SHERPA CAT Meeting 2/27

1) DATE: 2/27

2) MEETING TIME
6-7pm

3) LOCATION: Kalkin

4) CAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Gab & Connor 

5) CAT MEMBER ROLES (W suggests switching these roles for each meeting):

A) FACILITATOR (1 person) - Gabi & Connor
B) NOTE KEEPER/PUBLISHER (1 person) - Gabi
C) TIME KEEPER (1 person) - Connor
D) AGENDA CREATOR (1 person) - writes out and shares agenda with CAT just prior to meeting.

6) CAT WORK UPDATE:

A) What CAT tasks have you accomplished to date? (use previous minutes)

We've met all contacts and have had a full meeting with all team members.  We've also begun to work with illustrator.  So far we've figured out a few different dimensions and created some modified logos to run by US Sherpa.

B) What immediate and long-term CAT tasks lie ahead for the week, and who will execute?

Our immediate goal is to finish our first draft of the tags on illustrator.  Our long-term goal is to take a few tags to prints.

C) What was the most CHALLENGING element re: the past week's CAT work?

Our main challenge at the moment is the creative process.  Although we really appreciate how much freedom we're given with the designs, we have so many ideas that they're hard to synthesize into a few tags.  We're also still getting the hang of illustrator.

D) What was the most REWARDING element re: about the past week's CAT work?

We had a great meeting on Friday.  All of our questions were answered and it was great getting to know everyone at US Sherpa.

E) What is your CAT doing really well right now?

We've been meeting consistently once a week outside of class and progressing in our plans pretty quickly.

F) What is your CAT needing to work on right now?

Illustrator. 

Interview 2/24

This past Friday our whole group met with Jasmine and Isabel to talk logistics of the hangtags. It was a very conversation-based meeting without a question structure but here is a summary of what we learned:

What are the capabilities of the print shop in Nepal? Can they do cut outs? Embossing? Different materials? Stamping?

US Sherpa is open to basically any design possibility we can come up with.  We've started designing "safe" options as well as going out on a limb to create a few tags that are more innovative. For these, we have been utilizing different materials like canvas, transparent papers, and stamped imprints.  Jasmine said receiving materials from Nepal can be limiting but she is happy to see what we come up with and looking forward to something different from the traditional tag they've been using.  The first deliverable they want is a basic mock up of a few finished tags with all the necessary tag components--barcode, label, message, photo, logo.  We also have been given some freedom to modify the US Sherpa logo.  It is currently pretty dated and we think with a few small alterations it could be cleaned up to look more modern.

Can we have some sample products?

Jasmine said she would give us a few sample products so we can play around with different tag shapes and structures.

What would you like our second deliverable to be?

The second deliverable will be some social media help.  We've begun brainstorming with Isabel about potential photoshoots and have created a google doc to keep a log of our ideas.  At this time though, their main focus is creating a new hangtag.

CAT Meeting 2/22

1) DATE: 2/22

2) MEETING TIME: 2:00pm-3:30pm

3) LOCATION: Good Ol’ Baily Howe basement 

4) CAT MEMBERS PRESENT: (include CAT group selfie) Connor, Emily and Gabi

5) CAT MEMBER ROLES (W suggests switching these roles for each meeting):

A) FACILITATOR (1 person) - "steers" conversation and runs meeting.Gabi
B) NOTE KEEPER/PUBLISHER (1 person) - records and publishes notes at CAT blog. Emily
C) TIME KEEPER (1 person) - sets meeting length of time and watches clock. Connor 
D) AGENDA CREATOR (1 person) - writes out and shares agenda with CAT just prior to meeting. Connor

6) CAT WORK UPDATE:

A) What CAT tasks have you accomplished to date? (use previous minutes)

After our initial meeting with our new teammate Emily, we elaborated on our ideas of hangtags. We worked on photoshop and illustrator. We were able to make a lot of progress on the label designs and have new questions for Jasmine. 

Here are our questions from the meeting: 

1) How much leeway do we have with designing the logo? 

2) Is US Sherpa looking to maintain their logo style and theme? 

3) How much creativity are we allowed to use while designing the tags? 

4) Can we simplify the mission statement into two concise phrases or sentences on the hangtags? 

B) What immediate and long-term CAT tasks lie ahead for the week, and who will execute?

1. Get answers to the above questions.

2. Continue to design with illustrator 

C) What was the most CHALLENGING element re: the past week's CAT work?

Finding a time when all group members could meet together and work on illustrator.

D) What was the most REWARDING element re: about the past week's CAT work?

We were able to use illustrator very effectively and came up with some great ideas for labels, which we then created using illustrator. 

E) What is your CAT doing really well right now?

We are communicating very well with our community partner and keeping them informed about the new ideas and questions we have.  

F) What is your CAT needing to work on right now?

We need to work on helping our newest member, Emily, become comfortable on illustrator. 

Interview with Jasmine Lee

This conversation occurred last week between myself and Jasmine Lee, our contact personnel for US Sherpa. We discussed current products and hangtag displays, as well as our role as US Sherpa CAT members. This post is a somewhat transcribed excerpt of a lengthy conversation at Mr. Mikes Pizza.

Jasmine: These are product tags and catalogs from years past. As you can see, there are different paper types and styles of hang tag, for example two rectangular tags or a long wrap tag. They are the same display, just cut into pieces to hang specific products or wrapped around other goods as the long strip.

Connor: Is the style of paper important to you? I notice all tags have different paper depending on the year.

Jasmine: We currently use this glossy paper, and we are not a fan. It does not have a natural feel that embodies the company. However, everything in our company (including the paper and tags) come from Nepal, as Ongyel makes sure to give as much as possible back to his homeland and family.

Connor: The tags seem a little wordy, and while there's so much going on with this company that would appeal to consumers, would you be open to consolidating the tag?

Jasmine: There are certain things we need on the tag, such as the UPC code and logo. The product description is important, as well as things like mission statement and more. If there's any way you guys can shorten the mission statement and clean up the tag, by all means. Like I said, we will need to keep some information on the tag.

Connor: We will see what we can do about making the tag read better, and pop off shelves in an effective matter that better represents US Sherpa. Should we focus on printing onto the long strips or use the two hangtag style?

Jasmine: Our products sometimes get hung on shelves differently, for example some scarves and socks get the wraparound tag. We use the same tags and cut them into pieces to hang things like hats. The wraparound we have now is flawed, as you can see when it turns over the back of the tag reads upside down. It's easy to have these printed and cut them if need be, but we may be looking for a more universal tag.

CAT Meeting 2/15

1) DATE: 2/15

2) MEETING TIME: 5-6:15
(beginning and ending):

3) LOCATION: Good Ol’ Baily Howe

4) CAT MEMBERS PRESENT: (include CAT group selfie) Connor, Emily Gabi

5) CAT MEMBER ROLES (W suggests switching these roles for each meeting):

A) FACILITATOR (1 person) - "steers" conversation and runs meeting. Connor
B) NOTE KEEPER/PUBLISHER (1 person) - records and publishes notes at CAT blog. Emily
C) TIME KEEPER (1 person) - sets meeting length of time and watches clock. Gabi
D) AGENDA CREATOR (1 person) - writes out and shares agenda with CAT just prior to meeting. Gabi

6) CAT WORK UPDATE:

A) What CAT tasks have you accomplished to date? (use previous minutes)

This was our first meeting with Emily.  We debriefed her on the hangtag project and began some serious brainstorming on potential product layout.  We also came up with a few crucial questions that need to be answered before we make any real design progress with illustrator:

1.  Can we have sample products?

2. Are there any creative restraints? (specific colors, tag sizes, photos)

3. What are the capabilities of the print shop in Nepal- Can they do cut outs? Embossing? Different materials? Stamping?

B) What immediate and long-term CAT tasks lie ahead for the week, and who will execute?

1. Get answers to the above questions.

2. Begin design with illustrator.

C) What was the most CHALLENGING element re: the past week's CAT work?

Coordinating with a new group member.

D) What was the most REWARDING element re: about the past week's CAT work?

We made a lot of progress deciding what our designs will look like and we had a great brainstorming session.

E) What is your CAT doing really well right now?

We have been in constant communication with our community partner, and have solidified our main deliverable.

F) What is your CAT needing to work on right now?

We need to start playing around with illustrator!

SIX ELEMENT CHECK LIST

1)_ Create structure and format of initial hangtag deliverable

2)_ consolidate mission statement to make it larger and more easily readable on hang tag

3) _Create quality design layout

4) _Meet Emily and debrief her

5) _Source necessary logos and images to begin illustrator design process

6) _Put together first professional quality mock up deliverables and present to US Sherpa.

CAT Meeting 2/13

1) DATE: 2/13

2) MEETING TIME
6-7

3) LOCATION: Kalkin

4) CAT MEMBERS PRESENT: (include CAT group selfie)

5) CAT MEMBER ROLES (W suggests switching these roles for each meeting):

A) FACILITATOR (1 person) - "steers" conversation and runs meeting.
B) NOTE KEEPER/PUBLISHER (1 person) - records and publishes notes at CAT blog.
C) TIME KEEPER (1 person) - sets meeting length of time and watches clock.
D) AGENDA CREATOR (1 person) - writes out and shares agenda with CAT just prior to meeting.


6) CAT WORK UPDATE:

A) What CAT tasks have you accomplished to date? (use previous minutes)

We have begun to make mock-ups and brainstorm ideas about how to consolidate the hang tag text and how to make the design more original and eye-popping.

B) What immediate and long-term CAT tasks lie ahead for the week, and who will execute?

1. Our first task is to meet Emily sometime this week!
2. Begin using illustrator to put together first tag samples: we will all do this together

C) What was the most CHALLENGING element re: the past week's CAT work?

Beginning the creative process of hang tag design and integrating everything they want has been the most challenging element so far.

D) What was the most REWARDING element re: about the past week's CAT work?

The most rewarding element so far is having the current hang tags and being able to analyze them.  US Sherpa is giving us a lot of freedom with our designs and the creative control is in our hands!

E) What is your CAT doing really well right now?

We have been staying on top of our responsibilities with US Sherpa and have identified our end deliverables and path we need to take to get there.

F) What is your CAT needing to work on right now?

We need to work on finally meeting Emily! We also need to work on getting onto illustrator and figuring out our final design goals.

CAT Meeting 2/6/17

1) DATE: 2/6/17

2) MEETING TIME
(beginning and ending): 7:45

3) LOCATION: Classroom

4) CAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Gabi and Connor

Hey!!!!

5) CAT MEMBER ROLES (W suggests switching these roles for each meeting):

A) FACILITATOR (1 person) - Gabi
B) NOTE KEEPER/PUBLISHER (1 person) - Gabi
C) TIME KEEPER (1 person) - Connor
D) AGENDA CREATOR (1 person) - Connor

6) CAT WORK UPDATE:

A) What CAT tasks have you accomplished to date? (use previous minutes)

We have had the initial discussion with our contact and have established a baseline of tasks we will be focusing on for the semester. We have another tentative meeting with Jasmine on Friday.

B) What immediate and long-term CAT tasks lie ahead for the week, and who will execute?

We need to confirm our meeting with all members (via email), review current hang tags and promotional materials (we will both do this at our meeting), identify ways we can better utilize social media channels (we will do this at the meeting) 

C) What was the most CHALLENGING element re: the past week's CAT work?

Identifying the key concerns our contacts have and tasks they would like us to perform. 

D) What was the most REWARDING element re: about the past week's CAT work?

We've  had a good initial conversation with Jasmine and have established a working email thread.

E) What is your CAT doing really well right now?

We are maintaining consistent contact with US Sherpa.

F) What is your CAT needing to work on right now?

Identifying our major roles and what we will be doing within US Sherpa this semester.