We had a blast at the Design Family Reunion conference in Monterey, CA last week. The über patient Chris Sickels of Rednose Studio spent the day teaching a bunch of designers, illustrators and writer the painstakingly slow, yet fun art of stop motion animation. Chris supplied the set, props and his wonderful puppets that he designs and sculpts, all of which fit into a suitcase! This is what we did. Got to see some old friends from around the country and more importantly get to meet some new friends. More info over at the Rock, Paper, Ink blog.
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Our Own Worst Enemies. Jacqueline McCarthy on Self-Promotion.
Vivitiv partner Jacqueline McCarthy will be giving a talk to the Seattle Graphic Artists Guild on September 26, 2012. Our Own Worst Enemies will focus on the triumphs and tragedies of over twenty years of self-promotional efforts. Sign up here.
Goodbye Fax Machine
Goodbye Fax machine. You’ve been a great friend over the years. Remember that time when we waited for that signed contract to come through? Or when I sent that NSFW joke to the wrong number? Or how about the time when you kept jamming when a client was sending edits right up until deadline? Oh, the times we had! Good times. It’s been a good run, but you and I know it’s time to move on. Sure, I’m not going to get offers for free vacations to Mexico, or Reno, and I’m probably going to miss out on sweet deals to have my roof repaired or my gutters cleaned, but we should end it now. While we’re still friends. No! Don’t say that. It’s not you, it’s me. Goodbye old friend. End Transmission.
*sniff*
Our Commitment to the Environment Goes Way Back
Looking through a box of Vivitiv partner Jacqueline McCarthy’s old 45 rpm singles over the weekend, we found something very cool (besides lot’s of Monkees, Bobby Sherman, and Clarence Carter records). Buried deep amongst these vinyl treasures were these pins from the New York State Energy Office, imploring young Jacki to “Conserve Energy!”. Jacki figures she got these at the Great New York State Fair sometime in the late 1970s, proving that she has a long and deep commitment to conservation issues, and that she is a hoarder.
Our Antiquated Technology Exhibit at AIGA Seattle Anniversary Event
While Vivitiv was part of the Future of Design exhibit at the AIGA Seattle 25th Anniversary event, we also curated an Antiquated Technology Exhibit. The display consisted of useless storage technologies of the past including floppy disks, SyQuest cartridges, ZIP Disks and a fried hard drive. Considered at the time to be the pinnacle of digital storage technology, these outmoded devices contain untold design treasures that will never again see the light of day.
Vivitiv Brands the Seattle Brain Salon
Vivitiv, was proud to partner with I-LABS, the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington and the Allen Institute for Brain Science, to develop a brand identity for the inaugural Seattle Brain Salon. The Salon was a gathering of some of the world’s leading innovators and acclaimed researchers in the field of brain science. Pictured above is a presentation moderated by journalist and author, John Hockenberry. Vivitiv was tasked with creating a new brand mark, signage, communications and marketing materials for this prestigious event. Go here for videos, TED talks, and interviews with some of the illustrious panelists.
Logo For WRED, Washington Recycles Every Day.
We recently created a new brand mark for WRED, Washington Recycles Every Day, a program of WSRA, the Washington State Recycling Association. WSRA hosts three to four WRED events per year bringing professionals from all over Washington State together for discussion of recycling issues and behind the scenes tours of working facilities and technology demonstrations. Some previous WRED events included tours and informational talks at forward thinking companies such as Alchemy Goods, The Boeing Classic, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, NewWood Manufacturing, and Nucor Steel
As an extension of our work with WSRA, the new WRED logo closes the loop with some of the same bold, fresh and forward thinking elements.
Clayton Christensen for the Technology Alliance
This week Bloomberg BusinessWeek profiled Harvard Business School professor, innovation expert, and author of The Innovator’s Dilemma, Clayton Christensen. We were fortunate enough to work with the Technology Alliance for Mr. Christensen’s 2010 keynote appearance in Seattle for the TA Annual Luncheon. Here is an example of alternate event branding we did featuring Clayton and his theory of Disruptive Innovation.
Shop Big, Give Big Fundraising Days
May 1st and 2nd are big fundraising days for The Volunteer Park Conservatory. “May Day! May Day! on Fifteenth” makes it easy to donate while doing what you normally do—shopping, dining out, banking. These select merchants will donate a portion of their sales that day to the Restoration Fund at the Conservatory. See the list of generous shops here. Or look for the poster in shop windows, designed by Vivitiv.
Then, on May 2, the Seattle Foundation is holding their GiveBIG online charitable giving event. From their website:
Each donation made through The Seattle Foundation’s website to the any of the 1,300 profiled nonprofits between midnight and midnight (Pacific Time) on May 2, 2012 will receive a pro-rated portion of the matching funds (or “stretch”) pool. The amount of the “stretch” depends on the size of the stretch pool and how much is raised in total donations on GiveBIG day. For example, if a nonprofit organization receives 3 percent of the total donations during GiveBIG, then it will receive 3 percent of the stretch pool.
The Conservatory is participating this year, as are many other very worthy organizations. Even if flowers aren’t your thing, there is a nonprofit for everyone.
Mark Kaufman is a 2012 Toonie Award Nominee
Vivitiv partner Mark Kaufman is a nominee for Cartoonists Northwest 21st annual Toonie Awards. It is a very great honor to be in such esteemed company. If you are looking for Mark Kaufman’s illustration portfolio, you’ll find it here, as well as Mark Kaufman’s official Drawmark web site and the official Drawmark blog. Thanks!