Sense of Gratitude to ADAI
I am Heather Soladay Olson, a former ADAI member and officer (treasurer in about 1979, and design show co-chair in about 1980). I would like to share fond memories and a sense of gratitude to ADAI. Congratulations on your 50th anniversary!
I graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Advertising Design and Journalism & Mass Communications in 1978. I job hunted in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Kansas City, but after three months and 80-some (no kidding!) interviews at ad agencies, I was still jobless. Fortunately, one of my good friends from ISU, Susan Olsen Grundmeier, was offered two jobs in Des Moines that summer. She was kind enough to suggest I pursue the one she didn't want, and I became promotion director of The Register and Tribune Syndicate.
I moved to Des Moines from my family home in Cedar Falls and lived on SW 9th Street with another ISU grad. Somehow I discovered the Art Directors Association of Iowa and began my professional association journey. I remember a woman named Betty Husted who encouraged me to run for an office. I became treasurer, taking over the books from Chris Conyers. Chris and I got to know one another in the ensuing months because I had many questions. Wouldn't you know, a short while later The Designgroup needed to hire a junior art director. Chris asked me to interview, I met Tom Sargent, and they hired me! It couldn't have been a better career move or a more enjoyable place to work, and I owe it all to ADAI!
As time went on, I moved from treasurer to design show co-chair, and had the wonderful experience of meeting top designers who came to judge our show. I remember the jurying event taking place at Meredith Corporation, and I think the awards ceremony was at Aunt Maude's in Ames.
With confidence in my leadership abilities gleaned from my ADAI days, in 1981 I took a corporate communications job in Minneapolis (my dream city), and quickly became involved in the Minnesota Graphic Designers Association (MGDA) under the direction of Tim Larsen. I designed the MGDA newsletter, chaired the Annual Design Conference at Lutsen, and was soon asked to be the first woman president of MGDA. A few years later, the group became an AIGA chapter, now known as AIGA Minnesota.
After 14 years as a graphic designer, a multi-year sabbatical raising a boy and twin daughters, then a few years spent editing publications and doing project coordination, my next employer became Tim Larsen of Larsen Design Office, one of the largest graphic design firms in the Upper Midwest. Tim brought me on to do new business development, and four years later asked me to be director of human resources. This month I renewed my involvement in professional associations by becoming director of education for AIGA Minnesota.
I think I can thread my way back to ADAI to say your organization was instrumental in leading to me where I am today! Thank you, and I'd love to hear from my old Des Moines friends!
Heather S. Olson
Director of Human Resources
LARSEN
7101 York Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN
I graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Advertising Design and Journalism & Mass Communications in 1978. I job hunted in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Kansas City, but after three months and 80-some (no kidding!) interviews at ad agencies, I was still jobless. Fortunately, one of my good friends from ISU, Susan Olsen Grundmeier, was offered two jobs in Des Moines that summer. She was kind enough to suggest I pursue the one she didn't want, and I became promotion director of The Register and Tribune Syndicate.
I moved to Des Moines from my family home in Cedar Falls and lived on SW 9th Street with another ISU grad. Somehow I discovered the Art Directors Association of Iowa and began my professional association journey. I remember a woman named Betty Husted who encouraged me to run for an office. I became treasurer, taking over the books from Chris Conyers. Chris and I got to know one another in the ensuing months because I had many questions. Wouldn't you know, a short while later The Designgroup needed to hire a junior art director. Chris asked me to interview, I met Tom Sargent, and they hired me! It couldn't have been a better career move or a more enjoyable place to work, and I owe it all to ADAI!
As time went on, I moved from treasurer to design show co-chair, and had the wonderful experience of meeting top designers who came to judge our show. I remember the jurying event taking place at Meredith Corporation, and I think the awards ceremony was at Aunt Maude's in Ames.
With confidence in my leadership abilities gleaned from my ADAI days, in 1981 I took a corporate communications job in Minneapolis (my dream city), and quickly became involved in the Minnesota Graphic Designers Association (MGDA) under the direction of Tim Larsen. I designed the MGDA newsletter, chaired the Annual Design Conference at Lutsen, and was soon asked to be the first woman president of MGDA. A few years later, the group became an AIGA chapter, now known as AIGA Minnesota.
After 14 years as a graphic designer, a multi-year sabbatical raising a boy and twin daughters, then a few years spent editing publications and doing project coordination, my next employer became Tim Larsen of Larsen Design Office, one of the largest graphic design firms in the Upper Midwest. Tim brought me on to do new business development, and four years later asked me to be director of human resources. This month I renewed my involvement in professional associations by becoming director of education for AIGA Minnesota.
I think I can thread my way back to ADAI to say your organization was instrumental in leading to me where I am today! Thank you, and I'd love to hear from my old Des Moines friends!
Heather S. Olson
Director of Human Resources
LARSEN
7101 York Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN
posted by Gordon at 7:54 AM
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