2006 GDC BC AGM & TOWN HALL
February 23. VFS Café, 390 W. Hastings at Homer.
6:30pm – 10:00pm.
Light refreshments served.
Free.

Come! Shape your GDC. Bitch. Moan. Debate. Leave Happy.

So what topic do you want to see in a breakout group at the Town Hall?

1. Jaybe Allanson Says:
   February 24th, 2006 at 11:24 am

   Thanks you to all those who put together a very engaging evening. The discussion of creating value (to clients, members and new members) after all the formal stuff was incredible thoughtful and poignant.

   I am looking forward to the growth of the GDC blog to help appeal to all designer in general. A central community for design in Vancouver and not just for GDC members. This hopefully will demonstrate value to non, new and existing members.

2. Linda Smith Says:
   February 25th, 2006 at 12:17 pm

   GDC as a Brand Value or the “Good Housekeeping Seal” of design with in the academic, professional peers, and corporate communities.

   Okay, sticking my neck out here… Below are some random down and dirty thoughts that came to mind after absorbing all that was said in Thursday nights meeting. Far fetched? Never work? Maybe not, but hopefully these ideas might spark your brilliant minds into something that will work.

   QUESTION ANALYSIS Probably need start with a nationwide fact finding dialogue to find out what the perception of the GDC is. Contact information from students, teachers, client business organizations, start conversations to non members in major listserves (GDC appears to have many contributors who don’t belong., conversation in some blogs). Ask business associations in the area what their awareness level is. I would try to find some answers so you have something to bring to the GDC national meeting to back up the need for such a possible in-depth campaign.

   Direct targeting:
   ACADEMIC LEVEL I read an article while back that cars and other adult associated products were being advertised during Saturday kids shows to (brainwash… oh did I say that? I mean…) infuse brand loyalty at an early age. I think a similar idea could begin in schools.

   On a recent GDC listserve someone responded that a “professional” can’t really be measured by talent rather they are measured by keeping with professional operational standards is what makes you a “professional”. Are their classes on ethical practices taught there? Are these practices incorporated into design projects students have to produce? Would it be in the GDC’s best interest to provide/sponsor these guidelines.

   Advertising in school brochures or newsletters telling them they need more than just the degree. The GDC is a trusted presence in school that will be with them every step of the way especially after they’ve earned that piece of paper Getting out of school and finding work on your own is scary, the GDC will take them to the next level and be there throughout their careers. (Maybe the GDC positions themselves as sort of an “Alumni” of design for all academics?)

   Working with these schools in portfolio reviews on premises tying them into GDC membership levels from the beginning, encouraging them to advance. Work with schools and organizations to get the GDC seal of approval for competitions etc.

   Note: I’m using the generic word schools to include technical trade, college and universities.

   SPONSORS Can we also be a sponsored on our sponsors webpages and trade shows? Brand/link the GDC with paper, print houses etc. The GDC could hand pick who they want to be associated with then in turn give them the same amount of recognition on the GDC functions and website?

   CORPORATE LEVEL GDC as a Brand Value or the “Good Housekeeping Seal” of design for the corporate world. Without it, who knows what their getting. Would having a booth or seminars at corporate business conferences help? Would advertising in those publications work? Online banner that links to the GDC business area. (Although, If the GDC is going to do this, they probably need to really jazz up this area of its site. I have seen some really fantastic sites from top level GDC members and local design firms.)

   STAR POWER Are Canada’s best designers GDC members themselves? If so, why not? What would get them interested? A little flattery, bribery, maybe some sort of “honorable membership”? How about honorable memberships to people who are invited guests from where ever? Would this help with the “prestige” feeling AIGA has that GDC lacks? http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm?alias=aigamedalists

   IDEAS ON OTHER STUFF THAT WAS BROUGHT UP

   MEMBERSHIP FEES base fees on income level (GAG did that).

   ONLINE DEMOS Pod cast of how to put up your portfolio online? Or maybe live demos where members can participate and ask questions. I attended a Macromedia Breeze live presentation through Adobe the other day. http://www.macromedia.com/software/breeze/?promoid=BINM
   It was a very interesting way to interact live.

   DONE. I hope it made some sense. I will crawl back into my hole and hide now, feeling a bit exposed… but there you have it

3. Laurel Says:
   February 27th, 2006 at 9:38 am

   I let my membership lapse after the first year I joined. I didn’t feel the benefit of being in the association at the time and was too busy to seek it out. I had the impression that the GDC was a large organization with many systems of outreach in place.

   Attending the AGM brought back memories of being on other boards and witnessing groups struggle with their collective goals and hopes for the organization. That struggle is a beautiful thing. It was good to see the entity of the GDC demystified, and now I can look past it’s cohesive exterior of the site and the binder and see the people involved in the crux of a disparate and fascinating community. They are just a bunch of people trying to get stuff done. Bravo!

   I think one this that was missing for new people attending was some kind of introduction: to the people involved, to each other, to the goals of the GDC. A welcoming committee would have been great for when you are entering a room of unfamiliar faces for the first time.

   Another useful thing would be to have some clear examples laid out as to how someone could get involved in meaningful ways, with concrete examples. Some things were mentioned like licking stamps or data entry, but perhaps some examples of possibilities that are more challenging, meaningful or that have responsibility? We know they exist because the board is doing them! That way one could consider getting involved with a bit of an idea of what one is getting into.

   I think the current board is doing a great job with limited energy and resources and I can imagine results growing exponentially with just a little added energy and focus. I was very impressed with the really great intentions and attitudes the GDC boardmembers conveyed. Nice people. Good work.

4. Jaybe Allanson Says:
   February 27th, 2006 at 12:44 pm

   Great ideas Linda,

   I especially like sponsorship, corporate direct marketing ( I think direct mail would be the most cost effective) and the star factor.

5. Riley Haslinger Says:
   February 28th, 2006 at 8:02 pm

   Laurel,

   Want to be our event welcoming committee? When we have events the board people are running around getting things done. Brock used to do a good job of that but he has left the board after a long stint.

   I think we could do well braching off groups of predominantly non-board members to do specific tasks - like welcoming new members and making sure they get involved, post thier work etc.

   If you see things that are not getting done please feel free to let us know what needs doing.

6. Linda Smith Says:
   March 1st, 2006 at 10:29 pm

   A posting from Danielle on the GDC listserve: Another selling point for posting your work on the GDC website!

   (Hope you don’t mind that I posted this on the blog Danielle but I felt this message was worth repeating.)

   yes! And did you all know that they selected the GDC work for display through the portfolios section on the GDC website? Another great feature of being a member, and well worth the effort of putting work up there. I got my latest gig through having my work displayed there as well.

   Danielle Autran B.Des
   President, GDC Atlantic Chapter
   Halifax, Nova Scotia

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