GOING DIGITAL: YOUTH DESIGN TACKLES SOCIAL MEDIA TO CREATE SOCIAL CHANGE
Last fall, Youth Design was given the opportunity to participate in the 2011 Future M: College Face-Off “Social Media For Social Good.” It was a competition that provided area college students with the opportunity to give back and provide support to local nonprofit organizations through the development of online marketing strategies to help them increase awareness across their target audience segments through the use of social media. Students who participated in the “College Face-off” were exposed to “real” online marketing challenges facing many nonprofits today.
Youth Design was teamed up with an amazing group of students from Harvard University who came into the challenge with the background knowledge needed to help Youth Design develop a robust social media strategy that supported our online marketing objectives. The Harvard students were given 1 hour to create a strategy to better market Youth Design through the various social media platforms available.
The team identified tactics which were included in their overall strategy that would ultimately increase traffic to the Y0uth Design website and to our Facebook page. The presentation of the strategy painted a vivid picture of how Youth Design could be marketed more effectively through the strategic use of digital communications.
I came into the event having little to no knowledge on how much marketing through social networks can impact an organizations’ awareness and engagement efforts. While listening to the presentations that each of the college teams crafted on behalf their assigned non-profit, I was exposed me to the many different ways organizations can approach their online marketing strategy in order to deliver intended results.
With endless platforms to choose from that are “cheap to free,” there is a wide-array of digital communication tools organizations’ can tap in order to effectively engage their target audiences and keep them coming back for more – content that is!
As the program coordinator for Youth Design, the use of social media platforms to raise awareness, disseminate information and keep our alumni and supporters engaged is critical to our overall success.
So take it from me, don’t be afraid to explore your organizations’ use of social media. It may seem daunting at first glance, but I assure you with upfront investment in the development of a sound online marketing strategy your organization will receive the much sought after return on investment!
Until Next Time,
Ivan Richiez
Youth Design Class of 2010
Special thanks to the Harvard University Team and Future M
Think BIG Dream BIG: Youth as Agents of Change @ Town Hall
Town Hall at Harvard University Law School could not have been a more perfect setting for the “Think Big Dream Big: Youth as Agents of Change” event. Youth Leaders from throughout the city assembled in the hallowed halls of the historic university to hear the inspirational words of Eric Thomas, known to many as the “Hip-Hop Preacher.”
A dynamic speaker, Eric grabbed the attention of everyone in the audience the moment he opened his mouth. Reflecting on his life and the hardships he endured, he spoke of perseverance through adversity. Of Triumph through empowerment and the importance of setting goals and surrounding oneself with positive people committed to success.
At the conclusion of Eric’s remarks youth leaders split off into smaller group sessions. Motivated by Eric’s mantra of hard work and its ultimate pay-off, youth leaders participated in discussions were they exchanged ideas around topics ranging from how to keep the challenges of life from becoming stumbling blocks to individual success, to how to identify and take advantage of resources in their respective communities to help support the pursuit of their individual goals and dreams.
The event was an uplifting experience to take part in and one that will not be easily forgotten. As youth leaders trickled out of the event one could not help but feel the renewed sense of energy and passion they felt toward becoming agents of change in their communities and beyond!
check out this video for a more insightful look into Think BIG Dream BIG: Youth as Agents of Change: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UikP3w_7PB4
http://www.thinkbig-dreambig.com/home-3/
Joseph at Blue Cross Blue Shield
“An insurance company?” I was a little shocked when I found out that I would be working as a Graphic Designer at Blue Cross Blue Shield simply because I didn’t think insurance had anything to do with the arts. I didn’t think I had much going for me.
But today I am proud to admit that I take back everything I’ve said before, because there is so much design here at BCBS Massachusetts. The experience was amazing, and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to work here specifically. The designers here have an amazing set of skills and bright ideas that bring a spark to the company’s reputation. Not only was I given the chance to view other individual’s styles, techniques, and designs. This summer’s internship has also opened many doors that would have otherwise been closed.
My mentor was very resourceful; I’ve spent many days just inquiring how design works, the importance of protecting a company’s logo, and how specific tools in programs can give a designer the power to create almost anything. I cannot explain in words how supportive he has been throughout these seven weeks.
Quite frankly before Youth Design, I was exposed to a limited amount of design. I was never given the chance to see how graphic design is incorporated into huge companies like BCBS. I am very glad I made the decision to take this internship because now I feel like my future as a designer has become much more defined.
Thanks to our Youth Design Mentor Paul Lee!
Say Something Poster Project Event @ MassArt
Not even the rain could stop students from making the trek to MassArt last Wednesday evening to attend “The Say Something Poster Project” event.
The gathering provided attendees with the opportunity to come together and share their ideas and critiques of entries for “The Say Something Poster Project,” a poster design competition created to generate positive messages that inspire, motivate and educate youth around issues of social justice.
As participants trickled in Alisa Aronson, Michael Estabrook, and Jason Stevens, the creator of “The Say Something Poster Project” welcomed them. Jason began his presentation by showing the final round of entries from last year’s poster competition and the audience was instantly engaged. Attendees discussed everything from choice of color palette to the delivery of concepts and the resonance of messages.
Everyone in the audience had something to lend to the conversation. It felt similar to a design critique session but the difference here was the main goal; identifying effective approaches to poster designs that successfully met the criteria of inspiring, motivating and educating youth around issues of social justice. The event was helpful for Jason as it provided an informal opportunity to get youth involved with “The Say Something Poster Project” and I’m sure it will push all the potential designers entering the competition in the right direction!
Students Who Attended:
Carlos Alonzo, YD 2010 participant and 1st year at Bunker Hill Community College
Emmanuel Baez, YD 2009 participant and 1st year at MassArt
Vanessa Baretto, YD 2011 participant and 1st year at MassArt
Tucker Gaye, YD 2011 participant and senior at Boston Latin Academy
Junioris Jimenez, YD 2011 participant and senior at Madison Park
Edgar Melo, YD 2011 participant and senior at Madison Park
Dahrell Rush, YD 2011 participant and junior at Boston Arts Academy
Ivan Richiez, YD 2010 participant and returning Alumni, 1st year at Bunker Hill Community College
Joseph Soto, YD 2011 participant and senior at Boston Latin School
For more information on The Say Something Project or to read Jason’s recent blog post on the event visit:
Vanessa at Essential Design
Before I became involved with Youth Design, I had no idea Massachusetts had any cool companies or jobs available in design. For my Internship I work at Essential Design. I had never heard of this place before, but once I started working here, a whole new world of design opened up for me. I never knew what industrial design was or what was involved. Essential Design is an Industrial design firm, which means they design products. I was surprised and amazed to see everything they designed and who their clients were. The biggest thing I have taken away from this experience is the whole design inspiration process. I learned about image researching and how that plays an important role in both the design and the explanation to clients who are not so design savvy. I have also learned how to use the Adobe Creative Suite programs which is great help for the future. I start college at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in a few weeks, and my time at Essential has made me consider possibly majoring in industrial design. I am excited for my future in design wherever it may take me. Thank you Youth Design!
Thanks to our Youth Design Mentor Juli Miller
Sarah at IDEO
Working at IDEO has been a wonderful experience. I have learned a lot since I started here and have met new and interesting people. Aside from all the delicious food made in the office, the aspect about IDEO that I love the most is that everyone is so welcoming and friendly. The environment in the office is very relaxed and comfortable for getting work done. I can definitely see IDEO, or somewhere similar like Google, as a place I would like to work at in the future. Thank you Youth Design!
Thanks to our Youth Design Mentor Islam Elsedoui
Malcolm at Northeastern University!
Hello, my name is Malcolm Davidson and I would like to tell you a little bit about my time working in the Marketing & Communications department at Northeastern University.
What I normally did at Northeastern was shadow people, go to meetings, and learn all the (sometimes odd) terms that the staff used to describe elements of their projects. I also did research on various things like typography and ad campaigns so I could give my input on visual and conceptual ideas.
The best part was learning about all the “ins and outs” of design and getting to understand and become more familiar with major design programs such as Adobe illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. I gained so much from my one-on-one time with the designers — everybody who worked with me is amazing at what they do! It was insane to watch them speed across the screen using all sorts of interesting keyboard commands and learn them as I watched them work.
Working at Northeastern was one of the best learning experiences I have ever had! I got to see how a real marketing firm works, and had the great opportunity to help with brainstorming sessions for all kinds of projects from brochures to banners to magazines, and even an advertisement for the New York Times.
My experience taught me so much about design and has really motivated me to pursue it in my life. I would like to thank Stacey Bakaj, Bruce Ployer, Allison Tanenhaus, and Kristy Tillman for all their awesome feedback, help, and ideas – without them I would have been so lost.
Thanks to our Youth Design mentor Bruce Ployer !
Graham, Jonee, Ronald and Zakia at Karmaloop!
Graham
I was not entirely sure what I was signing myself up for back in March. Reluctant but excited, I went through the interview process thinking that this would be a good experience no matter what the outcome was. When I received the acceptance email I was ecstatic! This would be my first real paying job and it was not like an average first job working at the local grocery store. I remember I was so nervous on the first day of work. At orientation all the Karmaloop mentors seemed so nice and excited to be apart of this, but I still was not sure what to expect from every one else at the worksite. I can now say the nerves were 100% unnecessary because everyone was really receptive and willing to let us help out! I started right away by becoming a Karmaloop Rep and designing stickers. Then when I was given an important task of editing some photos for the site, a quick photoshop lesson was prime. The most exciting experience would have to be the Back To School photo shoot that was shot at the Copley Library. My task was to prep all the garments and make sure all the looks were bagged properly together. It was hectic but I loved every minute of it.
Like I said I was not really sure what my summer was going to entail this year, having been in this program and all. But I can say it is one that I will never forget and definitely never regret!
Jonee
This summer was the best summer I ever had: Meeting new people and their small dogs, watching how everything happens at Karmaloop, being apart of the Karmaloop family for the summer. Also having the best mentor who gives me advice, work, and teaches me things about life. Jobs that I did: prepping for the photo shoots: steaming, removing clothes from their boxes, helping models put on clothes, fold and package clothes, and even for a little while I got the chance to edit photos. I’m going to be taking a lot from this summer, and using them for future jobs/ internships. I’m happy Youth Design got me into this internship.
Ronald
During the 7 weeks I’ve been at Karmaloop, I have enjoyed every minute of it! From the first moment I walked in I felt a warm welcome especially from the dogs in the office. I have learned a lot about myself, about ways I can be a better graphic designer, and that not all graphic designers have to work in design firms. They can work in almost anything. I love the environment at Karmaloop everyone is full of enthusiasm and creativity, which they put into whatever department there working in. My Mentor Leandrew has been great. He has taught me about what types of designs that Karmaloop and PLNDR are looking for. If I do ever make my own clothing line I have a lot of knowledge of what I would need to do to get it at the certain level that Karmaloop would accept and put on its website. Not only that I have learned the process to sell and advertise products online, this Summer I learned a lot and had fun gaining experience in my design firm.
Zakia
This summer I was lucky enough to work at Karmaloop. The culture of the place is cool and the people working/interning there are very welcoming. Youth design interns get their own space on “Intern Island” as well as their own laptops. This was useful because we had access to the Internet and photo shop at work. The tasks that I was given were to create tiles for Plndr, Karmaloop’s sister site, help with big projects such as sharpening the images of clothing items from the Karmaloop website (this was a group effort since there were a lot of those), and we even helped out with a photo shoot for Karmaloop’s fall look book. It has been a great experience working here and I would do it all again.
Thanks to our Youth Design Mentors Dennis Todisco, Jackie Munoz, Leandrew Robins and Alex Haney!
Lisa at Merida Meridian
Throughout my internship at Merida Meridian, I do a wide range of projects that are assigned to me. From making little posters around the office, to directing videos for the company website, to even writing blog articles! During a normal day I usually find ways to help the company advertise/market themselves in more effective ways to their customers. My mentor, Whitney Palmedo, has been giving me great opportunities to expand my set of skills that will be incredibly useful in the future. She has been pushing me forward and allowing me to really grow by valuing my opinions. It has built my self confidence to proceed with the desire to be successful in the field of design.
I’ve learned so much during my internship here at Merida. I’ve learned how the market works, how to use certain programs on the computer that are essential in the field of design, and more importantly what it takes to be successful when one has a passion for something. I’ve learned the value of teamwork. Here at Merida everyone does an excellent job communicating with each other. I’ve realized that this is crucial regardless of whether one is running a company, a club, or planning on being successful. I’ve also learned a lot about the different types of rugs and their sustainability.
Here at Merida, Whitney Palmedo, Maegan Fee, Bojan Mandaric, and all of my other coworkers, have helped me grow into the great intern I am now. That might sound cliché, but they’ve all been extremely welcoming. They’ve all helped me develop my professional skills in all aspects. I’m very grateful I got placed here. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
Thanks to our Youth Design Mentor Whitney Palmedo, Marketing Associate and Meagan Fee, Creative Director
Abraham at Suffolk Construction
Hello, My name is Abraham and I’m interning at Suffolk Construction. Every day here is a new learning experience for me. My mentor Kate is a great help to my success. We bounce ideas off of each other on every project we work on. The people around me are great, I have done many cool projects like logistic planning and designing the logo for the High School football combine (which is part of the Boston Scholar Athlete program at Suffolk). With the help of Kate, I got an understanding of illustrator and InDesign; two programs I was struggling with. Youth Design is a really great program that has helped me see into the world of design and what it means to be a designer.
