Kalakari translates from Hindi to English to mean ornamentation

‘what consumes me’ by bud cadell

The New Living Principles Web Site

If I played ping pong, I would have one—or two—of these. For Puma by Aruliden.

Via Contemporist.com. Photos by CI&A Photography.

Some of the highlights included the button exchange at the opening social; 2 truths and a lie with AIGA President, Debbie Millman; meeting Wes from New Orleans, whose toe-headed son is named Arlo; local bars and their beer; seeing the beta launch of thelivingprinciples.org; the closing party by the Minnesota chapter; and, of course, all the great ideas for our local chapter’s continued success. Every group session, breakout session and lunch was filled with passionate people looking for the best ways to keep their chapters improving and growing.It was a revelation to see so many people experiencing and overcoming similar obstacles to membership, attendance at events and keeping involvement high in their local communities.

Like-minded individuals all gathered to help support each other toward a common goal: making AIGA’s mission mean something more than just words on a page.

The trick has been, and will be, to carry over the same level of passionate excitement to our local chapter’s retreat in mid July, but overall I’m looking forward to being a little more involved in shaping the programming here in Salt Lake.

Consistency within a brand takes a great deal of effort, especially when it’s representing an individual that is often characterized as an indecisive perfectionist.

Next up, getting the Typecaste identity finished and launching the website. Although I’m optimistic, I also know that working for myself is more difficult than the most demanding client.

At the portfolio review this last week, a friend of mine asked me to try and post a little more often regarding typeface design to catalogue my process, so periodically I hope to update with a new pdf of each of the styles I’m currently developing. Overall I’m happy with the flavor, but need to work out the details.

Download a pdf.

I find it intriguing that a reality show supposedly searching for “America’s Top Graphic Designer” has little concern for how it represents itself visually and yet expects to attract the aforementioned top designer. The identity is, at best, sophomoric, with a weak concept and definitely not an “out-of-the-box” execution.

For an industry that prides itself on allowing for clear, simple communication, the website does not provide a complete picture of the competition itself. For example, who are the sponsors and why would the winner want to work for them? How much of the $50,000 is cash vs. prizes?

Cheryle R. Reynolds, the founder and producer, is not even a registered member of the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA), the largest professional association for graphic designers in the United States. Her 20 years of experience in the industry have definitely not instructed her where to find the best designers, as primary and “cutting edge” design centers like Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle and San Francisco are not included in the audition locations.

The most compelling concern is that “America’s Top Graphic Designers” already have amazing careers and would in no way submit themselves to any kind of farcical and inaccurate depiction of their treasured profession. The mere idea of this show is offensive and will only demean and dilute the value of excellent graphic design.