Design Teams 101 {Pt . 4}

Wow, it’s hard to believe that it’s already been a month since I started the Design Teams 101 series! I hope that this series has been helpful to those who are just starting into the design team world, or perhaps has given some insight to those who are already on design teams. Whatever the case may be, it’s been so neat to hear your feedback and see that some have been given the push to go beyond their comfort zones.

Today I’ll be addressing one question and then next week, we’ll hear some encouragement from the contributors and I’ll answer any last questions you might have.

Disclaimer: I’m not an expert in this topic, but I HAVE been in this industry for over a decade. In my effort to make this series even better, I reached out to some of my favorite companies and they gave their input on this topic. We’ll have the privilege of hearing from Kryssi and Angela from Mama Elephant, Shay from Winnie & Walter, Jen from Reverse Confetti, Michele from CAS-ual Fridays.

Today’s topics: What makes a person stand out? and Can a person get kicked off a team?

This question goes hand in hand with the other one I did previously  on what qualities stand out to me. Here’s what I wrote on the topic previously….

As a company owner and DT coordinator, I look for a variety of things. The MOST important thing is that the person is an active blogger. If you only post one every six weeks, being on a design team probably isn’t the right fit for you. While being on a team is fun and exciting, it IS a commitment. Here’s a listing of the qualities I look for in designers….

• Actively posts to their blog with well lit photos, clean work and an eye for details.
• Creativity is a must. I want to see different card designs, creative uses for my products and a variety of techniques.
• The text in your post can make a difference. Honestly, I don’t want to just see a card in a post. I’d love to hear the story behind the card, why you like that stamp set, who you’re giving the card to, the mishaps that came along the way– it’s fun to read a story while also looking at something pretty.
• I don’t require my design team to have all of the different social media accounts, but it does help. If they are active on social media, chances are they’ll promote you on there and us (as companies) are always for that. If I had to choose only two, I would say Facebook and Instagram are great ones to start with!
• This is probably something not every company notices, but I DO notice if someone is constantly negative on social media and their blog. I want to align myself with positive, happy people and if a person is complaining often, chances are they’ll bring that negativity to the team (which is something that companies do NOT want).

Here’s some feedback from some of the contributors on this topic:

“When I look for a new DT member, the first thing I look at is their overall style.  If their style fits with what I am looking for, I look at their photos.  Are they clear?  Do they provide detail shots of their projects?  I also look for the quality of their blog posts.  In other words, do they talk about the project (how they did it, what inspired them, etc.) and the products they used.”

“Someone who is actively creating and sharing as much as they can with their projects via their blog and via social media. We look for those posts that contain fantastic projects and a great read. Step by step tutorials are helpful to gain followers and readers. Be yourself and be consistent. ”

“Blog posts! I’m drawn to posts that not only have the eye candy, but are fun and inviting too. You caught my attention with your project, now tell me the story.  I want to hear about why or how you created your project. Was there a special technique involved? Tell me about it, I might want to try that on my next project. Was there a challenge that inspired you? If so, I might want to play too-is there a link? Are you playing with new product? I might need that in my stash-where can I get it? Was there an accidental glitter explosion? Crazy stuff happens when we get creative, share your process and trials and tribulations.  I also look at how often you post, specifically how many times a day you post.  Occasionally, things get crazy and multiple things are planned on the same day. It happens, but on a regular basis, my hope is that your post about my product will be at the top of your blog, and not buried under 3 other posts that same day.”

“It is a combination of factors but first and foremost is a strong point of view in partnership with thoughtfulness.  Julie (my friend and co-owner of Winnie & Walter, LLC) and I love all sorts of styles especially when the artist makes it their own and has a signature style.  Versatility is also a wonderful asset especially when the artist leaves their personal mark on whatever they make.  Thoughtfulness is that extra touch that shows the maker are adding themselves and the love. lol

Good photos help to properly convey craftsmanship and showcase talent.

An active blog is very positive as it shows engagement, dedication, an ability to be consistent and it is also a place to highlight personality and find your voice as an artist.  I am a huge blog reader (although I have had to cut back dramatically since starting Winnie & Walter) and .

You will need to be active in social media…that is just a necessary evil or a blessing depending on your perspective. lol ”

Oh, now we’re getting to the uncomfortable part of the series! In a word, YES.

Each design team is different and the grounds for dismissal are ultimately up to the company and/or DT coordinator, or listed in the contract. If a design team member is constantly late in their assignments, has poor communication with the coordinator, or their work  isn’t up to par, these are typically appropriate grounds to dismiss a member. Some teams are a little more flexible, but a HUGE part of being on a team is to have open communication with the person in charge.

Do you have any last questions you want answered in this series?  Leave it here and I’ll include it in next weeks post!

If you are new to blogging, or want some info on how to make your blog stand out and be “design team ready”, I created a five part series last year that you may enjoy. Just click the graphic above!

I hope you all have a GREAT Monday. I have a doctor appointment later on and then I’ll be working hard to ship out as many orders as I can. It’s going to be a busy day!