Ni Hao

That is hello in Mandarin! Why you ask? Because I am going to China in May!

The AIGA XCD Center for Cross-Cultural Design along with Package and Design Magazine of China, has prepared a tour that will go deep into the heart of China's flourishing design scene. China’s creative spirit is transforming it from the world’s manufacturer to an economy of national brand development and ideation. It is a must-see for any globally savvy designer. And in this global market, who doesn't want to be globally savvy!

Except You

A huge highlight of the AIGA National Conference in Denver was Command X. Its original intent was to have fun and be a comedic break from all the design talk. And it was until the last day.

That is when the competitors were given the task to create something to motivate 18 - 24 year olds to vote. A simple task. Right!

Nichelle Narcisi brought an audience of 2000+ designers to their feet, the only time the whole conference with her spot on, well crafted and even better written pdf campaign called Except You.

You can read an interview with Nichelle by Steven Heller at AIGA Voice.

You can also read about it in Nichelle's own words as a guest observer at Design Observer.

For full Command X coverage, all three rounds and all competitors, click here.

What is going on?!

Today, as the Education Chair of AIGA Chicago, I was at Robert Morris College's Design Symposium spreading the gospel of AIGA to the masses.

As an incentive to sign up, I offered students the opportunity to be entered into a drawing for an autographed (the large signature) copy of Milton Glaser's book Art is Work if they signed up for a membership. It was not the best incentive! To my dismay, many students had no idea who Milton Glaser was. Actually, dismay is a little soft, to my horror, very few knew who Milton Glaser was. Hello students! I Love (Heart) New York?

Have they not been taught this at all? Never seen his work? I am not sure where this omission has happened as students are not always the best at recall. I know Milton is a bit old, but not knowing who he is? At least in a historical context!

Needless to say, no one won the book or signed up. But they all went away with boxes of matches, a premium AIGA National has created.

Conference highlight - Janine Benyus

Janine Benyus is a biologist, innovation consultant, and author of six books, including "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature." Her favorite role these days is “biologist-at-the-design table,” helping innovators consult life’s genius in the creation of well-adapted products and processes. Some recent innovations include: self-cleaning paints based on the lotus leaf, dye-based solar cells, boxfish shaped cars, gecko style adhesives, non-combatant antibacterial agents inspired by seaweed, spiral shell formed exhaust fan, antibacterial wallaby milk, and spinal disc repair from flea’s knees.

Her company, the Biomimicry Guild, offers biological consulting, research, workshops and field excursions to clients such as Arup Engineers, General Electric, Gensler Architects, Herman Miller, HOK Architects, IDEO, Interface, Kohler, Nike, Seventh Generation and Procter & Gamble. Benyus is currently creating a “Google of Nature’s Solutions”—a digital library of biological literature organized by design function and a “biology-taught-functionally” course for architects, engineers and designers.

To help naturalize Biomimicry in the culture, she founded the nonprofit Biomimicry Institute whose programs include an open-research Biomimicry Challenge and an Innovation for Conservation program that uses proceeds from bio-inspired products to conserve the habitat of the mentor organisms.

Head is a reelin'!

Lawrence Argent, 2005

My first impression of Denver was this huge blue bear, which is nearly the same blue as the blue bridge in Grand Rapids (see April 10, 2007 post), looking into the conference center. Design is big amongst the ursine!

So much seen and done in Denver at the AIGA National Conference, not really sure where to start.

A quick reflection back over the last five days leaves me the impression of the up and coming talent. Two of the best conference highlights was Command X, a live design competition, and 20/20, 20 one minute presentations of what young designers nominated by big ass design players n what they see is next.

Will share over the next few days!

What's next?

Denver is playing host to the AIGA National Design Conference and that is what is bringing me to Denver!

Most likely no new posts while I am gone, but I am sure I will have plenty to share when I get back.