Who Am I Talking Too?

Top 3 Job Design Firms 

In this exercise we had to narrow down three jobs we would consider applying for. Our directions were: For your top 3 jobs, what is the company, what are the company's stated values, goals, and mission? Do they have a Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or other social media accounts? What did you learn about the company from their website? Did you learn anything about the company from Glassdoor, newspaper articles, industry articles, or other online/news services? Are you friends or connected in any way with anybody currently at the company?

You are to list the three companies and provide a 2-3 paragraph analysis of what you learned about the company.

These are places I would apply for an internship or an assistant position to get my foot in the door and learn as much as I can. These would not only be great places for experience in the field but they would be places that have opportunities to grow and maybe places I could see myself staying long term. 

Gretel 

Values, Goals, and Mission: 

Gretel is a New York City based design and branding studio founded in 2005. Their mission centers on creating strategic, intelligence driven brand identities that balance in opposition. Blending “old/new” and “high/low” influences to build memorable brand systems. They focus heavily on motion, editorial, and brand architecture, with an emphasis on deep strategy and storytelling. 

"Our process follows suit: a tension of intellect and intuition."

Social Media Presence: 

Facebook: Yes 

Instagram: Yes 

LinkedIn: Yes 

Pinterest: Yes

Not listed Other: Vimeo (for motion work) 

What I Learned from the Website:

 Gretel’s website showcases bold, highly conceptual brand work for clients like Netflix, MoMA, Google, and Vice. Their portfolio has strong use of motion and dynamic storytelling, while their “Company” section highlights a diverse team working in strategy, writing, design, and culture. 

Insights from Reviews: 

Glassdoor reviews paint a mixed picture: 

-employees praise the creativity, team collaboration, and hands on intern experience

-some note high pressure expectations, leadership changes, and occasional instability during growth phases.

Personal Connections:

 I am not currently connected to anyone at Gretel. Although their client list has a HUGE variety of brands I have bought, have subscriptions, or use on a daily basis. 

Analysis: 

What draws me in is the high level brand strategy with visually bold storytelling. Their client list is very well known and gives me confidence that this company is well respected, as well as the reviews leave me to believe that they are trust worthy as well. They build on contrast, and the quote from their website about their process following "tension intellect and intuition", makes me think that strategy is very important to them but they also value the creative as well. I could excel in my high concept thinking and bold visual storytelling. This could be an opportunity to enhance my skills in motion graphics, strategy, and large scale brand systems. Working here would build my portfolio quickly and with an immense amount of quality. Keiser trained us for working on short deadlines and high pressure environments, which would set me aside from the rest because that is what they are looking for. 

Colorjar

Values, Goals, and Mission: 

ColorJar is a Chicago based boutique branding studio founded in 2008, focused on helping businesses “uncover their true brand” and express it visually with clarity and purpose. Their mission is to create impactful brands that stand out by blending strategic thinking with sophisticated creative execution.

Social Media Presence:

 Facebook: Yes

 Instagram: Yes (@colorjar) 

LinkedIn: Yes 

What I Learned from the Website: 

ColorJar’s site presents them as a small but highly strategic team with a portfolio in hospitality, real estate, financial services, and lifestyle brands. Their work feels polished, intentional, and grounded in research, often involving complete brand transformations rather than one off projects. 

Insights from Reviews & Articles: 

Glassdoor reviews are largely positive:

-highlighting mentorship-driven leadership 

-a friendly and collaborative culture

-a strong balance between work and personal life. 

-a few mention that the small team environment requires wearing multiple hats. 

Client reviews on Clutch rate them 4.8/5, praising responsiveness, creativity, and strategic insight. 

Personal Connections: 

I am not currently connected to anyone at ColorJar. Although some brands on their list I have ties too. I used to work for Blueplate as a server, and right before COVID I got a few months of getting to assist for their Event Planner at the former Park Grill. Navy Pier is a fun environment especially in the summer, and I have so many friends who work for Lettuce Entertain You. As well as frequented so many of their restaurants! 

Analysis: 

ColorJar caught my eye because of its high esteemed reputation with brand transformations and highlight on mentorships, and team collaboration. Being in a small studio would give me a chance to give me a voice in all different departments in design, and branding. It could be challenging to have so many roles to play at once but it would be a great opportunity to learn and gain experience. They also work with some of the biggest hospitality groups in Chicago and we all know how close that is to my heart. (I'm not sure if you noticed, but Blueplate us one of their clients). So branding work with attention to purpose, mentorship driven culture, and a broad exposure to the full branding process from concept to delivery would help me grow so much as a designer and professional. The corporate environment might be something I would have to get used to but it would help me develop structure and discipline. 

Someoddpilot

Values, Goals, and Mission: 

Someoddpilot is a Chicago based creative studio that integrates branding, storytelling, and cultural insight. Their mission is to create brand experiences with “truth, authenticity, and wonder,” often for lifestyle, outdoor, and music driven brands. They focus on strategy led, culturally relevant creative work. Their core values are: Truth & Authenticity, Wonder, Mythology, and Community. 

Social Media Presence: 

Facebook: Yes 

Instagram: Yes (@someoddpilot) 

LinkedIn: Yes 

TikTok: Not listed 

What I Learned from the Website: 

The Someoddpilot website shows a creative portfolio with clients like Lollapalooza, Adobe, and Savers. Their work has roots in subculture and independent music, blending that authenticity with polished brand strategy and visual storytelling. They appear to work across identity, campaigns, photography, video, and motion. They also work with brands to deepen their connection with their audience, so helping the brand really resonate with the target audience. 

Insights from Reviews & Articles: 

Glassdoor reviews average around 3.4/5. 

-employees praise the creative freedom, inclusive atmosphere, and opportunity to work on culturally relevant brands.

-some mention occasional long hours and the need to balance creativity with client demands. 

Industry profiles describe them as a nimble, independent agency that values collaboration and curiosity. 

Personal Connections: 

I am not currently connected to anyone at Someoddpilot. Although some brands they work with are brands that were huge in my life when living in Chicago. Savers was connected to the thrift store I was a familiar face in, I still receive email coupons from. I have made some of my best memories at Lollapalooza in the past. FX has some of the greatest shows out! And Dyson is a household name. 

Analysis: 

Someoddpilot’s mix of culture driven branding and major client work is especially appealing to me. Their roots in music and art align with my personal creative inspirations, and the opportunity to work in a space that values both strategic thinking and cultural authenticity is exciting. While there may be occasional workload spikes, the overall creative environment and client roster make this studio a strong contender. They also work with a brand called Public Works which not only sells graphic t's and merchandise. They also host art exhibits and gallery shows, which would also be a great connection to have. They have so many aspects that not only spark my interest but inspire me. This is somewhere I could utilize my love for photography and visual storytelling in their campaign and lifestyle brand work. Their core values align with my values and really draw me to them. Its small enough to where I would have a voice that would be heard and I would be around potential mentors. Again Keiser has set us up to work in high out put workspaces, so that would set me apart here as well.