clear for departure: meet the crew members behind your next sign project
A shared experience most of us have is travel, whether by train, plane, or automobile–we’ve all gone somewhere. When flying, we find it comforting to remind ourselves that the people responsible for getting us to our destination have a lot of education and experience and they take their roles and responsibilities very seriously. We thank the flight attendants for helping us find our seats, making sure we’re safe and informed, and for giving us our tasty snacks. When it all runs smoothly, it’s a seamless performance of experts working together to make our experience enjoyable, efficient, and hopefully memorable.
As we approach the end of the year and the holiday season, gratitude and appreciation for our team and our Partners are top of mind. Intentionally small, the Studio Dzo crew is committed to upholding our “Do Good Work” mission. Each role and individual team member is responsible for upholding this pledge of service to each other, to our Partners, and to themselves. You might have seen us on social media gushing about one another. We might be great navigators, but we’re not good actors–this is the real deal. It is truly a gift to be a part of this team and we want you to feel the love and care we put into your own sign journey.
This month, learn about how our individual roles and responsibilities work together to get you to your design destination on time, on budget, and feeling like you’ve been supported and valued along the way. If you’ve Partnered with us in the past, you’ll probably see some familiar names and faces. And if you haven’t, allow us to introduce the good people behind the good work we do here at Studio Dzo.
Account manager
THINK OF THEM AS
First-Class Flight Attendant
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
Not often. If it is a national partnership that has multiple moving projects, you will see the Account Manager for weekly/biweekly meetings
Behind the scenes, the Account Manager meets with the Project Manager multiple times a week, so even though you may not see them often, they know everything about your project.
Our Account Manager guides the Project Manager. They have a bird’s eye view of all projects, but typically will not step into the daily communications unless a higher-level solution is needed or when the Project Manager is out. The Account Manager focuses on servicing the account rather than the day-to-day of a project’s needs.
CHARACTERISTICS
Business-minded, organized, charismatic
controller
THINK OF THEM AS
The Ticket Agent
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
Never! They are a recluse, they only speak in accounting software and spreadsheets. They will pop into your inbox with contracts, deposit invoices & final invoices, but you will likely never see them.
Our Controller submits contracts and invoices to be paid. They are the end-all, be-all with money. They are reviewing quotes, disputing charges, answering questions about bills, managing payroll, and filing taxes. They are in charge of documents, contracts, and anything that needs to be signed.
CHARACTERISTICS
Business-minded, organized, social pariah
Project Manager
THINK OF THEM AS
Air Traffic Controller
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
PMs are the pulse of the studio, so you’ll see them from the very beginning of your project all the way through fabrication and installation.
From phone call to install, they are the ones who see it all as it’s happening. At any moment, they are aware of the intended vision and scope of the project. They communicate across teams, coordinate with other trades, inform Partners of next steps, and manage expectations. They take care of our creative team and meet with the Account Manager multiple times a week to discuss current and upcoming projects. They see each project through its journey, checking all the boxes, ensuring everything is clear for your project to come in for an applause-worthy, on-time landing.
CHARACTERISTICS
Organized, charismatic, transparent, clear communication, trustworthy, DID WE MENTION ORGANIZED?
creative director
THINK OF THEM AS
The Captain
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
At the very beginning of the project, right before everyone is strapped in for take-off. You’ll get notifications as needed, but just like any good flight–you shouldn’t hear from them too much.
The Creative Director maintains a 50,000-foot view above all projects. They objectively and subjectively review the work of Art Directors and push the creativity to meet and exceed expectations while making sure everything aligns with the larger vision and intent.
CHARACTERISTICS
Focused, optimistic, a keen ear, sharp eye, inspiring, honest
art directors
THINK OF THEM AS
The Pilots
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
They are the primary point of contact throughout the entire creative process of each project.
From any updates about permitting & code research to design ideation & execution, the Art Directors are at the flight deck from the start, keeping a project safely moving toward its final destination. They work directly with the Creative Director to develop design directions (concepts) and work collaboratively with you and your team to craft and polish the designs for your next amazing sign package.
CHARACTERISTICS
Creative pointed, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, calculated, focused
designer
THINK OF THEM AS
Co-Pilot
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
Hardly ever, sometimes in email or in meetings, as needed.
Designers are responsible for design application, they quickly deploy designs refined by the Art Directors. They double-check for errors and create sitemaps and message schedules.
CHARACTERISTICS
Focused, nit-picky, critical, efficient
brand manager
THINK OF THEM AS
Ground Crew
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
Not really ever, maybe on social media, or at the end of a project.
The Brand Manager is directly responsible for communicating our mission, vision, and values externally. They manage the brand, are the PR/Ambassador for the studio, and follow up with Partners to ensure the team not only provides good work but also a good experience.
CHARACTERISTICS
Fun, organized, optimistic, proactive, charismatic
Owners
THINK OF THEM AS
The Airline
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THEM?
At the very beginning and very end of your project, or if something goes seriously wrong.
Studio Dzo’s Owners are responsible for everything. They make sure the crew is happy and healthy (employees have insurance and are paid). They are always looking for opportunities to grow the business, to work on the business, engaging, promoting, and managing workflow. They protect the team; they’re therapists, counselors, a Mom, a Dad, and always a friend. Most roles at Studio Dzo can be filled (not easily) but the roles of Owners cannot be filled by anyone other than Russell and Elizabeth. Company ownership looks different across businesses and these two, in particular, are keeping Studio Dzo soaring
CHARACTERISTICS
All the things, kind, caring, empathetic, protective, worriers & warriors, passionate, committed
Hopefully, if I’m doing my job right, not only will you see and understand that these roles are individually important for your sign journey, but believe that we truly strive to be the wind beneath your wings (Russell made me say it). It is a gift to be part of this team and I am immensely grateful to be able to share with the world all the wonderful things I see in and from this talented group of passionate creatives.
We’re all looking forward to the next adventure, and the possibilities are endless when you work with a strategic Partner that loves what they do.
-Tanya/Brand Manager
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