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Creators
of Amy – back row, left to right: Zach Martin; Jennifer
Fritsch, Greenville; Gary Safian, Wapakoneta;
front row: Laura
Schroeder; Amber Godwin, Greenville; Brittany Hemmelgarn, Greenville;
and Gracelyn Roediger, New Bremen.
“Ask Amy” Leads to
Real World Class Project
Shown Below: Amy Draft;
Class rendition of Amy, an extension of EMB Design’s Customer Service
Team; and Amy in two different outfits.
By Bob Robinson
“It’s time for ‘Ask Amy!’ Hi. (Giggle) I’m Amy! I’ve been gettin’ a lot
of emails lately so I thought I’d answer a few here. This one’s from
John in Cleveland. He wants to know what it’s like working at EMB
Designs. Well, it’s only the BEST JOB EVER! The gals here are
fantastic…”
This is an example of a pre-recorded message at EMB Designs. The
company, located in Coldwater, assists clients with their brand
identity through various promotional, outfitting and marketing
services. When a client calls after hours or is put on hold, he or she
is greeted by Amy, who entertains them with funny fan mail she
receives, reminds them of EMB’s extensive service platform or directs
them to the various social media outlets where the business is present.
“Hi, it’s me – Amy. Jane from Detroit wants to know if I get
emails or letters from guys asking me out. Yep, every now and then! A
few fellas have invited me out for coffee or lunch. One customer wanted
to take me to the movies, but I’m not a great movie date. I talk too
much… (embarrassed) and, uh, I tend to eat all the popcorn…”
EMB Graphics Manager Kris Baucher, an Edison Community College
graduate, never said if that really happened, but an audio clip offers
a perky young woman with a delightful voice that has evidently
enchanted clients for quite a while. Date requests were certainly a
possibility.
The problem? Amy isn’t real. She is a recording that kicks in as needed
when a client is on the line. The challenge? Give Amy a visual
presence for the company’s web site and for use in future print media.
So EMB gave ART214 Digital Prepress & Production students at Edison
Community College an opportunity to work in a real world environment.
The students, through their instructor, invited Baucher and EMB’s
Director of Sales & Marketing, Susan Bergman, to make a
presentation in class. Amy was described to the class as an
extension of the company’s customer service team, physically appealing
to both men and women, smart and friendly, age range 30-35, and
professionally dressed (but not in a suit). Her “hair should be
simple and classic, so should her features.”
For phase one each student gave his or her rendition of what Amy should
look like. They consulted among themselves and worked to achieve “the
look” the client wanted. When the client approved a rendition, students
were asked to provide a variety of poses and clothing options.
Phase two was making team assignments – poses, clothing – for each
student and then putting them together for the client’s approval. They
met their deadline, but not without challenges.
Contrary to the “real world,” students had to deal with non-real-world
dynamics… class meetings once a week, inclement weather cancelling one
class, Spring Break interrupting the timeline, juggling their
responsibilities with other classes and work schedules, and a lack of
experience in team leadership and cooperation. They spent dozens of
hours outside of class, plus limited class time, to get the job done.
And they learned about leadership and teamwork.
Without exception, students said it was a great experience.
“We learned a lot of things about designing ads, but actually having to
do a project and listen to the client’s wants and needs was a new
experience,” said one student.
Another said it “was a great design experience to apply the skills I
have learned at Edison.”
“One of the things I benefited from the most was working with
others to create a composite design. It helped me to see the
differentiating opinions of the group members when it came to how they
thought Amy should look. It took some discussion and changes in order
to get a look that everyone agreed on.”
Most students noted that it was an opportunity to get a “sense of what
will be happening” when they head out into the job market after
graduation... three of them in a couple of months.
“I think all classes for the Commercial Art field should have a project
that deals with a client at some time. It is very important to know
there are more needs than just what the student can design.”
Another added that it really opened their eyes and ears to what a
client wants.
“Listening is key,” she said. “Communication is as well. Thank you for
this opportunity!”
They learned from it. They also gained from it. EMB Designs is
rewarding each of them with their product choice from selected
offerings… and all seven got an “A” for the project.
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