ArcStone Spotlight: Chloe Mark

Chloe Mark

Title: Digital Marketing Strategist & Designer

Start date: 7/6/15

The Wedding Planner – Chloe from the Block. During college, I was really excited about wedding planning. It felt like such a good fit as I both love helping people and love the romantic side of weddings. But when I was doing multiple internships in the field, I was frequently tasked with social media, blogging and design. As time went on, I found that my favorite part was uncovering the messaging and design that resonated with people. I realized that maybe weddings weren't the right fit for me, but marketing might be. When I began searching for a post-grad opportunity, I was lucky to meet David and Lisa and discovered ArcStone held a lot of potential. Right after graduation, I started my position here. 

Down to a fine art. Carleton was in my top three schools, and when I got in, I chose it as I realized I could get a more global experience – even though it was in Minnesota. People come from all over the world and all different backgrounds. I thought it would be interesting to meet people with a different background that contrasted with my own.

Beyond that, a liberal arts degree gives you a perspective on a lot of different things; I was really intrigued by that. I think that's part of why I love working at this digital agency. You get to learn about a little of everything from psychology to history to science. While at Carleton I majored in Studio Art. Art was the subject that made me most excited to do my schoolwork and became my focus for the last year or so of school.

Covering all the bases. I frequently got asked "what are you going to do with a Studio Art degree?" But what you would do with your degree seems like a dated question. Colleges are changing. Many schools are now selling a well-rounded education with the emphasis on "learning how to learn," gaining solid writing skills and truly understanding what you want to do in life. You're not necessarily majoring in one subject and only doing that one thing for your entire career. Liberal arts colleges force you to ask yourself "How can I be a better person, and how can I graduate feeling like I did a good job?" Personally I find that so much more valuable. 

Designing Woman. Web design is very much related to art. Although it's not a direct correlation, my Studio Art background gave me a good perspective on how to take a message and make it visual. My current role has allowed me to combine my analytical capabilities and creative eye, and see tangible results.

Master of all trades, jack of none. Growing up, I wanted to do everything. I thought about pre-med, archaeologically, being a chef. I was all over the place. Now, I've honed in a bit on my dream job – maybe some sort of an art director / creative director. A position where I have a leadership role and can be designing every day. If not that, I'd want to be a really good barista with my own coffee shop. I could be happy with either one. 

Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world. I grew up in Red Wing which is very blue collar, but not necessarily very conservative. It was good for me; I really learned to value community. I also learned to step outside of that community, because I wanted to learn what it was like beyond it. 

I'm really happy living in Minneapolis. I love meeting new people and being exposed to new things. I'm a really curious person and don't like to feel closed off. I love walking the Greenway to get home. It guides me through the heart of Uptown. It's always bustling, and it has a young vibe, but you see elderly folk, too.

What's for lunch? Lu's Sandwich! For their bahn mi. It's so affordable, then you can hop to over to Glam Doll Donuts after.