PUBLISHERS NOTE: SIGN OF RECOVERY
 Mode Project, which collaborated on candidate Barack
Obama’s exuberant “O”-shaped campaign symbol, is
now responsible for the official symbol of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. The logo will be displayed on signs for projects
funded by the stimulus package. There are at least two positive aspects
to this bit of news. First, use of the mark reaffirms the simple
but profound role that graphic design can play in service to broader
societal goals, and reflects a cool new president’s understanding
of the power of design. Second, this particular symbol is so generic
in form and substance that it invites parody from the Photoshop-erati
and, my goodness, do we all need a laugh! (Here’s one of hundreds
of spoofs, this by Tobias Becker on the Michelle Malkin blog.)
— Gordon Kaye
CALL FOR ENTRIES:
AMERICAN INHOUSE DESIGN AWARDS
The deadline for the 2009 American Inhouse Design Awards is
fast approaching. This is the original and largest showcase for
outstanding work by inhouse designers. To download an entry form,
please visit...
http://www.gdusa.com/contests/aida.php
GRAPHIC DESIGN NEWS
Design Ignites Change
Worldstudio, together with Adobe Youth Voices, announces Design
Ignites Change. The program encourages talented high school and
college students to use the power of design to address social
issues in their local communities through substantive public
projects that stimulate thought, dialogue, action. To date, 17
colleges and universities are engaged. The program includes a
strong mentoring component and helps introduce high school
students to the creative professions. “The response from
the education and business communities has been phenomenal,”
says Worldstudio’s Andréa Pellegrino. Advisors
include: Marc Alt, John Bielenberg, Elan Cole, Steven Heller
and Debbie Millman. GDUSA is a media sponsor.
http://www.designigniteschange.org
or
www.worldstudioinc.com
Uncharted Territory
Ad agency Young & Laramore of Indianapolis IN has launched
Here There Be Monsters. The new division is dedicated to
“pushing the continually evolving boundaries” of
digital design. It is led by Co-Managing Directors Bryan Judkins
and Trevor Williams, who both maintain dual roles as Associate
Creative Directors at Y&L. “Here There Be Monsters
refers to the warnings sea captains and mapmakers placed on old
maps to denote unexplored or uncharted territories,” says
Judkins. Williams added, “Design spans words, pixels and
paint, putting it at the heart of everything we do and making
it the engine of every medium we touch.”
Goldstein Restages
“Supermarket seductress” Terri Goldstein is back. A
co-founder of IQ Design, the well-respected New York branding
firm, she now leads The Goldstein Group. Goldstein describes
the firm as “a mid-sized team of packaging experts...
specializing in restaging iconic brands for today’s
everchanging market... and by consisting of eight employees
rather than 80, we are well-equipped for these lean times.”
Darcy Bolker is creative chief. Restaged brands already include
Cortizone 10, One-A-Day, Bayer Aspirin, Unisom, Heinz, and ACT;
the firm recently won an American Package Design Award from
GDUSA for Bayer Heart Advantage.
http://thegoldsteingroup.net
New Leader At LPK
LPK names Nathan Hendricks Chief Creative Officer, succeeding
Howard McIlvain. Hendricks has worked on global branding
assignments at LPK for Samsung, Herbal Essences and Gillette.
“Nathan is an exceptional person. He is enormously talented
and has a singular passion for great design,” says
McIlvain. “Through his eloquence and style, he has risen
to the challenge in countless ways for our highest profile
clients, and with determination, provided some of the best, most
strategically creative work helping to shape the future of
this company.”
OneWord One World
Air France has a new visual identity. Designed by Brandimage,
the firm that resulted from the merger of Desgrippes and LAGA,
the logo is now just one word. The intention is to signal the
carrier’s ambition to be an international brand since
over half of the customer base is located outside of France.
The national colors remain. “This new identity, which
is both elegant and contemporary, represents the fundamental
changes Air France has seen over the past few years,”
says François Brousse, Air France Vice President,
Corporate Communications.
SPECIAL OFFER EXTENDED
Modern Postcard is the designer’s ally in today’s
economy, offering GDUSA readers 30 percent off printing on any
product, any size or any quantity. This dramatic offer was
originally scheduled to end in February, but grew enormously
in popularity and has been extended until the end of March. In
addition to the big savings, GDUSA readers who place orders
by March 31 will receive a one-of-a-kind t-shirt created
specifically for this event by the Modern Postcard design team.
http://www.modernpostcard.com/gdshirt/?cid=vendor_email_gdusa_lp_GDEMAIL09
MORE GRAPHIC DESIGN NEWS
Move To Softer
A new corporate logo and brand identity for Kraft features
an upward, red smile exploding into an array of flavor bursts
and bears the slogan or mission statement “Make today
delicious.” Kraft worked with graphic design agency Nitro
on the launch. The new logo will not completely supersede
Kraft’s current blue, white and red brand identity; the
latter will still remain on Kraft-branded products. Christopher
Nurko of Nitro is quoted in Brandweek as observing: “People
have looked for softer, more organic shapes... There’s
this movement in art and design that’s a lot softer.”
Coupons Are Cool, Again
Coupon usage has risen about 10% in the past four months,
according to a study by Inmar, and shoppers are increasingly
getting them online. Stores are jumping further into this
couponing, Timothy W. Martin reports, with text messaging
and other digital-driven programs. Online coupons account for
only 1% of all coupons offered nationwide but redemptions
jumped 140% last year. Still, coupon use has a long way to
go to regain its former glory. In 1992, 7.9 billion coupons
were redeemed; only 2.6 billion were in 2008
Circle of Life
GDUSA is a major direct mailer. Last year, we put our
experience in this area to use, declaring Jam Paper &
Envelope’s extraordinary collection of color paper
clips as “The Official Color Paper Clips of Graphic
Design USA.” Now we are pleased to let you know about
their newest entry, the Circular Shape clips. They are now
in stock in Red, Yellow, White, Pink, Purple, Dark Blue, Lime
Green, Green, Black, and Fuchsia.
http://www.jampaper.com
Hall of Famer
Broadcast and Media Professionals of Wichita KS has inducted
honor Sonia Greteman, President and CEO of Greteman Group, as
the newest member of its Hall of Fame. “We reserve our
Hall of Fame award for the top professionals in the industry,”
says Julie Eddy, BWPW president. “Sonia joins a prestigious
group.” Says Greteman, who opened her firm 20 year
ago: “I have a great deal of respect for broadcasters and
the role they play in an informed, educated society. I am humbled
and honored to be judged worthy of this award.”
Not Too Serious
Alphabet Arm of Boston MA created the brand identity for NRG Bar. The
energy bar program includes logo, business cards, marketing
materials, merchandise, tent graphics, and product packaging. The
mark employ an unexpected color pallet to update the look and to
keep the design from taking itself too seriously. Alphabet Arm
clients include the Dave Matthews Band, American Express, Counting
Crows, Harvard Medical School, L’Oreal, and American Idol
winner Taylor Hicks.
TAKE FIVE! CAREER TIPS FROM THE CREATIVE GROUP:
REFERENCE CHECK
 Ready for a Reference Check? Finding
a job in the current economy is no easy feat, especially if your
references are less than glowing. Here are five tips for creating
a solid reference list:
1. Identify your biggest fans. Always ask permission
before using someone as a reference. Pay attention to how quickly
and enthusiastically people respond to your request; this
“self-reference check” can help you pick the best options.
2. Offer a few extras. When short-staffed, many hiring
managers are pressured to move quickly, and if your contacts are
unavailable, you may miss out on the job offer. Consider providing
more references than are requested.
3. Make it easy on the employer. Provide clear contact
information, including names, titles, daytime phone numbers and email
addresses, for your references along with a brief explanation of the
nature of your relationship with each person.
4. Give references a heads up. Each time you submit a
reference list to a prospective employer, let your contacts know so they
are well-prepared. Provide them with an updated copy of your resume, and
describe the company and position you have applied for, as well as the
name of the person who might be calling them.
5. Express appreciation. Always thank those who agree
to speak on your behalf, even if they aren’t contacted by hiring
managers.
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
GRAPHIC DESIGN EVENTS
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
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. 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 24. Palo Alto CA, Come connect with
other local creative professionals for a casual evening of
stimulating and in depth conversation at Klvb WADC. Want to
talk shop? Here’s your chance. Get feedback on a logo or
show us a video you cut together. Discuss trends in the
creative industry, get some tips on interviewing or even a
job lead.
http://www.wadc.org/calendar.html
March 26. New York NY. New Frontiers of
Graphic Design, a panel including Heidi Dangelmaier, Doug Jaeger,
Chris Rubino and Felix Sockwell. Tribeca Cinemas on Varick
Street is the place. Stephanie Murg, editor of the design
blog unBeige is the moderator.
http://www.mediabistro.com or 212.547.7890
March 26-28. Milwaukee WI. 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
March 28. Boston MA. AIGA Boston celebrates
25 years as a chapter with an all-day, two-pronged event: workshops
during the day and a party at night at the Vlora Restaurant. Heather
Shaw is the contact person.
http://boston.aiga or
vicepresident@boston.aiga.org
April 3-4. Union NJ. “Thinking Creatively,”
a two-day, world-class conference for creative professionals and
students, takes place 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.
http://www.thinkingcreatively.org or
http://www.adcnj.org
April 4. The Institute of Contemporary Art hosts a
one day conference, Design As Social Agent, exploring the intersection
of visual culture and social transformation. Presentations, interviews,
gallery tours, author talks, and more, are planned. IGA Boston is a
co-sponsor with the ICA.
http://www.icaboston.org
April 15. New York NY. Connect with the community,
replenish paper samples and update your printing knowledge at the Art
Directors Club Paper Expo an evening that includes food, drinks and
friends. It takes place at the ADC Gallery in Manhattan.
http://www.adcglobal.org/adc/events/calendar/
April 16. Chicago IL. Picturehouse holds its
fourth annual Chicago event, this year at the River East Art
Center. Graphic designers and stock agencies meet in a friendly
and intimate setting. New this year! A free lecture on
Copyright/Copywrong in Image Licensing by attorney and author
Nancy Wolff. Picturehouse Chicago is free, but you must
register at...
http://www.picturehouse-us.com/GDUSA
May 1. Warren NJ. Hundreds of creative
professionals are expected for the Art Directors Club of New
Jersey, 46th Annual Exhibition. Location: The Stone House at
Stirling Ridge. Theme: In Search of Shining Stars.
http://www.adcnj.org
May 4-5. Seattle WA. An Event Apart is a web
design conference focusing on creating content, designing effective
pages, and dealing with browsers and web gadgets. The events are
lead by Jeffrey Zeldman and partner Eric Meyer. After Seattle, they
go on the road to Boston, Chicago and San Francisco.
http://www.aneventapart.com
May 17-19: New York NY: SURTEX 2009 is set for
the Javits Center in Manhattan. It is the only show dedicated to
the sale and licensing of original art and design in industries
such as home and apparel textiles, gifts, stationery, housewares
and consumer products. Penny Sikalis is VP and Show
Manager. Registration online is now open.
http://www.surtex.com
May 15. Madison NJ. The next In-Source event
— Practice Makes Perfect — is scheduled for
Friday, May 15 at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Speakers
will include Shel Perkins and Steve Benfield, both on the topic
of effectively managing creative services in today’s
corporate culture.
http://www.in-source.org
NOW ON GDUSA.COM:
AMERICAN INHOUSE DESIGN AWARDS
The deadline for the 2009 American Inhouse Design Awards is
fast approaching. This is the original and largest showcase for
outstanding work by inhouse designers. To download an entry form,
please visit...
http://www.gdusa.com/contests/aida.php
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