Dwayne Grech, 28
Dwyane had many and different experiences in the industry compared to our other speakers. He graduated from Graphic Design Grad form Seneca College—class of 2004 and then as Sheridan Grad web design—class of 2009
His very 1st job was with Organic Online Media as a production artist, creating banner ads—for Jeep,Chrysler and First America Bank. Things were good but then the US Recession hit and the Cdn market was affected as well. Organic lost large clients and Dwayne lost his job. He freelanced and went to and from several positions.Dwayne then worked for Young & Rubicam working on automotive creative. He was also hired as a user interface designer for Sirius Satellite Radio. From this experience came a position as a UI instructor at Sheridan College and teaching UI to developers in Brampton.
Quirky Facts
- Backpacked in Australia
- He speaks Japanese – used to live in Japan
- Started the Facebook group: The Toronto Surf Club—Great lakes cold water (brrrr)
- He claims to have killed 5-8 out of his exact duplicates—there can only be one!!
but still hunting them down...
Momentum
What we do
- Microsites, banners – facebook, twitter feeds if it touches the web they do it for DOAR – Chrysler, JEEP, Dodge/RAM/Fiat
- Online support for Mazda, Mercdes Benz, Forresters – insurance company
- Web APPS for C class coupe mercdees benz
- Online loyalty support for AMEX –
- Was named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies
Chrysler microsite
- Microsite — Chrysler 300 Yahoo takeover – one day event
- Sourced a 3D artists to build it –
- 3 month process—to design and revisions to end result
- Designed as luxury car appeal and provided an emotional response (film noire look)
- Story and experience—don’t lose their attention— consider the user so it is easy for them to navigate and use
- Great response
- Client side website www.chrysler.ca
Jeep-Kokanee Crankworx microsite
- JEEP = rocks and roads!! Promotions included a manmade obstacle course in parking lot, races—COOL!
- Design Faux pas—no Kokanee beer logo near Jeep (MADD was not impressed)
- Live Twitter feed and facebook promo
- Elevator website—HTML 5—all content on one page endless scroller
- Some add scroll based animation—synteractive—jquery
- Going to apply his concept to auto show for JEEP and will be Largest ipad display
- Elevator scrolling
Industry Advice
What to expect
- it won’t be easy, competitive, pay your dues.
- lack of sleep—redbull will help
- ultra competitive market—how do you stand out—how you present yourself personality and style
- small industry—everyone knows everybody – on the radar
- crazy office politics
- Toronto has heaps of agencies - start at small agency – kinder environment to learn and grow
- HEAPS of industry parties —free booze
Options
- Small design house vs International Agency
- Contract vs Permanent Work
- Designer vs Project Manager vs Account Manager
- Canada or abroad—Brazil is HOT right now
Life lessons
- Burning bridges in this industry is suicide
- Networking events are easiest way to an interview—click and step in the door
- Never too old to stop learning—do your best to learn something new everyday
- Action script and video new direction of online
- TheFWA.com is the bible
- Sometimes you have to sacrifice weekends
- Red Bull doesn’t give you wings but sure does make you saviour of the all night request
Dwaynes words of wisdom—serious and not so serious...
Pay if forward—
attend lectures and hire junior
Booze is your friend
If you are not enjoying what you are doing, then you should not be doing it.
@sultanofbeard
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