The week has come to an end and today my list of things to do is decreasing in size. The plan for today is to finish converting the last spec sheets. I also have on my list of things to do, to print out flyers for the farmers market for we are really trying to promote our newest and up and coming development Cobblestone Commons. We have found the farmers market to be a very successful place to do it, for it is conveniently located near our neighborhoods and is very easy to give them directions to check them out following their visit. The other task I plan on completing is an inventory of our flooring and backsplash samples. We are looking to have two full sets of both our large and small samples. After the inventory is complete I need to follow up with our ICC vendor to retrieve any missing pieces. Overall the day should not be very hectic.
Today also marks the completion of my 400 hour internship. I do however plan on staying for about three more weeks for this will finalize as my summer job. I have loved every minute of my experience and even am considering seeing if there would be a place for me to come back as a starting point in my career paths. We all have to start somewhere! They have been so awesome and I just love the office family I have become apart of. They are so accepting and I just feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such great people. Everyone is so down to earth and they have reassured me that this is what I want to do and that I do like the residential aspects of building and design. I could not have asked for a better opportunity and I have even picked up a few skills and even networking along the way. I hope everyone was able to get something out of their experience!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21
On Thursday, I simply spent the entire day transferring over our current job specs onto the new template that was created for Blackwell Park. In the middle of the day I did have a break however, and it was then that I took some people through our model home. They were very impressed. Once this was complete I went back to the office to continue my work.
Wednesday, July 20
On Wednesday, I came into the office to take pictures of some brick samples. These pictures I then uploaded to the computer to be placed into our brick selections sheet. This finalized our brick brochure for prior we simply had blank boxes that informed the clients that if interested they could view the sample here at the office. The reason it was done this way was the vendor provided us with a website that had the brick images and there were two styles that for some reason were not offered so we had to improvise. Once this was done I took the time to convert our take one brochure into Illustrator. My boss then asked me while he was away to take the time to develop some new designs for the take one brochure. I did simply as he asked and created 2 alternative designs to be reviewed once he gets back. I think one ultimately stands out to me and is just the refresher that it needed. I adapted it to have more images and less wording. I feel pictures say so much more as we are taught in the classroom. So much text is just boring and people don't want to take the time to read it. Overall everyone in the office likes the new adapted version and so hopefully I can leave a mark behind additionally to the selections binders, and feel like I really contributed to the marketing needs of the business. I feel that this would be something great to also add to my portfolio. All in all the week is halfway through and I continue making progress on my list everyday.
Tuesday, July 19
On Tuesday, July 19, it was just another day in the office. I picked up right where I left off with the binders. They still needed to be organized by tab and placed in sheet protectors. Once this was complete I developed a new template in illustrator to host our under construction take ones for home sites. When this was done I actually created a brochure for a current job. I took their exterior facade elevation AutoCAD drawing and also their plans and inserted them to finalize a take one to be placed out in front of the job site. When this was complete the day was coming to an end. I quickly took time to clean up our hard drive folders for when something is updated we place the current date at the end and discard the old one into an archive folder. So I simply went through and made sure that only the most current documents were visible. This makes the process of keeping organized so much easier. It also helps everyone to stay on the same page and have accurate documents to access when questions arise.
Week 10 at Heartwood Custom Homes
Monday, July 18
On Monday, July 18, I walked in to an empty office. For the next two weeks my boss will be out on a family vacation and left the rest of us to manage. Also his partner in Old Town Design Group is on vacation this week so it really leaves us trying to manage in an adequate manner. I walk into an empty office though for the secretary, and AutoCAD specialist managed the farmers market and model so they both took the day off. This left me and the other intern here to complete tasks in which we were given to do while away. So it was very quiet but left much time to complete projects without being interrupted as usual. The first thing on my list was to finish developing the selection binders for the 4 new customers in which we plan to begin digging in the near future. Once these were complete I received a phone call from my boss asking if I could follow up with some clients and vendors in regards to plans and information. The rest of my day was then spent printing out marketing material to duplicate selection binders that host architectural features of past homes constructed. The binder includes fireplaces, built-ins, niches, and columns. This was a long process for all images were in color and the binder is rather thick. Overall I feel like I made a good start to my list of things to do.
On Monday, July 18, I walked in to an empty office. For the next two weeks my boss will be out on a family vacation and left the rest of us to manage. Also his partner in Old Town Design Group is on vacation this week so it really leaves us trying to manage in an adequate manner. I walk into an empty office though for the secretary, and AutoCAD specialist managed the farmers market and model so they both took the day off. This left me and the other intern here to complete tasks in which we were given to do while away. So it was very quiet but left much time to complete projects without being interrupted as usual. The first thing on my list was to finish developing the selection binders for the 4 new customers in which we plan to begin digging in the near future. Once these were complete I received a phone call from my boss asking if I could follow up with some clients and vendors in regards to plans and information. The rest of my day was then spent printing out marketing material to duplicate selection binders that host architectural features of past homes constructed. The binder includes fireplaces, built-ins, niches, and columns. This was a long process for all images were in color and the binder is rather thick. Overall I feel like I made a good start to my list of things to do.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15
On Friday, July 15, I began the day by emailing to the vendors both the specs and plans for all current projects. This is so they can taking care of necessary tasks on their side for each. I then took time to print out all up to date plans and specs for my boss to take on his trip in case any questions came up while he was out. He also had me place all of these into a folder on his laptop in which he planned to take as well. I continued following up with businesses for the invoices in which we were still missing. I then about mid day met with my boss so that he could give me a list of tasks to complete while he is away. The list seems very manageable. Once I was given the tasks, I jumped right in and began developing more of the selection binders for our upcoming clients. The day ended by doing a bit of housekeeping before he was out the door for two weeks. Overall the week stayed busy for it is important to be sure everything is set before leaving on a long trip especially when it is a personal business. The next couple of weeks will be more quiet but I have plenty of things to work on.
Thursday, July 14
On July 14, I started the day following up with the vendors and businesses in which we were missing invoices from. I then updated the construction schedule to the most current, to then email out to all vendors so that while my boss is out they knew where each project stands. Once this was done I reviewed our websites both the Heartwood Homes and Blackwell Park to come up with new ideas to propose, for they want to refresh and revamp them. I then helped Justin my boss's business partner for Old Town Design Group assemble legal documents. The document consisted of a letter and a plat map to be sent out to 35 residence around an area in which we plan to build. This apparently is required by the city and if we don't take the time to do it we can get fined and be in a lot of trouble. My day ended by taking the invoices I received throughout the day and inserting them into place in the binder. The day seemed to go by quickly.
Wednesday, July 13
On Wednesday, I started the day by continuing to go through the paperwork to verify bills in which we had an did not have. I completed the list but had a number of bills in which I was missing. I also took the time to not only organize the binder by tab but also by page in which it was listed on the document I was using to verify with. I then took time to again update documents for my boss and his family are leaving for a vacation and will be out two weeks so he wanted to make sure everything in our system was up to date. After I met with Wendy, or interior designer to review the order sheets in which she will be using to order materials and products from once client selects them from their binder. She simply had me making a few edits so that the form was simple and to the point for both her and the vendors to understand. We also reviewed the selections binder again to see if any major edits were necessary. There only remain a few so in the next couple of weeks while they are gone I will make the changes and update the client binders. Overall while their vacation is nearing things still remain calm but just busy getting final pieces together.
Tuesday, July 12
On Tuesday, July 12, I started my day by simply updating paperwork from schedules to specs to checklists. This is often done for we like to keep our paperwork as up to date as possible. The rest of my day was spent composing the bills binder which was broken down into various tabs. Once the pages were divided I was printed off a chart that I was to go through and highlight whether or not we had the bill. For the ones I did not have I simply made a note to later go back and follow up on. The day ended with the binder still yet to be complete. I was informed at the beginning that this would take time and that I needed to take my time in order to know that everything was done correctly.
Week 9 at Heartwood Custom Homes
Monday, July 11
On Monday, I started the day by updating spec sheets. The changes made were simply new information providing details about the clients various selections. After this was complete I printed out updated floor plans in order to verify we were on the same page as some of our new clients and also to be sure that things would be constructed right the first time. Then I took time to edit the trim brochure. In order to complete this brochure I had to use both Photoshop and Illustrator because I had to edit the images before placing them in the formatted pages developed in Illustrator. Once the trim brochure was finalized I emailed out a spec sheet to receive bids for the clients contract. Every project done here at Heartwood has a bids process in order to get the best price for the materials and products being used. The day ended by me being assigned a very tedious task of copying all the current bills we have on hand for the big Mervis remodel project we worked on, to then have an organized bills binder created.
On Monday, I started the day by updating spec sheets. The changes made were simply new information providing details about the clients various selections. After this was complete I printed out updated floor plans in order to verify we were on the same page as some of our new clients and also to be sure that things would be constructed right the first time. Then I took time to edit the trim brochure. In order to complete this brochure I had to use both Photoshop and Illustrator because I had to edit the images before placing them in the formatted pages developed in Illustrator. Once the trim brochure was finalized I emailed out a spec sheet to receive bids for the clients contract. Every project done here at Heartwood has a bids process in order to get the best price for the materials and products being used. The day ended by me being assigned a very tedious task of copying all the current bills we have on hand for the big Mervis remodel project we worked on, to then have an organized bills binder created.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Friday, July 8
On Friday, July 8, I took time to print all of the brochures that were in tact and placed then into the binders. I left spaces for the incomplete brochures for this project will be ongoing until we can get a few more pictures and also get the brochures assembled. I also took time to file some paperwork into their proper job binders. I then gathered the interior trim info we received and I began composing a brochure to be placed into our selections binder. My day was coming to an end and I took on printing up flyers for the Parade of Homes to advertise for both our Blackwell Park development and Cobblestone Commons. Lastly, I followed up with a few questions I had received in regards to the schedules. My week has come to an end and I just feel like home working here. We seem like a small family and we seem to accomplish alot when we work as a team. I hope that in the future and can find something very similar.
Thursday, July 7
On Thursday, July 7, I took time to update or current project specification sheets. I was then sent out to take exterior pictures of past home projects that will be included in the design binders I purchased yesterday. Once this was complete I returned to the office and sent out emails to all vendors with the updated construction schedules for both our Heartwood Home projects and also our Old Town Design Group projects. After I began updating and editing the brochures that will eventually end up in the design binders. While the brochures are not complete I then took time to assemble a rough template of what the book would contain and the order in which the brochures would be placed. My day ended by going to the Mirror Concepts showroom to deliver so content for a certain mirror that will be installed at one of our current jobs.
Wednesday July 6
On July 6, I began my day by printing plans, specs, and schedules for a client meeting in the afternoon. I also finalized the clients selections binder for they will be able to begin picking out the particular products and finishes for their new home. I then updated the Old Town Design Group construction schedule. Once this schedule was complete I then edited and updated our weekly packet for the office. Once these tasks were complete I helped organize bills for a pool house job that we completed. I was then sent out to photograph our model for we needed a final picture to participate in the Parade of Homes. My day came to an end by going out and purchasing some design binders that would later contain Heartwood Home projects that have been done in the past and can be displayed for new customers to look through.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Week 8 at Heartwood Custom Homes
Tuesday, July 5
On Tuesday, July 5, I began my morning printing out our take-one brochures to then be placed out in front of all of our current construction sites. These brochures are informational and basically state what we do as a business and who we are, and how to contact us if interested. Then once that was complete I printed off flyers for the farmers market do be prepared for the up coming weekend. We were completely out and so we wanted to get them complete while it was still fresh in our minds. I then printed out flooring and paint information to be inserted into the customer selections binder. As the day progressed I printed brochures to duplicate a job binder of various home projects done in the past. This book will be used as a reference tool for clients to visually see what forms of building we do and have done previously. I then took the time to develop a new brochure template in Illustrator. The previous brochures were developed in CorelDraw which was a program like illustrator except it can only handle so much per document before it begins freezing and running very slowly. With this new template the construction of the brochures should be a lot less time consuming. I ended my day by contacting the business that takes care of all of our large printing jobs. I contacted them in regards to pricing for a print job for one page flyers placed on a glossy paper. Overall the day seemed to go by fast.
On Tuesday, July 5, I began my morning printing out our take-one brochures to then be placed out in front of all of our current construction sites. These brochures are informational and basically state what we do as a business and who we are, and how to contact us if interested. Then once that was complete I printed off flyers for the farmers market do be prepared for the up coming weekend. We were completely out and so we wanted to get them complete while it was still fresh in our minds. I then printed out flooring and paint information to be inserted into the customer selections binder. As the day progressed I printed brochures to duplicate a job binder of various home projects done in the past. This book will be used as a reference tool for clients to visually see what forms of building we do and have done previously. I then took the time to develop a new brochure template in Illustrator. The previous brochures were developed in CorelDraw which was a program like illustrator except it can only handle so much per document before it begins freezing and running very slowly. With this new template the construction of the brochures should be a lot less time consuming. I ended my day by contacting the business that takes care of all of our large printing jobs. I contacted them in regards to pricing for a print job for one page flyers placed on a glossy paper. Overall the day seemed to go by fast.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Friday, July 1
On Friday July 1, the majority of my day was spent printing out documents of all sorts. I composed another client binder, and also finalized printing out material for the client selections binder. I then updated a few specs. Once this was finished I went on the search on our server to locate old documents in which we want to organize and create a duplicate binder of, to represent our special architectural features. Later in the afternoon, I printed out materials for the farmers market happening this weekend. I also had the pleasure in the afternoon to celebrate with some Heartwood clients the closing on their new home and the presenting of their keys. This week seemed very long for I did constant updating and work on the binders. I feel successful though for the binder was pretty much all me, and now homeowners are finally getting them. It is funny for when I placed calls informing them that they were ready for pick up they seemed so excited. I am happy to have had part in it and hope that it is a huge success and a great experience for the clients.
Thursday, June 30
On Thursday, June 30, I started my day by going out to Mirror Concepts showroom. Here I took pictures of various shower door styles so that clients could see differences in the framed, semi-framed, and frameless doors. When I returned I developed a selections sheet that used these pictures as a reference to be put within the client binders. I then reviewed our selection binder order forms, for very soon we will be using these to get orders out to vendors to then get the necessary products for each job in Blackwell Park. After, I revised the Old Town Design Group weekly packet updates. I then finished composing one clients binder and then another for each of then were given a phone call that their binders would be ready for Friday pick up. As I composed these binders I also had to revise the introduction letters to each section for they are pretty crucial for full understanding of each section. My day ended by tiding up my desk because there was a ton of paperwork that managed to pile up the last few days with all the revising and edits I have been completing.
Wednesday, June 29
On Wednesday, June 29, I started my day out by printing some more of the binder content and organizing it within the filing system I had created. I then worked on introductory letters to each section within the binder that way our clients stay informed and understand what our intentions are for them and the binder. Later in the afternoon I printed out a development land plat and gathered some plans and specs for some meetings my boss had in the early evening. After this I took time to contact a few of our vendors to get the final updates for the binder so that we were in okay shape to contact some of the homeowners to make them aware their binder would be ready for pick up. My day ended by filing paperwork into proper job binders under specified tabs for this is the way we keep each project separate and organized.
Tuesday, June 28
On Tuesday, June 28, I worked on construction schedules for both our Heartwood Home clients and Old Town Design Group, Blackwell Park clients. I also composed a new weekly packet for Heartwood, that way everyone in the office could see the latest updates and up and coming projects, as well as the ones ending. I then made templates for the Old Town Design Group weekly packet and also edits to the construction schedule. When these tasks were complete I took the time to send out the necessary schedules to the homeowners so they have a schedule to go by based on when certain things should be getting complete and wrapping up. I also updated various spec sheets today for we hate falling behind on new things determined by the clients because when we go to have a conversation we are not aware certain finishes or products have been established. The end of my day consisted of me taking more time to print out selection binder content.
Week 7 at Heartwood Custom Homes
Monday, June 27
On Monday, June 27, I started the day by working on finalizing the binder. After, I reviewed the binder on my own, to be sure that we covered everything before sitting down and reviewing with my boss. He reviewed the binder and then recommended I sit down with his wife, the interior designer to be sure that she felt everything was correct and that it was what she was looking for when she presents it to clients. Following the review I took the time to compose a construction schedule for the three clients we have up and going in Blackwell Park. I then went back to working on the binder. I developed a filing system for the binder content so that when it is time to give a client their binder we can easily pull the paperwork out and insert. This leads to a less time consuming process because then not each individual document has to be printed out. So with that said, I began taking the time to print out numerous copies of each document so it only is a one time process. As I went I assembled the start of our first official client binder.
On Monday, June 27, I started the day by working on finalizing the binder. After, I reviewed the binder on my own, to be sure that we covered everything before sitting down and reviewing with my boss. He reviewed the binder and then recommended I sit down with his wife, the interior designer to be sure that she felt everything was correct and that it was what she was looking for when she presents it to clients. Following the review I took the time to compose a construction schedule for the three clients we have up and going in Blackwell Park. I then went back to working on the binder. I developed a filing system for the binder content so that when it is time to give a client their binder we can easily pull the paperwork out and insert. This leads to a less time consuming process because then not each individual document has to be printed out. So with that said, I began taking the time to print out numerous copies of each document so it only is a one time process. As I went I assembled the start of our first official client binder.
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