SlyBrand

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.”

Wow. The latest edition of Wired features a masthead and cover image designed by my type heroes, House Industries. The only problem is I generally don’t read Wired or give a rip about its content. But alas, they went out and got J.J. Abrams to guest-edit the “Mystery Issue.” The creator of Felicity, oh yeah, and Lost, is the source of alot of my creative inspiration these days. Did I mention he created (and masterfully wrote several episodes of) Felicity?

If you feel overwhelmed by the “Age of Immediacy” and technology, GO OUT AND GET THIS ISSUE. It’s a keeper. And it won’t allow you to read it quickly. It would make a phenomenal pool-side read for this vacation season.

This magazine, and especially the article written by J.J. himself, pretty much explains the concept I wrote about in this post I made in February of ‘07.

Here’s the program design for the Second Presbyterian Music Department’s production of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” I dusted off the sable brush and ink made my best attempt at hand-lettering the wordmark. & I’m pretty happy with the primitive, Hebraic feel of it. More…