PORTFOLIO Featured Work
Prepared December 2023 blakevanderkamp.com
INTRODUCTION Dear Reader, First off, I would like to thank you for taking the time to review my short-hand portfolio of my featured work. My name is Blake Van Der Kamp, and I am a self-proclaimed agricultural translator, communicator, educator, photographer, and serendipitor. Having been raised in the rural Midwest while having the opportunity to travel globally, I have understood the importance of creating transparency through agricultural communications and growing agricultural literacy amongst consumers. Further, as a soon-to-be graduate of Iowa State University triple majoring in Agriculture and Life Sciences Communication, International Agriculture, and Public Relations with a certificate in Leadership Studies and honors, I have sought to leave a lasting impact on the way agriculture, food, and natural resources are promoted in the world within my professional career. When it comes to my endeavors with written communication, I have worked with various organizations to reinvent their brand as well as grow their preexisting marketing efforts. These projects have included developing brand guidelines and conducting audience analysis. I have also written press releases, feature stories, and short-form captions for social media. Another crucial element of agricultural communications is oral communications, in which I have developed a proven international track record for representing the industry. Having fostered my passion through early involvement with the National FFA Organization as the Iowa FFA State Reporter, I have strived to bring awareness to agricultural education and the hard work of modern producers. More recently, I served as one of five North American delegates at the biennial Bayer Youth Ag Summit and as a youth panelist at the United States Farmers and Ranchers in Action’s Honor the Harvest Forum with notable industry leaders including but not limited to the Vice President of the American Farm Bureau and COP25 High-Level Climate Champion. Lastly, I have cultivated a strong background in visual communications and utilizing numerous platforms. Born in the technological era, I have continuously strived to learn different marketing tools, from Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft platforms to Hootsuite and DSLR Cameras. This technical understanding leverages me as a professional to communicate with wide audiences in other methods than just the written word. Thus, following graduation, I plan to use my diverse skillset in a full-time profession in the agricultural communications field while pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Communications at Butler University. If I have learned anything throughout my career, it is the importance of professional development and hands-on learning. Therefore, I plan to enhance my abilities by attaining a graduate degree, attending conferences like the Adobe Summit, and reading daily articles like those posted by Social Media Today while working. Furthermore, I have taken an active role in promoting agriculture through local, state, and national endeavors in communications and display a commitment to remain involved in agriculture both professionally and personally. Fondly, Blake R. Van Der Kamp
TABLE OF CONTENTS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS.......................4 CREATIVE & TECHNICAL WRITING..................6 GRAPHIC DESIGN..................................................8 PHOTOGRAPHY....................................................10 VIDEOGRAPHY......................................................11 SOCIAL MEDIA......................................................12 WEBSITE DESIGN.................................................14 BROADCASTING & PUBLIC SPEAKING...........15
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Behind every successful company or organization is a comprehensive understanding of their brand identity and target audiences. Therefore, Blake Van Der Kamp has spent a large span of his communications and marketing career exploring the field of strategic communications. Throughout his time in the industry, he has designed and written branding guides and standard operating procedures. This passion for developing effective and targeted marketing tactics has led him to seek a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications.
Pictured above is a 56-page Communications Guidebook designed for the National FFA Organization. This document, developed by Blake utilizing Canva, outlines the goal and objectives of the Washington Leadership Conference to ensure effectiveness in marketing the program. This book also outlines the Standard Operating Procedures for everything from photography to media relations on-site.
This brand strategy and guidelines document, shown above, was created by Van Der Kamp for Green & Growing Education. While featuring creative elements of the brand, this guide identifies the audience, messaging, personality, and positioning of Green & Growing Education. Further, this guide was developed to increase brand cohesiveness amongst employee content creation and clarity on the organization’s mission and goals.
CREATIVE & TECHNICAL WRITING While visual assets can tell half of the story, there is a benefit to cultivating a narrative through the written word. By being able to write both from a creative and technical standpoint, Van Der Kamp has demonstrated an ability to reach diverse audiences. The versatility in his work has allowed him to create marketing research presentations along with focus group outlines to evaluate the effectiveness of current tactics. Additionally, he has been able to advocate for companies by incorporating messaging into magazines, press releases, and fact sheets. Displayed above is a survey developed by Van Der Kamp to gather both demographic and psychographic data about those served by the World Food Prize Foundation’s youth programs.
The slides pictured above were developed to analyze what makes the Mountain Energy brand successful compared to competitors. This project featured primary and secondary research, thus demonstrating an ability for Van Der Kamp’s technical writing.
STATE QUEEN & INTERNATIONAL LEADER: ABIGAIL TURNER LEADS 2023 GLOBAL YOUTH INSTITUTE Written by Blake Van Der Kamp
From winning Miss Capital City 2024 to putting on, arguably, one of the highest-regarded youth conferences in the world, Abigail Turner leads the charge. Winning her title on October 22, just one day before the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute, Turner shows society how individuals can pursue all their passions from crowns to farm ground. Born in rural Missouri, Abigail (Abby) was an agriculturalist from the start. Supported by her parents, she embraced every opportunity from 4H to FFA to pageantry. This extracurricular involvement also served as a launch pad for Turner’s long-standing passion for traveling the globe. Through organizations like the National FFA, she ventured across Missouri and United States in high school. Thus, when it came time to pick a college, Abby made a decision that would satisfy her love for agriculture, FFA and travel. Starting college in 2017, she chose to attend the University of Missouri for a bachelor’s in agriculture education. Initially, Turner kept most of her adventures within the state as she served in one of her first state-level positions: state vice president for the Missouri FFA Association.
Following her year of service, she still was hungry to learn about the world, meet people, and engage in leadership. This led Abigail to spend the rest of her collegiate career diving into academic and professional experiences. Throughout the next several years, she
Headshot of Program Coordinator, Abby Turner at the World Food Prize Foundation’s Hall of Lauretes. Photo courtesy of the World Food Prize Foundation.
worked in Washington, D.C. as Constituent Relations Intern and Lavender Production Intern in France. She also studied abroad in France, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. However, as graduation approached, she began her search for an opportunity that would combine her passions once again. Unfortunately, Abby struggled to find something that fit the bill until, serendipitously, a vacancy arose at the World Food Prize Foundation. Having interacted with the organization previously,
she was familiar with their work related to agricultural innovation, food security and youth empowerment. Thus, she decided to apply. In February 2022, Abby joined the World Food Prize Foundation. In an interview Turner, she said, “I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to join the World Food Prize Foundation. Witnessing the wide impact of the programs, I am excited to contribute to the mission and values of the organization as well as the youth teams.” As Abigail was onboarded and society transitioned into post-pandemic life, her team began preparing for the return of the Global Youth Institute (GYI). Last held in 2019, GYI has served as an experience for youth to enhance their leadership and be part of cultivating global change. At the conference, over 150 students interact with international leaders, network with peers, and attend the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. For admittance to GYI, students must first attend a state or regional institute where they submit a research paper proposing a solution. They then engage in roundtable-style conversations discussing how to elevate youth solutions. Based on papers
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Program Coordinator Abby Turner engages with youth leaders as she explains the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute schedule to the 2023 Group Leaders.
and students’ participation in discussion, individuals are selected for the Global Youth Institute. When asked about what GYI provides to students, Turner said, “one of the main things I think that students get from attending youth institutes or the Global Youth Institute is that a lot of times that it’s one of the first times that they are asked to think globally. They are asked to think outside their community, outside their state or outside their country. They have to actually imagine what life is like somewhere else in the world, and this opens up their mind to so many new ideas and possibilities.”
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Similarly, thinking outside the box, overcoming challenges and making possibilities into reality is exactly what Abby did in preparation for and during the event. The day before students arrived, she competed in a statewide pageant, vowing for the title Miss Capital City. That evening, happily crowned, Turner packed up for the conference center to facilitate a training for group leaders for GYI. For the next week, Abby and her fellow staff hosted the Global Youth Institute, helping foster students’ leadership development, love of service and passions.
meaning as, “an all-encompassing push for humanity.” She continues, “we want people to not only be fed, but be nourished. We care about the quality and quantity. That dual action of increasing both is what makes people’s lives better.” This mentioned duality is a perfect testament to Turner as she strives to not only make herself a successful and better leader, but she also strives to educate the next generation on passion, service and tenacity as they begin their own journey.
Concluding the 2023 Global Youth Institute this past October, Abby summarized the World Food Prize Foundation’s
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The feature story above displays Blake’s ability to identify a subject and write a creative commentary for a magazine. Additionally, this work depicts his understanding of working in digital and print mediums as well as his ability to use Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Press releases are a means to communicate news to the public. Thus, this document portrays a clear understanding of the structure from Van Der Kamp.
Facts sheets can serve as a modern and creative way to convey information about an organization. The work displayed above for the ISU Creamery combines Blake’s technological and writing abilities.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
For the return of the Global Youth Insititute, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation, Van Der Kamp developed an educational workbook for students to document their experiences. Through collaboration on Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, he developed the printed document above with technological integrations like QR codes.
To complement his writing, Van Der Kamp has developed his skills as a passionate graphic designer with a flair for creativity and a keen eye for detail. Blake not only strives to be a talented designer but also a storyteller who weaves narratives through visual elements. With a strong foundation in communications provided by the Iowa State University Greenlee College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the addition of attending Butler University’s Strategic Communications Program, he blends technical expertise of Adobe Creative Suite with artistic intuition in every project he is a part of.
Blake’s design philosophy revolves around serving the target audience and providing accessibility to an organizational brand. Whether through an innovative corporate visual identity, a vibrant social media campaign, or a minimalist website interface, he seeks to create exceptional visuals and communicate effectively.
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In the Fall of 2023, Blake took part in a university course dedicated to developing a comprehensive visual and digital identity for a business while utilizing Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Thus, he sought to enhance the brand of his hobby, operating Serendipitors Photography. Through this process, he demonstrated an ability to cultivate a brand with colors and typography that complement its mission.
PHOTOGRAPHY While attending Iowa State, Van Der Kamp has attended three study abroad trips where he has served as a photographer and social media ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Blake provided live coverage of all events at the 2023 Global Youth Institute as a full-time photographer, videographer, and social media coordinator. This role included promptly uploading photos to the organization’s digital asset management system.
As the owner of Serendipitors Photography, Van Der Kamp has shown an ability to build a client base and meet organizational deadlines for multimedia-based projects. Within this venture, he has become familiar with numerous forms of portrait photography, including but not limited to graduations, families, weddings, and events.
While generative AI has grown in popularity, there still exists a desire for photography in the communications field. Thus, what began as a duty of one of his first internships quickly became a creative outlet for Blake regarding his public relations work. To date, he has become extensively familiar with Canon equipment and manually using DSLR cameras to capture the perfect shot.
VIDEOGRAPHY One of Van Der Kamp’s first attempts with videography was through developing short films during his youth. Over the years, he has become much more familiar with editing software and recording techniques. Specifically, Blake has become an expert in using iMovie for brand promotion; he has also begun learning the ropes with Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.
Originally developed for a visual communications course and the World Food Prize Foundation, this video demonstrates Van Der Kamp’s ability to craft an effective promotional film using iMovie. For more information regarding the video, visit youtu.be/mWtfUUjbkEc.
Similarly, this video developed by Blake combines his skills developed in the Fundamentals of Photojournalism class at Iowa State University with an ability to utilize Adobe Bridge, Lightroom, and Photoshop. For the full video, visit youtu.be/BgkiEGdZkP4
SOCIAL MEDIA The 21st century marked a transformational moment in communications with the introduction of social networking. Thus, Van Der Kamp’s professional career has centered around leveraging social media for various non-profits and companies. His technical expertise in content creation platforms like Canva and Adobe Illustrator, paired with his knowledge of management tools such as Hootsuite and Sprout Social, have allowed Blake to achieve key performance indicators set by the respective organizations he has worked for.
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thenextnorm The World Food Prize Foundation is building a network of problem solvers with the National Geographic Society’s Slingshot Challenge at the Global Youth Institute!
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Learn more about the Slingshot Challenge at www.nationalgeographic.org October 27
Throughout the Fall of 2023, Blake developed and scheduled content for the World Food Prize Foundation Youth Programs’ social media platforms. During this process, he identified key messages and built out event marketing for the Global Youth Institute.
As an intern with Green & Growing Education, Blake reshaped how impressions are driven to organizational programs, including the podcast series and website, utilizing marketing tactics.
As shown above, Van Der Kamp has become familiar with creating social media content across platforms, including Twitter/X. He has also become familiar with developing graphics for an international audience with his role at the Alhambra U.S. Chamber, which predominantly serves refugees interested in education upon coming to the United States.
As a State Reporter, Blake oversaw all social media content creation and scheduling with a Facebook following of 9,520, Instagram following of 5,492, and Twitter/X following of 4,741.
WEBSITE DESIGN Along with having a strong background in social media, Blake developed a strong desire for being able to market professional achievements in his high school career. Developing his first website on WordPress, he began to find a talent for combining graphic design, storytelling, and search engine optimization. He has also become familar with various website design platforms including GoDaddy, Square, and Weebly. To date, Van Der Kamp has developed websites for several entities, including the Diamond Trail FFA Chapter, Iowa Pinto Horse Association, Iowa State University, and the Prairie City Business Association.
Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity
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The Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity https://sloss.dso.iastate.edu
The Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity is a place for you on campus. Located inside the historic Sloss House, the Sloss Center operates as a place for students to take a breath. Our programming centers issues historically considered women’s issues, but we know that gender equity issues effects women, men and non-binary people. Isolation, parenting and family stressors, poverty, and violence can impact any student. The Sloss Center is, and has always been, open to any ISU student and we welcome students of every gender. Sloss is located on central campus between Gerdin and Curtiss Hall. We are open Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Come in and you will find: • Connection to community and creativity • Support around pregnancy, parenting, and caregiving • Resources to meet basic needs like food, diapers, and hygiene supplies • Help with past or current trauma, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault Please stop by!
Programs and Events
The Sloss House
The Sloss Center offers programming to explore, celebrate,
The Sloss House is for everybody which
connect, and create.
means every body.
We also welcome emerging program ideas. Contact us
We want you to feel at ease in the space so please reach
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out to us with any accessibility needs. Here is what you can expect at Sloss:
Current Programs
The main entrance has a ramp and a manual door that opens in. There is an exterior doorbell if any assistance is needed with the door. All rooms on the main floor are accessible including a full kitchen, an all-gender bathroom, and the Sloss Resource Room with a satellite location of the SHOP. There is a living room with couch seating and a front room with
While working as a Digital Communications Assistant for Iowa State University, Van Der Kamp redesigned Margaret Sloss for Women and Gender Equity’s website using Drupal and while meeting the university marketing office requirements.
comfortable seats and a children's play area. The furniture can be moved and reconfigured based on space needs. The back door, second-floor offices and second-floor allgender bathroom are reachable only by stair. Because of this, all events are held on the main floor and all services are available on the main floor. This includes meetings with staff, information, and resources.
Space Requests
This is the most incredible place! Thank you so very much for creating a place that feels so joyful! ISU Student
Meet Dr. Margaret Wragg Sloss The Sloss House and Sloss Center are both named after
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BROADCASTING & PUBLIC SPEAKING
Working alongside notable radio personnel like Bob Quinn, Blake assisted with radio logistics during the 2021 Iowa State Fair. Van Der Kamp also provided live coverage for The Big Show Market Report and took photos for website media.
Market Report
Van Der Kamp, as the Iowa FFA State Reporter, delivered a nearly ten-minute address to over 5,000 conference attendees. For the full recording, visit youtu.be/ UyHWV9HBlqk?si=x66a7njq1H8Ag98S&t=4435
Through his endevors with leadership positions and working on teams, Blake has become familiar with oral communication. Therefore, when it comes to his professional qualifications in the industry, he has shown that he can work collaboratively and speak with a wide range of audiences. These experiences have included working with an international marketing team at the Alhambra U.S. Chamber and speaking for audiences as large as 5,000 at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference.
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For a comprehensive list of Van Der Kamp’s work, please visit blakevanderkamp.com