Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Urick.
Hi Amy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I liked art and knew I had some talents, but I wasn’t aware there were viable career options in the arts. I have always been fascinated with science, but I assumed I would grow up to study psychology. (In a way, I did; good design uses many psychological concepts.)
My trajectory was suddenly shifted when my rural northern Michigan school had a “career day” and the graphic arts instructor from the vocational career center rolled a cart full of Macintosh II computers into the classroom and blew my mind. Science, technology and art in one career? Sign me up!
I took full advantage of that dynamic two-year graphic arts program during high school. It provided a strong foundation in traditional photography, layout and offset lithography, as well as being a playground for emerging publishing technology. After graduation, I chose to continue my training in a small but targeted community college curriculum that helped to build both my art skills and the ability to put those skills into practice in digital media.
It was an exciting time to be learning graphic design. Digital technology was quickly changing every aspect of the industry, and I looked for opportunities to get hands-on training. But I also pursued a strong foundation in the fundamentals of art and communication — and I’ve come to value that as much as anything else I learned.
In my thirty-year career as a graphic designer I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of businesses, from small town print shops to world-class design firms. Nowadays I enjoy working independently, meeting clients from a range of industries and helping them craft the tools to tell their story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had planned to continue my education after earning my Associate’s Degree. My dream was to get my BFA from a particular well-known college of art and design, but I decided to get married and move across the state first. A few years later, while working as the in-house designer for an international hardware company, I needed to hire interns to meet difficult deadlines on catalog projects. Several of the interns were nearing graduation from the very college program I had been dreaming about, and I was shocked at how unprepared they were for real work. I spend a lot of time coaching them. One intern noted that I was her same age, and asked how I managed to know so much more than she did.
I realized that my previous education, though it may not look great on paper, really did prepare me for everything that came after. Plus, my own internship was a year-long school of hard knocks — most of the work was with international clients on tight deadlines with no room for errors, working under a boss who had little patience for youth or inexperience. To survive, I had to learn fast and maximize my efficiency.
I have always been a little sad that I didn’t go get that BFA. I’m sure I would have treasured the guidance of the instructors, the creative environment, and relationships with classmates. I believe in education, that it is never wasted. But I’m also glad I didn’t sink resources into a degree that might not have boosted my career the way I expected.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve worked with clients as large as Dow Corning and as small as a kitchen table start-up, from a wide range of industries and locations. But my focus is helping small businesses and nonprofits communicate their full potential. I am especially passionate about working with nonprofits to maximize their impact.
I believe life is short, so do stuff that matters.
I have served as an officer, board chair, and executive director for several nonprofit organizations, sometimes during difficult transitions. I coordinate the annual Earl O’Brien Memorial Fishing Derby, a Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation fundraiser for children’s hospitals that has been running non-stop for 22 years. I was a Big Sister for 10 years, and continue to volunteer at schools and youth organizations. And I’m the regional officer in charge of educational outreach for an international living history organization, The Society For Creative Anachronism Inc.
But my favorite nonprofit role is as the advisor to the Tri-Cities Aktion Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored service club for adults with special abilities. My club has 10 members from Grand Haven and Spring Lake, with a variety of abilities and so, so much energy for community service. Their signature project is creating “birthday kits” that are distributed through Love In Action’s co-op pantry, so families who couldn’t otherwise afford it can have a birthday party with up to 10 kids. And, they recently adopted and rejuvenated a Free Little Library.
I am also serving as the Michigan District Aktion Club Administrator, advising and guiding the 16 Aktion Clubs in Michigan, publishing the district newsletter, and organizing the annual convention.
What’s next?
This year’s AktionCON (Michigan District Aktion Club Convention) will take place at Camp Henry in Newago on October 3-4.
We need sponsors! Aktion Club members look forward to coming together each fall to share successes, discuss challenges, learn about leadership, work together on a service project and have fun staying overnight at a camp. Convention expenditures range from $70-100 per attendee, but the full cost would be prohibitive for most members, especially those who need their caregivers with them. AktionCON charges just $35 per attendee, and we rely on our generous sponsors to make it happen.
Aktion Clubs across the state, my own Tri-Cities club included, are also in dire need of volunteers. Each club is different and has members with differing levels of independence, but volunteers need no special training or employment background — only willing hands and big hearts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://urick.com
- Other: https://Aktion.TriCitiesKiwanis.org
