PUBLISHERS NOTE: BOXED IN
 I once
offended a few of you by mentioning that I suffer from museum fatigue, an
overwhelming lethargy that strikes me in major metropolitan museums, driving
me to the nearest Mies van der Rohe couch. Not proud of it, but there it
is. Now, another admission: I get the same symptoms when forced to shop,
combining a deep malaise with a loss of bearings, relieved only by a bottle
of soda or a gum ball from the nearest coin-operated machine. Not surprisingly,
the vagaries of store positioning escape me, though I have learned to
recognize a good gumball from a stale one.
However, a new study by Interbrand Design Forum — seeking to identify
the top 50 U.S. retail brands in terms of present net value — has caught
my interest because the results so reflect this moment in time. The key
finding: low prices trump panache as big box stores crowd out department
stores at the top of the list. Wal-Mart ranks number one, with Best Buy, The
Home Depot, Target and CVS rounding out the top five. Several online sellers
like eBay, Amazon, Dell and Net Flix also show strength, as do specialized
firms like AutoZone and American Girl. Department stores, though, are clearly
under duress. Some score well, e.g., Nordstrom and JC Penney, but many iconic
names such as Macy’s, Saks and Sears, are conspicuously absent. Quoted
on the results in Brandweek, Doug Spong of Carmichael Lynch Spong,
says: “Department stores are caught in a no man’s land... They
don’t offer the price advantages that the distributors do and they
don’t offer the expertise of some of these luxury goods and other
highly-sought after brands ...”
Addressing the bigger picture, Lee Carpenter, ceo of Interbrand Design
Forum, opines that “in a recession, brand is more important than
ever... Retailers are now realizing that brand transcends its traditional
marketing role and should be adopted as an idea that runs through every
part of the company. During a period of increased competition and lowered
sales, brands that have successful propositions, such as Walmart, and offer
an engaging shopping experience, like Best Buy, will come out on
top.” My advice to retailers: follow Lee Carpenter’s
advice, and always remember that an engaging shopping experience
demands a soda machine.
http://www.interbranddesignforum.com/ibdf/
— Gordon Kaye
PERSONAL NOTE: RICHARD HERBERT
After 26 years of service, Richard Herbert, executive vice president and general manager of Pantone, has left the company to pursue new challenges. Billy Chien, vice president of finance at Pantone, is interim general manager until a permanent replacement is named. Richard’s rare blend of technological, marketing, leadership and personal skills have contributed immensely to Pantone’s continuing leadership role in the market.
GRAPHIC DESIGN NEWS
Landor Logo At Super Bowl
When over a billion fans around the world tuned to the big game, they
saw a logo by Landor Associates. This is the second identity designed
by the firm for the Super Bowl. Landor’s relationship with the
NFL dates back to 2004, when it completed a brand development program
for the league. “The Super Bowl XLIII identity addressed two
goals: to leverage the NFL’s history of competition and to infuse
the brand with the urgency of “Believe in Now,” says
Nicolas Aparicio, executive creative director at Landor. “We
did this by creating a heroic and immediate graphic expression, while
still referencing the topography of Tampa Bay to connect with the
community.”
Florida Show Even Hotter
Graphics of the Americas, the Miami Beach FL-based printing and
publishing show, is partnering with Aquent Graphics Institute (AGI) on
a series of educational conferences and tutorials for creative and
prepress professionals. Aquent is a leading staffing agency and provider
of training, consulting, and support services. “George Ryan and
the GOA team are weaving together the perfect components for a seminar
series and tradeshow,” says Christopher Smith, President of
AGI. “George understands how to bring creatives, prepress, and
output professionals together in a way that makes everyone feel
enthusiastic about working together...” The dates: February 26-28.
http://www.gdusa.com/eblasts/090129_goa/msg4.html
Lincoln Remembered
With references to Abraham Lincoln all the rage in today’s
political culture, The Amistad Center for Art & Culture and
the Connecticut Historical Society are co-presenting exhibitions
to recognize Lincoln’s bicentennial. Jargon Boy’s Greg
Chinn worked with The Amistad Center’s Executive Director
Olivia S. White and Museum Curator Frank Mitchell to concept an
overall graphic identity for the combined exhibit’s printed
material. A central theme: the perceptions of Lincoln and who the
man was, the myths surrounding him and our collective memories of
him. The exhibitions continue into April.
SPECIAL IMAGE OFFER
A free trial offer to help you expand your design and image options.
http://www.gdusa.com/eblasts/090127_shut/msg6.html
MORE GRAPHIC DESIGN NEWS
Blackhawk Branding
Tukaiz is helping revitalize the image of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National
Hockey League. The project has thus far includes a new musical rock/hip-hop theme
for radio broadcasts and in-arena use, as well as 23, four-by-six banners hanging
prominently around the United Center. Frank Defino, Jr., vice president and
managing director of the marketing communications services firm, says the strategic
design concept is “fierce determination” featuring close-up shots of
each team member in action, as well as select banners for legendary retirees.
Pencil In AIGA Fellow
Pencilbox Studios of San Clemente CA names Joseph Bañuelos as creative
partner. Bañuelos was previously creative director at LehmanMillet. He
will manage the creative direction of many Pencilbox Studio projects, including
branding of Southern California Hospice Foundation. With four decades in the
business, he is credited with creating many memorable concepts for national
brands; in recognition he received the national AIGA Fellow Award in 2006, the
only Orange County design professional to hold the title. Several iconic
Orange County images — for example, the original Carl’s Jr.
“star” — are credited to him. Kathleen Kaiser is Pencilbox
Studio's principal partner and creative director.
Century Mark
Design firm, Onion Productions, LLC and its owner/designer Tim Schwartz reached
a milestone last month: the design of its 100th music CD. The work encompasses
CDs for musicians and bands in many genres of music — from classical to
rock to avant garde — as well as commemorative box sets. Schwartz founded
Onion Productions in Fort Collins CO. in 2005 building on work as a graphic
designer for commercial design firms in New England, Denver and Fort Collins.
The 100th CD is a part of the new Henry Cow box set.
HP SPECIAL PROMOTION
Why settle for 'good enough' printing when you don't have to?
Click
Here
TAKE FIVE! CAREER TIPS FROM THE CREATIVE GROUP:
PERFORMING UNDER PRESSURE
 Budget cuts and lean staff levels have pushed many creative teams into
overdrive. As a result, now more than ever, on-the-job success depends on
your ability to show grace under fire. Here are five tips for performing
like a pro when the heat is on and stakes are high:
1. Go With The Flow. Adaptability is an invaluable
skill. If priorities change and your boss asks you to move from one
project to another, embrace the new challenge and demonstrate your
ability to learn on the fly.
2. Strategize And Prioritize. Take a few minutes to
develop a game plan before diving headfirst into any project. By thinking
strategically and constructing a road map on the front end, you can spot
potential hurdles before they slow you down.
3. Don’t Procrastinate. Worrying about a project doesn’t count as working on it. Rather than putting off your most pressing deadlines, hop to it. Getting these assignments out of the way first will lower your stress level and make your overall goals seem more manageable.
4. Ask For Help. Some jobs simply can’t be completed by one person. If you’re doing everything possible to meet your obligations and still see no end in sight, ask for assistance. Identify duties that can be delegated and request backup from your supervisor.
5. Turn Downtime Into Prep Time. After a high-intensity period passes, decompress by making note of the lessons you just learned. What factors, if any, caused you to fall behind schedule? If leading a project team, how could you have communicated goals more effectively? Reflective thinking will help you streamline your pressure-handling processes and prepare you for the next big brush fire.
The Creative Group is a specialized staffing service placing creative, advertising, marketing and web professionals on a project basis. Find more information at www.creativegroup.com
SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON PRINTING
A sweet offer from Modern Postcard just for GDUSA readers; special discounts and a t-shirt.
http://www.gdusa.com/eblasts/090203_modpost/msg2.html
GRAPHIC DESIGN EVENTS
Now Through February 20. New York NY. AIGA National Design Center hosts 365: AIGA Annual Design Exhibition 29. All selections will eventually be housed at the Design Archives at the Denver Art Museum in Colorado. Methodologie is responsible for the exhibition design.
http://www.aiga.org
Now Through April 26. San Francisco CA. Museum of Craft+Design. San Francisco Graphic Design 2009, an exhibition presenting leading edge work from the likes of Philippe Becker, Josh Chen, Barbara Vick, Christopher Simmons, Cinthia Wen, and many more. Michael Osborne is the curator and exhibition designer.
http://www.sfmcd.org
February 21. San Francisco CA. AIGA San Francisco and the AIGA’s Center for Sustainable Design present Compostmodern 09, an annual interdisciplinary conference for designers and business leaders. GreenBiz editor Joel Makower is emcee; GDUSA is a media sponsor.
http://www.compostmodern.org
February 26-28. Miami Beach FL. Operated by the Printing Association of Florida, Graphics of the Americans is a premier trade show for the printing and publishing industry for North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. A newly-redesigned website is full of useful information.
http://www.graphicsoftheamericas.com
March 6. Houston TX. Association of Professional Design Firms (APDF) sponsors Leadership Forum: Rethinking Compensation at the Hotel ZaZa, with a welcoming reception by member firm Savage on March 5. The forum addresses “Compensation” across all graphic design disciplines.
http://www.apdf.org
March 7-8. Chicago IL. Future History 3 explores current and future curricular challenges and innovations of design education. At the downtown Hotel InterContinental.
http://www.futurehistory3.com
March 12. Ann Arbor MI: Renowned designer and architect Richard Saul Wurman is the speaker at this Penny Stamps Lecture Series, co-sponsored by AIGA Detroit, University of Michigan School of Art and Design and the Penny Stamps series.
http://www.art-design.umich.edu/ev_lectures.php
March 12-13. Boston MA. Managing any employee presents challenges, and special challenges are encountered when managing creative staff. This seminar sponsored by Design Management Institute and presented by Dr. Leonard Glick of Northeastern University deals with the common and classic issues.
http://www.dmi.org
March 18. Designer, filmmaker and author Hillman Curtis speaks to the AIGA NY chapter as part of the Design Remixed series. He was GDUSA’s Readers Choice selection as 2009 Person To Watch.
http://www.aigany.org
March 22-24. New York NY. The American Forest & Paper Association’s 132nd Annual Paper Week takes place at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan. It’s the premier pulp and paper industry event, with most top papermakers and many distributors in attendance, to discuss trends and issues that ultimately effect paper buyers and specifiers.
http://www.paperweek.org/
March 26-28. Milwaukee WI. The University & College Designers Association (UCDA) presents “The Big Brand Wolf.” At this ‘must attend’ UCDA Summit, the focus will be on how to stay fresh and current in these changing times, to see the forest for the trees, and how to battle the wolf.
http://ucda.com/summit.lasso
April 3-4. Union NJ. “Thinking Creatively,” a two-day, world-class conference for creative professionals and students, take splace at Kean University. Organized by the Art Directors Club of New Jersey (ADCNJ) and The Design Center at Kean University, the conference features 23 sessions and 24 speakers promoting and celebrating the value of creative thinking.
http://www.thinkingcreatively.org or http://www.adcnj.org
BETTER MAPS FOR LESS
Fascinating and affordable maps for graphic designers and art directors.
Stockmaps
NOW ON GDUSA.COM: PEOPLE TO WATCH
 Our 46th annual selection of People To Watch, with profiles, commentary and more.
|
