Trying a new service for managing notes

While switching from windows to mac, it's been challenging finding an equivalent to Outlook's "notes."
The new mac mail has notes, but it's not quite the same. I came across the service called Evernote. It's in beta, so I'm not putting my credit card numbers and other secure info in there. But for passwords and other stuff, this should be a fun experiment.

More amazing news. Picked up 3 Laurels.

This past Friday Harrington Design picked up 3 Laurel Awards. Best web site, best print ad and this is a real shocker, best TV commercial. (Thanks Spark!)

Awards are fine and good, I assume you all have some bling laying around the office too. What's really awesome is the reaction of our client, Rocky Morris from Engle Homes.

This clip is a video email he sent to the corporate headquarters. A proud Papa indeed.

You can see the clip here.

Cultural Council honors Harrington Design for pro-bono work

Yesterday at the Cultural Council Luncheon, Harrington Design Company received the Arts Award for the Small Business category. I was truly humbled by the experience. I mean, we've done a lot for the arts community, but standing next to Jerald Pietan, a radiologist at the Mayo Clinic and Michael Boylan, president and CEO of WJCT Public Broadcasting. Come on!

Special thanks to Stacy Aubrey of Riverside Fine Arts for the nomination. I imagine it was a lot of hard work convincing esteemed selection committee that we are worthy. Most of you know the real hero of the story is Chris Salvador, the Designer behind 90% of the RFA work, and Stephanie Corwin, his spotter.

The full TU article

Part 2 - Great minds think alike. Or do they?

Second interview with Carin Goldberg.

Having never heard of Carin Goldberg, I looked her up on the internet and recognized her work. She's designed books, records and magazines mostly and I recognized the famous Madonna album. In the interview, Carin and 2 other prominent Designers were chastised by the late Tilbor Kalman for "pillaging" historical pieces. Today that's all too common and I'm probably guilty myself.

I remember early in my design career, we were taught about the greats of the past like Neville Brody and Paul Rand and were encouraged to study them and emulate their work, but never outright copying them.

And then something happened that changed the way many Designers work. Let's call it "The Internet." Having reviewed hundreds of portfolios in my career, it's more likely to see knock-offs than original ideas. Add to that stock layouts, stock logos and the like and well, pillaging is probably the right word.

As for the Schtick, I think it's great that Designers are evolving from production artists to the true consultants that we are. If that means we join the ranks of other professionals in the Marketing field with books, speaking engagements and so forth, then so be it. How else are we going to educate the design masses about the true greats like Carin Goldberg?

Great minds think alike. Or do they?

I've started reading Debbie Millman's latest book, "How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer." The premise is a series of interviews with iconic designers like Milton Glaser and Lucille Tenazas. I thought it might be interesting to chronicle my thoughts after reading each interview.

The first is Michael Beirut. I've always liked Michael. We met in Nashville in 1995 at an AIGA Board retreat. Even then he was a Design Superstar. I discovered that he played blues piano and it just so happened I had brought my guitar. We jammed in the hotel lobby for about 30 minutes. I hadn't even graduated from college yet, and here this gracious Design Legend took time to hang out with me. He probably wouldn't remember that day, but it certainly left an impression on me.

In his interview, Michael confesses his flaws and inhibitions about his talent, his Design process or lack thereof and compulsive tendencies. Very revealing and quite entertaining.

What surprised me the most was learning how much Michael and I have in common. To achieve success, we both had to work very, very hard and had to use our brains to compensate for a lack of natural talent. It's inspiring to know that someone can rise to the top of his profession despite initial shortcomings.

Like Mike, I've also stretched myself with learning to write better. Between proposals, copywriting and this blog, it's almost like starting over in a new profession. You get excited when you see a finished piece that you're proud of. Michael talks about the challenges of his writing endeavors and it's comforting to know that if Michael can do it, I can too.

Short Circuits

Come by the Burrito Gallery tonight to see a first-of-it's-kind exhibit in Jacksonville. Imagine a wall of iMacs with digital creations from around the country. Circuits, a digital exhibit curated by the nationally-known Designer Doug Grimmett, will open at tonight's Artwalk and run through this Sunday.

Doug is the principal of Primal Screen, a motion graphics and animation company out of Atlanta. Although we won't be seeing his amazing work we will see work from artists PES, We Work For Them, MOOVlab, ©ause Collective, Jeff Boortz, Eric Dyer, and others.

Circuits officially kicks off Re:Charge, AIGA Jacksonville's every-two-year conference. If you haven't signed up, there is still time.