We have to give it to Kurt. He knows how to win over his colleagues. Every year he figures out a great way to bring the team together. This year it was Burritozilla. Check the gallery to see how it came out.
In this installment of our ongoing series, we’re featuring one of our “behind the scenes” employees: Christie Gucker, our production director.
Omar Joseph (OJ): You’ve spent the last three years at JK Design. Can you tell me about your career before you started working here?
Christie Gucker (CG): I’m dating myself here, but I started in the industry as a “paste-up” artist. For the younger folks in the audience, that’s a mechanical artist. Back then we were just getting into computers, so most of the mechanicals were done by hand.
After spending some time doing that, I worked as a photographic retoucher and designer. At one point, I was the only production artist in the studio, and I also had to handle scheduling work and managing production. That experience eventually led to a position as full-time production manager.
OJ: Did you have any mentors during your career? What influence did they have on your career path?
CG: Wow, there have been so many during my career…but I would have to say that Steve Adams, the creative director for Keyes Martin [advertising agency], was my most influential mentor. He was the one who pushed me to become a production manager. He thought that my background in art and knowledge of design programs and the creative process gave me a greater understanding of how the work was produced. He convinced me that it just was the natural progression of my career.
OJ: Before you started working at JK Design, you did some freelance work for us. Can you tell me about your first experience(s) with JK Design?
CG: Well, I had broken my ankle and I was at home recovering. At the time, I was thinking about switching what I had been doing – production – and getting back into designing. JK was right down the road, so I thought maybe I could get my foot in the door (no pun intended) as a designer.
I worked here for a while and had a chance to meet the decision makers. I must have made a positive impression, because I was soon offered a position as the interim production manager. And as you can see, I’m still here!
OJ: Tell me about some of your job responsibilities. What does a production director do?
CG: I do a lot here. I manage all the artists and freelancers and handle the workflow from the inception of projects through completion, working directly with the account managers, designers and vendors. I also mange the estimating process and occasionally work with clients directly.
OJ: What do you like best about your job?
CG: I enjoy watching the whole creative process from start to finish, and learning about all the different industries we work with. My position allows me to get a taste of what everyone else experiences here. It really gives me a feeling of accomplishment to know that I had a hand in getting something to the client that they are truly happy with, no matter what my role in the process was. I also find the challenge of tight deadlines kind of fun. I have yet to miss a deadline!
OJ: Because of your position, you have to work with more people in our company than most employees. You have an interesting opportunity to interact with your colleagues. Do you enjoy this part of your job?
CG: I love working with everyone and interacting with all of the different departments. Because of tight timeframes, shifting priorities and schedule changes I tend to experience the spectrum of people’s emotions – from stressed to excited to exhausted!
In this business, you can’t assume that everything will go smoothly.
OJ: Your job seems like it comes with a lot of pressure. How do you handle it all?
CG: Oh geez; I do lots of crying and yelling. I kid! But seriously, like any job there is stress – but you learn to work through it, and then you have a feeling of accomplishment. I take my work very personally and each job is important to me. I just do what I have to do to get the client what they need and keep my colleagues and my boss, Jerry Kaulius, happy.
OJ: I understand that you write as a hobby and recently won some awards for it. Can you tell me more about that?
CG: I do – and I did! And I am absolutely honored to have won those awards. I recently wrote two books. One chapter was released online each week. One of the books was nominated for numerous awards in a competition and I won in two categories.
I have had a lot of success online with them and they have been read all over the world. I have fans, which seems surreal. The whole experience has made for quite an awesome ride.
Both books are completed now and I am in the process of rewriting them to seek a publishing deal.
OJ: I don’t think a lot of people knew you liked to write. Tell me something else that most people may not know about you.
CG: I have a HUGE affection for all things Twilight (the movies/books) and I have a Twitter account that allows me to interact with other fans. I even work on a Twilight blog with some of my Twitter friends.
My daughter, Samantha, and I also participate in a haunted trail at a local farm. I’m one of the trail bosses in charge of the actors. I play the Grim Reaper. You can find me lurking in the cornfields in the dark on the weekends throughout October scaring people. I absolutely love Halloween and all things spooky. It’s so much fun!
Also, I like to face my fears – because if I don’t, I feel like I’m not living life. I’ve done this by riding a mechanical bull, having 30,000 gallons of water dumped on me, walking a tightrope, bungee jumping out of a hot air balloon and a number of other things my husband thinks I’m absolutely nuts for doing.
OJ: I want to thank you for all you do and for taking some time to talk to me. Is there anything you’d like to add?
CG: I do want to thank you so much for shining the spotlight on me and my job. It’s always nice to know you are appreciated, no matter how “behind the scenes” you are.
