Q Previews the North American International Auto Show
Posted by: Paul Koch
It was good to be back at the North American International Auto Show during industry preview days visiting our client, Clark Hill PLC. And it was encouraging to see that the reigning Detroit-based auto show was up to speed with more of the energy and excitement of new vehicles and new ideas that were missing a few years ago.
A graphic designer goes to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Posted by: Christine Golus
OK, I’ll admit it. I’m not a car gal even though I was born and bred in the Motor City.
Designing with Emotion
Posted by: Christine Golus
Just finished Aarron Walter’s Designing for Emotion this Thanksgiving weekend. What a treat! I was happy to see that Q implements a number of his suggestions in our web site design process: personas, mood boards, digging into the personality traits of the companies and organizations we work with, but what inspired me the most was the reminder to design for “delight” and don’t forget about the human connection.
iPhone App Roundup
Posted by: Rie Yamaoka
A few of us culled together some of latest favorite iPhone apps to share here. The other smartphone contingents will have to post separately.
2011 UM Alumni Show
Posted by: Christine Golus
Last Friday Alissa and I attended the University of Michigan 2011 Alumni Show.
Thank You Gillian
Posted by: Jocelyn Edin
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I love that Gillian Welch and David Rawlings devoted so much time, effort, thought, and (coffee) creativity to their new album’s CD packaging, The Harrow & The Harvest. It’s this kind of passion for the arts; music, illustration, design, and printing that will keep these physical pieces alive. I look forward to hearing the full album and holding the work of art in my hands. I may just have to go for the Hatch Show Print bundle which includes a poster from the iconic letterpress shop I blogged about a few months ago!
Visual Bookmarking
Posted by: Jocelyn Edin
In the last few years, visual bookmarking sites have exploded. It only makes sense, we are very visual creatures and it helps to remember a link when you see an image attached to it. Plus, it’s way more fun, especially for us designer-folk! I only recently started exploring and using some of these services, but I thought I’d share a quick roundup for anyone interested in learning more.
Let’s Go Snipe Hunting!
Posted by: Jeff Callender
That was the cry of the older scouts of Troop 603, Stevensville, Michigan, on the first night of summer camp 1969, haranguing myself and a few other newbies into a hopeless and hapless wild-goose chase. Eager to earn our stripes and prove our boyhood, we darted off unsuspectingly into the deep, dark forest in search of this elusive creature. For those of you who have never been snipe hunting, I won't spoil the fun, only to say we spent a good part of the night and early morning lost and crying for our mommies, nearly carried away by mosquitoes.
A Visit to Hatch Show Print
Posted by: Jocelyn Edin
While on a quick weekend trip to Nashville this past weekend, I happened upon Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the country. What a wonderful, colorful, historical treat it was! There was only a small space for retail and huge crowd of tourists herding through (such as myself), so I couldn’t stay long. Fortunately, the web is full of info and imagery to satisfy my craving for more.
Painting the Town
Posted by: Alissa Ampezzan
This weekend, a few of the Q crew let loose and Painted the Town at the Ann Arbor Art Center’s 29th annual Winefest. Q has a longstanding relationship with the Art Center and was proud to design the promotional materials for this year’s event. It was a lovely night of delicious food, interesting wines, and unexpected “happenings” to celebrate why art matters.
Field Trip! Jim Horton’s Letterpress Studio
Posted by: Christine Golus
This week a few of us had the opportunity to visit Jim Horton’s letterpress studio located just west of Ann Arbor on Waters Road.
Paint the Town
Posted by: Alissa Ampezzan
Nearly 8 years ago, Q designed a new identity for the Ann Arbor Art Center. Perhaps you've spotted the downtown bike racks inspired by the logo? This year, we are continuing our support of this Ann Arbor landmark by sponsoring their largest annual fundraiser—Winefest. Q designed all of the promotional materials for this year's theme: Paint the Town. The big event will be held at a chic—and unexpected—warehouse on the west side of town on Saturday, May 7, and includes a strolling supper, wine-tastings, live auctions, and "random acts of culture". Click here for event details and to purchase tickets.
Q West Coast visits Pixar Studios
Posted by: Rie Yamaoka
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley
Q West Coast had an educational and fun visit with SIGGRAPH friend Tony Apodaca at Pixar Studios, located in Emeryville, CA.
Now in his 25th year at Pixar (he started back when Pixar was a high-end computer hardware company), Tony told us how the studio was once a Dole factory that produced cans of fruit cocktail, and the building has exposed steel frames that were bolted, rather than welded, as an homage to the original, industrial architecture. Apparently none of the steel workers in the Bay Area knew how to do this, so they had retired workers from Pittsburgh come out to the West Coast to train the builders.
The main lobby is very open, complete with cafeteria and “breakfast room” with 25 different kinds of cereal, all free to employees. Bathrooms are centrally located ONLY in the main lobby area; an idea Pixar owner Steve Jobs had to encourage employee interaction. (Not sure if I would want to talk to everyone in the building that way!)
CCS Visit
Posted by: Jocelyn Edin
This past Thursday, a small delegation from Q headed east to visit the College of Creative Studies (CCS) in downtown Detroit. Though the school expanded into the Taubman Center two years ago, many of us have not had the chance to experience the new spaces. Plus, we were able to combine the tour with an afternoon of graphic design student portfolio reviews, an inspiring day indeed.
Any Human Heart
Posted by: Jeff Callender
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Cheers to Huge Designs of London for their fine work on the title sequence of Any Human Heart, an adaptation of the William Boyd novel, recently seen on PBS’s Masterpiece Classic. While some see a resemblance to AMC TV’s Mad Men titles, both draw inspiration from the work of the late, great Saul Bass.
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