re-up-ping

It’s taking time to get rolling in 2017, that’s for sure. Looking back on work and design in 2016, a lot was packed in. There definitely was burnout and there was a need to recharge. I took a solid chunk of time off from the 23rd to the 4th which was quite wonderful. There was still work that needed to be done for a few projects but at least I wasn’t in full-on work mode.

Most of 2016 was full-on and then some. Learning new things, managing complex collaborations, and pushing the quality of design all led to a depleted well. There was a general lack of patience coming from me in the day-to-day. I was tired of doing proposals, tired of getting the vectors pixel perfect, tired of explaining the design rationale, and tired of searching for the creative spark. And for damn sure, tired of responding to emails. It also didn’t help matters the country was set to be entirely run by people who want to roll back progress in big huge ways. But I digress.

Taking a sober look at 2017, I’m starting to feel the spark again. The energy is getting back to high-burning levels. The strength to push through boldly I feel is almost fully back. Running a design business teeters back and forth between exhaustion and exhilaration. It will always be like that. It’s the designer’s responsible to manage the back and forth in the best possible way.

For me, a consequence of being too close to exhaustion was a lack of thoughtful writing about working as a designer. The journaling and the introspection stalled. Instead, what’s being put into that previously occupied mindspace is how to effectively use design to battle Trump and his cronies in the resistance age. I know, it may sound naive to think design can play any part, but I think it does. Myself and designers across the country are getting ready for the next four years—design, activism, creativity, politics, posters, art, marching, and so on.

For the purposes of this blog, I could see the thought processes involved in the work to come a prime focus, under the frame of “What Next?” The journaling will still be here, as it comes, because it makes the work better. Aside from that, we’ll just have to see how things go. Regardless, what’s shared will be honest and from the heart. 

Here’s to the exhilaration.

How will we eradicate poverty?

By practical objective and follow-through. By acknowledging its profound importance and effect on the interconnectivity of things. We end poverty to ensure that all people have a part to play in the great movement of total communication. That will increase the quality of the dialogue and continue in the betterment of democracies around the world. We end poverty to ensure that we turn to a cycle of life. Where life is bountiful, liberty is normalcy, and opportunity is there for all who seek it. The very notion of war and chaos will become increasingly absurd. Practical objective and follow-through so everyone has clean drinking water, access to food and education, safety, security, financial independence, community, and self actualization. Incremental changes will be reached and the idea that we are all in this together becomes more apparent. It will no longer be just an idealistic vision of what peace might look like. It will become real. This eradication of poverty. It is out there to take. We just need to realize that it is worth doing. And once we realize that, we might just acknowledge it will be the most important thing we will ever do.

The Union

Since 2013, I’ve drawn pictures, set type, and pushed pixels for a great little nonprofit in north Omaha. The Union for Contemporary Art brings together artists and the community to inspire positive social change. We started with a redesign of their logo and followed that with stationary, event posters, and website update. And then more posters, icons, brochures, and annual appeals. All done to clarify, communicate, and inspire. To help tell their story and, when needed, raise funds for their important work.

This week is the culmination of a very important journey. They’ve spent the past 2 ½ years building a spectacular new home in the completely renovated, historic Blue Lion on 24th & Lake. It’s an amazing new space. I’m so excited for what’s to come and so humbled to have been involved with the organization for the past 3 years. Working with Brigitte McQueen Shew, founder and Executive Director, has been such an honor. With her vision, we’ve created some impactful pieces of graphic design.

I’m looking forward to what’s next for them and for north Omaha. In these uncertain, often divisive times, The Union is an example of what we can do when we come together to build something beautiful. It’s not a wall, but a window. And now, it’s time to celebrate all the hard work that’s gone into making this dream a reality. To Brigitte, and to the team I’ve been fortunate enough to work with, to Paige, Holly, Josh, and Kjell, you are all so inspiring. Congratulations on this momentous achievement. Bring on the celebration!

Grand Opening: January 14th »

Will we shift from the service of war to the service of life?

We must. Otherwise that’s it. All there is. Over. And in order to move from war to life, we must first realize that a shift is even possible. That our histories do not continue to simply converge into violence with nothing to be done about it. We can do something. We can make this shift. But we first must collectively say, “Yes, we will.” A rising up of one voice in unison that will break this war cycle from the hands of the powerful few. A people’s decision. A people’s action. A people’s will. A movement that grows, pulses outward across boundary, class, race, religion, sect, tribe. And shatters the idea of a political party. A movement whose voice resonates so loudly that the unpopularity of the war cycle will simple fade away into memory — a way we used to live, a way that we will courageously push out of our will — as we realize there are far better things to do with our wisdom, understanding and resources.

In the future, how will we communicate?

Locally, globally, and everything in between. On every level we will embrace new technologies. And at every turn we will continue to hone the fundamental principles essential to the sharing of ideas. Mass movements for change in the future will be about the ideas we can successfully communicate. Those movements will utilize a vast array of tools and resources with the central focus being a tolerant and engaged populace, at the heart of the dialogue where all ideas can be shared. As technology will continue to make us marvel and want to participate, we will make the human factor even more prevalent, whether right next door, in another state or across the world. With increasing levels of connectivity covering any space between people and ideas, we will be conscious of making sure that everyone is present who wants to be, recognizing the value of diverse thought and united action. No one will be voiceless. If you want to speak, you will be heard. A certain closeness will come with this total communication of the future as it becomes increasingly more meaningful and more crucial to the idea of democracy, from local to global. Ideas will be shared, people will be moved, and we will confront the most pressing issues of our times.

Round and Round (and Round) Year 2

Days go by. The world keeps spinning. And we keep going round. The end of 2016 marks the completion of the 2nd year at our midspace of makers in the heart of Omaha. Our little experiment with independent design coworking continues to be quite exciting. We’re working with some amazing changemakers and do-gooders. The projects are challenging and engaging. The music is still loud. The laughs fairly original. And the way that none of it feels all that much like work is still palpable. We do want to have an open house at some point. Maybe we can make that happen in year 3. 

Regardless, we’re looking to 2017 with heightened ferocity. We have all been shocked and dismayed by election 2016. But we certainly are not ready to go quietly into the night. Instead, we’re going to get after it, in the only way we know how. By rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. But first we’re taking a couple weeks off to recharge. Enjoy the downtime, and we’ll see you in 2017.

Check out our brief case study on 2016. To keep up with the antics, best follow us on Tumblr.