Jamie Schindeldecker’s recent history includes a move to Arizona from the Midwest. She was doing portrait photography full time and only small graphic projects on the side. After her move to Phoenix, Jamie started at Deutsch Associates as part of their Business Development Team. She has been with the firm for three years. Deutsch Associates is a full service architecture firm doing business locally and nationally. Jamie says the firm has “71 employees and growing.”

Jamie, tell our community about your job duties at Deutsch Associates.

I'm the in-house graphic designer and project manager of graphics. I manage our collateral material, customization of proposals, advertising, presentation materials, photography and the archiving of our projects. I also monitor corporate identity issues, and perform design work for outside clients - from small flyers to complete corporate identity packages. We print brochures, qualification packages, promotional materials, our own magazine and direct mail pieces.

Many architect firms have a need for short run, custom projects. Have you invested in technology that allows you to produce these projects in-house?

We do a lot of our smaller print work in house. The need for quick turnaround and convenience means not having to rely on another company or the delivery person. We don’t need 4-color process done for one time usage materials and that has played a big factor in our decision to purchase a decent color machine. This eliminated the need for the quick print shop (to produce) some of the color work. I do try to maintain good relationships with our vendors for those times when our machine goes down - reliable back up is important!

As the in-house designer, a lot of money is saved overall in that we can bypass the ad agency option. Also, with a high-end digital color printer, all of our smaller, short-run pieces can be printed in house. We also have our own binding capabilities saving even more time and money on projects.

Are you the primary contact or do others at Deutsch Associates work with print related vendors too?

I handle our print ordering. During my three years at Deutsch Associates, I tried numerous vendors for different kinds of print work until I found the right fit. Once there is a good fit, the relationships grow naturally. We're a relationship based company - architects, outside sales, drafters and graphic designers. We are all in it together and those relationships are what help us grow.

Give our subscribers one piece of advice that has helped you succeed in buying print related services.

Find a good fit and form strong, long lasting relationships with your vendors. I would like to think that I've developed friendships with my vendors. Even if Deutsch Associates isn't in need of print work, a phone call to say hello or an occasional lunch is always welcome on either end. Of course, always plan ahead and always have reliable back-up.

How did you find your current set of vendors?

Most of the vendors I've formed relationships with were found via word of mouth. I probably use about 5 or 6 vendors for different types of print work. The relationship building is on both ends. Couple that with a job well done and good customer service and response - the relationship will continue to grow stronger and the referrals will flow.

It sounds like you have very strong relationships with your printers. Have you ever needed to end a relationship with a vendor?

I tend to be over tolerant, so the decision to stop using a printer takes quite a while. The answer then, is yes. Deadlines are important in any business and when they are continually not met, the only answer is to look elsewhere.

As you have seen in our news coverage, print management over the web is a hot topic. Has Deutsch Associates ever seriously examined web based print solutions?

Yes. However, many of my vendors believe in “a voice on the phone and the personal attention to a project.” Being a smaller, family owned firm - this personal attention to our work through our relationships is important.

Companies use a variety of methods to proof their projects before going to press. How does Deutsch Associates handle proofs?

Of course proofing needs to be done by the author of any piece, but we all know after looking a document for hours and hours - things start to run together. Our Business Development Manager does the final (check) on all of our materials. Based on the information provided, whether it's high-tech architecture or interior design, that will dictate the person who will proof the information. For example, I'll meet with members of a studio like our educational or retail team early on to discuss what type of information we need to give a prospective client. What type of projects we'd like to highlight, and the overall image of that piece we want to convey to the client. It's all about teamwork and having an end product that everyone can be proud of.

Jamie, great information and our entire community appreciates you spending time with us!