Sonia Welch, Recruiter
In her former life, Sonia was a Print Designer. Her appreciation for design and understanding of people, along with her friendly energetic approach clearly help in her success with Sapient. Her role has her working with hiring managers and other key team members in finding the right people for the right jobs. She manages the interview processes and makes the companies first impression on potential candidates. Her role is not just about sifting through resumes, but with maintaining and building a relationship with the right candidates, even if it lasts three years (her longest pre-hire relationship).
Kim Welch, Studio Manager
Kims focus is capacity planning and staffing for projects for 160 people across Chicago, Toronto and Minnianapolis. She is responsible for building the right teams for specific projects, a finely tuned skill. I appreciated that she respects people's time and the needs to balance life. Very involved in the hiring process, Kim really looks for how well people work in teams and how well they will fit into the Sapient Nitro Culture. She is a vehicle for helping develop careers.
Gail Leija, Manager Marketing Strategy & Analysis: User Experience Research
Gail's focus is the users experience. Her passion for research and her self proclaimed "nosiness" has led her to strategy and analysis for international brands. Her job is about getting to know the user/audience, better then they know themselves. She brings together perspective and her unique experience to each project.
Norma Penner, Senior Art Director
This bubbly, enthusiastic and passionate designer is highly sought after by her peers. "Everyone wants Nora" is a regular challenge her Studio Manager faces. This Sheridan Grad has taken her fine arts background an adapted to the online world.
Sapient Nitro Creative Team Structure & Hierarchy
- One, Creative Director
- 5 Assistant Creative Directors
- 7 Senior Art Directors
- 7 Art Directors
- 5 Designers
Sapient is an internationally established company and brand that deals with equally as established brands of the world. Some of Sapient Nitro's clients include:
- Abercrombie and Finch
- Vail
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Jeep
- RBC
- Scotia Bank
- Harley Davidson
- Sport Chek
"The Definition of great is entirely defined by the clients you're working for and the problem." It's about getting to know your client and their values, not about putting your values on them and turning them into you. Their work is about substance.
Some of the specs that are the most common in the work that Sapient does includes:
- Design for browsers and mobile devices compatability
- Understanding international languages and cultures, as many campaigns are international and each market segment varies even though their all buying the same product/service.
- Trying to convey the same message through imagery or text for the international markets
- Often they have to leverage an existing TV spot, but do create stand alone elements too.
PARALAXING
This was a new "design" term that we were introduced to. Basically, it's about creating depth within images online by creating layers that move separately from each other. It creates a very unique effect and feel and brings images to life. It's like a little movie special effect feel for regular web use. It's so subtle, yet so effective. A good sample of paralaxing was used on the Jeep Wrangler site by Nora.
Next, Nora shared her experience working with Abercrombie & Finch, and her 3 month relocation to Ohio, where she worked directly with their in-house designers. By creating and fostering this relationship Sapient was able to gain credibility, but also true insight into a well respected brand. Nora was able to build personal relationships with the in-house team, so when future projects were created she knew the strengths and limitations of the in-house team and the feasibility of success. This relationship was about respecting the client, getting them involved and helping them evolve.
"Sometimes Good Design is Not Enough"
For Abercrombie & Finch, good design was enough to grow their business and maintain their brand. Sapeint was able to come in, learn their brand, be sensitive to what has been established and help the client take it to the next level.
One of the key processes key to Sapients success is their focus on the user and getting to know the target market. It's about primary and secondary research and validating not only their assumptions, but the brands assumptions. As outsiders they bring a new perspective. The challenge comes in helping the brand see the new perspective and it's value. The depth of the profiling and research is dependant on the size of the project and the project objectives.
Every Sapient Employee attends a "Sapient Start" week long orientation. Due to the sheer vast size of a company that employs 10,000 people; it's extremely important that all employees speak the same language. Sapient people "just know"; which is something that comes from having the right support system, communication and training in place.
The Sapient culture is about discussing, questioning, challenging and collaboration to come up with the best solution. Things they look for in their new hires beyond skill include:
- Ability to work in a team
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Commitment to on-going learning
- Initiative
- An ability to switch gears quickly
What to Expect:
- It's an environment for learning
- They have big name clients
- Variation
- Opportunity for growth and advancement - they are a self serve organization
- Mentorship
- An amazing culture
But also, their expectations of their Designer Hires:
- Forward thinking design
- Fluency in digital channels
- Typography
- Presentation skills
- Eagerness
- Compassion and drive
Prove you can operate at a certain level, by working above your level and you will be rewarded. They often hire below a position to allow staff to grow organically. They're objective is to set you up for success.
