HOW’S THAT FOR IRONY?

I have spent decades frustrated that the movers and shakers of American commerce and culture do not fully grasp the power of design. To sell, market, shape, influence, educate. There has been some progress, yes, but it is fair to say that business and public leaders remain largely in the dark. Frankly, we are to blame as much as they: ours is an insular, introspective, inner-focused community for which communicating the value of design to “the others” does not come naturally. Ironic, huh? (More on this soon.) Meanwhile, here’s a bright spot: the current AIGA Get Out The Vote project. The initiative enables designers to engage in the public arena, and to demonstrate the value of design to the public and public officials. The resulting posters, which contain a clear call for action, are on exhibit through November 30 at AIGA headquarters In New York, as well as on a virtual gallery. It’s worth a real or virtual visit.
 
— Gordon Kaye, editorial@gdusa.com

ARBY’S WEARS NEW COWBOY HAT

A highly abstract form of the Arby’s iconic cowboy hat is at the center of a brand relaunch by the sandwich chain. Other elements include a new advertising campaign and redesigned site… LEARN MORE >

HERMAN MILLER ASKS ‘WHY DESIGN?’

What are you passionate about? This is the question Hello Design, a Los Angeles-based digital creative agency, asked Herman Miller’s designers for the brand’s “Why Design” series… LEARN MORE >

COLLINS LOGO OPTS FOR SIMPLICITY

A new Optimum logo by Brian Collins has been unveiled by Cablevision. It’s the company’s first branding campaign in nearly 10 years… LEARN MORE >

GOODBY’S FIRST FEMALE PARTNER

Goodby, Silverstein & Partners has its first female partner. The appointment of Margaret Johnson, Executive Creative Director and 16-year veteran of the agency, includes several firsts… LEARN MORE >

GRAPHICS SELL SKILLS OVER COOKIES

For the first time since 1999, all boxes of Girl Scout Cookies have a new look and a new purpose… LEARN MORE >

The Bridgeman Buzz

Looking for unique images or motion clips for your projects? To complement more than 500,000 stills from world-class museums, galleries and photographic archives, Bridgeman Art Library is introducing their new footage platform this month. Search alongside stills at www.bridgemanart.com to create a complete visual package. From historical footage to humorous clips, artist biographies to travel vignettes, much of the new motion content is exclusive to Bridgeman and has not been represented commercially before.

VIEW HIGHLIGHTS >

T-SHIRTS TRY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KA Graphix of Fredericksburg VA wins grand prize in T-ShirtForums.com’s design competition. With more than 170,000 members, T-ShirtForums.com is the industry’s largest online community of T-shirt designers, printers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs… LEARN MORE >

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… LEARN MORE >

INSURANCE GIANT AIG GETS FRIENDLY

AIG, a major insurer and one the main actors in the financial meltdown/bailout of 2008, is moving on from its old corporate logo… LEARN MORE >

VICKY JONES CATCHES BRAND FEVER

Fifteen years after its founding, The Jones Group of Atlanta is rebranding and changing its name to Brand Fever… LEARN MORE >

EMPHASIZING A MEXICAN HERITAGE

The Brand Union has executed the package design for Kahlúa’s new offering ‒ Kahlúa Iced Coffee… LEARN MORE >

Take Five! Career Tips

AD AGENCIES ACTIVELY HIRING

According to The Creative Group Hiring Index for Marketing and Advertising Professionals, a net 34 percent of advertising executives expect to add full-time staff in the next three months. In comparison, a net 12 percent of marketing executives said they expect to increase headcount. Following are the top five specialty areas in demand among executives who intend to hire:
 
1. Account Services – 22%
 
2. Web Design/Production – 14%
 
3. Mobile Applications Development – 14%
 
4. Brand/Product Management – 14%
 
5. Media Services – 13%

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.