Sheri L Koetting speaks at Spark Boot Camp Event on issues relevant to small design studios
Spark — an Organization Offering a Support System for Independent Designers
In the spring of 2003, a handful of independent graphic designers got together for drinks to discuss our businesses. All of us had one thing in common; we were either working completely alone or aided by a small number of support staff, creating design solutions for clients. Not only did we crave the professional insight from other designers, but we also faced the new challenges of running a business. The responsibilities of an entrepreneur were far greater than the tools and skills we had previously learned as designers.
Six years later, the specific, yet important, needs of small design firms we defined in those first meetings led to the establishment and growth of a niche organization, Spark. Offering round-table discussions and lectures from industry consultants, Spark provides an outlet for independent designers and principals of small design firms to share their experiences, knowledge and inspire each other in the following key areas:
Spark Supports Business Practices Not Covered in Design Programs
Running a successful design studio is not just about being a talented graphic designer and it’s certainly not like opening a hot dog stand. At Spark, designers with similar business challenges are able to support one another in upholding the value of design, rather than competing to underbid one another. Members, as well as industry experts such as Emily Cohen, business consultant to creative firms, and Ilise Benun, a creative business-marketing expert, discuss vital business issues such as pricing, sales taxes, proposals, contracts, and market positioning in a format that caters to small creative studios.
Spark Creates Opportunities to Form Strategic Partnerships and Build Teams
As entrepreneurs, we are aware that the strength of small studios is in building virtual teams; success is dependent on great working relationships. Spark recognizes these needs and hosts bi-annual networking events encouraging members to share valuable resources like printers, programmers and other industry consultants and vendors.
Spark Provides An Unprecedented Look at Best Practices
Spark also offers a unique Studio Lecture Series twice a year, which exposes the behind-the-scenes workings of design firms. These lecture series depart from the traditional portfolio presentation format — in fact, no work is shown! Instead we delve into the strategic, administrative, and the inner workings of small, successful, design firms such as, Design MW and Scott Stowell from Open.
Although Spark is currently headquartered in New York City, the benefits this organization has to offer are valuable to the entire design industry. For the past six years, Spark has contributed to standardizing a professional level of business practices that should be endorsed by all design studios, large or small. The outpouring of praise that Spark has received has led to the recent launch of a new chapter in San Francisco. Expanding Spark to new cities is an initiative to further educate, and create solidarity among the design community. For more information about Spark please visit, www.sparknyc.org.
Sheri L. Koetting is a Co-Founder and current President of Spark NYC. She also directs Outreach efforts for the AIGA’s Center for Sustainable Design. In addition to her activism in the design community, Sheri is Co-Founder and CEO of MSLK, a design agency specializing in reinvigorating brands to help them compete in today’s crowded marketplace. MSLK assists companies in establishing their unique point-of-difference and sending a unified message across varied media.
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