ArtShare, ILY and more

With Facebook, Twitter and other SM it seems the good old-fashioned blog is passe. It's been almost 6 months since I wrote anything...

So much has happened since then. We've landed a major project with a healthcare system, almost officially launched our ArtShare program and my website photography, invite and announcement biz, www.ilyweddings.com.

ArtShare is probably my most exciting venture. We've partnered with Art With a Heart to help completely rebrand their organization. Our brand strategy phase is completed and it's time to start developing collateral materials. Local Jacksonville designers have already stepped up to the plate to help with print materials and posters.

In January, the Cultural Council and Downtown Vision approached ArtShare with a unique project. They are launching Off the Grid, a program that fills vacant downtown spaces with budding art studios. We connected Kelly Young and David Lee to develop the corporate identity and invite materials. Look forward to official unveiling on March 18.

I'm planning a bridal fashion shoot in March at Walker's Wine Bar. Very exciting.

Tata for now!

Do photographers need branding?

Some photographers are pro-branding, agnostic or anti-branding.

This is what I find startling though. Photographers are story-tellers. A picture is worth a thousand words right? Our clients are looking to us to create images enhance our businesses, our lives. Whether the photos end up in a magazine, photo album or art gallery they become part of the visual language that represents the event, moment in time or organization. In essence, photographers create images that help define brands.

So do photographers need to develop a brand? Well, the only answer is yes, because "you can't not communicate." thx @sethgodin. There are no fence sitters.

Either you take an active role in shaping your brand, or the market will do it for you.

Came across this article, via @billyates. http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2009/12/02/photographer-branding/

It's a new brand!

Some friends of mine are offering a grant to one lucky/worthy non-profit organization.

Details and application here.

Curses Mattel!

Mac vs. PC, Democrats vs. Republicans, Quark vs. Indesign and of course the timeless battle, Arial vs. Helvetica. Can you tell the difference? I scored 19 out of 20. Duped by Mattel.

Take the quiz at Ironic Sans.

One Night Stand Hot

Harrington Design Company concepted and designed this packaging for Galore Gourmet, a purveyor of fresh, high quality foods. Believe me when I say it tastes even better than it looks. Props to Sally Hogshead for copy and consulting. Photos by ToePhoto.com

Stephanie Gets Bearded

When I first arrived to Jacksonville I met Sean Collins (On Twitter @JaxBeard) at an AIGA Cocktails and Creatives event. In the flurry of business cards and shaken hands his introduction stood out to me especially. 

“You should come out to Steamworks,” he said, “Every last Tuesday the Beardsmith Society gets together and—talks about having beards.”

Naïve little newcomer to the beach life me, I decided this was probably the coolest club/society/organization I’ve heard of in a long time. I attended my first meeting and found the crowd great and the beard competition (complete with beard and moustache naming) even better. Founder Sean Collins and I crossed paths again when we both gave Pecha Kucha speeches at MOCA Jax—me presenting my off-kilter comics and he promoting the lesser-known but passionately observed hobby of the beard.

Most recently I had the honor of participating in the Beards and Brushes Art Show here in Jacksonville. Facial hair artworks of every shape and form graced the walls of the Bogda Gallery, just as varied as the beards, just as vibrant as their creators.

Check out the gallery for yourself until the end of the month, or visit their flickr page at: PointShootEnjoy's Flickr

If you would like to hang with the Beardsmith Society, check out their new website at www.jaxbeard.com and don’t worry, if you don’t have facial hair, they provide it for you. 

Looking for a few good interns

Actually just one for now. ;-)

We're looking for a solid, responsible designer who is interested in real-world projects and portfolio development. Sure, you'll cut some boards and straighten up the office, but our interns are in the thick of it, so having good computer skills and keen design eye are a must.

You'll be involved in a mix of strategy, concept development, design and execution.

Send us something impressive to the following address:

Harrington Design Company
1301 Riverplace Blvd. Ste C10.
Jacksonville, Fl 32207

p.s. We will not respond to emailed resumes, samples or promos.

Street portraiture coming to a city near you.

I love this idea. Sure, he's not the first to do this, but it looks like a lot of fun and you can get to know some new people. I'd like to talk my friend @tmannphoto into trying this with me.

The Yoga Shoot

by Stephanie

More adventures at Harrington Design Company told in comic form! Every day, especially when I do silly things, I'm really thankful for my job and the lessons I learn. This week's lesson: don't wear heels on the beach.

Click for full sized image

See the beautiful photographs (after we got all the sand off her) here.

Acme P2 pen refills

You would think it would be easy to find pen refills for this snazzy little pen. But it's not. Maybe you'll come across this via search engine and thank me.

Anyhow. You can get them here:

http://www.go-authentic.com/pens/schmidt-8126-cap-less-system-ink-refill-rollerball-pen.html

Be sure to order the "short."

Naomi Williams as I knew her.

On July 1st, a client and friend of mine Naomi Williams, lost her battle with cancer. Years ago, I worked with Naomi as a budding wedding photographer and created her first brochure. She had only shot 3 weddings and barely had enough images to pull it off. And I had to do extensive retouching just to get them print ready.

That didn't last long. She quickly became an accomplished wedding and portrait photographer, creating some of the most beautiful images I've ever seen. Most of you know I recently started shooting weddings and I would pour over her site looking at the masterful way she handled light, composition, the moment. She had a gift for capturing the essence of her subject. I think it's because of her ability to connect with people. Her smile was instantly disarming, saying don't worry about this giant camera I'm about to point in your face. We're just having fun.

Being a wedding photographer takes it toll though. It's a demanding job and you sacrifice nights and weekends. Several months ago I received a surprise call from Naomi. She wanted to take her career in a new direction. We met at Panera and she laid out a plan that would allow her to spend more time with her family and still do what she loved. And she wanted me to help bring it to life. Recalling how challenging that first project was, I was uncertain if I wanted to go through that again. She's a perfectionist and I knew that she would push me until everything was exactly like she wanted it.

Until I saw the new photos. I was convinced. Let's do it.

But what to call this new venture? After several weeks of strategizing, designing and wrangling with her design team, Naomi's Kids was born. And like everything Naomi touches it turned to gold.

Then I received another call a few months ago. This time from Dan Burgos, a close friend of Naomi's. It was cancer. Stage 4 Melanoma. The worst kind.

How could someone so young, so health-conscious, be stricken with a terminal illness? It defies logic. There is no answer. It's not fair.

I'm grateful to have known and worked with Naomi. Most of us could only hope to live a life as full as hers. So go hug your kids if you got em and if not go hug someone else's kids. And take lots of pictures of them. It's what she would have wanted.

My cartoon debut

Here's the story of the waterspout that touched down on the St. John's River a mile from my office. (As told by my designer Stephanie)

View full size cartoon

What's happening this week.

Here's a link to my weekly eblast of creative happenings in Jacksonville, Florida.

Periodic Table of Typefaces

Just something fun my friend JP sent over. I'm sure everyone will differ on whether the ratings are accurate or fair, but if you read down in the left corner, they did a comprehensive study of other rankings, so it's a little hard to argue...