SlyBrand

Dear God, please let something like this happen.

I worked for archer>malmo for about a year after I graduated college. While I was there, I was exposed to some great people and great design opportunities. One of those opportunities was to help design the new marketing logo for the oldest girl’s school in Memphis, Hutchison.

To me, the most interesting aspect of this project was the rich history behind Hutchison School. One tidbit from that story is that Miss Hutchison’s school on Union Avenue had a beautiful arbor, under which, on pretty days, the girls would sit to do their lessons. I was asked to develop an option for presentation, and the image above to the left is what I produced. The lines of the “H”, for “Hutchison”, becoming the arbor, and the hanging vine becoming an “S”, for “school.”

They ended up going with the image above to the right, designed by Richard Williams, Sr. Art Director at the time. I was bummed out then, but in retrospect, I understand why they picked the option they did. I do, however, still believe in the power of the vine logo to tell and preserve a wonderful story about a Memphis educational institution—even though the design may never see the back window of an SUV.

And one final note. Whatever I lost on the Hutchison project, I was able to redeem on this one.

Here’s the new Fox Design Co. “elevator pitch”:

Our Mission:
To create valuable, and sustainable graphic identity systems
that beautifully and simply tell distinct stories.

So, I’ve been slowly working over my main website over the last 3 months (preview above). It’s been largely an after-hours project that’s felt more like the enjoyment that comes from cleaning house, than work.

Some great things have come out of the discipline of methodically working through this project. First, and possibly most important, I have a new “elevator pitch“. This retooled mission statement has been a filter that’s guided me along the path of production. Exactly what a mission statement should do.

Secondly, by taking it slow, I’ve been able to pay better attention to how the user will approach and use the site. I’ve learned from my user experience friends that this is an art in itself.

I’ve also continued to wrestle with the Fox Design Co. brand. I’ve decided to return to the logo I created back in 2001, with a few minor tweaks. I hope to post an evolution of that mark soon.

A new favicon and secondary graphic have also come out of the process. They’ll be around soon too.

As for the site being finished, I’m hoping in the next two weeks or so you’ll see the fruits of my tortoise-like labor.

“We fail a lot. We just don’t fail by the time the movie comes out.

John would be the first to tell you that every movie we’ve made has been at one point the biggest piece of garbage we’ve ever worked on.”
—Lee Unkrich, Director of Pixar’s “Toy Story 3″

From a fascinating article in Variety about John Lasster’s take on the role of failure in the creative process.

From the car ride this morning, listening to NPR Morning Edition’s story on Diana Krall:

She demonstrated her version of the song at the grand piano in the suite. Afterward, in spite of her exhaustion, Krall had more to share.

“I’m on the road with 2-and-a-half-year-old boys who, before I came here, they wanted to go outside and play outside,” she says. “They wanted to go down the slide. And I’m like, ‘Where can I find a slide?’ “

But for Krall, that gives her a renewed sense of purpose.

“We’re moving house every day, and like I said, I’m probably as fatigued as I’ve ever been. But in some ways, it’s that fatigue that gives you a strong sense of self — what you want to do [makes you] more relaxed, focused,” she says.

Here’s a follow-up to my earlier post about the Memphis Ultimate Disc Association Summer League jerseys.

Ahh, the age-old battle… giant squid vs. frisbee.

“…and let’s face it, I’m just a graphic designer, there is no great thing here…”
–Paula Scher, getting deep.

It’s that time of year again. Memphis Ultimate Summer League kicks off at Overton Park the first week of June… no matter how soft I’m feeling.

Here’s a sneak peek of what I’m working out for the jersey design.

Here are a few highlights from a story about Bethesda, Maryland artist Jean Shin I heard on NPR this morning.

“In Jean’s hands, the process of making these objects new again, of giving them life [and] restored purpose, and making us look at them — or asking us to look at them — in a completely new way is very artful,” says Joanna Marsh

Used lottery tickets form the basis of another piece, Chance City, where the losing tickets become colorful houses of cards — an imaginary city full of chance and, Shin says, optimism.

“Picking up your life and moving to the city and giving it all you can, your dreams may change — transform,” Shin says. “But somehow, I think all of us retain that memory of something that they really wanted to do, and against all odds, are able to succeed.”