Individual Piece
Agency - Design Army
Client - MICA
The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in the country. When approached to help find an exciting and “interactive” way to unite their 20 graduate programs, we developed and designed a semi-annual magazine to connect students, alumni, faculty, and prospective students. The new magazine was titled Commotion. The name comes from the belief that artists and designers create through exploration and investigation, taking inspiration from vast and varied sources, the process can be chaotic, noisy, and confusing, but always rewarding. The magazine had to be visually dynamic and exciting to represent this process. We created visually exciting and compelling layouts, with bright pops of color, dynamic typography, and custom illustration. The publication increased engagement and graduate enrollment and seamlessly connected the disparate groups to create a strong MICA experience that extends well beyond the college years.
Animation, Product, Series
Agency - Duke & Duck
Client - Arcadia
Arcadia’s business model is surprisingly simple. So simple that one of their biggest objections is that customers feel that it seems too good to be true. People didn’t really understand how Arcadia did what they do, and why it doesn’t cost anything. Arcadia needed a suite of videos that would introduce and explain to their audience what exactly they did, how, and how easy it is for customers to get involved. For explaining complex subjects on a website, the animation is the gold standard medium. Arcadia has an amazing visual brand, so extending that into motion was a great opportunity to build on something that’s already working really well. It was a fun challenge to make sure the integration of video into their existing website and forced us to stretch ourselves. Since the first video went live on their website, conversion rates have increased by over 15%.
Creative Development: Duke & Duck
Creative Director: Alex Herder
Production Manager: Tarisa Shelton
Art Director: Katie Trayte
Animators: Dave Ellington, Victor Verdugo
Sound Design: Chris Mastellone
System
Agency - General Design Co.
Client - Bandoola Bowl
To introduce the fast-casual diner to an unfamiliar flavor profile for the lunchtime salad game, our goal was to develop an approachable brand that stands out amongst the usual salad bowl players. We started by coming up with a name that has broad appeal while hinting at Southeast Asian culture. Named after Bandoola, a famous Burmese elephant in World War II, this salad shop is heartfelt and family-run. The bright colors and textured patterns play off of the vibrant flavors and hearty crunch of the bowls themselves. A label system that allows for quick visibility of different flavors creates a user-friendly grab and go experience for the office-worker set, and a versatile collection of illustrations that reference the ingredients reinforces the variety of options.
Creative Director: Soung Wiser
Art Director: Caroline Brickell
Senior Designer: Ioana Balasa
Production: Matt Batista
Individual Piece
Agency - Spaeth Hill
Client - äntrepō, a Spaeth Hill project
äntrepō is a self-initiated studio project that explores experimental graphic design and its intersection with fine art. At the core of äntrepō is a desire to encourage peer-to-peer dialogue and interaction between designers and stimulate creativity. äntrepō, and Spaeth Hill by extension, posits that when designers design for design’s sake, it will improve the design landscape and field as a whole. With Extras, vol. 1, we feature London-based graphic artist, Kristine Kawakubo, discussing her experimental and expressive design work and we take a look back to Beatrice Ward’s seminal text on typography, “The Crystal Goblet”, to reflect on the concept of legibility. Extras, vol. 1 is the first of the publication series, each intending to share interviews, experimental layouts, critical writings, and academic essays. We chose to utilize a newspaper format for its ephemeral aesthetic and to highlight the importance and novelty of critical design perspectives and discourse.
Art Direction: Nathan Hill
Design: Chase Shewbridge
Product
Agency - Donald Ely for ASCD Creative Services
Client - ASCD
For roughly 60 years, the Education Update newsletter was an 8.5" x 11" saddle-stitched newsletter with lots of jumps and disorganized sidebars and call-outs. With testing, IEP meetings, increasing class sizes, and cuts to school funding, teachers in 2019 have very little time for extra professional development, let alone reading long newsletters. Our goal with the current design was to create a newsletter that had bite-sized content, smaller feature articles, bold graphics and illustrations, and the ability to double as a poster that could potentially be hung in the teacher's lounge, above the staff Xerox machine, or in a teacher's classroom. Tabloid sized that folds open to a 17" x 22" was dictated by the need to transform the newsletter into a poster. 4. The main challenge was switching newsletter formats and using a two-color design.
Product, System
Agency/Client - Spaeth Hill
For Spaeth Hill’s inaugural holiday season, we gifted clients, partners and friends custom-designed wrapping paper. It allows us to connect with our community before the New Year, showcase our design and print sensibility, and share a practical, seasonal gift. Our designs were inspired by the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century, a period associated with new ideas, craftsmanship, and the promise of a vibrant future. It was the perfect theme to draw from to celebrate Spaeth Hill’s first, official year of business This set of three features our Piet, Ladyfingers, and Sunburst textiles. Each is printed on metallic paper to echo the prominence of opulence and luxurious materials like pearl and marble that marked Art Deco designs. Piet acts as the first paper in the series, drawing from the precursor minimalist perspective of Art Deco, with Ladyfingers and Sunburst showcasing a fully mainstream and traditional Deco design.
🏆 Judge’s Choice Winner - Irina Blok
🏆 Judge’s Choice Winner - Matthew Manos
🏆 Design For Good Winner
Product
Agency - Humans Who Play
follies is a building toy that works as a low-cost alternative to playgrounds. Connect the pieces to create life-size structures for indoor and outdoor play. Children can hide, run around, and even make their own games in the creations they build.
follies was born out of a belief that all children, no matter where they live and who their parents are, have the undeniable right to play. Play that is active, creative, and equitable. Designed to address the alarming global decline in play, especially within low-income communities, we have designed a low cost and wildly creative alternative to playgrounds. With pilots run in refugee camps in Greece, a partnership with UNESCO, and soon with the Homeless Children's Playtime Project in Washington, DC, Follies is a commercial toy that dares to have a social impact mission.
Design: Chloe Varelidi
Packaging: Ryan Mather
Experience: Gillan Johnson
Photography: Steve Goldberg
Manufacturing: CCMI
Compliance: Bill Baxter
Campaign
Agency - U.Group
Client - National Law Enforcement Museum (NLEM)
The newly opened National Law Enforcement Museum (NLEM) needed to throw its hat in the ring to compete for the attention of visitors to Washington, DC. To help the NLEM stand out from so many other museums in the city’s downtown area, U.Group developed a campaign spun-off from the popular True Crime genre which they called, True Law. True Law purposely flew in the face of cultural tendencies to retell iconic crime stories with a focus on the perpetrators, not the law enforcement officers, who sought justice. With bold images of history’s most notorious crime bosses like Al Capone juxtaposed next to heroes like Eliott Ness, the federal agent who brought his reign of terror to an end, True Law aligned historical storytelling with important aspects of the Museum’s mission. The media plan targeted household decision-makers planning trips to Washington, DC through digital and out-of-home media channels.
Jeff Walter - Creative Director
Justin McCarthy - Copywriter
Michael Brophy - Motion Designer
Series, System
Agency - General Design Co.
Client - Right Proper Brewing Co.
The craft beer movement is experiencing a renaissance, and with that comes the challenge of standing out in a crowded field of packaging. Ranging from cluttered, noisy labels to high-concept cans with arty appeal but no brand recognition, our goal was to create distinction for Right Proper Brewing Co. Its previous packaging relied on obscure references and highlighted the name of the beers rather than the brand name. Our strategy was to maximize the visibility of the brand name, minimize the number of colors per can to contrast against the colorful competition, and to draw on custom patterns that playfully hint at the beer inspiration. Working within the same framework as new flavors are introduced builds familiarity and brand awareness as Right Proper expands its market reach with three more cans already on the way.
Creative/Art Director: Soung Wiser
Designers: Michael McDermott, Ioana Balasa
🏆 Best-In-Show Winner
Campaign
Agency - Design Army
Client - Hong Kong Ballet
Watch Hong Kong Ballet 40th Anniversary Season Brand Video
In 2018 a new artistic director took the helm of Hong Kong Ballet, facing dwindling membership, a lack of brand clarity, a city in turmoil, and perceptions that ballet was for the elite. After successfully redefining the brand last year, our goal for its 40th anniversary was to establish the Hong Kong Ballet as a national institution and reach new audiences. The brand campaign reaches a new audience in Hong Kong with the message that The Ballet is for all. We blended traditional and pop-culture colors, tutus and street clothes, Chinese opera-inspired and contemporary makeup, and iconic Hong Kong landmarks to celebrate The Ballet’s heritage and spirit of innovation. Earned media exploded, with coverage from local, national, and international publications. Our work helped increase subscriptions by 33%, and elevated Hong Kong Ballet’s position as a premier cultural institution in Hong Kong and one of the most vital ballets in the world.
Individual Piece, System
Agency - Spaeth Hill
Client - Born & Raised, formerly Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill
Formerly Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill, Born & Raised approached Spaeth Hill with the goal of launching a new identity. The restaurant owners wanted to improve and elevate the overall look and feel of the brand without losing its casual and local charm. To achieve this, we grounded our design in honest and sincere concepts, inspired by woodcut illustrations and bold, rustic typography that paid homage to Virginia’s history and heritage. With these themes in mind, we developed a new mark, reminiscent of vintage spirit labels, and gave the restaurant a new mascot: Oliver (Ollie for short), based on the Virginia state dog, the American Foxhound. Finally, custom wooden dinner and drink menu boards, branded by hand, give an artisanal, handmade touch.
Art Direction/Design: Nathan Hill
Design: Zakk Waleko
Printing: Chip Peyton for Clark’s Litho
🏆 Judge’s Choice - Maurice Cherry
Product
Agency - Journey Group
Client - United States Postal Service
The objective was to create a stamp pane to mark the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, when in 1869, at the "Golden Pike Ceremony" two rail lines, one from the west and one from the east, were joined in what is considered one of the greatest achievements of the 19th century. The designer could not use the likenesses of people from the actual event so he decided to reflect the esthetic of the time with painterly illustrations of the two locomotives using traditional, 19th-century oil painting techniques. The typographer built the art in the center stamp and most of the text for the pane from scratch, using century-old ephemera as art reference and his custom filigree. The stamp designs were widely praised. In less than nine months more than 85% of the stamps were sold.
Art Director: Greg Breeding
Designer: Greg Breeding
Artist: Michael J. Deas
Typographer: Kevin Cantrell
Creative Director: William J. Gicker
System
Agency - General Design Co.
Client - Salty Pork Bits
Our goal was to create an identity that captures Chef Justin Severino’s whimsical personality and introduces Salty Pork Bits to an audience of meat fans and foodies across the nation. These high-quality cured meats defy the norm with careful sourcing, unique techniques, and surprising flavor combinations. To set the brand apart from the landscape of traditionally cured meat products we veered away from an old-world aesthetic with playful illustrations of our pig protagonist going about his daily life. The various illustrated vignettes can be expanded upon as new product lines and flavors are introduced. By establishing a tone that this brand isn’t your typical salami and charcuterie, we’re creating an expectation that you’re in for a treat— and prepare to be delighted.
Creative/Art Director: Soung Wiser
Designer: An Ly
Production: Matt Batista
Individual Piece
Agency - Spaeth Hill
Client - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
In 2020, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) launched its new strategic plan to introduce their new CEO’s vision for the organization and guide the Foundation’s work over the next five years. CFF worked with Spaeth Hill to produce a mailer to announce this launch to its community and stakeholders with the goal of creating a unique and memorable mailer that stands-out. The design pulls from and references map vernacular and fold-out atlases to reflect the new ground the Foundation is charting in their history. Expressive typography, aspirational messaging, and topography-inspired textures reinforce these themes and clearly communicate CFF’s goals for the next five years. With a custom envelope, fold-out, and pop-out poster, not only is the piece engaging and interactive, but it reflects the message of community: many parts coming together to form a stronger whole.
Art Direction: Nathan Hill
Design: Chris Tait
Project Management: Jay White
Printing: Chip Peyton for Clark’s Litho
Individual Piece
Agency - O2 Lab, Inc.
Client - Washington Lawyers’ Committee
For more than 50 years, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee has been at the forefront of civil rights work, fighting discrimination, repairing the damage of historic racial inequity, and breaking down barriers to opportunity. O2 Lab created a case for support booklets to communicate the Committee’s important story to prospective donors and volunteers in the organization’s 50th year. With vintage and new black and white photography, dramatic modern typography, and a retro-inspired limited color palette, we created a high-impact piece that honored the organization’s history while communicating the urgency of their work in the present day. An oversized, somewhat heavy-stock format helped communicate the gravity and substance of the content.
Creative Director Robert - McVearry
Art Directors - Sara Sklaroff and Robert McVearry
Designers - Sara Sklaroff, Nora Mosley, Fred Lameck
Writer - Impact Communications, Inc.
Printer - Worth Higgins & Associates, Inc.
Campaign
Agency - Design Army
Client - Neenah
It had been seven years since Neenah Paper last updated their iconic series of classic papers, Neenah Classic. It was time for a facelift. Moving the brand from past to future, meant more than a simple redesign. For more than one year, we went into research and development, diving into the process of paper-making and going back throughout history for a comprehensive color study. Rather than focusing on product alone, for this concept, we introduce NEENAH CLASSIC as away of thinking. Drawing inspiration from our exploration of color, we recognized a connection to the surreal worlds created by Dali and Magritte, and to the digital realm in which we live today. The collective efforts saw an increase in orders and created chatter across Neenah Paper’s social profiles. Instagram followers alone grew by 78% in under two months with a 167% increase in engagement.
System
Agency - Disciple
Client - Capitol Cider House
Jared Fackrell was starting a cider bar and brewery from scratch. He needed an identity system that could stand out in the crowded bar scene in DC. The cider scene was starting to grow and they wanted to make sure Capitol Cider House could carve its own path, in business, and with its identity system. Solution: I developed a custom typeface for the logo using a combination of angular serifs and cropped letters to emulate the geometry of DC's city grid. After developing the logotype and apple mark we continued to explore a design language based on three colors and simple geometric shapes. The result was a modular system that could be rearranged to build murals, cider cans, matches, menus, social graphics, and a very cool website.
Creative Director, Illustrator, Designer: Paul Dunbar
Web Developer, lead Interactive designer: Dan Rader
Mural: Paul Dunbar
Design, Illustration:
Painted by: No Kings Collective
Individual Piece
Agency/Client - GRAPHEK
Each year GRAPHEK creates a holiday gift intended to thank clients and have an opportunity to showcase our creativity. We aim to work in a new medium each year to learn new techniques and get a chance to break out of our typical print process. For our 2018 promo, we wanted to explore the art of risography and develop a series of lighthearted, humorous ‘FYI’ postcards that shared an innocuous moment from the sender’s day and on the back listed ways to avoid the situation. As a team effort, each member worked on a postcard to showcase their humor and range of illustration styles without compromising the overall cohesiveness. Risography challenged us to figure out a way to accurately convey our vision using only two sets of colors before the cards went to print. Overall, the results were a success, and we received positive feedback from our clients.
Creative Director: Ellen Kim
Senior Designer: Sarah Erikson
Designers: Christina Davies, Jeremy Caruso, Sonia Richardson, Hayley McMillon
Printer: Risolve
Campaign
Agency - U.Group
Client - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) wanted to raise public awareness around the dangers of shipping common household items that are hazardous materials. Through the use of personification, U.Group brought life to the otherwise torpid topic of shipping protocols. Hazardous Matt is a friend who ventures alongside you to the post office and reminds you to CHECK THE BOX if you plan to ship something potentially flammable or explosive. U.Group ran a six-week digital campaign focused on three states: Texas, California, and Illinois. These states were jointly-selected by PHMSA and U.Group based on the Department of Transportation incident reports and market research. The campaign received more than nine million impressions and almost 21,000 clicks to the CHECK THE BOX landing page.
Jesse Kirsch - Art Director
Justin McCarthy - Copywriter
Michael Brophy - Motion Designer
Individual Piece
Agency - Spaeth Hill
Client - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Working with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Spaeth Hill was engaged to redesign the organization’s traditional annual report format and present a serious and pressing health topic with an energetic and optimistic tone. Additionally, it was important to celebrate the milestones and achievements of the Foundation and look towards their upwards trajectory. We started with the Foundation’s tagline, “Stronger Together,” to build on the concept of community, humanity, and a journey forward. We incorporated handwritten quotes to reflect the community of CF patients and their families and loved ones. The use of full-page spreads helps to pace the overall design and content of the report. Finally, the cover has interactive fold-outs that reveal the “Stronger Together” tagline, reinforcing the positive messaging that guides the work of the Foundation every day.
Art Direction: Nathan Hill
Design: Zakk Waleko
Printing: Chip Peyton for Clark’s Litho
System
Agency - General Design Co.
Client - Grazie Grazie
To create the brand identity for an Italian sandwich shop geared towards a downtown, urban audience, we took a contemporary approach for a friendly and lighthearted personality. The name of the concept translates to “Thank You Thank You,” and is connected deeply to the chef’s hospitality approach, not only to customers but also to his staff. We wanted his practice of gratitude to balance with the bold personality of the shop, which resulted in creating a logotype reminiscent of spray-painted graffiti tags and a surprising color palette with neon green, black, and white. The green was chosen as a nod to the Italian flag but keeping red out of the picture ensured the identity avoids cliches. Various line illustrations as well as a family of playful custom Gs were created to keep the brand identity dynamic, bold, and interesting.
Creative Director: Soung Wiser
Art Director/Designer: Lillian Ling
Production: Matt Batista
Product
Agency - Spur
Client - United States Postal Service
The task was to design U.S. stamps to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education. The challenge was to choose elements that best represent the complexity and interconnectedness of the four STEM disciplines in a one¬inch space. The designer used collage as the illustrating technique to portray four androgynous people thinking about an array of visual items that suggest the breadth of their discipline. The design was created to communicate to both scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, and also to children and adults interested in STEM Education. The beginning letter of the word of each discipline was included on each of the four stamps to further emphasize the word STEM when seen as a pane or strip of four. The stamps were well received by their intended audience--both the professional STEM communities and also children and adults interested in STEM Education.
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá
Designer: Dave Plunkert
Artist: Dave Plunkert
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá
Creative Director: William J. Gicker
Product, System
Agency/Client - Spaeth Hill
Each holiday season, to say thank you to clients, partners, and friends of the studio, Spaeth Hill designs and prints custom wrapping paper. For the 2019 season, our wrapping paper features our latest textile, Kelly, which was designed and developed with inspiration from the artistic process of the painter of the same name, Ellsworth Kelly. In particular, we drew from his method of cutting and rearranging paper pieces—taking one thing and turning it into something new. The wrapping paper set comes in three, each featuring a differently-sized pattern and each printed on a different paper. After seeing our designs, Neenah Paper donated each of the papers we used. We printed on pearl finish, off-white finish and translucent vellum paper in order to play with and interpret standard stationery, like wrapping paper and make it unique and different from what you will find at the department store.
Art Direction: Nathan Hill
Design: Chase Shewbridge
Project Management: Jay White
Printing: Chip Peyton for Clark’s Litho
Product
Agency - Journey Group
Client - United States Postal Service
The purpose of this project was to design a group of postage stamps featuring dragons that would appeal to stamp collectors and fans of dragon folklore. The illustrator had to compose each dragon around the simple shape of the stamp, playing off of the small rectangular constraints. Another challenge was to create a range of dragons existing in different environments without referencing specific tales. European folklore inspired the dragons on two stamps: The purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor snakes around a castle that evokes Camelot. The green fire-breathing dragon towers over a medieval-inspired castle. The black dragon swoops past a ship on the sea—an example of the array of draconian beasts found in the world. The orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda is inspired by creatures in Asian art, architecture, and folk religion. In printing, orange-foiled highlights were added to create a fire-like glint.
Art Director: Greg Breeding
Designer: Greg Breeding
Artist: Don Clark
Typographer: Don Clark
Creative Director: William J. Gicker
Individual Piece
Agency - Beyond Definition
Client - Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building has not been used since 2004. With a plan to reopen for The Future Project exhibit, the Smithsonian needed a flexible identity with a dual-purpose logo that served the needs of both fundraising and promoting The Future Project’s mission to showcase the world’s most innovative technologies and views on where our species is headed. In addition, the identity needed to fit into the Smithsonian brand family. Both versions of the logo use a simplified interpretation of the building’s architecture to create a contemporary mark, accompanied by each of the names typeset in a clean, technical font. The Arts + Industries Building logo depicts the building’s exterior in isometric view, while The Future Project logo shows the same perspective but with the roof off, revealing the exhibit’s interior space. The color palette and gradient effect has a vibrant feel as if shining light on the future.
Director of Brand Strategy: Alex Blair
Creative Director & Designer, Jen Fose
Individual Piece
Agency - Design Army
Client - Neenah
For the Neenah Design Collection project, we were asked to rebrand and redesign their line of premium papers targeted to designers and be more competitive in markets such as New York. We designed a promotional piece that was used as a source of inspiration and provide educational information. Design Principles drove the concept and included examples like harmony, variety, and texture on a series of round “cards.” The set of 20 cards are housed in a small black box. Each highlights the different capabilities of the product and shows the papers’ performance by using a wide variety of printing techniques; from letterpress to silkscreen, to die-cut and scoring. Its great success was followed by the next phase, translating Design Principles to social media. After six weeks of the Instagram takeover, we saw an 8.4% increase in followers with 10.7% coming from New York and 81% growth in engagement.
Event
Agency - Rockets are Red
Client - Idles
Series of three 18x24, three-color screenprints on French White Paper for sale and advertising. The Idles is a post-punk band from the UK that writes cathartic anthems challenging toxic masculinity and oppression in society be it racism, xenophobia, or misogyny. The posters were used to promote their shows in Baltimore and DC. The inspiration for the sets is from their song "Colossus" - "I'm like Stone Cold Steve Austin, I put homophobes in coffins. I'm like Evel Kneival, I break bones for my people. I'm like Ted DiBease, I win no matter what it costs me." The lyrics reference the portrayal of "manly men" who act in a toxic manner but are personally progressive - Austin is an open supporter of gay rights, Kneival put on a show of strength and invincibility but was often broken, and DiBaise played a millionaire in-ring but was a philanthropist outside.
Jeffrey Everett - Art Direction / Design / Illustration
Screen Printing by Triple Stamp Press
Event
Agency - Polygraph
Client - National Portrait Gallery
Celebrating 50 years, the National Portrait Gallery hosted the “Face Forward → Artist Party” to honor the many artists who have contributed to portraiture in America. With prominent artists and supporters in attendance, we designed an ink-less, prism-foiled invite that poetically welcomes each recipient to see their own reflection.
Individual Piece
Agency - O2 Lab, Inc.
Client - Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP
Each year, the law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer asks O2 Lab to create a holiday card to nurture engagement with clients and other business associates. Our challenge each time is to create a new and memorable piece that communicates the breadth and depth of the firm’s expertise. Our 2018 card uses original surrealist illustrations to cleverly incorporate both winter themes and WBK practice areas (energy, telecom, trademark, and other tech-related fields): A lightbulb is also a snowglobe enclosing a wintry scene (circled by drones acting like moths); a child blows a pinwheel that’s actually a wind turbine; ice skaters circle a pond that on second glance turns out to be a tablet, and a baker makes trademark cupcakes and copyright cookies as registration mark snowflakes fall outside her kitchen window. We chose a traditional print accordion-fold card that could be easily displayed and enjoyed.
Creative Director - Robert McVearry
Art Directors - Sara Sklaroff and Robert McVearry
Designers - Sara Sklaroff, Nora Mosley, Fred Lameck
Writers - Jennifer Kolansky and Robert McVearry
Illustrator - Sara Sklaroff
Printer - C & R Printing, Inc.
Individual Piece
Agency - Ultra Studio
Client - AARP
In an ongoing collaboration with AARP’s international division, we built on the editorial direction begun in 2018 for their annual publication The Journal. The challenge once again was to help them appeal to a broader audience in addition to their demographic of global thought leaders and policymakers. For the 2019 edition, we examined the story of aging in the Netherlands through design and visual narratives. Working with AARP, we planned and executed the editorial content, a challenge that involved capturing images and stories on the ground in the Netherlands for a month. The design, palette, typography, and illustrations all reflect Dutch sensibilities and were inspired by the rich tradition of Dutch art and design. The second printed publication in the newly redesigned series, this edition further cemented AARP’s role as a world leader in population aging issues and was so in demand that the organization needed to order a reprint.
Individual Piece
Agency - Spaeth Hill
Client - äntrepō, a Spaeth Hill project
The Experiment Poster is a self-initiated, studio project and part of our äntrepō series, which celebrates experimental design and examines the intersection of graphic design and art. This limited edition poster design commemorates the 1923 exhibition of Haus am Horn – a house built to showcase experimentation and exploration. Many of the design principles this exhibition represent ultimately influenced the international style of architecture as we know it now. These ideas are represented in the poster, utilizing expressive typography, with the message of “Experiment” reflecting the design approach of the 1923 house. It is printed on silver metallic paper in blue, black, and a spot of yellow.
Art Direction/Design: Nathan Hill
Printing: Chip Peyton for Clark’s Litho
Series
Agency/Client - National Geographic Society
Intended audience: NatGeo employees, NatGeo fellows, and basecamp visitors.
Goals and objectives: Nat Geo's headquarters (basecamp) is a metaphor for planet earth. The project theme is geospatial locations, navigation, mapping, and storytelling. The goal was how to tell NatGeo's stories throughout their basecamp workspaces as an experiential branded experience. Experiential/environmental graphics and built objects were designed and installed throughout NatGeo basecamp. Elevation themes/stories were utilized in the elevator lobbies. Custom topographic wood forms were designed for the elevator lobbies. Latitude themes/stories were designed on each floor in the inner core areas. Each meeting room has a designated story. A wayfinding signage system was designed which included neighborhoods to denote departments, and stairwell graphics. Mapping rooms and quote walls were integrated into the spaces.
Challenges were combining NatGeo classic branding with Further branding, and PhotoArk branding. Challenges were also curating which stories to tell in the lexicon of NatGeo stories.
PROJECT TEAM:
Alan Parente, Vice President, Creative, and Creative Director, National Geographic Society
Allison Farber, Project Manager and Research, National Geographic Society
Peter Greenbaum, Copywriter and Research
Francheska Guerrero, Senior Experiential Brand Designer
Elena Cheney, Senior Experiential Brand Designer
Bic Vu, Senior Experiential Brand Designer
Carol King Woodward, Manager of Visual Communications, National Geographic Society
Rolf Sjogren, Senior Photo Editor, Creative, National Geographic Society
Jeff Thomas, Production Manager, National Geographic Society
Photographers: National Geographic Society photographers
Production: EPI Colorspace, C2Imaging
Individual Piece
Agency - Teal Media
Client - CARE USA
Visit news.care.org
Journalists, CARE supporters, and people interested in lifting up the stories of women and girls from around the globe. Goals were to create a visually engaging and flexible design system and back end that make it easy for CARE staff to add new content and layouts over time, with the ultimate goal of highlighting CARE's work and engaging new individuals. The client reports the site is easy to use and engaging new users! CARE wanted wide exposure for this work, so we decided to opt for a digital solution. Because the site is designed to be used around the globe, we optimized the design components for the mobile experience, since not everyone has access to desktops. Because the site is always growing, we were challenged to create a system that is cohesive, yet still flexible enough to accommodate CARE's growing and changing needs.
Aruna Mall; Creative Director
Ryan Co; Lead Designer
Jason Yovanoff; Lead Developer
Jessica Teal; Principal
Teal Media; Project design and development
Bailey Seitter, CARE; Digital Producer
CARE USA; client
Animation, Individual Piece
Agency - Duke & Duck
Client - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; National Academies
Dealing with addiction is almost impossibly hard, and we wanted to present a real-life experience of someone affected by opioid use disorder (OUD) to get past the stigma that most people carry into any conversation about treating OUD with medications, such as the incorrect assumption that people are only switching from one drug to another. We needed to make it clear that treatment with medications for OUD is effective and saves lives, and that improving access to these medications is essential in our fight against the opioid epidemic. We wanted people to be inspired by connecting to one mother’s story in the fight against OUD — both the policymakers and public health officials who are in a position to influence addiction treatment policy and programs, and people who are experiencing addiction along with their loved ones. We chose an animation approach and used archival audio of testimony from our narrator to strike the balance between this one personal story and the larger policy implications. Because this is such a personal story, we were drawn to an illustrative approach to help strike an emotional chord for this vulnerable narrative.
Creative Development: Duke & Duck
Creative Director: Alex Herder
Production Manager: Tarisa Shelton
Art Director: Katie Trayte
Animators: Victor Verdugo, Dave Ellington
Sound Design: Chris Mastellone
Campaign
Agency - De Los Angeles Studio
In a new video from When We All Vote, the national nonpartisan organization Michelle Obama launched in 2018 in order to increase voter participation in all elections, the former First Lady enlisted some celebrity friends to explain why it’s so important. I was enlisted by the When We All Vote team to realize the #VotingSquad announcement video. The production had a strong emphasis on a squad of superheroes, much like the Marvel Universe. To feature 13 celebrities in different locations and time zones, in the US to have a unified voice. My challenge was to ensure a consistent layout of the talking heads, maintain uniformity with the graphics and transitions through the spot. Enlisted Tracie Ching for Illustrations of the Co-Chairs and Poster. This was a rollout video intended to garner interest/hype to get volunteers. The video has gotten over 2.5 million likes across social media.
Event
Agency - Rockets are Red
Client - Expo Lucha / Masked Republic
Lucha Libre is the colorful, vibrant, high-energy sport of professional wrestling from Mexico. It embraces history, heritage, pageantry, heroes and villains, and the ever-present masked luchador! Expo Lucha is the only Lucha convention to bring together this many luchador in one place for a weekend of wrestling, low riders, meet and greets, and bowling! Yes, bowling.
We created graphics to promote the event and the Lucha Bowl! They are vibrant, weird, funny, sexy, colorful, and sum up the Expo Lucha experience fully. I wanted to elevate the design from stereotypical, cliche, chunky pieces that typify demolition derby and redneck parties. Instead of pure aggression; fun and humor were introduced. A more elegant type solution and playful color palette bring a taste of sophistication to a typical low-class affair.
Jeffrey Everett - Art Direction / Design / Illustration
Kevin Kleinrock - Art Direction
Campaign
Agency - Design Army
Client - Spoken English
We were approached by Chef Erik Bruner Yang to provide creative direction and develop a brand identity for his restaurant Spoken English. The concept is aesthetically inspired by the idea of Ametora–a Japanese ideal that cherishes the American Ivy League prep style. Inspired by the idea of merging East and West, we took inspiration from Japanese and Chinese art from the era of 1970s funk to create a playful and vibrant identity. Spoken English has become one of the hottest spots in the city, with the custom wallpaper and funky graphics a favorite of patrons to share on social media. The restaurant has garnered a long waitlist and the brand has become a buzz-worthy topic of conversation within D.C.’s dining scene, both online and in real life.
Campaign, Series
Agency - Polygraph
Client - Maryland Institute College of Art
The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), one of the nation's premier art and design schools, asked us to revision their suite of collateral brochures for prospective students, each highlighting a different degree track. Our goal in reinventing these four pieces was to create a set that was unified but with each recognizably distinct from one another. We also wanted to create a depth of experience where the reader had a chance to discover individual alumni and not just a top-level introduction to each program track. The oversized trifold is packed with imagery and information that celebrates the breadth of MICA creatives working in the field and the reach of the network in a variety of disciplines.
Campaign, Product
Agency - NJI Media
Client - The First Five Years Fund
NJI Media was approached by FFYF, The First Five Years Fund, to redesign their website and refresh their brand identity. This redesign was aimed at lobbyists, representatives, and media outlets on both a national and state-by-state level who focused on young childhood care and education. Although FFYF were attached to their original logo, we convinced them that a redesign would increase brand recognition, solidify their brand identity, and support their mission. We transformed their original logo, five separate circles, into vibrant and playful shapes that combined to form their new logo. We carried over this playful and energetic design philosophy to their new website. The simultaneous debut of new branding and a redesigned website immediately translated to positive user experiences. Google Analytics showed a decrease in bounce rates, an increase in time on site, and due to increased SEO, the redesign led to a resurgence in funding for the organization.
Campaign
Agency - FleishmanHillard
Client - The National Pork Producers Council
Please visit PorkOClock.org
Mexico and Canada make up two of the largest export markets for U.S. pork products. In the Fall of 2019, The National Pork Producers Council needed to reinforce the importance of ratifying the U.S.–Mexico–Canada trade agreement (USMCA).
To do this, we highlighted the importance of pork in North America by creating a campaign celebrating cultural traditions centered around pork. ‘It's Pork O'Clock Somewhere' broke through the monotony with a loud, playful, and positive social voice. We simply thanked lawmakers for making the USMCA a priority and directed them to PorkOClock.org to learn more.
Within three months of launching ‘It’s Pork O’Clock Somewhere,’ the USMCA was successfully passed.
Client: Jim Monroe, Rachel Gantz, Chloe Carson
Creative Director: Marc Dionne
Designers: Rin Rothback, Daniel Nicolelis, Anna Bradsher
Content: Laurencia Duran
Social Strategy: Arman Belding
Account Lead: Michael Moroney
Campaign
Agency - Three Ring Studio
Client - CulturalDC
Art enthusiasts, DC Metro Area community, tourists. CulturalDC wanted a zine-like nontraditional brochure that could double as a poster. This piece, combined with individual 12-page exhibition brochures would be used to promote their mobile arts program for the 2019-2020 season. Given the diverse work of the artists, we needed to create a look and feel that could be used to visually tie the art together across print and digital materials. Print brochures and posters were created as take-home pieces that gallery visitors could keep as a memento or promote via word of mouth. Presenting the diverse work of the artists in a coherent fashion. Creating a half-fold accordion brochure with a design that works seamlessly across folds.
Event
Agency - Rockets are Red
Client - Garageland / Jawbreaker
Four-color screenprint on White French Paper used for advertising and merchandise. The poster is based on the deeply personal and revealing lyrics along with memories from when these songs first came out in the '90s. The illustration reflects the inability to speak and get the words right, being asked to call and the person never picking up and wanting to think the best of a person who isn't there anymore - the death of an ideal.
There is a misperception that concert posters rely on the band name to be successful. That a designer can slap anything down and as long as the band name is on it it will sell. With the overabundance of merch, a poster has to be personal and meaningful and represent a deeper understanding of the band to be a piece that people not only purchase but hang in their home and treasure.
Jeffrey Everett - Art Direction / Design / Illustration
Lou Medrano - Art Direction
Screen Printing by Garageland
Event, Individual Piece
Agency – American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Client – American Geophysical Union
Eos, AGU's member magazine, covers news and perspectives about Earth and space sciences. December 2019 was the culmination of our year-long Centennial and our annual Fall Meeting, attended by 30,000 scientists.
Eos’s December issue featured 10 unique covers that, when placed together create a full illustration. The illustration featured iconography of each field Eos covered during the Centennial year, drawn together as a “100.” In addition to the 10 unique covers, the illustration was included as a poster tipped into each issue, and as displays at the conference.
The motivations behind this decision were to give our members a collectible piece at the culmination of the Centennial year, but also have the illustration be inclusive enough they could see themselves (or their science) represented. The biggest challenge for the project was ensuring the illustration could successfully stand on its own and once divided into 10 individual covers.
Illustration: Ellen Schofield
Art Direction/Graphic Design: Beth Bagley
Editor-in-Chief: Heather Goss
Production: Faith Ishii and Melissa Tribur
Printer: Lane Press, Inc.
Campaign
Agency - U.Group
Client - National Law Enforcement Museum (NLEM)
We often hear that Millennials prefer experiences to things. To entice the city's young professionals to visit the National Law Enforcement Museum (NLEM), U.Group developed an immersive exhibit which they named, Crimes UnCased. The experience offered Museum-goers the chance to put their crime-solving skills to the test to win $25,000. Upon entering the Museum, visitors were given a “case file” introducing them to the Queen of Diamonds, a fictitious criminal whose identity along with her anonymous crew could only be revealed by combing the Museum’s several hundred other exhibits. When a visitor succeeded in discovering the true identities of the Queen and her partners in crime, they were entered in a drawing for the chance to heist some dough themselves. The experience ran for 10 weeks and was teased to target audiences through a digital advertising campaign and influencer marketing which turned DC’s hottest lifestyle influencers into brand ambassadors.
Jeff Walter - Creative Director
Jesse Kirsch - Art Director
Justin McCarthy - Copywriter
Zaid White - Interactive Art Director
Charlie Feinerman - Strategist
Michael Brophy - Motion Designer
Individual Piece, Series
Agency - Cory Bernat, Good Potato LLC
Client - Sol Schott, ACME Pie Co.
When the owner of ACME Pie Co. began turning a former wine bar into a bakery cafe in Arlington VA, he asked if I could do anything with the fabric-covered sound panels already hanging in the space. He requested a WPA-style aesthetic, which aligned with our shared love of working with one's hands. I applied my interest in collage, design history, and thoughtful re-use to the 4' x 8' panels. I studied Lester Beall for inspiration and researched WPA photographs. One panel includes an original photo of the owner on the vintage motorcycle he uses to deliver pies! I designed, installed, and painted the panels in about a week in March 2019. In the short time it's been open, many online reviewers have commented on the "nice atmosphere" and the "well decorated" space. I've met designers who know these murals but didn't know who made them—my favorite type of introduction!
Creative Direction + Research + Design + Installation: Cory Bernat, GOOD POTATO LLC, @1goodpotato
Event Poster
Agency - Rockets are Red
Client - AIGA DC
This poster was created to advertise and to be sold at this AIGA DC event featuring Roman Mars (99% Invisible) and local punk legend/web guru Bill Barbot (Jawbox/ThreeSpot respectively). The intent was to contrast the stiff monuments and government feel with the vibrant punk aesthetic that permeates the DC underground. The "liberty spikes" of the mohawk are Washington Monuments. The texture overtop the skull is an old map of DC; the skull is about to swallow a bitter pill which is placed over the Trump Whitehouse... another nod to how DC punk is personal AND political. Lastly, the type treatment is hand created on an old photocopier - crinkled and manipulated to be unique AND includes a small DC Flag.
Credits
Art Direction / Design / Illustration by Jeffrey Everett
Screen Printing by Triple Stamp Press
Agency - O2 Lab, Inc.
Client - Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP
Each year, the law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer asks O2 Lab to create a holiday card to nurture engagement with clients and other business associates. Our challenge each time is to create a new and memorable piece that communicates the breadth and depth of the firm’s expertise. Our 2019 card is
a gift that keeps on giving: a set of fun gift tags that recipients could in turn use on their own gifts. The tags feature striking typography and playful compliments related to the firm’s practice areas (energy, telecom, trademark, and other tech-related fields): “You’ve got the best energy,” “I would trademark that smile,” “I’m always tuned in to you,” “I don’t wanna drone on and on, but you’re pretty great,” “I’d go mobile to see you again,” “You tower above the rest,” “You’re the GIF that keeps on giving,” “Our friendship is like a password. It’s hard to break.”
Creative Director: Robert McVearry
Art Directors: Sara Sklaroff and Robert McVearry
Designers: Nora Mosley, Sara Sklaroff, Fred Lameck
Writers: Robert McVearry, Sara Sklaroff, Nora Mosley, Fred Lameck
Printer: Worth Higgins & Associates, Inc.
Product
Agency - Rockets are Red
Client - Revelation Records / Battery
Vinyl record design for second-wave DC hardcore legends Battery as they release a compilation of their decade spanning recordings. Their music is raw, gritty, aggressive with lyrics that are uplifting and compassionate; songs about friendship, perseverance, the joys and challenges of fatherhood, and the grind of daily life and the struggle for community.
The illustration is based on the local DC landmark "The Exorcist Stairs." Long thought of as a symbol of horror, the band wanted to show the positive aspects of the locations as a treasured meeting spot for friends and a beautiful view of the river. This echos the message and theme of the music - compassion, gratitude, community in the face of adversity and expectations.
Credits
Jeffrey Everett
Art Direction / Design / Illustration
Digital Product
Agency - Threespot
Client - CompTIA
CompTIA, a leading IT association, approached Threespot to develop a digital resource that would help 18-to-24 year-olds learn about emerging technologies with the end goal that more would consider pursuing careers in technology. As a new digital product without authority in the space, we elected to prioritize developing a content-driven experience that includes a range of videos, interactives, quizzes, data visualizations, and more, with the intent of creating a tool that allows users to truly explore the world of tech as they see fit. All of these content pieces are unified under the name Future of Tech, with a visual identity that centers trustworthiness and playfulness. Future of Tech launched at the end of June 2019 with five topic areas, receiving top marks for accessibility and performance. Threespot is continuing to work with CompTIA on the creation of seven more topics, each with dedicated video content and interactives.
Jack Nank - Producer
Elizabeth Barth - Creative Director
Spence Nelson - Associate Creative Director, Animation
Megan Lewin-Smith - Designer
Meryl Pritchett - User Experience Designer
Liz Lord - Digital Analyst
Bret Caples - Digital Analyst
Ted Whitehead - Front End Development
Mat Brady - Front End Development
Lewis Francis - QA Testing
Green Buzz - Video Production
Stephanie Morgan - Client, CompTIA
Eric Larson - Client, CompTIA
System
Agency - Polygraph
Client - DRYY
Total Cleaners, a veteran DC dry cleaner, came to us with a true identity problem. Though they had great service, a strong history, and formidable reach, they were being outshined by trendier start-ups. We crafted a new identity, Dryy Garment Care, that reflects the company’s straight-forward promises of quality but also has the attitude to stand-out boldly in a crowded field of competitors. The new brand boasts a smart and cheeky voice, a timeless signature color palette, custom lifestyle photography, and a punchy pattern of iconic laundry elements geared toward young professionals. With services that range from brick and mortar to delivery experience to drop and go lockers, we built an identity system that can be tailored to every touchpoint. The result? Dryy has received high praise from their clients and is becoming instantly recognizable throughout the region all while growing their stake in the DMV laundry market.
