Putting an event this big was diffidently a milestone for us. We had a number of glitches along the way, like doors opening late, food not showing up at the time requested and there was a little mayhem in the laidback structure compared to your usual functional shows. Nevertheless, we improved each year from the feedbacks we gathered. As a result, this May 5th/2009 we concluded with our best year yet - with a 91% turnout - agencies and graduates came out with some positive inputs. Returning graduates found this year much better and secured an array of contacts. Agencies and creatives found some great talent and potential interns. The night ended at 1am with one agency still going to the last mile and revewing the last book. There is a lot we can do to make next year better. But without a doubt, I am very happy to say the least that this year - the attire was just perfect. Everyone came dressed in the format I was expecting and it did not feel like a prom.

So what’s next for us. We go year 4. We have received requests to expand the Graduate Series to other cities. We will also be begin early this year to build partnerships along the way to best emphasize the Graduate Series within the creative markets. And maybe even consider doing a split of social structure. Whereby graduates do not have to wait too long to get their works critiqued and yet still making new friends from new schools. And lastly but not least, generate sponsorships and support 9 months earlier.

We have a lot to do for this coming year and the Graduate Series is just one of them. We have goals we want to break. Challenges we want to meet. And coverage we want to reach. And without the support of our volunteers, friends and associates - we would not have gone this far this year. Thank you all for making this year a memorable one and see you soon…

follow us www.meetthegraduates.com

So it is that time of the year again. It’s not a bad thing and maybe it is not a ‘thing’ at all…but  a forum of somekind, of some inventive love for the arts; for the attitude that comes with it and the showcase that follows. Maybe it is the time of the year that passion is measured by your workstyle more than just having the skills or education to back you up when your down.

I mean, c’mon…it is that time of the year where YOU the student - be able to invent the wheel, meet the people who one you want to be - maybe to even to replace. Becomes icons or simply have your foot in the door. Well it is that time of year again - a time where you lax back, chill with the creatives and show your creatives. A time when you might land a paid internship during the rough times of the year or at best be recruited on the spot. Worse case scenerio you will only be collecting 50+ cards to harness in the many years to come.

And for the very first time to mark our third year - we are finally pleased to launch the official site for the Graduate Series: www.meetthegraduates.com

onCONTACT presentation

Despite the first wave of snowstorm hitting us folks in Markham, onCONTACT withanENTREPRENEUR pushed forward and braced the weather. Our first two sessions at Seneca though hindered by the weather, did not hold neither us or our guest speakers back. Attending students enjoyed an intimate exchange with our guest speakers. Our last session at George Brown boasted a full-house and an extended session that went into the late, late evening. The consensus from all attending guests are that the information and knowldege shared at onCONTACT are invaluable, not the typical information you would receive from any class or institution. We are happy to announce another successful event and Cg6 is looking forward to continue its participation in Toronto’s Global Entrepreneur week.

onCONTACT presentation

Imagine enrolling in a program of your passion and learning more than just the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in your field. Recently, Cg6 had the opportunity to witness such a brilliant method first hand. Arriving at Seneca@York, we were invited to take a small part in the Digital Media Arts program. Walking into a casual campus pub, students all around were engaged and animated, chattering excitedly amongst each other.

Welcome to Ninja Pub - an afterschool hangout/semi-mandatory gathering for students enrolled in the DMA program. As program coordinator and DMA professor Joseph Bodick and Andrew Tedford explains, Ninja Pub was created as a way to get more out of their students. Highly passionate in their roles and and their students, Joe and Andrew describes Ninja Pub as a form of gathering that reflects the necessary social networking events in the corporate environment. More often than not, career consellors would advise individuals to maintain a wide social network, as networking as we know, is an essential factor to a successful career path. Having noticed that some students may be more timid than others, Ninja Pub was another way to keep students from bolting straight home and staying indoors. Over a few drinks in a light, casual setting, students here have the opportunity to mingle with others in the program. The gathering is an excellent source of relaxation and networking opportunity for students who share a common goal, a common interest. Drinking is of course, not excessive nor a must, but just enough to loosen up a few shy ones to better allow them to connect with fellow students and program professors. Ninja Pub takes place once every few months and through the course of the evening, students are also exposed to short films and guest speakers of the same industry.

“I love what I do” and “Anything to help the students achieve more from themselves” were my two favourites quotes respectively from Joe and Andrew. Ninja Pub thoroughly confirms the common passion amongst the DMA Professors while student responses to the program further confirms such an environment to be highly effective.

Cg6 is looking forward to future opportunities with partaking in Ninja Pub, to inspire and be inspired by the fresh minds of upcoming creative students.

Cg6 Inc took the time to put together a new face to ON CONTACT withanENTREPRENEUR for Entrepreneurship Week Canada 2008. This years face will be found on all/any relevent materials and sites leading to the open mike discussion and its industry-experienced guest speakers.

We at Cg6 Inc would love to hear your input on the new design. - Thank You.

On September 23rd of this year; we had the wonderful opportunity to put together our second in running Prospecting Freelancer 2008. The room was packed and our special guest Angela Matich along with 2 of her senior teammates joined us from Belladonna Communications. 

Belladonna delivers business and brand through wisdom, strategy and design at the highest levels. Belladonna and its team have been awarded more than many handfuls of recognized attributes, including: Employer of Choice Marketing Award, Rebrand 100, Applied Arts - Best Creative Design & Advertising Annual to name a few; with top client mentions like BDC, Bell Canada, Canadian Cable Television Association, Design Exchange, Honda, Hydro One, Young President’s Organization+ many more…

Angela’s diverse experience, as a Business Development Director and her extensive knowledge of the market constantly spark new optimal solutions for resolving unique business challenges and creativity. Her true passion for understanding audience needs, strategically navigates first-choice position as a true guide to our open discussion. She created and executed industry-award-winning brands, communications and marketing programs with exceeding expectations; ruthless for aligning business goals with brand tools and practices. Which for your information are instrumental in her clients’ successful performances and a great guide to ours. 

On the night of September 23rd, Angela and her team enthusiastically engaged our group of experienced and start-up freelancers. They had a chance to provide detailed knowledge to their enquiries and be more than able to provide delivered wit to each urgency and daily hurdles as prospecting freelancers within our engaging community. The discussion was open, chartered by booze and dinner plates. 

By nights end, each designer left the room with one bit of knowledge greater than what they had when they walked in. Some had the opportunity to introduce their portfolio’s to Belladonna’s team; while others exchanged cards and reconnected with old friends. I must say - thanks to Prospecting Freelancer 2008 we met 2 wonderful individuals - Andrew and Simon - who gaged our interests on our upcoming project - Graduate 3.0. Because of them, we have been invited and participated in Fall Studio Tour ‘08 to which we have gained first hand face contact interest from top creative masterminds in the country, if not in Toronto alone. I only have to say keep gaging to our site for up-to date information and developments…

The illusionary magic trick familiar to us all: What do you envision upon the title “Rabbits out of Hats” ? now loose that vision of the dude in the top hat, bow tie, and that neat line of mustache with the curls at the end. The rabbits being pulled out here are not furry little bunnies at all, but beautifully laminated and mounted pieces of your most prized possessions. Neither is the hat that we are referring to the trademark black top hat of the magician you envisioned. Rabbits out of Hats here are referred to the local Canadian-owned company with an excellent reputation for their services in laminating, printing and mounting.

Tucked in the streets of busy downtown Toronto, Lamin-8 does all the magic in-house. Cg6 had the opportunity to meet up with the charismatic and friendly Carlos of Lamin-8 for a thoroughly guided tour of the company and their laminating/mounting processes. Large machines and facilities fill up the back room, skilled experts at their station taking detailed care in the process of their production. Ah, so THAT’S what that odd looking huge machine is for, ah, so THAT’s how you produce quality laminates and mounts. Lamin-8 proves that customer satisfaction really is their main motivator, and their eye for details details details is thoroughly impressive, if not, refreshing. You just don’t seem to get much of that care and attention to details these days any more.

Two hours later, we left educated, impressed and full of joy. Impressed by the quality products and the friendly, down-to-earth group of experts of Lamin-8. The joy, the joy came from the pooch who accompanied us through parts of the tour, the pooch, an adorable Doodle by the name of Belle.
( Note: Doodle - a cross between Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel, as a dog lover, I was very much in love. )