The New Kids on the Virtual Block
Meet our newest creatives who virtually onboarded without missing a beat.
In these weird times full of uncertainty and social distancing, we’re as determined as ever to deliver innovative, data-backed marketing solutions that drive meaningful connections on behalf of our clients. One of the key components to our success is our incredible talent pool, and we’re dedicated to its curation and growth. Meet Geoff and Megan, our newest additions — their onboarding wasn’t what we’ve rehearsed, but we’re agile. And as it turns out, they are too!
Geoff Silvis, Designer
“In a whirlwind of odd world events, I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be hooked into.” —Geoff
Geoff Silvis is a multi-faceted designer with skills ranging from digital to print to illustration to tabletop roleplaying — yes, he’s a Dungeon Master, and we think that’s pretty cool.
Before heading north to Baltimore, Geoff studied Fine Arts and Printmaking, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Hartford and his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Tennessee. In the process, he says he learned some pretty valuable lessons for aspiring designers:
Lesson 1: Walk to the beat of your own drum. You can always emulate your heroes, but what’s uniquely yours is yours to own. So own it.
Lesson 2: Put yourself out there.
Lesson 3: Whenever you do a demonstration, make sure something goes wrong. Then show everyone how to fix it.
And this is exactly what we look for at Havas: flexible, uniquely-talented individuals with myriad skills to bring to the table, or, in Geoff’s case, the tabletop.
After graduation, Geoff moved with his family to Baltimore and began working with FILLAT + Architecture. While there, Geoff had the opportunity to own their website redesign from soup to nuts, and we mean the whole enchilada. He wrote their brand copy, developed the UX, designed the interface, and developed the site.
“I aim to craft engaging, fun, marketable designs focused on strong imagery, typography, information hierarchy, and effective communication.”
To further flex his creative muscles, Geoff concocts fake companies, letting his imagination run wild and designing their branding — unrestricted but thoughtfully. In his spare time, he also enjoys sketching character illustrations.
Rapid Fire
How many days were you in the office before we started full-time WFH?
0 days. Just the interview and a laptop pickup with IT for about 5 minutes. But everyone’s been super helpful and I feel super lucky to be a part of the team!
What’s the weirdest (or coolest) part about virtual onboarding?
I’ve only ever met two of my team members in person, but we all feel like old friends already.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Explosions in the Sky, State Theater, Portland, ME.
How do you like your eggs?
Scrambled, tossed with hot sauce or salsa.
What’s your favorite emoji?
Dog — he looks just like my dog, Pazzo!
Who’s your favorite illustrator?
Sam Weber.
You’re going out for a night on the town, where are you headed?
Bar Clavel.
Early bird or night owl?
Midday Eagle.
If you could choose any two famous people to have dinner with, who would they be?
John James Audubon (illustrator of “The Birds of America”) & Rudolph F. Zallinger (illustrator of the Yale Peabody Museum’s iconic dinosaur mural, “The Age of Reptiles”).
What animal do you most identify with?
Ocelot.
Megan Bidgood-Knepley, Traffic Manager
“My first official week was quite unique; I was only in the office for 2 days before we started (unexpectedly) working from home full-time. Zoom meetings and Slack calls have made the training process seamless, and it’s been nice to see everyone’s faces and participate in the virtual happy hours! It’s been three weeks and while I haven’t spent much time with anyone in person, I definitely feel like we’ve had a chance to connect — like we’ve been together for much longer — and I love my team!” — Megan
Making her way to Baltimore from the Central Jersey Shore, Megan studied Communications at Towson University, and she stayed because she fell in love with Baltimore’s small-community-big-city feel. Since then, she’s worked in both the digital and print spaces as a traffic coordinator and project manager — but her real passion is digital because it’s fast and (sometimes) messy and she craves a good challenge.
“Traffic management is the best because it’s like a puzzle — you get to intake all of the crazy pieces of a project and make them fit neatly together. It’s organizing chaos.”
To stay hyper-organized and keep projects running full speed ahead, Megan is both a list-maker and day planner enthusiast — her go-to planner is this customizable powerhouse from Erin Condren. (Imagine her surprise when she found out her dad knows Erin.)
Rapid Fire
What’s the weirdest (or coolest) part about virtual onboarding?
Zoom virtual backgrounds. Although I have yet to make a virtual background, I really enjoy everyone else’s.
What’s your favorite WFH technology?
Zoom. It helps me feel really connected, and seeing everyone’s face — and their fun backgrounds — is uplifting.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
A Bleachers concert two years ago. Hoping to see them again this summer!
How do you like your eggs?
Over medium.
What’s your favorite emoji?
Hand hugs smiley — I’m a hugger and can really relate to that one.
Got any hobbies?
Crafting and karaoke
You’re going out for a night on the town, where are you headed?
Outpost. They have amazing nachos, drinks, and board games!
Early bird or night owl?
Hands down, night owl.
If you could choose any two famous people to have dinner with, who would they be?
Comedians Lauren Graham & Mindy Kaling.
What animal do you identify with?
Dolphins! I love to swim and be social.
