Archive for June, 2011
Words of an Intern: Week 3
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
This past week has perhaps been my most challenging since starting at MediumFour. I wouldn’t describe the work as being hard, just different and outside of my comfort zone. I did a lot of background research on a new product and its competitors – something, that up until now, I had only had to do for a semester long project in an unrealistic manner. I had to breakdown the different aspects of the product and explain it in the simplest of words. From these activities, I did realize the best way to write something is through conversation: explain it to another person, use the questions other people ask you and write from that information. Concerns are properly addressed, questions will be avoided, and the words will flow more naturally, coming out in a simpler manner as a result. Of course, I still need to add the marketing twist to make it exciting, but I do find it much easier to write information describing a product and how it works based on what is said in conversation.
I was also tasked with writing a marketing plan for this new product. That doesn’t sound difficult, but I had never written one before nor been taught how to write one. It took me an entire day to complete, and I felt as though I did it all wrong and it was missing obvious information (I would like to think those feelings were unfounded and just a perfectionist’s jitters). Yet, after I finished it, I couldn’t help but feel happy at having completed something brand new; whether or not I had to rewrite the entire plan and I really did do it all wrong, I will still take away from this how to write a marketing plan and perhaps the biggest lesson of all – it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. As a perfectionist, that is a lesson I am always trying to accept and I think maybe this week I have finally found how to do that.
Truthfully, I enjoyed the challenges of this week. I found it fun to do something different – after all, that is the purpose of an internship and why I am here.
Posted in Day of MediumFour, Ping.fm | No Comments »
Words of an Intern: Week 2
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
This past week, I gained a better understanding of the interactions that take place, and the roles played by the client and agency. More often than not, it appears that a client is unaware of the benefits branding has to offer a company/product. Clients appear reluctant and hesitant to spend money on services that in their opinion are intangible and unnecessary. I witnessed how it is the responsibility of the agency to explain how branding helps a company remain relevant and grow. I also observed how clients will make selections that go against the advice that is given to them. This was a reminder to me, that despite the experience, knowledge and creativity that an agency has to offer, at the end of the day it is the client’s brand and they will go with what the like – even if it is not the most logical choice for branding a company. In other words: we can guide, but we cannot decide.
During my second week, I have seen more areas in which I can learn and grow as a designer. I understand that I need to have a better grasp on weight distribution, balance and the beauty in the simple before adding more complex components to a design (only if it is necessary to add such features). Moving forward, I understand that my focus will not be on actually designing, but on learning the fundamentals: the meanings and motivations behind the different elements in designing.
As my second week comes to an end, I have been involved with many agency-specific experiences and understand more of what it takes to interact and work with clients; I have seen what I should aspire to be as a designer; and I have spent time researching designs, branding and the thoughts behind it in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the work that is produced by others and the work I hope to produce in the future.
Posted in Day of MediumFour, Ping.fm, quote of the day | No Comments »
M4 Spotlight: Southern Girl Desserts
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
A little something new from MediumFour. Its time to go back and get opinions from our previous clients. Plus these are companies we are proud of to see their success. For the first interview, we have Catarah from Southern Girl Desserts.
What is the name of your company?
Southern Girl Desserts
In four words, how would you describe your company?
“Hospitality served with icing” because we are a dessert company, but we’re Southern. We specialize in only Southern inspired desserts.
How many years have you been in business?
Four (Editorial note: How awesome is that for timing)
What motivated you to start this company?
Being that I was in Los Angeles, but from Florida, I felt disconnected from the desserts I was used to. My family, friends and everything was back in Florida, and I would get cravings but could never find the quality of Southern desserts I was used to being from the South. So I started making it for myself, friends and parties, and I began to get lots of requests. It became a little overwhelming, and so I decided to start the company.
Why did you turn to MediumFour for your branding/marketing needs?
I had a web site that was really great for the beginning of the company, but as it was growing [Southern Girl Desserts] I needed to incorporate a more customer friendly web site so they could go and purchase items and have the site updated. It was a bit outdated too [from 2007] and didn’t serve the interactivity I needed.
What are four ways in which your company has grown?
Visibility, we’re now able to ship nationally, accept payment through our Web site and have an expanded menu.
How would you describe your experience with MediumFour?
It was a designing experience. They knew a lot of things we didn’t because they are in the Web site business. They knew what to do visually. I learned from them different marketing necessities, which is unusual because I’ve worked with other professionals that don’t share those details – MediumFour was very open with the information and the process, helped me to understand what they were doing and they would explain why they would do something. I loved the communication that existed in building the Web site
In four words, how would you describe MediumFour?
“Brink of doing genius” – because not only are they good at just the internet, but they are talented beyond their years when it comes to marketing. Getting the word out for your company, design, they have an eye, a talent, and I don’t know anyone else who has a talent like that. They are marketing geniuses. They also designed our logo and it was just perfect.
Posted in Customer Satisfaction, M4 Fourty, Ping.fm | No Comments »
BASIC Prevention Plan
Monday, June 13th, 2011
About a month ago, I received a call from Val, an old mentor from high school to work on a project for BASIC. BASIC is a volunteer governed, community based organization dedicated to aiding, assisting, and comforting those living with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends, and to providing awareness, education and prevention information to the citizens of Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.
Not sure which cover was chosen, but to have work remembered from when I was 17 to put me in a position to be a requested designer was still an honor.
Posted in Brand Development, MediumFour Print, Ping.fm | No Comments »
