Small Creative Agency

The other day I visited a small business here in the city that has been around since 1993. The owner was open to meeting me and we set up a time for me to stop in there at 8:30am. The entire visit lasted a few hours and I was able to meet a few of the employees there and also talk in detail with the owner of the company about who they are and how to get a job in this field.

After getting getting a cup of coffee we sat down and talked a bit. I was open to learn and he was interested in providing information. I asked a few specific questions but our conversation was mainly about what he is looking for in his work and how the job market is going. He knew people in this business who have been laid off after 30 plus years of work simply because of their age and their value has gone down over time. He also told me that it's good to have a really specific skill so employers know who you are and what you provide. I agree but I would also add that knowing more that one skill can be very helpful. For him when he looks at a resume he separates the "high degree" resume from the "no degree" resume. There is a difference but he doesn't think that one is better than the other. In fact for him he looks at the "no degrees" first because that lines up with his own background. Talking to the owner of this company really made me understand that some business owners who are looking to hire a new employee really bring their own "filter" to the table. Most higher end jobs do require a degree but it's not as if that degree is the reason for being hired. It's just  something that will stand out on paper. We both came to a common understanding that it really is about the individual. It's who you are now and if the skills fit. He did say to me that as the owner of this company he wasn't sure where he wanted it to go.

After that he showed me around the studio and I was able to meet the other employees there. There were a few graphic design artist working on their computers and one other person doing copy (writing). They seemed like a great group of people. Open yet concentrated on their work. I met with the video editor there and he showed me the edit he was working on with Final Cut Pro X.  That was my main interest.

After meeting everyone it was almost time for me to go. To end the meeting he gave me a list of names and companies to contact. He also suggested that I try to improve my work and find a way to work on bigger project. Impresses the next meeting I have with an employer with knowing all of the ad agencies around understanding what each of them do. The more work I can do with people and get paid for it the more trust an employee will have with me. I agree but I also realize it might be best for me to start small and then go from there.

What I really loved about meeting this company and talking with the boss was that it's the kind of place where they come up with the ideas for a commercial or story. They bring the creative idea to the client. It's up to them. To me that is one of the best parts of working on a commercial or project for/with a client. Knowing what the goal is on paper before it begins. Then once it is decided it turns into the fun process of creating it (graphics, video, editing, drawling).

Takeaway Note: Now I have a better understanding of what I need to peruse and how I can value my work in this kind of industry and marketplace here.