Method

To wrap up Method’s Official Intern Month, we’re happy to introduce you to Andi!

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Andi has traveled all over, working and living in places like Hong Kong and Shanghai. After interning in the New York office in June 2011, she joined the team full-time this month as a Senior Interaction Designer.

Read on to learn more about Andi and her penchant for smelly cheeses…

What sparked your interest in the Method internship program?
I was finishing up my first year in graduate school at ITP at NYU. I was perusing the job boards, specifically the job board on IxDA, and I found my way to Method’s website. I read the Brands As Patterns 10×10 and was sold from that point onward.

What program were you apart of?
I was a part of the talented Interaction Design team. At the team, we were a team of 5 and a hearty mix of skills and experiences.

Did anything surprise you about Method when you first started?
There was something really special about the Method culture in New York. On my first day, there were: dogs hanging out in the office, impromptu games of dice on the wood floor, great music on AirTunes, and an endless stockpile of snacks in the kitchen. While the atmosphere at Method is open and laid back, the work that’s produced here is impeccable. It’s what I love about working in the New York studio, and it’s what brought me back to Method full-time.

What’s it like to have gone from being an intern to a full-time employee?
It feels great to be invited back on board at full force. When I was an intern, they said they’d just throw me into the mix from the start. That’s more or less continued when I joined full-time.

If the Method kitchen could keep an endless supply of any type of food, what would you want?
The cheese drawer in the fridge would overflow with every variety of cheese known to mankind. No one would be allowed to complain about the smell.

What are we most likely to catch you doing outside of work time?
On a sunny summer weekend, you can find me immersed in a good novel at Fort Tilden beach. I love taking my beater bicycle out for a ride around Brooklyn with nowhere to go and no place to be. On a spontaneous weeknight, I might head to Film Forum to re-watch a classic. But more often than not, I’m near my apartment in Chinatown, probably getting a $8 dollar haircut I’ll likely regret or compulsively buying things at the 99 cent store I don’t want or need.

Favorite Method memory so far?
One rainy day last summer, the Method studio in NY went on a fishing trip despite thunderstorm warnings and choppy seas. While half the team was feeling quite sick, I caught the most glorious fish of my life. He was a large black bass that I lovingly named “Hookface.” We barbecued him whole (with a touch of lemon) in our Creative Director’s backyard and enjoyed him in communal fashion.

Want to meet the other (current and former) Method interns we featured this month? Meet them all here.

Interested in applying for a Method internship? Check out our Job Opportunities!

Official Intern Month is almost coming to a close!

Last Friday you met Tim, a third year design student interning in the New York office. This week, we want to introduce you to James. Originally from Cupertino, California, James started interning at Method San Francisco in November 2011. In March he converted to full-time, working on the Insights team where he helps to address business needs through research, facilitated problem-solving, and structured thinking. Get to know him better below!

What sparked your interest in the Method internship program?
Serendipity. I was a graduate student at California College of the Arts (Design MBA) and a professor introduced Method as an awesome experience design firm in the city. An alum of my program had previously worked there as Design Researcher, so I picked his brain and got a lot of great feedback. Then coincidentally, Patrick Newbery – one of the co-founders and principals – spoke in my class days later. His articulation of design, business, and innovation fascinated me. I subsequently spoke with principals Jason Meil and Paul Valerio and was just blown away by their expertise. Method happened to be looking for an Insights intern, so I went for it and fortunately things worked out.

What program were you a part of?
Insights. We utilize research methods to provide at actionable insights for clients and their brands, products, and services.

Did anything surprise you about Method when you first started?
The laid back but incredibly sharp vibe, the open space, and the amount of gangster rap and old school R&B (I mean like All-4-One-and-Jodeci old) played throughout the day. Not a surprise, but the bathroom fully stocked with soap from the “other Method” [the home cleaning supplies company] was a nice touch.

What’s it like to have gone from being an intern to a full-time employee?
Couldn’t agree more with Dever. There wasn’t much of a change aside from signing some papers. Everyone was seriously cool and welcoming from day one and expectations were set right, so that one takes on the responsibilities and mindset of a full-time before becoming one.

If the Method kitchen could keep an endless supply of any type of food, what would you want?
My officemates would give me a lot of smack for this, but I’m not afraid to say it: Panda Express. Specifically, their chow mein and orange chicken. And some Beijing Beef to wash all of that down. Thanks, Kevin!

What are we most likely to catch you doing outside of work time?
The dougie. Blowdrying my hair (it’s kind of long) while watching TED Talks. These days, reading up on Burning Man (going for the first time this year, any tips welcome!). And on the more eclectic side, reading (currently The Dead Emcee Scrolls), doodling (with Copics), and watching Nikita the TV series (a great show, give it a try).

Favorite Method memory so far?
There are many…during my first week at Method, there was an office happy hour event at a local karaoke joint. Think Coyote Ugly, but with men and “Take On Me.” Yeah, it was a fun night.

Want to apply for a Method internship? Check out our Job Opportunities!

Last week we introduced you to our dog-loving, talented visual designer and former intern, Dever. This week, meet Tim, a third year design student out of Ohio, who enjoys fish tacos, typeface and collecting quirky design objects.

Tim interns in our New York studio with our visual design team. Get to know Tim below!

What sparked your interest in the Method internship program?

I first became aware of Method through the 10×10 series. I was very impressed with the thinking and insight tastefully packed into each one. I thought I might be a good fit, and before I had the chance to contact Method, I was reached out to!

What program are you apart of? What’s your day-to-day like?

I’m part of the visual design team in New York. My typical day-to-day usually begins with a quick snack and cup of coffee from the kitchen. Then I spend some time editing and revising the files I’ve been working on, or sketching out new ideas. Usually around this time some kind of discussion begins around the current projects we are working on, although we might talk about dogs—it is definitely safe to say we all love dogs a little bit too much on the NY Design team. Lunchtime rolls around and we usually go out to one of the many fantastic places to eat in the area. After lunch I do my best to fight off the food coma and begin some work, getting distracted by the occasional dice game every now and then (which has proven profitable for me recently). At this time the hazing begins, either Greg or Derek steal my lunch money, or make me do their laundry. Towards the end of the day, I zone in on my work and stay till 6 or later, then I enjoy my 10 minute walk home, sometimes grabbing a cannoli on the way.

Did anything surprise you about Method?

I was surprised by the amount of personality and fun in the office, there hasn’t been a dull moment yet. It is also great to be surrounded by such talented and knowledgable people who are always willing to give you feedback and hear an idea out.

What’s the #1 thing you hope to get out of this internship?

In my 2 weeks I’ve been here, I’ve already gotten more than I could have asked for. I was interested in seeing how great ideas are born, refined, communicated, and ultimately built. Seeing the moving parts behinds the scenes has been eye-opening as well.

If the Method kitchen could keep an endless supply of any type of food, what would you want?

Fried fish tacos. Nice and simple, but an almost perfect combination of taste and texture.

What are we most likely to catch you doing outside of work time?

If I’m not out bumming around New York with some friends, I’m usually writing a lot of code, experimenting with Javascript libraries or making music. Nerd stuff. Besides that I’ve been tirelessly working on a typeface based on early grotesque models that I want to adapt for the web.

What are you obsessed with lately?

I’ve been on the hunt for small design objects lately, especially ones that embrace simple forms and materials in smart ways. Whenever I pick up a new pen, pencil or book I feel like a little kid all over again!

Want to apply for a Method internship? Check out our Job Opportunities!

Every Friday this June, meet a Method Intern! We’ll be introducing you to a present or former intern who is now a full-time employee. Last week, we featured Patrick and his experience in client services and his love for live music.

This week, meet Dever, a visual designer out of our New York studio. Hailing from Indiana, Dever joined Method as an intern late last year and converted to a full-time in December. A dog-lover and one of HOW’s 8 Young Creatives to Watch, Dever chats with us about cookies, letterpress and her life here at Method.

What sparked your interest in the Method internship program?
A Method recruiter actually contacted me. I came in for an interview, and I could tell immediately that Method was the right fit. Most importantly because I was told I would be treated like a real designer. No paper shredding, No errand running. I would have real responsibilities just like a full-time employee. That was all I really wanted to hear, but the dogs, music, beer, and dice helped sway me too.

What program were you apart of?
I was/am one of six people on the visual design team in the Method NY office. The office is small, about 25 people, so the visual design team is really close, and the project teams are small.

Did anything surprise you about Method when you first started?
When I started at Method, I had a traditional print background. So truthfully, a lot surprised me in how collaborative the designers at Method work with IxD, strategy, and technology. I was also pleasantly surprised at the variety of projects. I went from designing a large icon set to concepting a health app to branding a magazine.

What’s it like to have gone from being an intern to a full-time employee?
I actually didn’t notice a big change when I went from being an intern to a full-time employee. Like I said earlier, I was told I would be treated like a full-time employee and I was.

If the Method kitchen could keep an endless supply of any type of food, what would you want?
More cookies. Always.

What are we most likely to catch you doing outside of work time?
Outside of work, I still really love to do print projects. Especially letterpress. Non-design related? Brunching, ferry-riding, dog-watching, museum-going, and donut-eating.

Favorite Method memory so far?
The day we shot the photography for the Dogs of Method calendar in the office, and there were 10+ dogs in the office at once. Dream come true.

To learn more about Dever, follow her on Twitter @deverwhatever. Want to apply for a Method internship? Check out our Job Opportunities!

We’re making June Official Intern Month here at Method!

Every Friday of this month, we’ll be introducing you to one of our present interns or a former intern who is now a full-time employee. First up is Patrick in the San Francisco studio. Originally from Ohio, Patrick has been with us since February of this year. Around the office he’s known for his hard work, excellent Spotify mixes, and sharp aim with a snowball…

What sparked your interest in the Method internship program?
I have always wanted to work in an agency setting and had an interest in design and branding. Through college, I kept Method on my radar. About the time I was graduating, an internship was posted for the position. I applied, and the rest is history. I grew up in Ohio, so the prospect of moving across the country for work seemed like too good of an adventure to pass up!

What program are you apart of?
I joined the client services team as a Project Management Intern. One of my favorite parts of the job is that I always have something new to tackle. Working with clients keeps you on your toes and ensures that you are always faced with different challenges and situations.

Did anything surprise you about Method?
Everyone at Method is unbelievably sharp. Coming to work each day is a blast because I know I’m going to be surrounded by brilliant people. I find the constant feed of new ideas and knowledge to be extremely fulfilling.

If the Method kitchen could keep an endless supply of any type of food, what would you want?
While the Method kitchen does an exceptional job keeping all of my favorite healthy snacks on hand, it would be pretty cool if we had a never-ending supply of chili dogs. Though, I have a feeling it would have a pretty adverse effect on Method’s collective physique.

What are we most likely to catch you doing outside of work time?
At Method, there is no “outside of work”… Just kidding! I’m usually going to concerts at different venues around San Francisco or trying to find the best spot for oysters in the Bay Area.

Favorite Method memory so far?
Going to Tahoe to snowboard with everyone. We rented a huge house at a resort and hung out for a weekend. Somebody ended up getting hit with a snowball while they were trying to go to sleep, but I still stand by my assertion that I had absolutely nothing to do with it!

Want to apply for a Method internship? Check out our Job Opportunities!

This week we introduce you to Molly, one of the Project Managers in our San Francisco studio. Between managing project teams and spending mornings at TRX bootcamp, Molly enjoys staying active both inside and outside the office. Learn more about her below:

What’s it like working as project manager? How did you get interested in the position?

I enjoy it a lot. Unfortunately for the studio because I’m often in heels, it means I’m out of my seat a lot, talking to my project teams, making sure everyone has what they need so we can get the client what they need.

I was drawn to project management because it involves a lot of variety. The projects are always different and my role shifts with each one—I get to work with several different teams, write and edit, talk a lot, cross things off, and do just the right amount of busy work. I was drawn to Method because the work we produce is exquisite, everyone I meet is impressive, and I think all of the “designer types” have made me a bit cooler. I’m wearing a lot more gray now.

What has your favorite project been?

The festival branding and identity for the San Francisco Film Festival was one of my first projects at Method and remains one of my favorites. All of the designers have an opportunity to submit concepts so we have a wealth of beautiful work to choose from, and we get to see the finished product all over the city during the festival. As an event sponsor, we also have access to most of the events so festival time is a lot of fun for the studio.

What are you passionate about?

People—I love connecting, learning about people and navigating different personalities. Luckily, that’s what this job is all about!

What are you really digging right now?

I’m pretty into suffering four mornings a week with some of my favorite coworkers and clients at TRX bootcamp. We’ve worked with TRX on a couple of projects and one of the designers thought boot camp would be a good opportunity for us to get a sense of the product and philosophy. Some of the stuff we do is humiliating and painful, but I’m on my third now and it’s becoming a hard habit to break.

Most memorable Method moments?

• Whitewater rafting with the SF crew on the American River – loved the slow patches where we dunked each other and talked about nothing just as much as the crazy rapids.
• Dodgeball tournament on my second day of work.
• Watching a colleague accidentally deflate the exercise ball he was sitting on with a Leatherman.

If you’d like to learn more about Molly, follow her on Twitter @mollywiebe!

Meet Greg Ervanian, one of the visual designers in our New York studio. Greg transplanted from Iowa to grace New York with his fervor for design, past-life musicianship, and love of dogs. Learn more about Greg below:

How did you get interested and started in graphic design?

I was always an artistic kid, but to a kid being artistic meant you wanted to be a painter or illustrator of some kind. It wasn’t until high school that a teacher recognized my misguidance and recommended I do some research on graphic design. My high school didn’t have a proper graphic design course, so she shipped me off to Minneapolis College of Art and Design to see what it was all about. I fell in love with it, and so here I am. The story isn’t too exciting, but it might provoke a semi-inspirational Vimeo short, but only if it was shot in HD with some Philip Glass playing over top.

Favorite project?

My favorite project at Method was working with Turner Sports to create the broadband streaming app, iPhone and iPad apps for NCAA March Madness. It was really amazing to work on a product that touched so many users, something to the scale of 40+ million users in the two week span of the tournament, not to mention every one of my friends back home. Additionally, the team here and the Turner client were all amazing to work with. It gave us some opportunities to travel Southward and eat some delicious fried chicken. March Madness is one of the biggest sporting events of the year, and I was ecstatic to be apart of it.

What are you passionate about?

Hmmm, passions. Although cliché, music is always the first one that comes to mind. In another life I was a guitarist atop with the Page’s and Hendrix’s, but instead I’m the guy with a guitar that’s more inclined to look up tabs to 4 Non Blondes songs, which, as a side note, one would make a killing playing 4 Non Blondes songs on the subway. Hehem, anyway, I’m more of a spectator and admirer. Couldn’t live without it.

…I bet you have a 4 Non Blondes song in your head.

What are you really digging right now?

Fellow co-worker Jennifer Brook shed light on a term to an activity I’ve been digging since I got to New York. The term is “dogling” and it was coined by The New York Times’ Schott’s Vocab, who describes dogless dog-lovers who ogle other people’s pooches. That’s right, a close friend of mine and I travel to local dog parks and just stare at other people’s dogs. I can’t afford a dog, so I choose to live vicariously through dog owners. This activity is illustrated perfectly above, where I’m holding Mellow, one of the lovely dogs that inhabits our office from time to time. Creepy? Maybe. Delightful? 100%

If you’d like to learn more about Greg, you can catch him at his weekly dogling at McCarren Park every Saturday at 11am.

Here at Method, our team of talented and passionate individuals are behind the great work we create, and why we have so much fun while at work. Every week, get introduced to a member of the team as we give you a peek into their interests and lives, inside and outside of the studio.

Meet Carola, a Project Manager for our New York studio. Carola has a dual citizenship in Italy and the U.S. and speaks English, Italian, and French fluently. Learn more about Carola below.

So, you’re a Project Manager. What does that mean?

As a Project Manager at Method, I see to it that projects stay on track in terms of time and budget. I keep clients happy. Coddle creative. Make lots of lists (I love lists and organization!).

How did you get interested and started in project management?

I’ve managed projects in a variety of professional settings ranging from the personal staff of an opera singer to a law firm catering to New York’s Italian expat community. I really enjoy seeing a baby project mature into a grown-up masterpiece! For me, that is so fulfilling.

What has your favorite project been at Method?

It’s always fun to work for a great brand. We just finished shooting a promotional video for the Finnish design company Marimekko (watch it below!), who we helped launch their US e-commerce site this summer. They are opening their US flagship store in the Flatiron District this October. This project was a lot of fun, and they were a great client to work with. Marimekko is going to color New York!

What are you passionate about?

Meeting people! There are so many fascinating people in this world to meet and to learn from. I love talking with people, and fortunately for me, interfacing with different people – at Method and client-side – is a part of my role at Method.

What are you really digging right now?

I just started reading John Updike’s collection of stories called Licks of Love. He always knows how to end a story with a good twist – I can’t put it down! I highly recommend it; it’s available on both the Nook and Kindle.

Follow @ccassaro on Twitter to get to know Carola even better.