2011 was another great year for events from Connecticut's leading creatives and creative professional organizations — here are some of the highlights. All remain relevant in the new year, as most if not all are continuing the dialogue and creativity through sequel events in 2012.
"Breakfast Epiphany Events"
AIGA Connecticut
February 8 - December 13
AIGA CT's Breakfast Epiphany events in 2011 saw the likes of Wilson Camelo, Karl Heine, Amy Graver, Brent Robertson, Alpesh Bhatt, Richard Rose, Troy Monroe, Jack Tom, John Dankosky and Anne Cubberly cover topics such as Hispanic marketing, letterpress, pursuing your passions, "how to talk to people" and becoming a creative mentor.
"When we say 'join us for a rousing conversation' — as we do in many an email promotion — we deliver," says Suzi Craig, Programming & Events chair of AIGA CT. "The Breakfast Epiphany event is one of my favorite AIGA Connecticut events because it is always unexpected and always amazing. We take an interesting person, ask them to talk about something near and dear to who they are, and then we let the conversation rip."
"Depending on who shows up — and it has ran the gamut, from graphic designers to race car drivers and architects to nonprofit leaders — the conversation can take some really deep twists and turns and it can also offer up perspectives that you may not find when attending an event with only those from your industry. Something AIGA Connecticut is passionate about is opening up the conversation of 'design' and 'creativity' to those beyond our world. This event helps feed the opportunity to talk about design and creativity in all its forms, and allows for us to examine how we can each have our own impact on the world when we see possibility through this lens."
Up next: Troy Monroe's sequel talk, Passion with a Plan, Part 2, at CO:LAB on February 9.
"Shed: A Living Principles Happening"
AIGA Connecticut
February 12
AIGA Connecticut invited all to the Yale University School of Art, for an open discussion about culture, happiness, consumerism, design and the future of the planet.
"I love that The Living Principles Almanac — that Mohawk produced with Gaby Brink — states at the end: 'Got what you need out your Living Principles Almanac? Give it another cycle before you recycle. Pass this book on to a friend. Continue the loop.' That is what Shed exemplified," says Lee Moody, Mohawk Fine Papers New England & Eastern Canada Business Development Manager. "Think about what you buy, reuse, recycle, compost, rethink, reinvent — all we do can go a long way toward preserving and extending our common resources."
"We were all so excited to have an AIGA chapter in Connecticut," continues Lee, "so that we all could connect with the AIGA Center for Sustainable Design. Mohawk partnered with them for a year, and gave $1000 to each chapter of AIGA across the United States — and the world — to help promote design as a powerful conduit for change. The Living Principles for Design is the first integrated blueprint that connects Cultural Vitality, Environmental Protection, Social Equity, and Economic Health."
"AIGA Connecticut connected with some powerful speakers that presented this broader concept to the audience at Yale. The room was packed. People were asking questions. People were offering choices. It was about using more creativity and less stuff."
"Out of Home Competition 2011"
Ad Club of Connecticut
February 24
"Don't drive distracted" was the theme of 2011's competition, and Connecticut creatives were invited to submit concepts for 14' x 48' billboards to promote this theme. Winning entries received cash prizes and the first place design was displayed on digital billboards across the state.
Avid Marketing Group, in Rocky Hill captured the Grand Prize as well as third place. Coming in third was “Distracted Driving Kills,” designed by Emily Buck, which shows a distraught accident victim behind police tape emblazoned with the message “Distracted Driving Kills.” The Grand Prize Winning concept was “Monkeyin’ Around,” whose simple message of “Quit Monkeyin’ Around – Just Drive” was perfectly visualized by the whimsical artwork of illustrator and designer Chris Gunderson.
While the final designs were executed by Buck and Gunderson, AMG’s success was a true team effort. “From brainstorming the initial concepts, to copywriting and ongoing critiques, the entire team at AMG was involved,” explained AMG Vice President DeAnna Drapeau, “Hearing the judges echo our internal discussions just confirmed how much that process improved the final creative.” AMG’s history of success at previous Ad Club Outdoor Competitions also include winning first place in 2008 and second place in 2009.
This year's event is set for February 29. The 2012 Theme: Search Local, Save Local, Buy Local… support your local businesses and the local economy.
"GR8"
Connecticut Art Directors Club
March 10
The CADC invited eight forward-thinking Connecticut creatives to visually answer the question, “How does creativity personally affect social responsibility and change?” Each of the contributors — Peter Good, Anita Soos, Jody Dole, Noemi Kearns, Woody Ford, John Nordyke, Liz & Eric Panke and Vaughn Fender — donated their 18" x 24" work to be displayed and auctioned off the night of the event.
Contributor Peter Good sums up the night: "When the CADC was formed, back in the last century, our primary intent was to create a forum of sorts so that designers and art directors could talk shop, compare notes, and inspire and support each other. The GR8 exhibit was exactly the kind of event that was sympatico with that idea. Ironically, an early proposed name for a CADC newsletter was called "Mix" — the apt quality of the GR8 event."
Another GR8 event is coming in March; watch the CADC site for details.
"CADC Student Conference"
Connecticut Art Directors Club
March 26
The Student Conference and Scholarship Competition is held once a year at a select Connecticut college or university. Host schools have included Sacred Heart University, The Hartford Art School, and Central Connecticut State University; this year will be the first to be held at SASD, University of Bridgeport. It is free and open to all Connecticut undergrads.
“The conference format has been fairly consistent since [its inception]” says Jack Tom, who worked on the very first conference in 2000. “Speakers from all relevant creative areas (design, art direction, illustration, photography, etc.), portfolio reviews, scholarships, free giveaways from sponsors (Mohawk, etc.), and of course the free admission, free breakfast (coffee, donuts and bagels) and free pizza lunch.”
This year the speakers were Dan Taylor, Brent Robertson, John La Rock, kHyal and Karl Heine.
"The speakers give a lot of good information for students to use," continues Jack. "It’s always nice to see professionals donate their time to come talk and share their experiences with students. I know it takes a lot of effort by the CADC Board to put together this annual event, but I’m glad they kept the torch burning every year for it.”
"AIGA Fellow: Michael Scricco"
AIGA Connecticut
May 12
The Fellow award program is a means of recognizing mature designers who have made a significant contribution to raising the standards of excellence in practice and conduct within their local or regional design community as well as in their local AIGA chapter. The areas of education, writing, leadership and reputation, as well as the practice of design are given equal consideration in measuring significant contribution.
After Peter Good's 2009 win, Designer, Leader and Master Craftsman Michael Scricco was the second recipient of the AIGA Connecticut Fellow Award. Attendees heard speakers and saw a video presentation of design from Mike's ample legacy, along with anecdotes from designers who know Mike well and have had the benefit of his stewardship.
"There was no way I was going to miss the evening honoring Mike as an AIGA Fellow," says Alexander Isley. "He's done so much for the creative community, and not just in Connecticut. The outpouring of respect and appreciation was inspiring and heartening. He's influenced so many people."
The next honoree is Pam Williams of Williams and House — who is on the AIGA CT Advisory Board and who is a veteran of the national Board — in April 2012. Watch the AIGA CT website for details.
"PUSH Design Camp"
PUSH Workshops / kHyal and Karl Heine
July 17-19
Since 2007, PUSH has partnered with masterful individuals and companies to produce career-critical communication design events and workshops — offering intensive hands-on learning opportunities in core competencies for creative professionals. In 2011, PUSH went mobile with Design Camp on Block Island. Campers reveled in nature with like-minded creative professionals for three days of hedonistic play and design learning.
"Push Design Camp 2011 was the 'perfect storm' of scheduled inspirational events, enlightened discussions, exotic flavors, ideal mix of personalities, peaceful bicycle journeys and superb, high-summer weather," says Mary Ellen Butkus, Vice President / Senior Designer at TFI Envision. "From discovering typography along nature's trails, to unique temporary sculptures from found beach objects and laughing along the way – we rediscovered imaginativeness and the joy of an idealized summer camp for grown up creative kids like us."
This year's is already in the works, same place, same dates, so watch their website for more information.
"Hang in There Poster Exhibit Opening"
Patti Murphy / Hygienic Art Galleries
October 15
Designer Patti Murphy of Seed Factory is a resident artist at Hygienic Art Galleries in New London. When she was charged with putting on an art show, her mind turned quickly to showcasing design work, something Hygienic hasn’t done in the past.
The theme Murphy landed on, “Hang in There,” came with a double meaning. “I really like the idea of hanging art on hangers,” says Murphy. “It is a simple solution to decorating homes and workspaces — easily hanging something that you like or prints that you’ve purchased.”
“And I love collecting positive words, quotes, illustrations and images — I think, as designers, we are taught and trained how to evoke or represent a certain emotion or feeling, and I thought it would be interesting to see how each designer will create something that they see as uplifting or positive.”
The show displayed (and offered for sale) 12×18 posters by a variety of Connecticut and Rhode Island designers and artists, including Patti herself, Susan Hickman, Kat Murphy, Troy Monroe, Mark Bevington, Tomaz Kazmierczak, Julia Balfour, Katie Kerrigan, Vaughn Fender, Eric Panke, Nick Healy, John Lepak, Magdalena Lutoborska, Richard Hollant, Tracie Valentino, Karli Hendrickson, Chris Piacik and Noemi Zalanski.
“I chose the participating artists based on who I have collaborated, connected with or worked with before,” says Murphy. “Though sometimes we are all competing for clients, this is a great opportunity to come together as a community of designers and create artwork for each other and ourselves.”
"Young Turks vs. Old Dogs"
Jack Lardis / Oil Drum Art
November 5
The historic October snowstorm of 2011 — that left over a million New England households and businesses without power — was a stroke of bad luck for the Oil Drum Art Reunion-Fundraiser. However, over 100 attendees still came and enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, fine food and wine, jazz, and art.
Old dog Jack Lardis organized the event as a benefit for his organization Oil Drum Art, a not-for-profit grass roots art movement that seeks to change human patterns through meaningful artworks. A self-proclaimed “once-in-a-career opportunity,” Young Turks vs. Old Dogs was a reunion / networking event to give younger creatives in the state the opportunity, according to Lardis, to “rub elbows with the old guard. And vice versa.”
“There are three ex-advertising people on the Oil Drum Art Board,” continues Lardis. “Dave Murphy, one of the Directors, came up with the idea to have a small reunion of ad people as a fundraiser. We thought it was a great idea and it quickly mushroomed to a major event with all four major ad and design clubs co-sponsoring the event.”
“We hope it becomes a yearly reunion that will get better and better,” says Lardis.
They just better watch out for those October snowstorms.
Design Entrepreneurship is a hot topic right now. The economy and slowing client work are leaving time for personal projects and inspiring exploration of alternative revenue sources, and growing consumer interest in unique and handcrafted products make for a friendly environment for designer one-of-a-kind and short run products. Not to mention that designers have the unique skill set to be able to not only create but also brand and promote their ideas, and maintain creative control.
Connecticut is ripe with designers who are launching product lines, artwork, apparel and printed goods. Most have started small — without clear business plans — and have simply grown organically, by making one-offs or short runs, selling to friends and fellow designers, and just plain having fun.
One of Twenty
One of Twenty is an artist collective and clothing design company, started by Mascola Senior Art Director Nick Healy with his brother Jeff in 2008. The collective is currently a group of 14 artists from up and down the east coast. They host group and solo shows for their artists, using their combined networks to grow larger than any of them would be able to individually. For the clothing aspect, they use designs from their various artists to create men’s and women’s clothing, all in limited edition runs of 20.
"I love the complete creative freedom," says Nick. "While I love my job, it’s refreshing that I don’t have clients to answer to when making decisions. I get to create my own artwork and our marketing materials free from outside influences. I guess there is a sense of fear there too, if something turns out awful it is based upon the decisions made by us."
"Plus I really believe that visual arts are important and need to be kept alive. Most of the events and shows that we host are at Skate Shops, Restaurants and Bars, during concerts, snowboard contests and at Roller Derby. I like the fact that we get to help expose people to something they might not have seen if it weren’t for the events we put on."
Trove
Kelly Clark, a designer at Outthink, created Trove — a traveling boutique of jewelry, gifts, and office and home goods. Under her model, people throw Trove parties, and a boutique is set up in your living room.
"When your guests arrive, there is no spiel, no games, no pushiness to buy, and no pressure to put on your guests to book their own Trove party. It is simply a fun way to spend time with friends and family."
Trove, which recently took honorable mention honors on "the-e-list" as one of the shoreline's best kept secrets, sells nearly 100% handmade items — purchased, in most cases, directly from the artists themselves.
The site shares the inspiration for Trove: a love of shopping, curating, entertaining and marketing.
Sophie + Lili
An art director at Cronin & Company, Jennifer Vallez started Sophie + Lili, a boutique children's clothing line for girls in 2004, "kind of by accident." Vallez says. But it has evolved to become a signature collection of dolls that capture the imagination, and the personality, of little girls at play. Designed with whimsy and warmth in the studio of Vallez, each doll is digitally printed on high quality quilters cotton and backed with a complimentary print (including some vintage fabrics).
"I spend A LOT of time designing and making my dolls," says Vallez. "It’s nice being able to call the shots creatively. And my customers are a delight. How much design criticism can you give about a cute little doll? My toughest customers are my daughters. I can live with that!"
Fullbleed
Illustrator Rob Dobi started his line of t-shirts and prints, called Fullbleed, "shortly after I graduated college as a means to take my mind off the work I was doing in the music industry. For months on end all I produced were t-shirts for bands and I needed an outlet for my own ideas."
"The first line was released in June of 2004," continues Dobi, "as somewhat of an anti-brand, attempting to create interesting imagery rather than just promoting a name. Somehow it caught on and I have been making new tees every few months ever since."
"I enjoy working on my own stuff more than anything else. Having complete creative control never hurts. At the same time, it is sort of crippling — with each new series I create, I have to put a new spin on it while pleasing people who enjoyed stuff in the past. It is easier to please an art director than it is a couple thousand kids on myspace."
"To this day I still get pretty giddy even if I see a kid in the mall wearing a shirt I designed. Certain jobs are expected to be big exposure, like working for a band like Green Day or Fall Out Boy, but I’m most excited when I spot my own brand on someone. Even one of the guys from Spinal Tap was wearing a shirt of mine, which blew my mind. Stumbling upon bootlegs on eBay is also cool, as is the couple dozen tattoos based off of my work."
Design is Love
Design is Love is a community site with companion Big Cartel shop founded by co:lab Design Director Troy Monroe.
"After graduating from the Hartford Art School, I began to contemplate the following question: 'How can we, as designers, become more emotionally invested in our work and find other opportunities that would benefit from the mindfulness we put into the ideas we care about most?' It took seven years and finding a work environment that nurtures personal project development (thanks to the co:lab team), but Design is Love has become the place I envisioned.
DIL's "Design Fund" is one of three components of the mission of Design Is Love, all focused on shaping a community around the idea of "doing good."
"The Design Fund [is] a quarterly charrette that gives members a chance to create personal work that, if selected, gets produced at no charge to the artist," says Monroe. "Samples of the finished product are delivered to the 'winner,' and we put the remaining stock up for sale in our shop to generate funds for future projects. Many of us struggle to fund personal work, and this is our way of hopefully making things easier for members. I believe there’s great value in the personal development that happens when you create something just for you. Our entire community then benefits from your participation."
"We encourage you to stop by our shop. The shelves are fully stocked with Design Fund projects and other cool shirts and posters we’ve been part of creating. All proceeds from each purchase support future Design Fund projects and our ongoing efforts to sustain and improve the Design is Love environment. We hope you’ll pick up a souvenir to remember your trip."
Part of It
Founded in 2007 by Christopher and Kathleen Sleboda — a.k.a. Gluekit – Part of It works with artists to create products for causes they are passionate about. Sales from products benefit charities chosen by the artists.
"Part of It stems from our belief that artists (and conscientious consumers) can make a positive difference in the world by supporting causes close to their heart. Expressions of protest, simple declarations, moving graphics that encourage conversation and dialogue—there are many ways to enter into and encourage civic discourse. We believe activism can be fun, personal, beautiful and engaging; we can all play a part in making a better world for ourselves, for our communities, and for future generations."
What inspires Christopher is "the satisfaction of bringing a product to life and making it real. If there is something I want that doesn’t exist, it’s the perfect opportunity to make it. Creating something allows you to contribute to culture and to have a conversation with the world around you.
Red Charming
Red Charming is the home of Emily Larned, an interdisciplinary artist and writer who makes publications, as well as "a letterpress printer, publisher, educator, curator, designer, organizer, researcher, weaver, cook, and gardener." She is the Chair of Graphic Design, SASD at the University of Bridgeport, and the co-operator of ILSSA (Impractical Labor in Service of the Speculative Arts), a membership organization for those who make experimental or conceptual work with obsolete technology.
The Red Charming site offers for sale Larned's zines, prints, ILSSA publications and art books, most of which are a combination of photocopying and letterpress.
"I’ve been letterpress printing for years now," says Larned, "and I love the process for so many reasons: the action of writing something and then typesetting and printing it by hand is thinking an idea through to a physical end. It really is Author-as-Producer. I also like the endless cycle of reuse of handset type, and the objects and machines involved, and the physicality of holding a composing stick in your hand or cranking the cylinder down the bed."
"I like the long-term relationship I have with my equipment. I’ve had my Vandercook since 2002 (it was manufactured in 1963!) and I learn new things about it all the time. As long as I take care of it (and myself!), we could still be making stuff together 40 years from now. In comparison, a laptop is like a hamster. You kind of get to know the little fella, and then, oh, he’s dead, on to the next one."
Print Brigade
Print Brigade is an online retailer that sells an assortment of products and art pieces by artist and designer Chris Piascik, including hoodies, tees and zines. All feature Piascik's trademark "lettering as illustration" style, and touch upon such topics as hip hop, bikes, inspirational quotes and the Print Brigade brand itself.
The shop comes from the prolific amount of Piascik's work, based on his personal mantra: "Hustle. Don't sleep. Hustle. Repeat."
Designer Journals
Designer Journals were born in Black Rock, Connecticut in 2008. "I developed the concept after years of observing design professionals and students in their natural habitats," says creator Karl Heine, "using sketch books and diaries to record their thoughts and ideas. I began distributing complimentary prototypes along with a Sharpie to test the concept. The journals were a smash hit with design students and creative professionals at all levels. So I decided to produce bigger batches and make them available to the world at large."
Dubbed "the coolest eco-friendly journal for creativity and design," the covers come in a variety of colors and materials, wire coil bound around Mohawk Options text weight acid-free paper, 100% PCW and bleed-proof ("even with a Sharpie").
Don Carter, award-winning creative director at Adams & Knight in Avon, is the author/illustrator of seven children's books, with titles such as GET TO WORK TRUCKS (which Child dubbed a "Best Book of the Year"), HEAVEN'S ALL-STAR JAZZ BAND (which earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews), SEND IT and OLD MACDONALD DRIVES A TRACTOR.
Carter's latest passion project is a series of exhibits at the Noah Webster Library in West Hartford, spotlighting Connecticut children's book illustrators.
"The exhibits pretty much just grew out of conversations with the librarian, Carol Waxman," says Carter. "They renovated and expanded the library a few years ago when Blue Back Square was built. There was a fairly large wall that was left empty and it was nagging at them to fill it with something."
Carter brought in original pieces from his jazz book, which received positive feedback and stayed up for almost a year.
"Feeling a little guilty that I had taken over the wall, I started thinking about making it a revolving exhibit featuring other local illustrators."
Bill Thomson was selected first, a professor at Hartford Art School and author of such books as CHALK, BUILDING WITH DAD and BASEBALL HOUR. He was recently replaced with Ryan O'Rourke, a professional freelance illustrator and author of ONE BIG RAIN, who was recently hired to illustrate Lisa Loeb’s SILLY SING-ALONG: THE DISAPPOINTING PANCAKE AND OTHER ZANY SONGS for Sterling Publishing, due out this summer.
Carter is in the process of lining up other illustrators. "It's a great way to give the illustrators more exposure as well as educating children and their parents about what goes into making a book. I am also always looking for ways to remind kids that a love for art can turn into a career."
For this installment of Unordered List, we asked Carter to name some children's book illustrators who have inspired him.
Maurice Sendak
"This one’s a no-brainer. The master. The one who changed everything for children’s books. I can still remember the day I first discovered WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE over 40 years ago."
Tomie DePaola
"In my search for a 'style,' early on I was drawn to Tomie’s work. It looked so simple, so easy. Not so."
Chris Van Allsburg
"Another amazing style. And what a storyteller. He took illustration to another level for me."
William Joyce
"DINOSAUR BOB caught my eye with it’s retro styling. And then ROLIE POLIE OLIE got me into thinking about TV."
Dan Yaccarino
"When I started out doing books, Dan was nice enough to be a mentor and give me lots of great advice. Later we collaborated on a TV pitch."
Lane Smith
"Before there was a farting dog, there was THE STINKY CHEESE MAN. A whole new direction for children’s books....weird. I loved it."
J. Otto Seibold
"More weirdness, but now on a Mac... And with a drop-dead color palette."
"These last three illustrators are relatively new discoveries…"
Chris McKimmie
"So loose, but so expressive. This Australian illustrator makes me so jealous. "
Kevin Waldron
"Another one that makes it look so easy. I hate you, Kevin Waldron. And your book, ONE TINY FLY."
Marianne Dubuc
"Why am I so drawn to these simplistic styles? I wish I could draw like Marianne. I’ll need a new set of colored pencils."
If you've been to more than one event for creatives in the state, you've more than likely run into kHyal and Karl Heine. When they are not throwing their own events, salons and workshops under the PUSH umbrella, they are supporting the creative community by attending a mind-blowing number of events.
Karl Heine, principal of creativeplacement and kHyal, President and Creative Director of fiZz, agreed to give a summary of some of their favorite Connecticut events of 2010 as only they could.
Doing Good: Design for Global Change Opening
Creative Grab Bag: Randy Hunt Talk
Hartford Art School | University of Hartford | 2/19
kHyal’s comments:
“Doing Good” Opening — Natacha Poggio does an incredible job with her students, and it shows in their innovative work and intellectual thought processes. I had already seen some of the projects at A Better World by Design in Providence in October of 2009.
Randy Hunt Talk — Randy was an entertaining speaker and clear communicator. I enjoyed hearing about his path from entrepreneur as partner at Supercorp, creators of Supermarket, to his current position in interactive design at Etsy. Karl and I spoke with Randy at length after his talk and continue to be in touch with him.
Karl’s comments:
The vibe with these two — Hartford Art School students under Natacha Poggio driving this important movement, and Randy Hunt taking on a most interesting journey from his start to securing a dream spot at Etsy — was an evening of bright inventive conversation.
Mike Perry: Make Make Make
AIGA CT | Yale University Art Gallery | 2/25
kHyal’s comments:
Mike Perry’s work verges on mainstream hip, yet straddles that thin line which tips on the side of original and authentic. Combined with his instincts on collaboration and his obvious ambition and passion, he has built a creative studio that I respect, admire and continue to favor the output of.
Karl’s comments:
Mike Perry’s talk was not an "all about me" talk. It cataloged a history of experiences of what happened along the way, including a few fortunate events that landed him at Anthroplogie at the beginning of his career, where he began a hand-lettering trend. Mike kept it simple and funny, while giving valuable tips for up-and-coming designers. He concluded his talk with a clever auction, giving away print items he created. Literally everyone received something.
Gail Anderson Talk
A to A Studio Solutions | 4/22
kHyal’s comments:
Gail Anderson was the first in a series of design world heavy-hitters presented by A to A in Stamford this year. I commend the Wahlers for generously organizing and presenting this series of speakers at no cost to attendees. These events were most consistently my state-favorites all year. Each was held in the intimate setting of A to A’s signature space, with plenty of time before the talk to converse with the speaker personally.
Gail’s work is richly obsessive and during this talk she focused on her “collections.” Her presentation featured a slideshow of actual objects that she collects and is influenced by, including highly graphic vintage bottle caps, along with examples of her own work from her teenage years to current day.
Karl’s comments:
I concur with kHyal on the unselfish contribution the Wahler’s of A to A Studio Solutions, who provided an outstanding series, a unique venue and engaging well-respected design industry speakers at the top of their game. I look forward to attending every event at The Cove.
Gail's work — outstanding in the Broadway Theatre world: posters/branding. Gail is also a teacher at SVA. Her talk skipped this chapter and jumped right into her passion for collecting and her design-obsessive style from obscure bottle caps to other collections in her menagerie. Completely down-to-earth, Gail exuded passion and warmth.
Matteo Bologna and Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich Talk
A to A Studio Solutions | 6/2
kHyal’s comments:
Matteo and Roberto are a charming, stylish duo with monster talent. They are both on the board of the TDC in New York and most designers are very familiar with the success of their work. I enjoyed chatting and laughing with them both before their talk began, as their collective sense of humor and humility is a rarity, and full of surprises. The presentation included a slideshow of many of their gorgeous projects, more than enough to thrill any creative mind.
Karl’s comments:
Matteo and Roberto are a comedy team with typography and on stage. Individually they spoke about what drives their work, from unique assignments to a high volume of book jackets. It’s rare to see a presentation of mind-blowing work while you are laughing about how outrageous they have been with clients and staff — all in the name of doing what comes natural: communicating through the illustrated text.
How Design Can Transform Your Life — Warren Berger with Alexander Isley
AIGA CT | Aldrich Museum of Art | 6/13
kHyal’s comments:
We always enjoy seeing Alex, as a friend and someone whose work we adore. I had already read most of Warren’s book before this event and really enjoyed his talk, and the interaction he had with Alex, which presented and extra layer of depth and interest to the audience.
Karl’s comments:
An enriching afternoon with Alex Isley and Warren Berger discussing the highlights of Berger’s new book. I found truth and purpose around the theory in Glimmer.
Ina Saltz Talk
A to A Studio Solutions | 9/22
kHyal’s comments:
We arrived early to this event and got to chat with Ina one-on-one for half an hour. What was really funny was that another designer friend of mine had sent me Ina’s photo months before — asking if she was my sister. And when I posted a photo I took of her that night on my Facebook page, someone commented that it was a nice photo of me. Ina and I do look similar, and we wear similar types of vintage glasses, but she is about a foot shorter. Her books: “Body Type,” and “Body Type 2,” explore the typographic tattoo from a designer’s eye, and her talk was full of intriguing examples of tattoos and stories of the people who owned them. Ina loved my Weather sKwirl™ necklace, so I made her a custom blinged out one, another way we are connected in our alternate universes!
Karl’s comments:
Ina Saltz gave new meaning to the art of typography meets illustrated tattoos. A rich history of letterform and the personal connection. Each case study included the how and why on deciding which typeface and message to rest permanently on the subject’s skin. Ina immersed herself during her presentation, engaging with the audience; it’s clear she truly loves what she does. We had a wonderful time chatting before the event and had an instant connection.
City Wide Open Studios Kick-Off Weekend
Project Storefronts Block Party
New Haven | 9/24
kHyal’s comments:
Helen Kauder was back at the helm of Artspace this year and she amped up CWOS to make it an event exploding with art all over the city. Karl and I collaborated with our DesignerGrill pop-up store, which was installed at Project Storefronts during the kick-off weekend. We also created a piece for the Artspace gallery show, which was a prototype Weather sKwirl™ time machine. What we loved most was being part of such a large event and the opportunity it afforded us to meet so many new creatives and spend time with some we’ve known for decades. The energy it inspired was invigorating. I also had many connections at Project Storefronts, a project of New Haven’s Dept. of Cultural Affairs spearheaded by Margaret Bodell. I was hired to create their identity, had my work in Upcycle Arts and Elm City Handmade, and had another artist client, Vito Bonano, in the space that I developed an identity system, t-shirt designs, blog and social media initiatives for.
Add to Cart
CADC | Anna Liffey’s, New Haven | 9/29
kHyal’s comments:
Add to Cart was a local design community treat. It began with three unique stories by designers who make things, and ended with a room full of designers sharing their own work, and sometimes selling them to one another.
Karl’s comments:
Great community design/bazaar concept bringing speakers and designers who make cool products outside of their design day jobs. Speakers Greg Chinn of Jargon Boy, Chris Piascik Illustration, and Troy Monroe for Design is Love highlighted the concept and production of their endeavors. The bazaar vendors included the DesignerGrill team of kHyal + Karl, Nick Healy, Kelly Clark/Trove, Fish-on!, and Little Rawr. The entire evening was filled with trading and sharing stories — from how did you make it to admiration for getting goods to market.
Carin Goldberg Talk
A to A Studio Solutions | 10/27
kHyal’s comments:
Another great event at A to A. I don’t know any designer that doesn’t know Carin’s name and reputation from the past, and it was an honor to meet her. A Cooper Hewitt grad and staff designer at CBS Television, CBS Records and Atlantic Records in the 70s before starting her own firm in 1982, Carin’s talk was chock-full of beautifully executed design from past and present. It was an interesting juxtaposition between the two Paula Scher talks we attended in New York and Boston in 2009 and 2010, because both contained many examples of record cover art.
Karl’s comments:
Carin Goldberg filled a 90-minute presentation with a history lesson of over thirty years of stellar work which she was honored for at the AIGA Gala last year. I found the talk educational and real. Carin sees her work as part of the big picture and considers herself a translator and problem solver not a design star. She spoke her mind with humor, layered with some harsh truths about the design industry and her personal experience.
Lee Moody, Breakfast Epiphany
AIGA CT | Yale University | 11/4
kHyal’s comments:
This was a terrific event featuring our good friend, Lee Moody. Most folks know Lee as one of Mohawk Fine Paper’s top sales reps. We know Lee on many levels and certainly as a woman with a strong creative mind. It was telling to hear her whole story, which included her years living in New York City, her art school days and the history of the furniture design company she founded before joining the Mohawk team.
Karl’s comments:
To know Lee is to love Lee. This Breakfast Epiphany at Yale’s boutique hotel — The Study — was a warm, intimate view of a life filled with passion. Hearing Lee’s history — as a former furniture designer then migrating to present day as a “Super Fine” specialist with Mohawk Fine Paper — made the morning a true pleasure.
Grand Opening / The Center for Public Art and Design
Comix show / Gallery 305K
Bridgeport, CT | 11/12
kHyal’s comments:
These two events were exciting for Bridgeport, as they represented a strong commitment to the city’s burgeoning art scene. I had work in both shows and was happy to show my support. Beyond that, it was an evening of fresh work and hours of creative conversation with other artists, designers, performers, entrepreneurs, scientists and more. The show at Gallery 305K spawned my decision to take studio space at 305 Knowlton Street, the new Weather sKwirl™ Factory HQ!
Debbie Millman: Why We Brand. Why We Buy.
AIGA CT | University of Hartford | 11/19
Karl’s comments:
When you hear words like sociological, scientific and anthropological, the first thing that pops into your head is — how do these relate to branding? After hearing Debbie Millman speak on several occasions, I wanted to see how she could bring all this analytical jargon to branding story and keep it entertaining and relevant. Debbie delivered a highly spirited chock full presentation that appealed to the audience — seasoned professionals and a large body of students.
GIF/t JAM Holiday Sale
PUSH workshops @ creativeplacement | 12/11
kHyal’s comments:
Karl and I were thrilled to assemble such a talented group of designers to represent their work at our GIF/t JAM Holiday Sale. Among them were: Lee Moody with her hand-crafted pickles, Lys Guillorn, Leslie Giuliani, Alexander Isley, E. Fitz Smith and Kelley Kapp. Most of the designers spent the day with us, which was the most rewarding part, as we learned more about their work and lives and got to enjoy hours of artful conversation, while sharing our work with the local holiday gift-buying public.
Karl’s comments:
Bringing together a stellar group of design professionals who live their craft, and spending the day together to collaboratively build a new concept event was worthwhile and highly fulfilling.
