by Kirby Hasseman
Hasseman Marketing is growing, and we need a solid entry level designer to help us with the work load. We’re looking for someone with experience in the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. The position will likely be part time to start but will have the possibility to grow.
Responsibilities will include:
• Creating vector art from raster image files
• Creating Mockups of Logoed merchandise to assist the Promotional Products sales team
• Basic layout and design to assist the Print Division
• Basic Logo creation for clients
• Occasionally assisting with Print and Bindery
• Other related responsibilities as they come along
This position is ideal for someone just breaking into the field that wants to gain experience with the nuts and bolts aspects of design, and develop a stronger understanding of the programs and practices of design, both for web and print.
Our company prides itself on our culture, and work hard to hire candidates that fit in well. We are happy to help the right candidate refine their skills in design, as well as the use of the tools of the trade.
by Kirby Hasseman
At Hasseman Marketing, we are proud of the team that helps us “Deliver Marketing Joy” each and every day. So we wanted to introduce you to some of our peeps with our series we call “Brand-ecdotes.” Today we get to meet Josh Williams.
What is something fun that not everyone knows about you?
Among the various creative things I enjoy doing, one of my favorite things to do is cook. I really enjoy spending an hour or two in the kitchen, prepping thing spices and herbs, making rubs, seasoning vegetables, and other things. When I cook, I try to go as close to whole ingredients as possible, including making my own pasta and sauces. It’s something I don’t do very often, because I get into a zone, and it makes making family dinners a little difficult, because my perfectionism makes me not want to settle for something simple and quick.
What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why?
I would say my all time favorite are the
super soft T-shirt Tycoon shirts with the butter wash finishing. They are incredibly soft, and as someone who has always aspired to make elaborate t-shirt designs, it makes the idea that much more attainable to the masses, because no matter how intricate you get, you don’t fall into the trap of multiple colors of thick plastisol ink making the shits uncomfortable, or nearly unwearable.
What is the current product you use all the time?
My Popsocket. I got one made with my art on it, and it’s the most useful tool I’ve ever had. It’s really versatile, and it makes my phone easier to handle. It also lets me personalize while leaving most of the actual phone uncovered.
What is a company or brand that you admire and why?
I may be biased because It’s run by one of my best friends, but I have a lot of admiration for
Rusty Waters Apparel, a rust belt themed clothing company from the Youngstown area. The owner, Kate Butler, has put a ton of work and hustle into the brand, garnering her a lot of attention, regionally and nationally, and has put a lot of herself into it. The shirts are creative nods to the cultures of Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Cleveland, and the general Rust Belt area as a whole. They’ve also begun to branch out into just creative and interesting designs that don’t necessarily have to do with the region. A very inspirational company.
What is your favorite part of “Delivering Marketing Joy?”
One of my passions in life is seeing people really embrace and fulfill what they feel like they are here to do, some would call it their calling. The part I love of Delivering Marketing Joy is the moments when we have the opportunity to hand a package of promo, or more in my case, deliver a campaign, marketing strategy, brand, or video, that lets someone who’s struggling with the idea of pursuing their passions as a business see, perhaps for the first time, that what they’re doing is real, and legitimate. Helping people pursue what they love and helping them find success there is what bring me the most joy, especially when I can use my passions to help them get there.
by Kirby Hasseman
I was on the phone with our web designer, Eric Dingler, the other day and I realized something. Eric just finished a new web design for a client and we were talking about re-designing our own site as well. He was listening to my ideas on things I wanted to include and making suggestions. Then he spent some time telling me about website podcasts he listens to, and their advice on the matter. He excitedly told me about a new “tricks and tips” he could work into our site. That was when it hit me.
The best people to work with are the ones that are constantly learning and honing their craft.
Always. It never stops.
Then I looked around my office and noticed the same thing with our designer Josh. He is always looking at design. Sure, he went to school for design and he has the background and the chops. But he follows designers, he studies their work, he enjoys the conversation. He is honing his craft.
The question is…what are you working on? What do you want to become great at? If you will or if you won’t can be answered by whether or not you are continually learning or studying your craft. Want to be a fitness expert? Yes, of course you have to put in the work. You have to work on your own diet and your own fitness. But are you reading the latest blogs? Are you up on the latest workouts?
Want to stand out in Content Marketing? It’s not just about creating content (though that is super important). It’s also about studying other masters to see what is working and what is not? Want to lead in sales? It’s not just about making the sales calls (though that is where it starts). You need to continually be reading articles, books, and blogs on the topic. You have to get re-inspired and re-imagined to continue to be the best.
Do you want to be great at something or are you just saying it? A simple self-audit will tell you the truth if you let it. You are passionate about what you work at and study. Look at your calendar and study your time. That will tell you the truth. Make sure you never miss an update! It’s a great time to become a VIP! Sign up here for our weekly email with all of our content.
by Kirby Hasseman
Happy Thanksgiving! The holidays are officially upon us. And as the Black Friday Sales start (on Thursday, no less) it is extremely easy to get sucked into the stress of the holiday season. We can get too focused on the gifts and less on the meaning. We get focused on the tasks on the to-do list and less on the point of the exercise. I know I am guilty of it. So on this day of Thanksgiving, I wanted to take just a moment to outline a few of the things I am thankful for here at Hasseman Marketing.
The Team
I really am excited and thankful for the team I get to work with every day. From different backgrounds and different parts of the country, the inside employees and the outside sales team are what make us go. They are who “Deliver Marketing Joy.” Thanks to the Hasseman Marketing Team!
Our Customers
Nothing happens until there is a sale. That is true of any business, and certainly ours. We so appreciate the faith and trust our customers place in us every day. Thanks to each and every one of you!
Our Communities
Our Corporate headquarters is in Coshocton, Ohio and we love that area. We #ChooseCoshocton. We are proud of it. We want to have an impact. But with the nature of our business, we have team members in other communities too. Yes, we have people in Ohio. But we also represent communities in Virginia, North Carolina, and California as well. We are thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in each.
Our Suppliers and Partners
As with most any business, we are not in it alone. We have a host of fantastic suppliers and partners that help us do what we do. These suppliers are manufacturers, printers, designers and software developers…and more. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with each. So thank you! If you are reading this, you are likely in one of these camps.
All of us at Hasseman Marketing would like to take this chance to give Thanksgiving…for you!
by Kirby Hasseman
The year was 2004 and my wife and I were on a fantastic sales incentive trip in Bermuda. We had a great time (as you might expect). But one of the unexpected highlights of the trip came when we were given the “Sales Leader” award by the company. We were thrilled, to say the least. Then, as one of the awards, we were given a watch. At the time I was excited about all of the recognition, and I put on the watch right away. It became a symbol of that night for me. I didn’t always think of that evening when I checked the time…but I often did!
A New Wrist Award
I am reminded of that because when I was recognized recently as a Rising Star in the Promotional Products industry, I was given a new watch! The simple fact is, I was very excited. I promptly took the old watch off (yes it was still the one from that night in Bermuda) and attached the new one to my wrist.
Maybe you think that some people don’t wear watches anymore. “They have a phone for that!” And maybe some people don’t. But I don’t think watches are going away. And more importantly, you should never pass up the opportunity to make your team feel this special.
If your organization would like to call out people or teams in a personal way, a watch might be the perfect award. This might just be the award they wear on their wrist, every day. I speak from experience when I say, “It is a powerful and positive reminder.”
If you want to say “thanks” for a job well done, then an everyday reminder is not a bad way to go.
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by Kirby Hasseman
There is often confusion around Art files and what types we can accept. Terms like Vector Art, Camera Ready, etc… get thrown around. Most people, unless they are graphic artists, do not understand the differences. So, what is vector art and why does your logo or artwork need to be vector? Let’s answer that question now!
Vector art is created using vector illustration software programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, and Corel Draw, among others. The art created with these programs can be blown up in size infinitely without any loss of quality. (Think of zooming into a picture and it becomes blurry.) 
Raster Graphics, such as photographs, and graphics files created in Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, and other Raster editing programs, in most cases cannot be used. Notice how in the example picture that the edges of the art become blurry rigid and not smooth? With Vector Art you can blow up the image to any size with no loss of quality.
How Can I tell if what I have is Vector Art?
Vector art is usually created in Adobe Illustrator, and is commonly saved as a particular file type: .ai. Vector art can be saved in other file formats (such as .eps, .svg, or .pdf). But, it is important to remember that just because a file is saved in one of these formats, does not mean that it is truly vector art. Only art originally created in a vector editing program, such as Adobe Illustrator, is truly vector art. Also, you can identify vector art by process of elimination. There are some file formats that can only be Raster art, and therefore cannot be Vector art. The most common examples are .jpeg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .psd, .tif. These files cannot be vector art.
Art Charges
There are art charges that are incurred on some orders if Vector art is not able to be provided. In this case, we must either take the time internally to re-create your art, or send the provided art off to an outside designer that can re-create your artwork in a Vector-based program. If you see an art charge on your bill, this is most likely what has happened.There are also art charges, sometimes, for layouts and formatting even if you already have the vector file. For Example: If you have your logo in Vector format but you want to add specific text under it for a promotion. The text needs to be added in a Vector Based Program and sized appropriately for the item that it will be imprinted on. This might incur an art charge too.
Ask your Designer
Keep in mind that if a professional design created your art for you, chances are they may have your artwork saved as vector art, even if they have not sent that file to you. Some designers do not provide their clients with vector art, as they assume that the client will not be able to open the file. So, if you had a professional logo designed for you, but all you have is a JPEG, or something similar, contact your artist, and ask them for vector art.
Our hope is, this will helps shine a light on what Vector Art is, and why you need it! Please reach out to [email protected] if you have additional questions. If you want more ideas on art, marketing, promotions and content creation, make sure you check out our blog page here. Oh…and if you want to get valuable content delivered to your email once a week…sign up to become a VIP here.
