June 19, 2011

AIGA Alaska Board Retreat

Yesterday, we had our annual AIGA Alaska Board Retreat. During this all-day meeting we briefly talk about the past year, and go over some major pre-planned tasks at hand, this year we specifically talked about our upcoming annual design competition, The Big One, and how we will handle Board elections for 2012.

We also introduced a brainstorming method that took us from lofty ideas to implementation. A great strategic process that I learned about from AIGA Minnesota at the Leadership Retreat in Minneapolis.

Personally, I’m so proud of all that we have achieved as a group in the first year of AIGA Alaska. We have created a design community where there was none, and we are very active on programming, providing multiple monthly events year-round. Yay.

Be brief. Be brilliant, Be gone.

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June 5, 2011

AIGA Leadership Retreat

Just finalized the brilliantly motivating 3-day AIGA Leadership Retreat in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

A short recap would sound something like this… Thursday, I attended a studio tour and presentation by Little & Company – smart thinking people. Their team brought me right back to my agency days in Denmark.

On top of the general retreat sessions, I participated in “Seven ways to grow your chapter’s membership”, “Board retreats, not bored retreats”, “How can chapters create stronger board members?”, and a discussion on demonstrating the value of design to business and the community.

I also had the pleasure of presenting on the first year of AIGA Alaska. Am I a seasoned public speaker? Not at all, but I figured that I won’t be either if I don’t practice. So, here’s to me promising myself that I will master this skill within the next couple of years.

I’m so proud to be a part of such a beautiful and inspiring organization. Much love to everyone. AIGA lovefest.

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May 26, 2011

Within The Wild Adventure Lodges

I’m proudly announcing the launch of a brand new website for a long time client of mine, Within The Wild Adventure Lodges.

Kirsten and Carl Dixon have been running their full-service Alaskan backcountry adventure lodges since 1983 with great success. They offer everything you would ever want to experience in Alaska, and from personal experience I can safely say that all of the three lodges are absolutely fantastic. Love it.

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April 15, 2011

Games of the North

This fantastic documentary has been a long time coming, and I’m super excited to finally be able to watch it on PBS this Monday, April 18 at 9:30PM AKST. So many of my friends have had part in making this documentary become a reality. Job done well to everyone.

Games of the North is a documentary about four Inuit athletes competing in the ancestral games of strength. Acrobatic and explosive, these traditional sports are necessary for survival in the unforgiving Arctic.

Working alongside director, Jonathon Stanton and crew, I created the visual identity, fundraising materials, art directed photo shoots, designed business papers, a 40-page educational kit, plus a small promotional website.

Watch the preview on the PBS website.

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March 31, 2011

Identity Design: ASRC Construction Holding Company

This a small selected collection of the print materials I’ve designed for ASRC Construction Holding Company. Everything is delivered to the client, I picked up my samples and I’m enjoying that new smell of fresh ink.

This is in addition to the comprehensive re-branding process that included the creation of a brand platform, company naming conventions, identity standards, and seven websites. Currently also in the works are several merchandise items and staff apparel.

Collateral materials were designed and printed for all of the subsidiaries as well. Photos of this work to come later.

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March 28, 2011

My Bookshelf: The Brand Gap

I read this book on my way to Denmark. It’s a must read for everyone who works for a company or has ever worked for a company: The Brand Gap. That’s it folks. It’s a pleasure to read, relevant and smart. And, as an extra bonus it is nicely designed and comes with sharp, explanatory visuals.

“The most powerful business tool since the spreadsheet”

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March 14, 2011

New Office Location

It’s my first day in my new office downtown, and except the ugly (but melting) snow mount, this is a pretty good view. I can see Knik Arm, the Anchorage Port, Point Mackenzie, and on a good day Denali, too. I like being able to see far, there’s something calming about gazing into the distance between the emails, strategy and design.

Original Scandinavian
704 West 2nd Avenue Suite B
Anchorage Alaska 99501

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March 13, 2011

Alaska Stock offers a 25% discount on image licensing

I would like to thank Alaska Stock for their new announcement on the generous photo licensing discount offer to AIGA Alaska Members.

If you are a member, be sure to read the details about the discount on the AIGA Alaska website before licensing your next image with Alaska Stock.

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March 7, 2011

Overhaul of a Billion Dollar Company

Working closely with upper management, I guided ASRC Construction Holding Company through a comprehensive re-branding process that included the creation of a brand platform, company naming conventions and the development of a corporate identity to support the found core message: The ACHC Family of Companies.

Also developed was business papers for all seven companies, seven websites, staff apparel, swag and signage.

The reveal of the new brand happened on a Friday morning. It was arranged that the front office doors had the new brandmark applied prior to employees coming in. Each employee had an introductory letter on their desk, along with a gift package including a branded water bottle and personal coffee thermos, plus an invitation to visit the seven launched websites.

“We have built a brand that fully supports the reasons for our existence. Our brand works as a foundation for our continued success while being a constant reminder of our core values and heritage. The whale symbolizes community, cooperation, fairness, integrity, leadership, respect, safety, and teamwork.”

– Cheryl Qattaq Stine, President & CEO
ASRC Construction Holding Company, LLC

The ASRC Construction Holding Company (ACHC) provides oversight and support services for six construction companies that provide more than $150 million in services each year, and more than $1.2 billion in work over the past 10 years.

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February 21, 2011

My Bookshelf: Banksy, Wall and Piece

Last summer I wrote a post on the film Exit Through The Gift Shop about Banksy, a notorious and gutsy London street artist. I just bought a book showcasing his work, it’s inspiring and has to raise some eyebrows. I love thought provoking work.

What is a true artist and what are the rules of how to become one?

You can buy the book Banksy, Wall and Piece yourself, and get thinking.

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February 13, 2011

Olberding White Architects

Three months ago I was awarded a Silver Award for the Olberding White Architects identity design. You can read that post here if you would like. Just launched this week was a one-page temporary website to support the new identity until the full website is ready to go live. More to come on this development later.

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February 11, 2011

My Bookshelf: Never Use White Type on a Black Background

New to my book collection is this little wonder containing 50 ridiculous design rules. All rules are accompanied by an image that either negates or supports the rule. You’re bound to find this book a source of inspiration, comfort, joy or just good old fun – whether or not you agree to the rules.

(Oh, no!) As I’m searching for the book so I can add a link for you to purchase it (if you would like), I’m learning that you can buy it way cheaper than what I paid for it. Amazon sells this book for only $12… I can’t tell you what I paid.

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