Thursday, July 28, 2011

Summer is winding down, but here at 9 Clouds U. we are busy as ever. The designers, Marc and Hunter, are developing our “Big Summer Project” which I will reveal in a later post, so stay tuned! And Sawyer and I have been busy planning and marketing our end of the summer event, the Sandbox Workshop. On August 30th, we are inviting local small businesses to join us at the Museum of Visual Materials in downtown Sioux Falls for a free hands on workshop focusing on “Six Things Every Small Business Needs to Do Online.” We are very excited to have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with our clients and build personal relationships with each one.

Marc designed our posters and post cards that will be hand delivered to local businesses promoting the event (check it out below). Threadbird is making “Sandbox” stickers for us to hand out as a guerrilla marketing tactic, and Downtown Sioux Falls posted the event on their “Things To Do” list. We will personally email prospective clients and post the event on all social media outlets. All attendees will be entered for a chance to win a free one year subscription to Sandbox ($270 value) and are encouraged to bring a laptop. Hope to see you there!

Ciao,

Amy Thorne

July 1, 2011

Here at 9 Clouds U. we were presented with an exciting opportunity to design the advertisements for Frontier Bank’s annual summer picnic. Our designers, Marc Wagner and Hunter Murphy, got busy designing their own posters, fliers and handouts.  Take a look at their artwork below and let us know your favorite! 

Marc Wagner: Marc focused on the “Summer Fun” picnic theme. He listened to 60’s surf rock for a lil’ summer inspiration as he designed. Check out those Ray Bans!

Hunter Murphy: Since Frontier Bank is celebrating their 80th anniversary, Hunter found inspiration through 80’s artwork. This just makes me want to break out my high-tops and Zubaz. Hunter’s work reminds Marc and I of ‘Saved by the Bell!’ 

Keep an eye out around town, or stay tuned in to 9 Clouds U, to see which designer’s work was chosen!

Happy Friday,

Amy Thorne

Designers Hunter, Marc and Amy Colgan working at the 9 Clouds Headquarters.

As the days get hotter and longer, so do our “to-do” lists here at the 9 Clouds Headquarters! We couldn’t be more excited about our current and upcoming projects at 9 Clouds U.! Every day is an adventure and we are constantly learning new things! Read below to get a better idea of each intern’s individual projects.

Marc Wagner is using his talents as one of 9 Clouds graphic design interns. His current focus is on Brofounders, our ongoing comic strip that teaches digital literacy. An exciting upcoming project for Marc is to create a brand/identity logo for an emerging real estate company. Stay tuned in to see his amazing work!

Hunter Murphy is another one of our gifted graphic design interns. Hunter decided to join us this week after his long sabbatical in the Black Hills…must be rough (J/K Hunter!). We like to give him a hard time! Hunter will work along side Marc on the creation of the real estate logo and he’s already off to a great start on our 9 Clouds U. “Big Project.”

I, Amy Thorne, am the marketing/management intern taking the role of Community Manager for 9 Clouds’ new product Sandbox. Each Tuesday Sandbox comes out with a new seminar on a specific social network, digital tool, or web strategy. You can learn about that, ask questions, and talk to other Sandbox members on the wall as well as the forum. Sandbox also has a live chat feature! My other summer responsibilities will consist of marketing our 9 Clouds U. “Big Project” and keeping the crazy designers in line. 

Here at the 9 Clouds Headquarters, we are kicking off a brand-new summer with three newfound interns! Over the next twelve weeks, our interns will work collectively on an exciting business adventure as well as individual 9 Clouds projects. Meet the interns below and stay tuned in throughout the summer!

 Amy Thorne-Marketing/Management Student 

Hometown: Brookings, SD

College: North Dakota State University

Q&A with Amy:

If you joined the circus, which act would you most like to perform? Tightrope Walking

Describe yourself in three words. Dedicated, Lighthearted, Shoe-Fanatic 

Favorite sound? Espresso machines, the sound of my feet hitting the pavement on a long run, rain pitter-pattering on a window

What food could you never live without? Peanut Butter Oatmeal 

Favorite Quote? You gain strength, experience and confidence by every experience where you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you cannot do. —Eleanor Roosevelt

Hunter Murphy-Graphic Design Student

Hometown: Rapid City, SD

College: South Dakota State University

Q&A with Hunter:

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Hunter Green

All time favorite book? The Screwtape Letters

All time favorite movie? “Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”

First thing you would save in a fire? The 1958 Mamiya C-2 that my grandfather gave to me.

If you could switch places with one person for a day, who would it be? Robert Doisneau

 Marc Wagner-Graphic Design Student

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

College: South Dakota State University

Q&A with Marc:

If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which one would you choose? Twin Peaks

If you were a Power Ranger, which one would you be? When I was six, I was the original black ranger for halloween. I stand by that decision.

All time favorite book? ”The Sirens of Titan” by Kurt Vonnegut

Any nicknames? Marcle, Mick, and Wags

Which of the four seasons do you most anticipate? I am a big fan of the fall season.