As part of AIGA’s “Meet Your Neighbor” event, I got the privilege of touring and learning about Boone Oakley, a full service out of the box ad agency based in Charlotte, NC. Boone Oakley currently occupies one of the few remaining historical buildings in downtown Charlotte. As soon as you enter the space, you have no choice but to be inspired. Another graphic design firm occupied the space before Boone Oakley; So, Phil Smith, president/partner, explained they could not take full credit. I really regret not taking my camera. I thought it was interesting that they chose to intermingle the different types of staff throughout the building so everyone could be apart of the creative process.

Enough about the building you can’t see to appreciate…You want the dish on the company right?! Just to name a few of Boone Oakley’s long list of clients: Bloom, MTV2, HBO, American Heart Association, NASCAR, Charlotte Bobcats, Visit Charlotte… and the list goes on. Founders, John Boone and David Oakley, also have a long list of awards. I thought it was very interesting how they opened the presentation by stating, “We hate advertising, and we tell everyone that. What we’re after is the response.”

They showed us this billboard they put up in 2000 during the Bush election. One or two days later, they put up a banner along the bottom that read, “Job wanted: Proof-reader, hire.com”. They got so much response, even got on the news. From then on, clients have been coming to Boone Oakley asking them to do they same thing for their company. They definitely have an innovative, bold approach to advertising that never fails to impress their clients.

Their philosophy: “Do great work for people we like. Work with brands that we are truly passionate about. Not take ourselves too seriously. Have fun.” They said they have had to turn down some potential clients due the fact that they were unbearable to work with, even ones they went after because they thought they would be fun to work with, like MTV. And they would have never thought how much fun it would be to work with a grocery store like Bloom.

Be sure to check out their awesome work: Boone Oakley

On the search for freelance work, I have been checking Craigslist.org. I have noticed some posts requesting finished designs and they will only pay for it if they like it, which usually gets a response warning other designers not to apply. This is called Spec work – work done in speculation that the designer may or may get paid. Any other professional that provides a service would not do work not knowing if they were going to get paid. Take a mechanic for example, you would not ask a mechanic to fix your car and only pay them if you like it.

Spec work not only hurts the designer, but also the quality of the work. Design is meant to be a collaborative effort between the designer and the client which is essential in communicating the right message. I like HOW’s suggestion to ask the client for a paid brainstorming session instead of a free ideas and suggestions. And even if the client does not hire you, you will at least be paid for your ideas.

On my search to learn more about spec work, I found on aiga.org two insightful downloadable sample letters on how to educate clients on why spec work is dishonorable. Another website on spec work is www.no-spec.com who’s mission is to educate the public about spec work. Hopefully the all of the public will start to see why spec work is wrong and unethical.

Last night at AIGA Charlotte’s Meet|Market event was the re|THINK poster exhibit. It was a poster competition for a way for designers to do their share to help save the earth. Posters were focused on inspiring the Carolinas to care more about their environment. There were many different styles, approaches, and ways to help the environment. It was hard to pick a favorite, but I like the picture of the tree with the thermostat the best; I think photography has a very strong power to make things seem real and true. You can view and purchase ($10 ea) all of the posters at rethinkposters.com.

I got inspiration from one of the posters, to put a bucket in the tub while I take a shower. It cuts down on half the amount of water I need to water my outdoor garden each day. I also like using my reusable bags to go to the grocery store, if I don’t have them on me and end up having to get plastic bags, I use them as my dog’s poop bags. I feel a little silly telling people I do these things, but doing small things not only helps the environment but it also makes you feel good, and hopefully it rubs off on others. What creative ways do you reduce, reuse, and recycle?

Some people may not see the point of helping the environment by reducing, reusing, and recycling, but I found two inspiring quotes:
“The choices we make as individuals are important, if only because I think humans work by example. What one person does, another will follow, and then we begin to see the numbers that will make a real difference.” Clare Harris, editor of New Consumer magazine.
“When the tipping point toward green shopping behavior is reached, when enough people change their behavior, then collectively we will make a difference.” CNN.com

No award this time, but it was well worth it! I participated in this year’s AIGA Student Portfolio Review. It was four hours of speed interviews and portfolio feedback. I wish I would have participated before, it was amazing getting tons valuable critiques on my portfolio. I got several compliments on my Mecklenburg Greenway ad campaign and my invitation for the Cybercrime conference. Even though I did not win, a few reviewers let me know I was a close runner-up. I would advise any graphic design student or recent graduate to make sure they participate next year!

View AIGA’s blog post