Pictured left to right:
james o'connor, chris clotz and judy marquardt

James O'Connor

Creative Director James "Okie" O'Connor does his best to create a fun work environment that helps bring out the creativity that his agency is noted for. After working for several ad agencies in Cleveland — including Ashby Dillon, Brubaker and Brokaw — O'Connor started Division Street Design with the support of his wife, Karen. Tending bar on weekends and nights and working to get clients during the day, Division Street Design soon became the "little agency that does big things." O'Connor comments, "I see our job as positioning our clients and their products and services above those of their competition — no matter what the challenges are, and with that one creative hook, logo or marketing communication piece you can do just that — and we do it almost every day. That is the main reason we are starting our 15th year when many agencies — good ad agencies — are closing in the in the Cleveland area." His award-winning senior art directors, Chris Clotz and Judy Marquardt, have helped established Division Street as a strong creative agency whose expertise includes package design, marketing communication materials, advertising and branding for a client base that includes Sherwin Williams and Royal Appliance (Dirt Devil). Outside of the ad business, O'Connor has appeared in two major motion pictures, the 1979 film "Brubaker" with Robert Redford and the 1985 film "Light of Day" with Michael J. Fox. (He claims to have been nominated for "Best Supporting Extra.") Jim has also helped out the White House during the Clinton administration, organizing motorcades for President Clinton during his 13 trips to Cleveland. "If you worked for me during those years, and the President came to town, you'd be driving in his motorcade, and the President would be personally thanking you at days end. That was something special!"

Was graphic design your first career path?

No. I started out at Ohio State in engineering, but the math did not agree with me. I also noticed that the coeds in the visual communications department were a much more attractive — so, of course, I switched majors.

What is on the top of your professional to-do list?

Expand our client base outside of the area. We have clients in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Rahliegh NC and Nevada — I'd like to exploit those markets more where we have a presence. (I also would not mind being judge for the Graphic Design USA Awards Annual.)

What are you currently listening to, watching or reading?

Listening to Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind and Fire (that's about how current I get with music). Watching: Fifth grade CYO Basketball. Reading: Dr. Suess's How the Grinch Stole Christmas to my first grader.

What is the most important thing you have learned from a bad job?

Always take responsibilityÉ and learn about the problem/issue with the project the very best you can, so as not to repeat that mistake. Mistakes happen, it is how they are handled that matters the most.

If you could have been born in a different era, which would it be?

I guess I'd rather be doing my career work during the sixties and seventies. I turn 50 this month, and I have noticed with every passing year in this business there are fewer people with ethics and integrity in the workplace, and many younger professionals don't have a clue how unethical they are or they don't care — and that really is a shame.

If your life were a movie, what would the title be?

"The Man Who Wouldn't Make the Logo Bigger!"

Jennifer Roycroft

With the belief that one can produce great work and still be business-savvy, Jennifer Roycroft opened Roycroft Design in 2003. Located in the heart of Boston's financial district, Roycroft Design specializes in corporate communications—multimedia, web and print—for an array of clients from Fortune 500 companies to small nonprofits. Along the way, Roycroft Design has earned a reputation for creating strategic design solutions that deliver results for her clients. Roycroft has been recognized for her creativity with some of the best industry design awards, and she has been published in several prestigious design annuals as well as books. Roycroft credits her experience as a design manager at Morgan Stanley and as a design supervisor at Fidelity Investments, as well as her formal training at The Hartford Art School, for giving her the background and skills to open her own shop.

Was graphic design your first career path?

I have always loved graphic design and can remember as a child being drawn to type, shapes and color.

Where were you raised, and has it shaped your work?

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston. After a brief stint in NYC, I knew I wanted to come back and open my own business here. Boston's appreciation for good design is a constant inspiration for me.

What is the most important thing you have learned from a "bad" job?

Every job has its own challenges, and finding solutions for the most difficult ones always feels rewarding.

What is your workday like?

The hours can be long and intense, depending on the workload, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Whenever I can, I enjoy working collaboratively — the energy can be contagious.

Has Katrina and other recent natural disasters altered your view of the role designers should play in society?

As a designer, I have always felt a responsibility to give back. We always take on a couple of pro-bono jobs, and recent events like Katrina just reinforce how important that work is.

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