The St. Louis design community is large enough to be interesting, yet small enough that I’ve run into a lot of the same colleagues at different jobs throughout my career. People come, and people go, no matter how great the company, or how hot the economy.
Life is change.
Sometimes things look better from a different perspective.
Right now, obviously, the economy is causing unwelcome changes in employment circumstances for many in the St. Louis design community, and I have set up this Web site as a resource particularly for those who are “between gigs.”
Architects, architectural designers, interior designers, interior architects, landscape designers, graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, product reps and operations staff in marketing, business development, public relations, IT, accounting and administrative staff who work, or have worked, in a design-based business all understand the industry and bring specialized skills to the job. You are all welcome to network here.
It’s open to anyone in the St. Louis design community as a way to reconnect with colleagues and swap personal stories, but especially to offer support to those between jobs, share job searching and networking tips and opportunities, share job leads and report successes.
This blog is not the place to be ugly, angry, rant, etc. I won’t approve any posts for public viewing that are not respectful of the purpose here, or that violate the rules.
Rules:
Keep it positive.
No bashing current or past employers. This includes sarcastic or bitter posts.
No rumor mongering (exchange rumors by private e-mail, please, but please DO post legitimate trends and news!)
No bashing St. Louis.
No snark, please—it’s just not helpful. Snark is a form of sarcasm. If you’re not sure what snark is here is a link to a great conversation on it.
Otherwise, blog away, and tell your friends.
I’ve set up an AddThis social networking button in the sidebar, as well as FeedBlitz as a subscription service, if you want to receive updates when new information is posted.
Welcome!
St. Louis Design Community Connections © 2009 Donna J Gamache
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
The views expressed here are mine, and those of my readers and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, or any organization with which I am affiliated.
St. Louis Design Community Connections 
Yea!! It’s up and runnin,’ congrats!!
you are up and going!
Donna,
What a great service to the design community! Your efforts will provide support to many during some challenging economic times.
Congratulations!
Kathryn
It’s a go!
Very curious to see how this goes – a great idea and service to the area. (and don’t go into shock at my url; I’ve thought about changing it but have so many friends via my blog at the address that I haven’t changed it. signed, Diana Losciale
(aka “Oh” at http://westcobich.wordpress.com)
This is a wonderful tool you are providing! Thank you so much!
i work with or for approx. 30 local firms as an IT consultant.
three places have been looking for people, last week and one today. i don’t do the hiring, i’m not a head-hunter, just have an ear to the wall.
i wish times were better and i hope it gets better soon. competition for what the few jobs available is kinda nutty.
you can find me by the name posted.
-chrisv
Donna,
So good to hear from you. Good luck with you new site.
Great idea. I hope this works out for everyone involved. You’re right. St. Louis is a small community when it comes to creative talent and we all seem to run into each other sooner or later.
Thanks for initiating this opportunity for sharing.
This is a great gesture to the community.
I’ve posted a link on the St. Louis Design Meetup page.
Thanks so much, J. Jeffreys. I’ve been putting some time into it, and I hope to have others contribute, as well. It’s hard, hard, hard out there (and in here!) We need each other more than ever. This is a great community, period, and the design community is tight. I hope this acts as a virtual water-cooler. I appreciate your help in spreading the word. Subscribe, come back often and post info, yourself. Goodness knows I don’t have all the answers! Best regards, DJG
If I may, do you have a link or info on the “St. Louis Design Meetup” page?
I do have some info on St. Louis MeetUp; I got a list today, in fact, of upcoming MeetUps. I’ll post it later tonight.
Donna – Great site and idea for an exchange of ideas, thoughts, and advice. Something everybody needs, no matter what market or economic conditions are!
How thoughtful. Thankyou.
Oops, sorry about that.
http://www.meetup.com/design/
Donna,
What a great, creative idea. Here in Johnson City, TN I hold what I call “Coffee with Creatives” on a regular basis and send out an all call for my creative friends to join me at Panera Bread. Your idea is similar, only virtual.
Love it!
Mary Ellen Miller
President and CEO
MarketingMel
twitter: @MarketingMel
Hi, Mary Ellen! You’re not that far from us, as the crow flies. I do think of this blog as a “virtual water-cooler”; maybe “virtual cafe” would have more panache?
I will get your blog on my blogroll and post an annoucement about it this evening.
PS Did you know Panera Bread is a St. Louis based company?
Thank you for including me on this site! Cheers to you and all you are accomplishing!
I hope the get-together went well. As a Gamache (possibly the most Northern of all the Gamaches in the world) I wish I could have been there. I am just getting into the Gamache Family history and I find it all very fasinating. All the best. My Canadian genetics is very confused. I am related to British General Wolfe who defeated the French to make Canada English. C’est La Vie Mon Cher