The Top 10 Albums of 2017
Music is deeply tied to my work. All day long, while I’m designing, I listen to what I consider to be the best music out there. And for the last few years I pick my Top 10 albums of the year for the KEXP countdown. This year was extra difficult.
I had a shortlist of about 30 albums. From some of my all-time favorite bands to other artists I heard for the first time this year. It was tough getting it down to only 10.
It’s also worth noting, given the state of America and our insistence on going backwards, the music was a counter. It pushed us forward. It kept us dreaming, hoping, wondering, working. It was full of beauty, hope, outrage, unity, solidarity, and, most of all, truth.
With that, these are the albums that spoke to me in the year 2017, in no particular order:
Run The Jewels, RTJ 3
Kendrick Lamar, DAMN
Hurray For The Riff Raff, The Navigator
Ibeyi, Ash
Ted Leo, The Hanged Man
LCD Soundsystem, american dream
SZA, Ctrl
Jay Som, Everybody Works
Vince Staples, Big Fish Theory
Beck, Colors
Also worth noting, the Arcade Fire Everything Now tour was absolutely incredible. While their album, which I liked very much, didn’t make my Top 10, their Seattle show was probably the best concert I’ve ever been to. And Valerie June on a freezing cold winter’s day in Omaha? I’m in love.
Protect The Vote, Always
Last night Nebraskans for Civic Reform hosted Jason Kander of Let America Vote at Love’s Jazz & Arts Center. An art and activism rally event to raise awareness and support to protect the right to vote in Nebraska.
That means no to any voter ID bill, no to closing down of polling places, no to messing with the right of students to vote, and on and on. Basically it comes down to this. One party is cheating. And the people, ALL people, are fighting back to make sure our democratic process is protected and ALL people are allowed to vote. No tricks, no obstacles, no more cheating.
The art side of the evening took the form of a small collection of posters designed to highlight various barriers to voting in our state; felon disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, voter ID, etc. Posters were designed by Kelsey Scofield, Matt Carlson, Jessica Smolinksi, Jesse Harding, Oxide Design Co., and myself. I did two posters because few things piss me off more than cheating people out of their constitutional right to vote. All money raised from poster sales goes to Nebraskans for Civic Reform and their efforts to protect the voting rights of all citizens in our state.
Text VRA to 31996 to get involved.
Recap: 2017
Big challenges from the year?
Trying to find a balance on multiple fronts. The balance between making a difference and running a small business. The balance between creating something beautiful while in the midst of the disastrous political climate in America. The balance between love and fear, work and life, conviction and uncertainty, comedy and tragedy, going slow and going fast.
Proud accomplishments from the year?
The Dundee Theater really is beautiful. Part of me still can’t believe it’s real. So much magic at 50th and Dodge.
You look back and smile?
Women running for political office. The Democrats working hard for change. People adding their voice. People standing up for public schools. People boldly realizing their vision. People trying to stop pipelines. People standing up for justice. People raising awareness. The power of the poster. The power of local music. The power of film. A state senator named Heath Mello. Film as an art form. All the beauty at The Union. Bringing back The Dundee. And those crazy guys at Round and Round and Round.
You look back and cringe?
The state of America.
What next?
The primary focus of this year was Film Streams. A huge project that included branding, print, web, environment, and social. With it just about complete, looking to 2018, project work for the next few months is sure to be exciting. But there will also be more time made for recharging, exploring, experimenting, and contemplating. What exact form those words take in practice is a little uncertain but I’m sure it will be written about here.
As this year closes, let’s be sure to support our favorite nonprofits who continue to push for a better world. We need them now more than ever. And then let’s be sure we take some time off while we keep trying to find the balance.
Godspeed, America. Wherever it is we’re going.
Stand Up For Justice: The Book
Graphic design from the annual poster show organized by Justin Kemerling & Nic Swiercek
I’m very excited to share the culmination of a 6 year project. My time as organizer on the design side of the Nebraska Appleseed poster show now exists in book form:
From 2011 to 2016, Nebraska Appleseed hosted a social justice poster show. 62 posters in all, the designs are powerful tools for advocating for equal justice and opportunity for all. As a collection, the posters represent a hopeful view of what we can all do when we work together.
In 2011, when Nic Swiercek approached me about using poster design to help raise money for his nonprofit, I was certainly into the idea. Now looking back on six years of design work, spread over 148 pages, the end result is better than what we were hoping for at the outset.
As a project, it has allowed designers in the community to use their powers for the forces of good. Unveiled every year at Appleseed’s Good Apple Awards, it excited supporters as well as nonprofit leaders. It visually told the story of this organization and helped them raise money to support their very important work. And as a small-scale project, as an example of graphic design at its best, it can be replicated for years to come. Not only at Nebraska Appleseed, but with any nonprofit in the country who is into the idea.
The poster show continues on, now organized by Colleen Syron. The designs this year were stellar and can be purchased online, including all past years, if still in stock.
We did try to get the book legitimately published with the help of Kendra Galante of Ervin & Smith. But alas, no luck. It’s available on Blurb with a hefty price tag. (Some of these discounts help a bit.)
Many, many thanks to all the designers who have donated their time and talent over the years. Their contributions make this book something very special.
When the only thing left to do is turn up the music really loud
When the deadlines are coming at what seems like lightning speed, when the back and forth has way surpassed a measurable amount, and when the end of the year brings about a certain amount of mental fatigue because you’re overworked and approaching burnout, there’s not much that can be done aside from cranking the volume to 11 and hoping your clients and collaborators will understand your current predicament. Onward into the dark night my dear friends!
Never take for granted
When you get to work with people who care deeply, are super thoughtful, bring great ideas, and are open-minded as hell. That is rare, but not as much as you might think. Just pay attention.
