Pokémon Squirtle caught yesterday at PCA&D

Pokémon monster Squirtle was caught yesterday at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, as he came for the first day of the Summer Continuing Education classes.

Perhaps he was coming to attend Ken Mueller’s Advanced Social Media Marketing & Communications class which held its first session at PCA&D yesterday. Afer all, Mueller, a long-time PCA&D instructor and Lancaster area marketing professional, played the game during its launch this weekend. (Mueller was caught catching Pokémon by LNP reporter Mickayla Miller, who wrote about Mueller’s experience.)

Pokémon Go has quickly become a cultural phenomenon. The game encourages users to get on their smart phone and step outside to find and catch Pokémon, while at the same time exploring their community collecting useful tools at PokéStops. It mixes the popular animation series with an augmented reality form of geocaching, players walk around in the real world, trying to catch Pokémon that show up on their smartphones. The game has become the hottest activity this summer and the app has led both iPhone and Android app charts, as millions of people go on the Pokémon quest.

In yesterday’s Social Media Marketing & Communications class, part of the Social Media Marketing & Communication certificate program, Mueller spent some time talking about Pokémon. He offers tips for businesses wanting to join the Pokémon fun this summer.

Mueller said, “In terms of this being a social media phenomenon, all you have to do is look around. It’s heavy with people in their 20s and 30s, but younger kids and older folks are playing. It’s free and it gets you out and about when you might rather be inside in the AC. I think that businesses really should take a look at this and see how they can leverage it. People will be in your business capturing Pokémons. If you have a gym or Pokéstop at your business, or even nearby, find ways to make that a part of your marketing message and see if you can draw customers in.”

Normally Mueller doesn’t suggest businesses jump on new platforms quickly. He says, “But this is taking off fast, and we have no idea how long this will last. At some point it will probably start to fade. As the developers of the game start to add more interactive functionality (apparently they will add trading down the line), find ways to make your business a destination. Use your online social and digital presence as a way of communicating with game players, and above all, have fun!”

He continued, “If you plan some sort of promotion or marketing message related to Pokémon Go for your business, think it through carefully. Think through all potential outcomes, including potential negatives. Make sure it fits your business model.”

PCA&D is proud to announce that the art college is a PokéStop! Welcome players! Stop by PCA&D and while you are here, explore the PCA&D gallery, where the art of Selected Artworks from the BFA Program at PCA&D is on exhibit. This exhibition features a selection of outstanding artwork created by our rising junior and senior BFA students. A wide variety of media are represented including digital and hand-painted illustration, sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography and graphic design.

Also, if you are interested in creating your own monsters, pick up a course catalog while you are at PCA&D and resister for a drawing class.

Read about illustrator Ken Sugimori, the original character designer and concept artist for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon himself and directed a team of 17 artists in the creation of the anime series.

Creating Pokémon Go and similar games requires special takents and training! Read about PCA&D’s Illustration and Digital Media BFA majors.