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School's out, and the heat and humidity have finally arrived. This Summer issue of Communiqué replaces some of our usual educational tips on design with a bit of inspiration-a success story about education. We hope you enjoy it-and your summer!
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The Winter issue of Communiqué had a story on the publicity brochure done by Aaron Design, Inc. for the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Mentoring Program for students at New York's High School of Art & Design. The brochure helped bring in fifty mentors, each of whom was teamed with a student for a year or more. Stephanie Aaron was one of the mentors who provided students with guidance in school and exposure to the art and design professions.
This year's focus was "I am: the project," sponsored by Adobe. Students worked with their mentors to define themselves using art ("I am"). The project led up to a gallery show and development of a student website, and was documented with a video and photographs.
The students did everything from creating their self-defining art in the form of individual postcards and a poster, to planning the website, to assisting in creating and mounting the exhibit. They learned about the process of generating ideas, how to make presentations, and how to work as a team and handle themselves in meetings. Core teams of students and mentors helped manage the process. Students gained experience in a range of production skills.
The exhibit, at AIGA's National Design Center, was a stunning hit. The mentors, who expected a positive outcome, were still wowed by the quality of the art and the professionalism of the student's production-as well as their opening exhibit party. You can get a flavor of the work by viewing the video at http://www.adobe.com/education/gallery/aiga/main.html.
"I am" has plans for the future, including approaching other AIGA chapters about extending the project, doing a program in conjunction with high schools in other countries, creating a book documenting the process, and having the students mentor children in the primary grades.
If you are interested in participating in this program, contact info@aarondesigninc.com. For information on the broader field of mentoring, start at www.mentoring.org.
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This section of our website is not design, but it's about design-best book recommendations, links to design resources, past issues of newsletters, and of course our ever-changing collection of e-cards to help you keep in touch with friends and associates. Have a look:
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Good design can help an organization bring its public perception into sync with its changing reality. This visual re-branding can start with a single piece of material.
The Synagogue for the Arts asked Aaron Design, Inc. to create an invitation to its annual fundraiser that would help the organization present a public image more consistent with its current mission and programs. Artwork by Izak Zanou (known for his work for Henri Bendel's and the New York Times Magazine) formed a background for a piece reaching out to new audiences with the message that the auction was going to be something special.
"It really woke people up!" said Toby Turkel, Benefit Co-chair for the Synagogue. "The invitation and the venue changed perceptions of the synagogue and helped us attract a young, hip audience to the event for the first time."
This year's event outperformed last year's fundraiser, bringing in increased support for the Synagogue's programs. One of the hottest items of the silent auction was the cover artwork for the invitation.
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Striking brand identities