CapsuleBlog

Capsule seeks Production Manager

CAPSULE (www.capsule.us), an award winning design firm in Minneapolis, is seeking a full time Production Manager.

The Production Manager works directly with art directors, designers and account managers to develop design layouts, create presentation material, prepare files for print and complete Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop production work. This position reports directly to Capsule’s Creative Principal.

Candidate should be a self-starter, detailed and able to work in a fast-paced, fun, team-oriented environment. A passion for design production is a must as well as the willingness to take on any task required in a small company. Flexibility and adaptability is required.

Specific Skills

- 3 + years of related pre-press or agency studio experience
- Strong knowledge in print production
- Independent, proactive and able to perform under tight schedules
- Work well with design direction and comfortable within team environments
- Demonstrate attention to detail and a solution-based attitude
- Thrive in a highly collaborative, agile, fast-paced work environment
- Ability to work quickly, calmly and respectfully under pressure
- Professional written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivated and goal oriented
- Project management experience is a plus
- Packaging production experience is a plus

How To Apply

Email: [email protected]

Submission Details
Please send your cover letter, resume, desired salary range and samples of work in PDF format via email (not to exceed 10 MBs) to [email protected]

You will be contacted if we are interested in scheduling an interview. No phone calls please.

Note: Candidates who are not US citizens or permanent residents need to have authorization to work in the US in order to apply.

If it isn't designed, it's jank.

Everything is designed. Everyone is a designer. So, where does that leave us?

Think about it. Step outside your day and look at your world. You drive in a designed car or take a designed train. You live in a designed house or a designed flat. You work on a designed computer, unless you use a PC (small bit of humor). You wear designed outerwear and underwear. You work at a designed desk and perhaps sit in a designed chair. You eat designed meals and read designed books. You walk through designed cities and communities. So, is everything designed?

What does it mean to say everything is designed? Is it only about aesthetics? A parallel question goes out to business and commerce, is it all about the bottom line?

Can’t be. That’s jank. [See the definition of jank below.]

Here’s how we see it. Not all things are designed. Some things are just created. Some people and organizations have a “that’s good enough” attitude. This leaves design to represent those items, intangibles and experiences that are approached from a more thoughtful perspective. Thus translating to a method, belief system and group of people who take a more holistic approach.

So, design = something thoughtfully planned and non-design = jank.

Not everyone thinks like a designer, even some with a designer title. Some are capable of producing beautiful works of art and aesthetically pleasing design [which shouldn’t be discounted], but they are still not design-thinkers. If design is to be used as a business strategy platform, it needs to be clear what good design actually is, right? And, if it’s only aesthetics then buildings would be falling down all around us. The reference is subtle, but important.

While I haven’t seen one winning answer to the good/bad design challenge, we do know how to foster an environment where design thinking thrives. Here are some methods to develop design thinking in your organization.

• Start with a collaborative environment where ideas are shared early and often. The physical space shouldn’t be underestimated because it makes tremendous contribution.
• Gather a group of people with varied disciplines and backgrounds capable of getting specific work done. Then, infuse in them a belief system around what your design philosophy means.
• Provide the minimum necessary tools and resources to get the work done, but not the maximum requested.
• Pay a reasonable salary and reward the results of their work, not fiscally.
• Give a broad picture of what success looks and feels like, then let the effort begin. Keep in tune with what’s being done, but stay out unless you’re deep in it daily.

This is merely one facet of the argument for design as a business strategy. The extraordinary experience for me was when I observed businesses like P&G, Target, and Apple using design as a business strategy platform. It left me with a warm feeling inside and an extraordinary experience to tell.

So, the question, is your business strategy designed or are you set up to just get it done [whatever it is]?

Put more clearly, are you jank or are you designed?

Aaron Keller

Account management internship open

Capsule is seeking a marketing and account management intern to work 3 days a week at our downtown Minneapolis office. We’re a fun, vibrant and hardworking bunch and we expect the same of our interns. Our interns gain invaluable experience and access to Capsule’s huge network of connections, plus a monthly stipend.

Please send resumes to yvette (at) capsule (dot) us - thanks!