singing the blues
I wrote this article for the AIGA essay series “Reflections, Rewards, Regrets.” In it I look briefly at things that I wish hadn’t happened, and yet how maybe they had to happen. Age-old story.
me, objectified
This is perhaps closer to me than you want to be.
eye #67
In case you have not read your current Eye magazine yet, in it I have written a feature article on origami.
rick valicenti
I wrote Rick Valicenti’s bio for the AIGA Website, on the occasion of his receiving the AIGA Medal in 2006. I just re-read it the other day and realized I still think it’s rather good.
baby designer
It’s weird, but in my list of essays written for Speak Up, I seem to have overlooked this one, on designery childrens’ books, written way back in December 2006.
Untitled
A little pissed-off advice for the designers of Canada, and, indeed, of so many other places. Written, as usual for Speak Up, in March 2007. The ensuing commentary to this article is largely not worth reading, it so misses the point.
Unclear, Although
A piece inspired by inspiration, on the art of shred. Written in February 2007, for Speak Up, of course. With special thanks to Fiona Drenttel.
the sun, the moon, the stars
I had planned an article on the delightful display of celestial jewellery I’d seen at the Griffith Observatory in LA, and I collected all my images together into themed groups, but when I started to write, something strange happened … (Speak Up, November 2006).
bare bones
I had a lot of fun writing this Hallowe’en post for Speak Up (October 2006). My Thesaurus got a good workout, too.
War Effort
I’m really proud of this piece I wrote for Speak Up (September 2006) because it really got me thinking. It was sparked by some of the war posters that were presented in my Canadian Design History class earlier this year.
Our Futurist Past
This is a fairly straight-up piece for Speak Up (June 2006). It is a review of an excellent exhibit of Modernism at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Ye Olde Graphic Designer
Currently in the running, in my mind, as one of my 3 best posts for Speak Up (April 2006) . This one also came out of an assignment for Sam Carter’s Canadian Design History class. I love it when people just can’t tell how serious I am. And if you can’t tell, well, as it says in the article, then you just don’t know me very well. Which is OK.
Ten Haiku
An amusingly interactive little piece I wrote as an assignment for Sam Carter’s Canadian Design History class, and then posted on Speak Up (February 2006).
The aesthetics of cute
Another post that didn’t go down as well as I’d hoped. Written for Speak Up in December 2005. But I think it’s a damned fine read.
Critique: The alphabet
Quite possibly the second-best post I ever wrote for Speak Up (August 2005). Now reprinted in Fontshop’s Font 005, and soon to appear in another form from a secret-for-now design firm near you.
Design clichés
An infamous post written for Speak Up in June 2005.
One size fits all ...
More fun with graphic design in Saskatchewan. Written for Speak Up in May 2005.
And the winner is ...
Another take on the debacle of the Vancouver Olympics logo competition. Written for Speak Up in May 2005.
True (design) confessions
On the darker side of graphic design. Written for Speak Up in January 2005.
Another pretty face: VISA Rebrands
I don’t usually cover branding, but this time I did. Written for Speak Up in April 2005.
The Wind Tunnel
A review of the Schools of Thoughts 2 conference in Pasadena, CA, written for Speak Up in March 2005.
Santa™
Quite possibly my best article written for Speak Up (December 2004).
A look at the iconography of Santa, and what this could mean to identity development.
Massive Post
A critique, in 4 parts, of Bruce Mau’s Massive Change exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
It's All About the Money
The first of two articles written about the design of Canada’s money looks at Canada’s new bills. Written for Speak Up in October 2004.
Cha-cha-change
The second of two articles written about the design of Canada’s money. Written for Speak Up in March 2005.
The Black Spot
A semi-facetious call for an old pirate custom remade for designers. Written for Speak Up in September 2004.
Fluid prose
Written for Speak Up in August 2004.
One of my favourite posts: on graphic voice in text.
Our own worst clients
Written for Speak Up in May 2004.
On designers’ own identities.
Design and the written word
Written for Speak Up in March 2004.
A different logoscape
Written for Speak Up in July 2004.
Documenting a trip through rural Saskatchewan
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