Get to Know the Team: Courtney Van Hagen

Courtney Van Hagen is the Art Director for Serendipity Media.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

I love the variety. I get to design everything from print to digital to promotional material! Setting up branding for our clients is one of my favorite things to do. Figuring out the best color palette, designing the logo and then creating pieces that carry their brand through every outlet. Oh, and I LOVE designing everything for tradeshows: booths, banners, signs, programs. I make the crew take pics when they go, since I don’t get to see it in person (until they go to NYC, then I’m stowing away!)

What do you love most about working with Serendipity Media clients?
I am not saying this because they may read this (haha) but we honestly have the best clients! They are as open to our ideas as we are to what they expect from us and what they want to see in the end. They are always extremely grateful and that feels good—knowing that they truly appreciate the time and energy spent making sure that what we turn around is what they envision.

We all work well together, and we all understand each and every dynamic. We work with a variety of clients, and they’re all a lot of fun to work with … even when I send over a U of M-themed banner to our MSU fan! I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do when I hear, “this is exactly what we wanted” or, “this is better than what we had pictured!”

What are your top three tips for businesses and companies?

  • Make your environment a good one. Every day isn’t going to be a good day, but the atmosphere of the work place can change that. One of our culture standards is “Choose Happiness”—it’s a good one!
  • Don’t take things too seriously … (unless warranted of course!) Have fun and truly enjoy what you do. That helps on the tough days!
  • Beer o’clock. I’m just saying.

In a game of truth or dare, which are you more likely to pick and why?
Truth. I’m a chicken. I’d be too afraid of what someone would dare me to do! Especially this group!

What’s your go-to drink? 
Now that it’s getting warmer outside, it’s a variety! An Old Fashioned is my absolute favorite, but nothing beats sitting outside enjoying an ice-cold beer! And I seriously vary with that … I like porters, stouts, lighter beers and more. My favorite right now is Sam Adams Coldsnap! I’m not too picky, just hand me something cold and I’ll say, “Cheers!”

It’s the weekend! What are you typically doing on a Friday night? 
The second the sun decided to stick around, minus whatever Mother Nature is doing right now (what IS this white stuff?!) the kids immediately started congregating in our neighborhood. When that happens, the parents are usually hanging out in someone’s driveway with a cold beverage in hand! Later on, a bonfire is a must along with s’mores and kids who inevitably get cranky when you say it’s time to head home and to bed. And then we repeat on Saturday!

Serendipity: the event of finding interesting or valuable things by chance. We’re glad you found us!