George Lois in his New York apartment When MoMA opened its current exhibition of George Lois’ Esquire covers last spring, the legendary ad man (“I want my MTV”, anyone?) enjoyed a second wave of fame and acclaim. As a new generation discovered the powerful and provocative images he created for Esquire between 1962-1972, even the supremely confident Lois was...
Graphic design in the gallery can come across like a fish out of water. The gallery context facilitates engagement through looking and has historically discouraged touching or using. Design is made for the public to use and enjoy. The context of use for a designed object is a very different space than that of a gallery. Donald Judd aptly...
I sometimes wonder if my daughter, who is currently one years old, will read books when she grows up (and goes beyond her current favorites “Baby’s Animal Friends” and “Bear Goes To Town”). Maybe reading paper books will be a habit reserved for old people by then. Or perhaps they won’t exist at all. Whatever happens, one thing is...
Few so called best-dressed society women elicit such adoration among lesser dressed women as Iris Barrel Apfel. I know several otherwise very sensible ladies who start to swoon at the very mention of her name. One friend even harbors a secret fantasy of becoming the glamorous octogenarian’s adult adoptee. Barrel Apfel is an interior and textile designer who attracted...
You are a strong graphic designer? Then find several strong web designers, make them aware of you, and suggest a reciprocal relationship that would help both of you meet clients’ broader needs. Also, consider approaching hosting providers in an effort to be on their short list of referrals for work. Contact all friends and associates with design skills complementary...
An image from Jisuk Jung’s winning campaign Back in March we wrote about Design 21’s Millennium Promise competition. Now the winners have been selected. First prize went to the animated campaign “Eight Goals” by Jisuk Jung of South Korea. The jury found that Jung’s compelling animated version of each of Millennium Promise’s eight goals serves as a message of...
Have you created a fabulous trade show exhibition design lately? If so, you should let the world see it! Exhibition Magazine’s 23rd Annual Exhibit Design Awards is accepting entries. Designs that were launched between Dec. 1, 2006, and Dec. 1, 2008, can be entered in several categories, which include categories: Green Exhibits (designs that reduce the negative impact on...
It is crucial for the client to make a financial commitment to you at the project kick-off. Upon signing a contract, make sure that you get a deposit and have payment milestones. Consider 5% / 55% / 40%. 5% at signing. $55% at a midpoint deliverable that you have designated in the contract. 40% upon delivery. Some like to...
First, an admission. I belong to a fraternity. A huge, national, button-down shirt, blue blazer, captains-of-industry kind of organization that celebrates all things left-brained and tangible. At one point, I was even president of my chapter. But that’s another story. As the token creative in the group, my job was to “design” party t-shirts. Of these, one stands out...
The following post is the second part of an ongoing conversation between guest authors Rick Bennett and Andy Polaine, friends and partners in Omnium – a research group of academics, designers, artists, programmers and writers who work collaboratively (and from different countries) to explore the potential the Internet allows for what they term – online collaborative creativity (OCC). We...
