Archive for March, 2010

5 Modern Muses

March 31st, 2010, by Caitlin

Today, the interpretation of a muse is any source of creative inspiration. It can be a certain type of music, location, or artist’s work. In fact, the words amuse, music, and museum all spring from the word muse. And even though designers and artists can find inspiration in nearly anything, they seem to agree they have favorite muses that have had a pivotal role in their creative process. Keep reading to find out which muses are present at Sherri May & Company and find out if they’ll give you the inspiration you need.

Here are 5 modern muses, as explained by the designers here at SMCO:

1. The Past
After speaking with Graphic Designer, Katie Milburn, she explained that her modern muse is actually a thing of the past, “I’ve always been big on the idea that the past influences the present and the future. So a lot of times I look at older items, be it jewelry, dishes, posters, marketing and pull from that and try to make it new.”

2. Your Favorite Pastime
Art Director Jen Noto draws her inspiration from her favorite pastime. She said, “Photography has always influenced my design work. I am constantly taking snapshots of life. Then, I either incorporate those images into the piece I’m working on or draw from their various compositions.” So whether you like photography, fishing, or collecting stamps, try using your favorite hobby as a muse.

3. Music
Music has always been my go-to muse. Even prior to writing this blog I got writer’s block and was staring at a blinking cursor all morning. How did find my inspiration? I flipped on my iPod and listened to Genesis. (It’s embarrassing but true).

4. Your Surroundings
“I love to walk around and make little drawings of buildings or signage. In fact, one of my favorite pastimes has always been visiting museums,” says Katie. When in you’re in need of some creativity, just take a look around with a new perspective.

5. Blogs and more
When I asked Graphic Designer, Aleta Lynch where she gets her inspiration, she said she loves checking creative blogs. She even provided a few of her favorites:

sharesomecandy.com
designspongeonline.com
thesartorialist.blogspot.com
entertaininganytime.typepad.com
lanaloustyle.blogspot.com

So whether you need to design a logo, write a blog, or even find motivation to write that business proposal, try one of these modern muses and see what happens.

1Source: Wikipedia.org

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Marketing is a Team Sport: Tips from the Sidelines

March 5th, 2010, by Caitlin

Aside from being a Copywriter, I am also a lacrosse coach at a local high school. The position itself has been rewarding in ways I never imagined, and recently, I’ve been thinking about how everything I’m learning on the field can relate back to the workplace. In short, the main concepts that crossover include having a certain level of selflessness, communicating all the time, and supporting colleagues when they need it. Here’s a little more information on each:
team-sport1
This refers back to a philosophy that says athletes should play their sport in a way that “makes their teammates look good.”1 So I tell my players that every pass needs to be accurate so their teammates can catch the passes with ease, so they look like pros. If everyone on the field has this selfless mentality, the team will succeed.

At work, a similar philosophy can be used. Every project you work on is a reflection of those who contribute to it and to your company as a whole. Work hard to make your colleagues shine and to solidify your company’s strong reputation.

team-sport2
This is one of the phrases I shout the most from the sidelines. I am constantly reminding my players they need to communicate with each other so they can work as one. In the workplace, communication is just as important. Not only is it imperative between coworkers, it’s also important between customers and employees.

For example, if you are the regional manager at a bank that is starting a new acquisition program, it’s important to communicate with Bankers and Tellers and provide specific scripting so they know everything about the new program and how to sell it to their customers.

team-sport3
This is one of the first concepts my players learn. They need to recognize and help a teammate in need. In the workplace, if you have a light workload and your coworker is swamped, offer your assistance.

In the end, the qualities of a winning team and a successful company are the same: the individuals must be selfless, communicative, and supportive in order to come together to work as a team. Bringing back these concepts to the workplace can do wonders for morale and the quality of work.

1“Women’s Lacrosse: A Guide for Advanced Players and Coaches” – Janine Tucker, Maryalice Yakutchik – 2008

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