Get out and vote!

AIGA, the professional association for design, believes designers serve a critical role as communicators, educators and innovators. The association’s 2012 “Get Out the Vote” campaign invited members to create nonpartisan posters and videos that inspire the American public to participate in the electoral process and vote in the 2012 general election. The video above comes … Read moreGet out and vote!

Inspiration from Gaian.me

With its digital album releases including designs, music and articles, The Gaian Project celebrates nature by inspiring people to preserve our planet. Over the past six years a group of more than 10,000 designers joined in – including members from Behance, deviantArt and other major design websites. Steffen Knoesgaard, Fredrik Ekholm and Simon Holmedal created … Read moreInspiration from Gaian.me

Scion’s moving story…

The evolving brand campaign from Scion and its creative agency of record ATTIK debuted in late September, and the newest facet entitled Motivate launched last week. Motivate presents young self-starters in the creative arts community with opportunities to achieve their dreams by winning personal business mentors, up to $10,000 and Scion vehicles. Full contest rules … Read moreScion’s moving story…

Half the Sky: Thanks for the Documentary

Thankfully, the Half the Sky Movement is well underway tonight, continuing a vital quest to turn oppression into opportunity for women worldwide. The Movement’s documentary begins its two-night engagement on PBS about an hour from now on the U.S. East Coast. Produced for PBS’s Independent Lens by Show of Force, the film is based on … Read moreHalf the Sky: Thanks for the Documentary

2012 creative leaders to watch

Advertising Age Magazine recently published its impressive annual Women to Watch Special Report honoring the following leaders who are changing the world — along with its prestigious 2012 “Creativity 50” coverage. It’s a pleasure to share news of those accolades, as well as this video for TEDxTeen – Tavi Gevinson: Still Figuring it Out spotlighting … Read more2012 creative leaders to watch

America’s national parks, part 2

My family and I have made our way north and west toward Yellowstone National Park, traveling through many beautiful lands that we know have changed in profound ways over the past two hundred years. In truth, many of our thoughts have been with the continent’s native people and the maelstrom of circumstances that arrived with … Read moreAmerica’s national parks, part 2

“Produce!” a great team effort for Thornberg & Forester

One of the highlights of working with the bright and innovative talents at Thornberg & Forester (T&F) over the past year was helping to write the script for the promo I’m embedding above. This project is a teaser for a colorful and informative interstitial series that T&F created for Cooking Channel which the network started … Read more“Produce!” a great team effort for Thornberg & Forester

Motionographer spotlight

Motionographer (pronounced like “oceanographer”) seeks to be a source of inspiration for filmmakers, animators and designers by sharing: . outstanding work from studios, freelancers and students . feature stories that give readers a closer look at influential studios and individuals . commentary that sparks discussion or introspection about the creative process . miscellaneous items that … Read moreMotionographer spotlight

Bravery from Brand New School and Antidote rewarded…

When Antidote (www.antidote.co.uk) was approached by Diesel founder Renzo Rosso to create a call-to-arms to inspire and mobilize the world’s youth to join the fight to help end extreme poverty in Africa and around the world, Antidote’s creatives wrote a manifesto for The Only The Brave Foundation and approached Brand New School to create a short, powerful animated film. In his treatment, BNS founder and executive creative director Jonathan Notaro proposed the unique storytelling approach that helps the foundation deliver its message in style in the finished production. The presentation is also taken to new heights by the score from Human Worldwide.

Read moreBravery from Brand New School and Antidote rewarded…

The Children’s Playhouse shines on

Great Friend to Families

The Children’s Playhouse was launched ten years ago by a group of local citizens in Boone, North Carolina, who wanted an enriching play environment for children from birth to age eight that at the same time offered parents and caregivers friendly support in the important job of raising children. Ann Kiefert, Kathy Parham, Cathy Riggs, Heidi Campbell and my wife Beth Darnell were all members of the founding board. Under Kathy’s leadership, The Playhouse has not only become a widely renowned creative play space for families, it has also become a very powerful force for community goodness.

This past weekend, The Playhouse held its fourth annual Great Friend to Families Awards reception. Launched by Kathy and her forward-looking board members in 2009, this event has honored dozens of Hometown Heroes for their sustained contributions to the well-being of young children and families in our area. Proceeds from this annual event help support The Playhouse and ensure the facility remains accessible to families who might not otherwise be able to use its services.

Read moreThe Children’s Playhouse shines on