Forge is Emspace’s collaborative program for college students within the communications field. Selected students will grasp the expectations of today’s creative professionals to help jump-start their future careers.

Selected students will explore the creative process, how teams collaborate and deliver the best work. Qualified applicants must be in the second half of their degree program or have recently graduated from a college or university. Creative professionals from the Omaha area will join Emspace to share perspectives from a variety of disciplines.

For a first hand look at Forge, read this blog from 2016 alum, Dawaune Hayes.

DOWNLOAD THE FORGE POSTER

Welcome

January 18

Welcome to Forge 2017!

This session will cover: introductions; why Forge?; effective collaboration; and leveraging multiple disciplines, roles and priorities.

Learn

February 1

This session will explore: goals; research and exploration; SWOT; building your team; and clients.

Featuring a panel of:
Amanda Kohler, KOVUS
Sarah Lake, Emspace
Amy Markham, Kiewit
Allison Schorr, ICAN

Think

February 15

This session will explore: setting objectives; communications planning: timelines and deliverables; creative thinking; strategy and problem solving; and planning for DO phase later.

Featuring a panel of:
Michael Johnson, Bailey Lauerman
Katie Kemerling, Ervin & Smith
Zach Mckenzie, Agape Red
Isabel Taule, Agape Red & Forge Alumni 16′

Create

March 1

This session will explore: content vs. copy; where to begin; personal creative processes; job hacks; time-tracking; job juggling; task managing & organization; and integrating development & production early in the process.

Featuring a panel of:
The Emspace Design Team
Dylan Baumann, Flywheel
Will Riley, Flywheel
Luke Bolin, Edison Creative
Shawn Gourley, Edison Creative
Kristin Neemann, Emspace
Liz Renner, The Copy Lab

Do

March 15

This session will explore: delivery, implementation and sustainability; failure to launch; redefining roles; tasks and management; social media; outreach; community engagement; events & partnerships; and how to collect, archive and MEASURE.

Featuring a panel of:
Kelly Bast, Emspace
Mark Elman, Elman Print
Kellie Wostrel, Swanson Russell

Measure — Prepare for What’s Next

March 29

This is a celebration of this year’s Forge class! We will send off our 2017 graduates by talking about opportunities in Omaha; young professional hacks: job search advice; interview tips; and creating your own opportunities.

This session will also be an opportunity for the 2017 class to network with area professionals and have their portfolios and resumes reviewed.