July 1, 2010 A great day in the city of Newark. I was happy to be invited to the Mayors inauguration. I saw alot of familiar faces and new faces in the crowd. I have to mention the unofficial First Lady Gail King was in attendance too. I felt the Mayor’s speech was sharp and on point, I don’t feel the same about alot of his city council. It’s clear to me that change continues to be a difficult process for Newark. But, just like politics you will agree to disagree, I just hope that they can work together for the good of the city. Enjoy the pics!
July 10th, 2010
It’s not the icons that you may think. Interesting video by Steven Heller.
February 26th, 2010
This week I spoke with Cory Booker Mayor of Newark, NJ about what he has done for Newark and what he still has to do with his impending election in May. I also designed some campaign posters that I had sent to him with hopes he will use them in the election. Still waiting on that Booker!
I guess I am a bit sentimental about the city where I was a third generation resident. It was the first place my family lived when immigrating from Italy. I have so many memories of growing up in an incredible city, my father and grandparents before me have even more incredible story’s. Some of my family still live and work in Newark so our roots are not all abandoned.
I’m not a person who gets involved in politics but when a person like Mayor Booker is trying this hard to bring back a city to its former glory, I think you need to stand behind him and support what his vision is. Some of his critics say, oh he’s a celebrity where is he on the streets of “Brick City”. I say, it’s good he gets some face-time on television what a great media to get outsiders to know Newark. And as far as the street, maybe you just weren’t there when he was in church that day, out patrolling the streets with the Newark Police Department, shoveling the snow a few weeks back for his neighbors. I’m not saying all hail Cory Booker, I’m just saying he’s a person with ambition to take the city back for community, jobs, the arts give him the time to do it then we can draw our conclusions. I think that most residents and former residents want to see better times for Newark, NJ. Thanks for reading.
February 6th, 2010
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra had ten artists paint violins determined by this seasons program selections. I got Hitchcock and it was so cool to work on this project because I love old movies! The money these violins raise will help the symphony’s education programs. So it’s a good cause, good art, good times! If you want to buy a raffle ticket and see some talented artists check it out here http://www.njsymphony.org/SupportNJSO/ArtStrings.htm
January 17th, 2010
Recently, I’ve been asked to do many banner ads for clients. Usually this entails a graphic of sorts, headline, tagline and contact information. I advise keeping these short uncluttered and to the point.
I wanted to let me clients know and anyone who reads my blog a little tip of tracking the response your getting from these ads. When you have your designer design your ad and your placing ads online in more than one place, change your url on each ad. What I mean by that is, not necessarily changing the design just build a few banner ads for each place you advertise with a different url or have the advertiser change where it links to so that you can track through analytics how much traffic is being generated from each place your advertising. If one place is not generating any response “get rid of them” why waste your hard earned money especially in these uncertain times.
I hope you like this tip! Happy Holidays!
December 19th, 2009
1. Get a recommendation
2. Make sure they’ve worked on something similar to your project
3. Expect to pay a higher price for more experience and a larger project
4. Prepare a detailed creative brief
5. Outline your message, your objectives, the desired deliverables, and your timeline
6. Pay a little more and claim ownership of the original art
December 19th, 2009
1. Think analytically. A brand should provide something that warrants attention on a consistent basis, something your audience wants and is not getting from your competitors.
2. Maintain your brand. One rule of thumb is that when you start to become tired of your logo, tagline, and branding efforts, that’s most likely when they are sinking in with customers.
3. Don’t try to appeal to everyone. Typically, the best you can do is to focus on the niche market for your product
4. Know who you really are. Know your strengths and weaknesses through honest analysis of what you do best.
5. Fully commit to branding. Treat all functions of the company, from product development to sales, as integral aspects of your brand.
December 19th, 2009
I accidentally came across this interview by Zina Saunders on my friend and ex-boss Jim Miller. I worked under Jim for a few years at Serino and have to say they were the best years in my career. Fresh out of Parsons, my first job, I continued being educated in design by Jim listening and learning as much as possible from him. The man is mad talented beyond belief! I still think the Tony’s should give out an advertising Tony and Jim should be the first person to receive it. He has designed numerous posters for broadway shows that I stopped keeping track on how many he has now. Sometimes artists don’t get the recognition they deserve, I find this out every day. I just want to say thank you again Jim for your friendship and your teachings. “Proud student of the Jim MIller School of Design” read about him some more at Zina’s blog http://www.drawger.com/zinasaunders/?start_date=1214884800&end_date=1217563200
December 19th, 2009
Recently, The New York Times wrote an article on companies refreshing their logos. Today we are in a greener, sustainable, softer, conscious society. I made a list of these key points if your deciding to give your business a face lift. I will also include a pic of some brands with their refresh look.
Toned down type
Friendly flourishes
Happier Colors
July 24th, 2009
On a cold winter night in Newark, NJ my friend Flo Johnson took me to see an exhibt at the WBGO radio station. All Flo, said was “You have to see her work”, I was curious so agreed to go. I met an artist named Lady Bird Strickland who paints about the deep south and black history. Her paintings can be described as “social consciousness.” Her paintings can depict a montage of Martin Luther King to jazz great Dizzy Gillespie to her latest installment of the first black family, the Obamas.” I got to talking with her and her advice to me was, “do what you like, and do it well.” How can you beat that! Lady Bird was fascinating as she took me down memory lane with her through her days at Pratt to how much she loves Chinese food. She also never studied the piano, but there I found her tinkering the ivory’s of a Steinway at WBGO and she just made up the notes as she went along. Talented. Thank you Ladybird, It was a pleasure meeting you!
I also got the chance to meet Lady Bird’s daughter Pat Cleveland. To my amaze I found out only afterwords that she was one, if not the first, black couture supermodel working for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Halston. The daughter of a white jazz musician father and a black painter mother she ruled the catwalk in the early seventies.
What a night at WBGO in Newark, NJ!
Go to http://www.ladybirdsart.com/ to view her art.
March 2nd, 2009
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