Bad People Good Things

While curating my previous books, I was always left with the empty feeling of not being able to share all of the amazing work that I desired, from the talented folks around the world. Presented with the chance to assemble and design the poster entry into the ever popular 1,000 series for Rockport Publishers, I knew just what to do. Then something unthinkable occurred – I was still left with tons of work left behind! Each and every piece within these pages is as awesome as the diecut cover you see before you. This is a must have. Speaking of which, it might be time to start a new poster book already…

CLIENT: ROCKPORT PUBLISHERS >>> PRINTER: SAME (used with permission)

Some clients shy away from having fun and embracing their subject matter. Americans for the Arts take what they do very seriously and their influence around the country is not to be taken lightly. I love the organization and the people that work there. After partnering on projects for well over a decade, I felt comfortable presenting something that pushed their sensibilities and really made having their convention in Baltimore a true celebration. I needn’t have worried. Not only did they appreciate the design, but they championed it through their partners and ensured that the meeting could reach it’s full potential. Did I mention that I love those guys?

CLIENT: AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS >>> PRINTER: MOSAIC
(used with permission)

If you haven’t caught on just yet (and why haven’t you?) then you should know that one of our favorite times of the year is when we get to work on the City Livability Awards call for entries. You can see several of the past examples here – with more to come in the future – but we couldn’t resist getting the new version up fresh from the printers. Illustrated in a fun and simplistic style, it just brings a smile to our faces. We hope it has the same effect on you. Having worked on this project for well over a decade, it means everything that a piece can still warm our heart every year.

CLIENT: U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS >>> PRINTER: WESTLAND PRINTERS
(used with permission)

The BCA10 celebrates the very best in businesses supporting the arts and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of their effort. Honoring some of our very favorite companies and brands at their gala (tonight!), as well as touting their achievements across the country (you can see the ads we designed in Forbes and USA Today!) It is just the kind of work that leaves us with an insanely large smile. Insanely large I tell you! The kind of smile you don’t get when you work most places. The kind of smile we get nearly every day!

CLIENT: AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS >>> PRINTER: MOSAIC
(used with permission)

Highlighting the current move towards hand-made design (and the incredible work of so many stellar firms/individuals) the nice folks at Rockport Publishers took the plunge with me once again via “Dirty Fingernails: A One-Of-A-Kind Collection of Graphics Uniquely Designed By Hand.” Despite having lived with these images for months on end, I can not lie – they still take my breath away! Complimented by my informative writing style, the assembled serves as an informative/inspirational touchstone for an important time in the history of design (if I do say so myself – and I do!) You have to get one in your hands to see the splattered joys of the spot varnish, so get down to your local book behemoth or start your wait at the door for the UPS guy and those sexy legs.

CLIENT: ROCKPORT PUBLISHERS >>> PRINTER: SAME (used with permission)

I started working on this project over 13 years ago when it was the size of a phone book and printed in 2 colors. We sure have grown together and it is always one of my favorite things to work on. I will be posting up numerous years as I go along but this is my personal fave (although I love them all like my children!)

CLIENT: U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT >>> ILLUSTRATOR: NOAH WOODS >>> PRINTER: WESTLAND PRINTERS
(used with permission) 

Who doesn’t remember those wonderful family trips along winding roads? The folks at America’s Byways certainly do! Promoting all of their conservation work in a fun calendar format, we highlighted various programs and roadways along with quirky facts and milestones to visit (see the headless chicken!) Built on old roadside postcards and the funky collage illustrations of Sharisse Steber, this is a trip worth taking.

CLIENT: AMERICA’S BYWAYS >>>WRITER: KATE VALENTINE >>>  ILLUSTRATOR: SHARISSE STEBER >>> PRINTER: MOSAIC (used with permission)

Working with the Art Director’s Club of Metropolitan Washington has always afforded some fun opportunities, especially in the education programs I have been involved with for over a decade. This edition of The Real Show benefited greatly from the marriage of Leigh Wells and my photos of corrugated cardboard. I especially love her triumphant bee (so much so that I made it the star of the show!)

CLIENT: ADCMW >>> ILLUSTRATOR: LEIGH WELLS >>> PRINTER: MOSAIC (used with permission)

I have always taken a great deal of pride in my designs for collateral materials. So many firms let up after the first marketing piece is complete but I won’t rest until the perfect event badge or thank you card has been assembled. The worst thing you can do is to just keep hacking together brochures and booklets with different goals and audiences but you drape the same cover graphic on again and again. This collection (just a few items from the multitude produced – marketing, pre-conference brochures which are color-coded for easy collating for different direct mailings, on-site program and signage are shown here) for Americans For The Arts gives a clue as to my mode of working. Keep the flavor and focus, but make sure each piece really communicates directly. I think it goes without saying that even the registration forms for this conference were amazing. This continues a relationship with an amazing organization that stretches well past a decade.

The fun part was often in the re-invention. A good number of attendees came each year and discussed many of the same subjects so making the sell often centered around the locale which was a fun way to work. Of course, an arts organization has to be sure to appeal to all aspects of their audience so the expectations were high for visuals without leaning too far towards any one discipline. The result was some amazing packages and this is one of my favorites.

CLIENT: AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS >>> PRINTER: WESTLAND PRINTERS
(used with permission) 

GraphTec was moving on up to new digs with a new logo (naturally) as well as new presses and capabilities. They just needed to let everyone know and what better way than a snappy petal-fold (I always say!)

CLIENT: GRAPHTEC >>> PRINTER: GRAPHTEC >>> COPYWRITER: JOHN FOSTER (used with permission)