This month’s Employee Profile spotlights Village Print & Media’s Specialty Printing Manager, Meg McConnell. Check out what Meg’s day-to-day is like, some of her favorite projects that she’s worked on as of late, and what she really thinks about the PANTONE Color of the Year 2016, Rose Quartz and Serenity.
VPM: So, tell us— what do you like most about being VPM’s Specialty Printing Manager?
MM: The best part about my job is that each day brings new challenges and new projects of all different kinds. While some projects are fairly straight-forward, many take problem solving skills and creative thinking to ensure we provide our client with the best solution possible. It is also a very fast-paced position, which makes it very demanding, yet wonderful because there is rarely a dull moment.
Our department takes on a lot of interesting work and we’re able to do this because of the amazing team behind us. Each and every person at VPM has helped us in one way or another at some point in time. In particular, we couldn’t do what we do without our dispatch team, QC department, specialty print production crew, and finishers/bindery team. I am also lucky to have an excellent boss and fantastic, hardworking team members within the Specialty Print department who make my job much easier, even when things become a bit hectic.
VPM: Do you have a favorite project that you have recently worked on?
MM: Fairly recently we created some stunning foil stamped invites for The Box, which featured gold foil on black 4-ply rising museum board. We also transformed a wall for Macquarie using high quality adhesive wall vinyl that looked fantastic– not as exciting as gold foil, but it truly updated the space. This holiday season we assisted our clients with many interesting cards that featured foil stamping, specialty papers, die cutting, dual mounting, edge painting, and more. We have the good fortune to work on so many interesting projects that it’s difficult to choose just one favorite!
VPM: Are there any particular trends that you’re most excited for in 2016?
MM: It’s still early in the year, but we’ve seen clients exploring a bit more with laser cutting, which is a very interesting and beautiful technique to give a piece a very luxurious feel. Foil stamping is still near the top of our requests for specialty print pieces, although there seems to be a shift towards matte foil as opposed to satin or gloss foil. Clients are also exploring more interesting foil swatches– not just silver and gold, which is very exciting as there are so many different color options that are not often used! Also, soft touch/velvet lamination has also continued to rise as a major trend– part of the large movement towards a growing preference for matte finish.
VPM: Now, be straight with us. How do you really feel about the dual color choice for the PANTONE Color of the Year 2016?
MM: Hah. Honestly, I’m not a huge fan. I’ve never been a big pastels person. With that said, it does showcase the advantage of using the Pantone Matching System as true, opaque pastels are hard to hit when printing using traditional/standard CMYK inks. I also can’t help but think of the pastel hair trend that is fairly popular as of late when looking at the Rose Quartz and Serenity swatches.
VPM: As you’ve learned walking to work this week, it’s ridiculously cold outside. What’s one of your favorite bars in Manhattan to stay warm and cozy in when mother nature graces us with this kind of weather?
MM: Great question! If I’m in the city (Manhattan), Boxcar Lounge (on Avenue B in between 10th and 11th) has always been a happy hour staple of mine. I live in Brooklyn and thus frequent Sea Witch Tavern (South Slope) and Lucy’s Lounge (Gowanus), which are both super cozy neighborhood bars with wonderful bartenders and beverages that are near home. The ‘Twice Bitten” cocktail at Lucy’s Lounge is a particular favorite of mine– jalapeño infused bourbon, fresh lime juice, and house ginger beer, garnished with pickled jalapeños. Definitely will warm you up!