POWERED BY
Deutsch LA
Making Invention
Work @ VCU
Brandcenter
02.2014
Hello there.
2
5
So what does
it mean to be a
Creative Technologist?
Personally, I’ve always found it to be a person who
sits at the intersection of design, strategy, and technology
6
STRATEGY TECHNOLOGY
$$$
DESIGN
AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
I tend to think of this as more of a spider chart of strengths
7
STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
I tend to think of this as more of a spider chart of strengths
8
STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
This would be the profile of a
generalist. A jack of all
trades, master of none.
AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
Some might have a stronger foothold in design
9
STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
Someone with a better foothold
in design and strategy might
be best suited for a user
experience position
AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
Others might thrive performing strategic thinking and research
10
STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
Someone with prefers working
with campaigns could pursue
digital strategy while others focus
on developing products
AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
Add a dash of tech and you’ve got different strategic opportunities
11
STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
Someone with prefers working
with campaigns could pursue
digital strategy while others focus
on developing products
Like crunching numbers,
figuring out what can make
your campaign successful?
Consider data strategy.
AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
And prototyping skills will make you exceptionally valuable
12
STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
If you can bring your designs to
life there are many product design
positions outside the industry that
will put your skills to the best use.
Or, of course, the existing
developer positions.
Determine your skill set
first, then approach
recruiters
13
14
Quit making me worry
about my job already
and tell me about
yours...
67
@rachelmercer

What is a Creative Technologist? [February 2014, VCU Brandcenter Guest Lecture]

  • 1.
    POWERED BY Deutsch LA MakingInvention Work @ VCU Brandcenter 02.2014
  • 2.
  • 3.
    5 So what does itmean to be a Creative Technologist?
  • 4.
    Personally, I’ve alwaysfound it to be a person who sits at the intersection of design, strategy, and technology 6 STRATEGY TECHNOLOGY $$$ DESIGN
  • 5.
    AFTER ALL, NOTALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING I tend to think of this as more of a spider chart of strengths 7 STRATEGY DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
  • 6.
    AFTER ALL, NOTALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING I tend to think of this as more of a spider chart of strengths 8 STRATEGY DESIGN TECHNOLOGY This would be the profile of a generalist. A jack of all trades, master of none.
  • 7.
    AFTER ALL, NOTALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING Some might have a stronger foothold in design 9 STRATEGY DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Someone with a better foothold in design and strategy might be best suited for a user experience position
  • 8.
    AFTER ALL, NOTALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING Others might thrive performing strategic thinking and research 10 STRATEGY DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Someone with prefers working with campaigns could pursue digital strategy while others focus on developing products
  • 9.
    AFTER ALL, NOTALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING Add a dash of tech and you’ve got different strategic opportunities 11 STRATEGY DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Someone with prefers working with campaigns could pursue digital strategy while others focus on developing products Like crunching numbers, figuring out what can make your campaign successful? Consider data strategy.
  • 10.
    AFTER ALL, NOTALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING And prototyping skills will make you exceptionally valuable 12 STRATEGY DESIGN TECHNOLOGY If you can bring your designs to life there are many product design positions outside the industry that will put your skills to the best use. Or, of course, the existing developer positions.
  • 11.
    Determine your skillset first, then approach recruiters 13
  • 12.
    14 Quit making meworry about my job already and tell me about yours...
  • 13.