies to verify salary so whatever you do - do not blatantly lie about your prior salary history.

• #4 - I understand that you felt underpaid at your last job but an increase from $40k to $95k may be a hard sell to that company.  If you TRULY believe that a $55k  INCREASE is something you deserve, have reasons to back it up including what the market cost is for someone completing those tasks. 
  

• #5 - KNOW YOUR MARKET - Are you a copywriter?  What do other copywriters make on average.  It is a much more convincing argument to say "I am looking for X based upon my prior salary and knowledge of the industry average of X amount."

• #6 - "I'm flexible" is not an answer to a salary question.  Gymnastics questions?  YES.  Salary questions - no. 
  

• #7 -  You should consider your three ranges and know them well.  Your ideal salary range, your true salary range, and your bottom salary range - meaning that if you go below that range, paying your bills becomes difficult. 
  

• #8 -  Research the company you're interviewing with - are they known for lower salary ranges but have AWESOME perks/vacation time, etc? 
  

• #9 - Other than salary, what are your motivating factors?  Do you want more time off?  Do you really want a strong healthcare plan?  Is there room for advancement in this company that would warrant a pay decrease in the interim because the overall long-term potential for growth is there?

• #10 - As hilarious as we all find it, $1 million-zillion dollars in the voice of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers is never the right answer.  

If in doubt and you are truly uncomfortable, simply say "My most recent salary/current salary  is $55k and based upon this role - " and go from there.  It sets the standard for the conversation without backing you in to an undesirable salary range.   

Happy Job Hunting!

Scene:  Me sitting in an interview.  In walks my interviewer who slightly resembles Steve Guttenberg from Police Academy - except my guy has a lazy eye.  And the questions begin:

1:  Do I sing in the Shower? 
(Ummmm.. Anyone who claims to have NOT attempted Beyonce's "Single Ladies" in the shower at least once is a liar.  Don't deny it). 

2:  If I could be a barnyard animal what kind would I be? 
What kind of questions are these!!?  Can I file an HR claim without having been hired because these seem a little strange and personal - perhaps even a little out of line.  And why JUST barnyard animals?  No love for sea creatures?

As I was escorted from the building I pondered how I might have answered each question differently.  And then it occurred to me - perhaps these questions are super beneficial to the hiring process?  And as usual upon doing some intense research (Wikipedia), I discovered that the behavioral interview question and the stress interview question have become the "go to" method for a lot of companies in determining the ability to think under pressure, personality/cultural fit, moral compass, etc. 

Nerve wracking?  HECK YEAH.... But my friends the ugly truth is:

YOU SHOULD (read must) PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THESE TYPES OF QUESTIONS. 

Here are a few to get your blood pumping:
•    What is your most memorable purchase and why did it make you feel good?
•    Do you sing in the Shower?  (Read above - Beyonce, Journey, and I do a mean Janis Joplin)
•    If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be? (I've been dying to say sea cucumber just to gauge the response)
•    If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time? (Obviously interviewing is at the top of the list since I'm sitting here with you)
•    If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?
•    If you could have dinner with a famous historical figure, who would it be?  (Is Elvis considered a historical figure?)
•    If you were a car, what type would you be?  (If I say limo with a driver, is that still considered "a car").
•    If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?  (The power to erase my answers from your memory?)
•    See this pen? You have 5 minutes to sell it to me.  (You already own the pen!!  Why don't you tell me why you bought it!).

Ok - so obviously my answers are merely for entertainment value, but we must face it friends.  These questions could crop up and I simply want you to be prepared as your advocate and Headhuntress.  Perhaps throw them a curveball and ask them if they could star in any Bill Murray movie - what would it be?  (If it's Meatballs - RUN!!)

Our friends over at the Rich Media Institute are in feeling in a generous mood these days and are offering two free online Flash courses this months to any and all takers.

Through Feb. 15th, R. Blank's Comprehensive ActionScript 3 will be available. (And yes, they mean comprehensive. The course is 9+ hours.)

For those who like the Lite side of things, through Feb. 28th, Introduction to ActionScript Development with FDT is being offered gratis. (It's 37 minutes. Which means you could eat dinner and watch it.)

And yes, since it's online, even though the Rich Media Institute is based in LA's Venice section, you can attend from anywhere!

Except, possibly, from North Korea.

Or China.


Photo by John Kratz

I LOVE the movie "Office Space" - a lot (seriously - why are fax machines so tricky??).  And let's face it - it can be easy to slump ourselves into work letting the world around us take over.  And why shouldn't we be sad/mopey/sleepy (or any of the other 7 dwarfs) - just turn on the television.  Tiger Woods - bad guy.  Healthcare - not reformed.  Unemployment - still pretty bad.  Job hunting - pretty brutal.    

Case in point:  One of my dearest friends this week made a video reel to apply to a job - apparently we're "there" in terms of competition and difficulty.  But I have to hand it to her - it was inventive and she was taking BYOBM to the next level and beyond!  And to top it off - she had a blast.  

I will say this:  There is nothing worse than a sad, frustrated co-worker/friend/family member.  It brings everyone down.  So - Here are my tips for keeping your sanity during the winter months.  And be prepared - these are not the normal "imagine yourself on a beach" tips:

1.    Start each day by listening to a commercial from Bud Light's Real Men of Genius campaigns.  I listen to one everyday and have to say - I DIE LAUGHING.

2.    Watch this commercial.

3.    Make your FAVORITE breakfast before work.  Yes you'll have to get up early but seriously - chocolate chip pancakes ALWAYS put me in a good mood.  (Or on the flipside - bring your favorite lunch to work - it will make your morning fly by - Thanksgiving Sandwich anyone?)

4.    Watch a little kid walk down the street.  There is always something uplifting about watching a kid attempting not to step on cracks while wearing GIGANTIC winter boots that makes me chuckle to myself.

5.    If you're a woman, wear a headband to work.  You'd be surprised how many compliments you receive.  Really want to up your game?   Wear a new shade of lipgloss AND a headband.  WATCH OUT WORLD!

6.    If you're a man, wear a brightly colored shirt that you typically wouldn't wear - again - you'd be surprised how many people walk up to you and say "hmmmm.. something is different today."

7.    Attempt a game of Wii boxing before work.  It's hilarious and will get your heart rate up.  Did I mention hilarious?  

8.    Sing along loudly to a Billy Joel song (or Black Eyed Peas.... Or Lady Gaga - my 6 month old nephew LOVES Poker Face) while in your car and don't quiet down or stop when you see someone watching.  You will chuckle about it all day.  Want to up your game?  Wink at your audience and hold out your imaginary thumb microphone as if to say "Want to be my backup singer?"

We'll get through it - seasons change.  Jobs will get better.  And if we can have a laugh or enjoy ourselves more in the interim I say - What do you have to lose?

I'm smart enough to trust the talented people I know and further, trust their taste and perspective.  Often a great new site or a talented designer is driven into my inbox or posted to my Wall by an equally talented designer friend of mine and I'm always grateful for the guidance of my web Sherpas.  

So when half a dozen people independently sent me links to the same mindblowing Papervision3D site, needless to say it captured my attention.  

As it turned out, as these things often do in a parochial town like Philadelphia, I knew by extension a few of the guys that contributed to the site and a year or so later I spoke with one of the site's visionary architects to discuss his work with Papervision3D and the bumps and bruises he experienced along the way. 

He's delivered a great presentation here where he illuminates the 5 things he wished he knew before he got started so that the talented developers and designers in the Aquent network can learn from his discoveries and breakthroughs to deliver their own amazing experiences.

Here it is.  5 Things on Papervision3D (to know BEFORE you start)...

https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=gvh9cb

Recruiter.  Headhunter.  Staffing Consultant.  Placement Specialist.  Talent Acquisition and Retention Specialist.  BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!  Let's call it what it really is - we are your Agent.  OH YES - think Jerry Maguire "Show ME THE MONEY" Cuba Gooding yelling in the bathroom kind of agent.  And no - I will not scream into the phone for you.  I love you - but that just seems weird and it's been done already.  

I've realized recently that candidates typically fall into one of two categories:

•    The first camp, we shall call them the "I don't believe in your value" team - call Recruiters when they are in dire straits and send half-done resume updates/portfolio samples because let's face it - they are at the end of their rope and don't see the value that we (THE AGENT) can bring.

•    The 2nd group, I shall call them the "I TOTALLY GET IT and will CERTAINLY partner with you to make magic happen" team - they are responsive, helpful, updates resumes AND portfolios accordingly and view us  (THE AGENT) as a valued partner and resource in helping them secure their next engagement (I know - it's not a movie but we can't all live in the world of Mark Wahlberg (HELLO!  ENTOURAGE MUCH) and Rene Zellweger).  

So the tough question (DUM DUM DUM....) - how do we shift the court of public opinion in group one to join the happily ever after of group two?  

It's simple - change the mindset.  Build the relationship.  Court a little.  In this land of speed dating and internet match making - the same cannot be applied to creating a valuable agent/talent relationship.  So let's get back to basics people!  Get to know one another and the things that make each member of the partnership awesome.  And for the love of god recruiters - DO NOT EVER USE THE WORDS "TOUCH BASE."  Would you want your girlfriend/spouse/family to call to "touch base?"  I don't think so.