DESIGNERS CONFIDENT ABOUT FUTURE

I can’t honestly say I feel great about the economy, but I am buoyed by the recent quarterly AIGA Confidence Index. On the surface, this trusted measure of good feeling slipped a bit. But when you drill down, it is clear that design managers remain upbeat about the near term future. The Index stands at 95, relatively high in the historical sweep — and way way way higher than in the dog days of 2008. Similarly, only a small minority believe the design economy is worse now than six months ago or will be worse in six months. There’s more: 84 percent feel their likelihood of additional hiring is the same or better now than six months ago and 89 percent believe the likelihood is also the same or better that they will invest in hardware and software. Finally, those queried feel more positive than corporate CEO’s recently polled by the Conference Board. Over the years, I’ve come to trust designers’ instincts; hope you’re on target again.
 
— Gordon Kaye, editorial@gdusa.com

DOMINO’S DELIVERS NEW LOOK

The new logo for 52-year-old Domino’s Pizza features a single domino tile. Designed by Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the look will appear in begin to appear in marketing materials starting in October. This is the first refresh in more than a decade, and part of an overhaul of stores and signage as well. In some cases, the logo will appear without the text that has long been part of it. In the U.S., when the text does still appear in the logo, it will be shortened to just the word “Domino’s.” According to company CMO Russell Weiner, the logo has been simplified “because we believe Domino’s has become an iconic global brand that is instantly recognizable ...We’d like to reach the point where we're as recognized as the Nike Swoosh or the Golden Arches.”

ANNUAL IMAGE EXPO SET FOR NYC

Visual Connections is hosting its annual Image Expo, including a Q&A Session, at the Altman Building in New York City on October 24. The one-day event is a perennial favorite for image buyers, researchers, designers, art directors, and other users of images and footage. Visual Connections focuses on connecting buyers with suppliers of photography, footage, and other visual media; owners Deborah Free and Edward Leigh have over 40 years combined experience in the industry, and have run trade fairs since 2003. The panel for the morning Q&A session - “What You Need To Know About Copyright, Licensing and Image/Footage Usage Trends” - includes industry experts on copyright law (Attorney Nancy Wolff), footage (Jessica Berman-Bogdan, Global ImageWorks), licensing (Chad Newell, Media Bakery), technology (Doug Dawirs, PacaSearch developer) and buying (Chris Bain, Sterling Publishing).
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SMART DESIGN INTROS NEW MODEL ‘T’

The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission has pared down the symbol for cabs from “NYC Taxi” down to a single “T” symbol on the side of its big yellow vehicles. The new “T is a larger version of the one used in the current taxi logotype first introduced to the new NYC fleet five years ago by the Smart Design firm. The look also eliminates the fare panel on the passenger door since fare information can now appear on the video screen inside the cab. The decision reportedly emerges from work being done on the city’s “Taxi of Tomorrow” Nissan prototype by the same design firm.

NO GUILT FOR POP STAR PERRY

Branding agency Zambezi has released a campaign featuring Katy Perry as the new face of Popchips. A series of ads play off the singer’s “love of dressing up and employing fashion as a way to express her vibrant personality.” The overarching theme: you can stay fit and enjoy Popchips without feeling guilty. Perry has become a minority investor in Popchips Inc. as well as the spokeswoman. Creative credits go to Executive Creative Director Brian Ford; Creative Director Kevin Buth; Associate Creative Director Madeleine Grandbois; Photographer Arthur Belebeau; and popchips SVP Marketing Brian Pope.

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SOUP

Campbell Soup Company is honoring the legacy of Andy Warhol. The company, forever linked to the artist by his “32 Campbell’s Soup Cans,” has issued 1.2 million limited-edition cans of condensed tomato soup to recognize the 50th year of his masterpiece. The specially designed cans pay tribute to his color palette, using orange, blue, pink and teal. Some of Warhol's famous quotes are printed on the Campbell's cans, too, including “Pop art is for everyone.” Art collectors have paid millions of dollars for some of Warhol's pieces, but shoppers at bi box stores, where the limited-edition soup cans are on sale, pay less than a dollar a can.

GRAPH EXPO ‘MUST SEE ‘EMS’ NAMED

Graph Expo 2012, has named its Must See ’Em selections, top new technologies selected by an independent panell. The tradeshow is the most expansive exhibition in the Americas of technologies, products and services for the printing, publishing, mailing, in-plant, photo imaging and marketing industries, and takes place in October. Selections run the gamut from prepress and premedia technologies to postpress finishing, and even a category for “future print,” addressing apps and the cloud.
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The Bridgeman Buzz

BRIDGEMAN ADDS FOOTAGE
Exciting things are afoot at Bridgeman Art Library! In addition to celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Bridgeman is getting ready for the U.S. launch of Bridgeman Footage. Now you can search and download art and history clips alongside stills at www.bridgemanart.com. Watch some of the reels, here.

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HINRICHS TYPEFACE RIVETING

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy commissioned Studio Hinrichs to create a graphic identity to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, which occured this year. As part of the project, Kit Hinrichs and his studio created Golden Gate Girder, a proprietary typeface. The bridge’s construction of rivets and girders and in its Art Deco styling provided inspiration from for the typeface. Indeed, the bold geometric typeface is punctuated with “rivets,” and the color version of Girder is in the structure’s familiar International Orange. Golden Gate Girder is available as a commemorative poster, in single alphabet key chains, and more.
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A RARE SHOW OF CONSISTENCY

In these times when client relationships come and go, Ludlow6, a brand identity and communications design company in New York since 1990, is beginning to work on its 20th annual report for the nonprofit organization NACME (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering). Creative director Jim Wawrzewski was part of the team that first created NACME’s brand identity back in 1985 when he worked at a design firm specializing in corporate communications. Later, NACME became Wawrzeweski first client when he opened his own studio. “Consistency and continuity have been key factors to the success of this relationship,” he says. “The focus of the design of the reports has always focused on their mission and the year’s accomplishments. And the main story has always been about their mission - NACME scholars.”
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SKIN IN GAME AT CREATIVE AGENCY

Kansas City MO-based Barkley, the nation’s largest employee-owned advertising agency, launches creative agency, Grenadier, based in Boulder CO. The agency is under the strategic leadership of ad industry veterans Jeff Graham, previously at Crispin-Porter Bogusky, and Mark St. Amant, Randy Rogers, Rob Hofferman and Wade Paschall, previously with Arnold, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Grey, and most recently, Sterling-Rice Group. Barkley, which has 250 staffers in their KC headquarters, decided on a Boulder presence to tap into the start-up creative community developing there. “We are big believers in the virtue of being an independent, employee-owned agency,” says CEO Jeff King. “The partners at Grenadier will all have skin in the game, so we see this as a natural extension of our employee-owned business model.”

DDW BREWS SHOCKING PACKAGE

Deutsch Design Works developed this irreverent character — sporting a “shock of wheat” mohawk — to function as a pivotal element in the launch of the award winning Belgian-style wheat ales. Shock Top specializes in craft and unfiltered brews. DDW is a leading branding and package design firm based in San Francisco.

FULL SAIL TACKS TO YOUTUBE

Full Sail University has launched a new YouTube channel designed and developed by its inhouse creative agency, Platinum Creative. Google worked alongside the University to implement custom YouTube channel technology for desktop users, providing visitors with an original YouTube experience. The channel is interactive and features original animation designed to invite viewers to experience dynamic visuals, as sections unfold in an origami-like fashion to present multiple viewing options. The new channel provides engaging content ranging from tutorials, insider how-tos, and student projects, to guest speakers, industry experts, and on-campus events. This allows for an indepth view of what it is like to attend Full Sail, while showcasing the talents of current students as well as alumni. “We saw a huge opportunity with the custom YouTube channel to open up a window to what happens every day on this unique and inspiring campus. Our students create such incredible video content and YouTube is the perfect platform to get it out to the world,” said Craig Daily, V.P. of Platinum Creative.
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Take Five! Career Tips

SHOW ME THE WAY

More than half (54 percent) of workers interviewed by our company said knowing their career path is very important to their overall job satisfaction. And nearly one-third (31 percent) of survey respondents feel this feedback is at least somewhat important. Do you know what steps it will take to reach the next level in your company? Following are five career-related questions to ask your manager:
 
1. Where do you see me going in the organization? Find out what your boss views as your strengths and weaknesses, your potential to grow within the company and how long it will take to get there.
 
2. What additional development and education do I need? Your manager can recommend learning and training opportunities and help prepare you to advance.
 
3. Who should I be networking with - internally and externally? Identify the key players inside and outside the company who can provide career guidance and industry insight.
 
4. Is a mentor available? A mentor can provide hands-on guidance and insight into how to be successful and navigate organizational politics.
 
5. Are there new projects I can take on to expand my skill set? Volunteer to lead new initiatives to enhance your abilities and help prepare you for greater responsibilities.

The Creative Group specializes in placing a range of highly skilled interactive, design and marketing professionals with a variety of firms. For more information, please visit creativegroup.com. Connect with The Creative Group on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.