Showing posts with label Talent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Talent. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Buy Local...Writer's Edition

Let me preface this post by saying that I am a big fan of the Business Journal. There is a rule in my office that I get first glance at the issue that comes in the mail every Friday. I look forward to my Daily Update in my inbox every afternoon. I follow them and RT them on twitter. But the March 25, 2011 issue caused me to pause and write a few words.

Now, I have been outspoken about Buy Local in the past (which caused a little trouble at work...another story). I fully support buy local efforts and I think the column by John Crabtree is good. Not great, but good. It's a good "Guest View" and I feel like my post might not provide the most hospitable welcome.

My problem is that Mr. Crabtree is from Nebraska. We have a column telling us to be loyal and buy local. Last time I checked, there are local people who are writers. They actually do writing as a type of businessy thing. They are a flight risk if their vocation is not supported locally. At a quick glance, the column appears to be about 100 to 150 words long. I think we might have a local writer or two or three who would appreciate the opportunity (especially if they get paid) to offer a guest view.

I had the privilege of writing a recurring column for the Business Journal for a period of time. It was fun and, while I did not get paid, it provided me with an opportunity to publish some stuff and share my perspective with the larger community.

I just hope the talented writers in Fresno | Kings | Madera | Tulare counties have the chance to offer their perspective and sell local.

If you are looking for other other local talent (beyond writers), I did profile a few cool peeps about a year ago (some of them have since left the area).

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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Buy Local (Talent): Marc Lutz

Are you freaking kidding me? We have a legit cartoonist right here in Fresno? I know there are people who are talented artists, but I love me some good cartooning. Marc Lutz, a reporter with The Business Journal, is a hidden gem of a cartoonist. I've gotten to know Marc through his role as a journalist. I think the ability to communicate ideas in the written form and through crafty illustrations is wicked cool.

Look, I know most of my readers are not in the market for cartoons. I get that. But the point of profiling Marc isn't to convince you to hire him to do caricatures at your kid's stinkin' birthday. My point is to highlight the fact that his talent exists. Do with it what you want, but recognize and appreciate.

Since I was a youngster, I've always appreciated the fact that a comic strip can communicate so much in just a few frames. I guess that is what I hope to do with the TalentLocal series. Hey Marc, will you illustrate some of these posts?

TalentLocal

Below is more information about Marc Lutz.

Who:
Marc Lutz -- journalist, master of ink, creator of Can Hed Comix and Unky Marco

What:
Marc's main service is cartooning — comic strips, illustrations, graphic design and just about anything else that falls under that inky umbrella. He's been a cartoonist for 30 years, having developed, written and drawn printed and Web comics. Marc's have drawn his most popular strip “Can Hed Comix” since the early ’90s, building a significant fan base around the world.

Marc also offers writing, be it humor, technical, marketing related, screenplays, stories and the like.

Oh, then there’s the animation. He creates Flash cartoons.

If that is not enough, Marc builds puppets, too, though he admits that he's relatively new to that craft (his latest build is an almost life-sized zombie named Bob).

How:
Marc labors to give people what they want and need. Having been in journalism (he does that too) for the past five years, Marc is able to take in all the information and churn out — in most cases — more than what the client thought possible. He also tries to challenge the people with whom he works to express their true selves and portray their product and/or service as they want the public to see it.

Why:
Marc has fresh eyes on this city. When he moved here just a short while ago, he was surprised to find such a large artistic community. In Marc's words, "Outside the borders of Fresno, you never hear about its thriving arts scene. I hope to become an integral part of that scene in every way possible to promote not just myself but all the talent that dwells here." I agree with Marc. The more the creative people, like Marc, can do here, the better it is for the community as a whole and for the people that commission them.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Buy Local (Talent): Bradley Fitzhenry

Redheads are all the rage recently (thanks to Conan). I thought I'd capitalize on the trending topic and highlight a smart and talented redhead from Fresno, Bradley Fitzhenry. The thing I appreciate about Bradley is his intensity and passion for his craft. From design to music to producing shows to saving Fresno from Fresno, Bradley has high standards and hold people accountable.

Bradley has helped a lot of companies with identity and branding over the past 18 years. I've had the opportunity to see him in action as he help organize and promote shows in town. The other thing to consider is that he is one hell of a nice guy. Sure, people may get bristly when working within Bradley's high standards, but they appreciate the results on the other end. Results are what matter to Bradley. Results often drive satisfaction. He knows a client is rarely dissatisfied when goals are reached.

TalentLocal

Below is more information about Bradley Fitzhenry.

Who:
Bradley Fitzhenry -- owner or Vortex Design and Marketing as well as proprietor of SonicFoundation.net

What:
Marketing, Graphic and Packaging Design, Public Relations through Vortex Design and Marketing, the company he is currently rebooting. He's done design work for the Tower Theater (season brochures, poster design, direct mail), Echo Restaurant (logo and identity design), Daily Planet Restaurant (logo design, advertising), Silva Designs (logo and identity design), Tower District Marketing Committee (street banners, advertising, poster design), TW Patterson Building (logo, identity system), just to name a few.

sonicfoundation.net is his music/event production baby.

How:
Bradley is a small business marketing specialist, with a deep understanding of the rigors of marketing unusual unique products/services in a competitive marketplace with an eye to the bottom line. Specific experience in event, arts, specialty food, specialty print arenas employing strategies via traditional, guerrilla and social media marketing channels. Oh, and he's a pretty good house music DJ who has played all over the US.

Why:
Bradley has a successful track record of taking $1million companies to $5million, and $5million to $10million. He thinks that's a pretty good reason (and I would agree). And because he is smart, fun, conscientious, hard-working fresno-native with a penchant for quality.









follow Bradley on Twitter: @SonicFoundation
join Bradley on Facebook


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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Buy Local (Talent): Hank Delcore

Look at your iPhone. Look at your TV remote. Look at how you take out the trash, wash your clothes, or fold your shirts. Look at how you sit when you read versus how you sit when watching a sporting event versus how you sit when eating dinner. Ever watch that much stuff? Hank does. He is s professional voyeur. Hank specializes in Design Anthropology. Ya, you may think that he should be trekking through the jungle to see how apes pick lice off their babies (not at all what he does, btw), but Hank would rather concern himself with your grooming habits and how you use specific products.

I met Hank about a year ago (maybe longer) and was instantly impressed. He helps lead a team at Fresno State, the Institute of Public Anthropology. In that role (along with his teaching), he helps designers and entrepreneurs understand how the market actually using products and services to meet their needs...even if the market creates a secondary use for a product (do you hear me Twitter?).

Here is why you call Hank. You want to take a product to market. In your brilliance, you designed it so that you will like it. You hire an engineer to materialize you dream. Now back up and engage Hank in the very beginning. You are not your customer.


TalentLocal

Below is more information about Hank Delcore.

Who:
Hank Delcore -- Professor of Anthropology at Fresno State and Director of the Institute of Public Anthropology on campus. Also a user experience/usability professional.

What:
Hank's specialty is using strategic information about human behavior to improve the user experience and usability of products and services. Much of what he does falls under the heading of product design. However, his specific approach is participatory design, which means Hank treats users of products and services as co-designers. The idea is: if you want to field a product, and you want it to make it in the market, you should consult its users during the design process. A product designed in collaboration with users will better meet their needs and desires, deliver a rich user experience, and more likely out-do the competition.

How:
As far as I know, Hank is the only user experience professional in town focused on translating data about human behavior into design insights for products and services. Other organizations are doing some great market research, but no one is focused on the front-end: product design from earliest inception to the point of being market ready. Hank leverages over twenty years of his own experience, plus resources from the knowledge base at the university (colleagues and students) to make products ready for success.

Why:
If we’re going to have a vibrant local economy, locally-based businesses need to excel at delivering the best user experience to their customers at the best value. If you have a new product or you want to keep ahead of the competition by improving an existing one, Hank can help.

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Monday, January 11, 2010

Buy Local (Talent): Robert Schultz

I know Robert looks pretty intense in this picture, but that's because he is am intensely talented geek. By day he pounds away developing and writing code. By night he still pounds away on code, but makes time to take in as much music as possible and enjoying the view from his fabulous downtown loft.

Robert is very active in the local tech world and he helps to actively build and organize the talent we have available. He one of those smart guys who might be intimidating to some, but he is very approachable. Almost every day I hear people say that they cannot find programmers in the area. My answer to them is, "look no further."


TalentLocal

Below is more information about Robert Schultz.

Who:
Robert Schultz -- Senior Developer for ShoWare an online ticketing solution based in Fresno, California

What:
Robert specializes in Microsoft related software technologies, web-based development, brand development through software, changing the world through code.

How:
Robert has the ability to identify trending technologies and to adapt to the software world as it evolves.

Why:
Born and raised in Fresno, Robert has lived here for approximately 20 years of his life. Despite moving to the bay area for a while, he has always called Fresno his home. There is a huge untapped market within Fresno for software startups and with the help from some creative professionals, Robert thinks we can put Fresno on the map (add this to the list, Mike Oz).





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Friday, January 8, 2010

Buy Local (Talent): Brenda Carrasco

Brenda cares about consumption. Brenda cares about a person's passions. Brenda cares about maximizing time and minimizing waste. There are a lot of consultants out there who try to roll out new models for the sake of proving how cool and different they are. Through her works as owner of Doctored Designs, Brenda Carrasco creates and sources tools that will have a true impact on the people with whom she works.

Probably one of the most fun people with whom to share a whiteboard, Brenda is the master of using stick figures and basic shapes to communicate a complex idea. She sees patterns very quickly and this talent makes her good at her craft. If you ever wonder about your identity or purpose, spend an afternoon with BC and she'll help ya see that the patterns of your life (especially passions that have existed from early childhood) can be drivers for happiness and fulfillment today. The doctor will see you now.


TalentLocal

Below is more information about Brenda Carrasco.

Who:
Brenda Carrasco, identity specialist and owner of Doctored Designs

What:
Doctored Designs specializes in the development and communication of personal identities. Brenda offers tools and coaching to help people strengthen and show their identity in a career, home, or social setting.

How:
Unlike traditional career development or life coaching, Doctored Designs offers a complete system that includes all things identity. As an identity/career developer, Brenda Carrasco, will inventory a person's entire life and then design a customized action plan around the professional and personal desires of each individual. Doctored Designs services include a summary of a person's identity, comparison studies of other people with similar strengths, and a plan for short and long term change designed to help you align your true self with what you do, say, and buy.

Why:
During these tough economic times, many Fresnans are going through a difficult life or career transition where the new path is not clearly defined. Having to find a new career and redefine oneself can be a stressful life change. Brenda specializes in helping people define their path so they can move forward into the next stage of life with enthusiasm and support. She helps people fill up their time schedule with the things they love and find more meaningful, ultimately creating greater fulfillment in all areas of life.



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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Buy Local (Talent): Kengi, Miles & Eric

Today it's a trifecta of coolness...a threesome with swagger. The fellas at Spline Motion Studios are funny, talented and appropriately geeky. What is better than working with 3D masters who enjoy a good beer, watch cartoons and refuse to tuck in their shirts?

From 3D renderings to crazy animation to interactive websites, Kengi, Miles and Eric can make your dreams a (virtual) reality. They are currently looking to break into the feature animation department. Spline Motion can be Fresno's very own Pixar. I'm sure the guys would enjoy that. So stop sending your 3D work to India and Canada, and give these guys a holla.

TalentLocal

Below is more information about Kengi, Miles & Eric.

Who:
Kengi Her, Miles Wilhelm, Eric Spikes - Partners, Spline Motion Studios

What:
3D Animation, Interactive Web Apps, Product Visuals

How:
These guys visualize what can’t be seen, hasn’t been created or you wish existed.

Why:

Kengi fought hard to come to Fresno from Laos, Eric left Hawaii for Fresno and Miles has no place else to go. But they all have faith in this city. While most other animation studios are in the big cities getting lost in the mix, Spline Motion is rocking downtown Fresno trying to make a big noise and having fun while doing it.






559.486.1691
follow Spline Motion on Twitter: @splinemotion

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