Contributions

For me, the highlight project at VIZ was the Stocking Stuffer Sweepstakes. Not only was I able to make a custom bag filled with prizes, but I also was able to fulfill business goals and work with a variety of departments.

An incredible experience to be part of a company who's products you grew up with and an avid fan of the content.

Learnings

Licensing can be very challenging as a designer to innovate within the particular restrictions. But that's also the fun in pushing boundaries within those narrow constraints. Building trust with the Licensors through design by continually demonstrating that we were taking their best interest into account while promoting the VIZ digital manga service.

Retrospect

I think there's still great opportunities to enjoy the content from VIZ. With the changing landscape of the audience and technology, many titles have become available on Kobo, other eReaders, and tablets. On the consumer product side, I think we'll see a shift to higher quality with licensed titles than we've seen traditionally in the marketplace.

Contributions

Great way to learn about a business bottom-up is to start in the warehouse. When I was brought into the design team, I took the opportunity to refresh and establish visual elements – logo and topographic map – to maintain a holistic approach for customer touch points.

Initially it was very much a "crew of misfits" and we were able to work on a variety of projects – anything that added value to the brand or had a positive impact for team mates and customers. The experience was really amazing.

Learnings

Discovered a passion of designing for products as opposed to only print & digital solutions. To wear a jacket after spending months helping with designs on screen is a really fantastic feeling. Able to witness the transition of the company from a "small shop" into a corporate structure.

Retrospect

TAD has done a wonderful job catering to tactical enthusiasts and outdoor gear heads. It would be great to see them embrace an urban component in the product lineup as there's overlap in the existing audience. There's lots of opportunities for growth and experimentation as seen with Arc'teryx Veilance and ACRONYM. Also, I think it'd be killer if they had techspec as their Art Director.

Contributions

Five years of blood, sweat, and tears of joy went into this experience as one of the original crew members. I loved all of it. Able to dig in and deal with the design and production of multiple projects, under short deadlines, all while exploring visual solutions to showcase talent and music.

Learnings

It seems so simple in attending shows and music events. But everything that happens behind the scenes can be crazier than the parties.

From talent negotiations, bookings, hospitality, venue acquisition, promotions, stage production, countless trips to the airport or RadioShack for extension cables and zip-ties, it's all an adrenaline rush of "can we make the best possible night?". Then do it all over again week after week. Lots of late nights, lots of fun.

Retrospect

Red Cube has already expanded the brand from events production to a music label. Next possible opportunities exist in opening up their own venue to create a destination spot within the music community and to develop a lifestyle apparel division to further engage a deeper relationship the experiences with attendees.