For this week’s speaker series, we sat down with James Hammond, Garden Media’s resident number cruncher and media monitoring maven.

During his time here, James has done everything from shipping out packages re-designing the website. In addition to monitoring media placements, he spends time laying out graphics and content such as e-books, flyers and web banners.

Continue reading to learn more about James and the role he plays at Garden Media.

I would say my strength would be my ability to learn new skills and adapt to an ever-changing PR landscape. I learn by doing and am lucky to work in an environment in which, if I make a mistake, it's a learning moment.

I’ve never been one for book learning, and instead need a more hands-on approach. Give me a new program and a couple days and I can grasp the basic concept rather easily.

However, there’s always going to be someone who knows more about a program or topic, so I wouldn’t say I’m an expert at anything in particular. I’m always learning.

You’re a self-taught graphic designer. How did you teach yourself and how long did it take?

I’ve learned my skills mostly from trial and error, natural ability and Google searches (the internet is a wealth of knowledge).

I’m still learning new things every day to apply to my craft. It’s an ongoing process rather than one you learn once and keep in your skill set forever.

Design changes constantly and it’s all about keeping up with those changes, while still being true to your own aesthetic. If you don’t keep up with the times, you’re going to be left behind.

Who do you look up to?

We all have our flaws and we’re all unique. I look up to people who are undeniably themselves, those who don’t care what others think about them and let that influence who they are. People who stick up for the disenfranchised and lend a voice to those who may not have one. Those who don’t judge or condemn others for being different from them or because of what they’ve been told by someone or something else. I like people who can think for themselves.

Why do you like working at Garden Media?

I like working at Garden Media because as a small company,you really get to know your co-workers. There are no strangers here. We all help and learn from each other as well. Garden Media also gives me an outlet for my creative side in my work.

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