Design studio housecleaning - excavated artifact #7

I'm continuing the ongoing process of going through 30+ years of files as I organize and catalog all my old graphic design files. Numerous times I have opened a folder or envelope to find an original doodle of what would eventually become a completed logo for a client.

In 1995 I sketched out a rough concept for a pro bono logo for the Portland nonprofit organization Esther's Pantry. Esther’s Pantry was founded in 1985 to provide individuals living with AIDS access to food and personal care items they themselves might not be able to afford. The organization was named in memory of Chester "Esther" Brinker, one of the first people in Portland to die of complications from AIDS.

Still, my take on "Esther" was meant to cause people to smile through the suffering and pain of the continuing AIDS crisis. I saw Esther as a bit of a "flasher," opening her jacket to reveal what was on the shelves of the "pantry." The female character in the design is actually a fairly good graphic representation of my late great-grandmother Osie Saltmarsh Cantrall Norris - a Southern Oregon pioneer and one of the most incredible people in my life.

In March 2000, the pantry transferred its operation to MCC Portland (I designed their logo in 1995 as well) and I was asked to redesign the logo as a grocery bag image that I never liked much. In fact, I've never even included that design in my portfolio. It was determined that my "Esther" - used in a limited fashion for a while - was a bit glib and possibly controversial.

I was very pleased when my Esther's Pantry logo was honored in the 1995 PRINT Regional Design Annual. I still smile each time I come across the image - and I'm sure that great-grandma gets a kick out of it, too.

It's great that Esther's Pantry continues on - with, it appears, an even newer logo. Each month 150 to 200 clients are allowed to select their groceries and personal care items from well-stocked shelves, rather than being handed a pre-packed box of food.

Note: In previous bLog-oMotives entries I took a look back at excavated artifacts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Having the same name can lead to major differences in the blog-o-sphere...

With holiday gatherings, a nasty cold my partner and I seem to be sharing back and forth, previously scheduled home remodeling projects, and other commitments, I've been a bit lax about bLog-oMotives posts the past week. I've also been working behind the scenes dealing a bit with another "Jeff Fisher" from the cyber world.

Initially he started with multiple phone messages on my business voice mail stating how upset he was about my search engine rankings being higher than his - because we happen to share the same given name. The individual then began leaving messages that I must post specific Internet links on my blog to bring attention to the political and government issues he deemed important.

Several people in the design industry emailed me about some unusual online references to "Jeff Fisher," Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, bLog-oMotives, blogomotives, Creative Latitude, my "tips, trips, observations, clickety-clacks, & an occasional "toot!" along the tracks" tagline, and other references to my work or my blog. Sure, enough - the individual in question was creating new Blogger pages making use of such terms in the blog URLs and content, in an attempt to bring greater search engine attention to his personal political diatribes. Don't be surprised if you come across some odd findings in association to the terms on the Internet. No, I have not gone completely off my rocker - yet! Just thought I'd warn you what's out there.

Earlier this week the guy began posting multiple comments to various bLog-oMotives entries - totally unrelated to the topics I cover in my writings. After removing more than two dozen of his unnecessary messages and rants, I had to make the decision to monitor all future comments. I hope bLog-oMotives readers will continue to give me feedback on various topics when they wish. I apologize that it will be necessary for me to authorize the postings of comments now. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Note: One quick reminder to those in search of new fonts - the P22 Type Foundry sale on boxed fonts ends December 31, 2006.

© 2006 Jeff Fisher Logomotives

Yazi - a great (and beautiful) holiday gift

Last weekend my partner Ed and I went to a great holiday party at the home of some friends in the small mountain community of Brightwood. A fresh, light coating of snow made the location perfect for a festive evening. One guest brought the party-givers a "hostess gift" of a bottle of Yazi - a ginger flavored vodka.

The beautiful packaging immediately caught my attention as many of the party guests "oohed" and "aahed" when the bottle was removed from the gift bag. It was passed around the room to numerous comments about the "gorgeous" and "exotic" design. The vodka is contained in an imported French bottle with rich red side panels, a shiny red neck wrap and a gorgeous dragon etching. To be honest, when what resembles an oversized perfume bottle got to me, I was surprised to see that Yazi is a product of Hood River Distillers, in Hood River, OR - located about an hour from my home studio. (I've always gotten a chuckle out of the fact the distiller is located across the street from the city's sewage treatment plant.)

Everyone at the party then wanted to taste the product. Small liqueur glasses were brought out and the "oohs" and "aahs" started up again as we all began sipping the beverage. The stuff was really good. Along with orange, lemon, cayenne and red pepper extracts, the natural ginger flavoring gives Yazi a sensual and slightly spicy taste. I wasn't surprised at all to later learn that Yazi had received a "Very Good" (85-89 points) from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

It was interesting to read, at a variety of online resources, that Yazi was created with the female market in mind. From initial visual impressions it would appear that it was also produced for a target market of designers, and those who appreciate good design. Portland, Oregon-based Leopold Ketel & Partners created the elegant package. The design received a Gold Medal in the packaging category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2006.

I'm looking forward to trying Yazi in some mixed cocktails. Hood River Distillers has several recipes for Yazi drinks on their website.

I do think Yazi would be a great last-minute holiday gift - or the perfect "hostess gift" as you celebrate the season in the next week or so.

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Milton Glaser creates Darfur poster

"What Happens in Darfur Happens to Us” is the theme of a poster recently created by legendary designer Milton Glaser. This awareness campaign will benefit the International Rescue Committee, driving people to the IRC website to learn more about Darfur, the work of the IRC around the world, and how to support the organization in efforts to deliver lifesaving aid, protect women and girls, and speak out for global action on behalf of the Sudanese people.

Glaser created the campaign to call attention to what he describes as “one of the great humanitarian crises of our time.” The poster concept takes the seemingly distant crisis and personalizes it, relating Sudanese family members being killed every day to members of our own families. The design incorporates the hand imagery from Glaser's previous "We Are All African" poster which brought conditions in Africa, and world poverty issues, into the public spotlight.

Milton Glaser is among the most celebrated graphic designers in the world. He co-founded the revolutionary Pushpin Studios in 1954, founded New York Magazine with Clay Felker in 1968, established Milton Glaser, Inc. in 1974, and teamed with Walter Bernard in 1983 to form the publication design firm WBMG. Throughout his career, Glaser has been a prolific creator of posters and prints and produced iconic designs, such as the famed “I Love NY.” The industry icon is also the author of Graphic Design and Art is Work, and co-author of The Design of Dissent.

Funded by School of Visual Arts (SVA), where Glaser has been an instructor and board member since 1961, the poster campaign currently appears on a 28 x 38 foot banner outside the SVA headquarters in New York City. It will also be present on subway platforms and the insides of 250 subway cars throughout January.

The Darfur poster can be purchased at www.miltonglaser.com. All proceeds from the sales go directly to the International Rescue Committee.

Selected sounds of the holiday season

'Tis the season. Preparations are underway for the holiday party for law firm where my partner, Ed, is employed. The event is going to be held at the beautiful Terwilliger Vista Bed & Breakfast. Live music will be provided by the local group The Rhythm Dogs. I'll be playing "corporate wife" at the event - and trying to be on my best behavior.

One of my assigned spousal duties was to select Christmas music to be played when the band is not performing. I was asked to select five to six CDs from our personal collection of over 50 holiday options.

There was no doubt of my first pick. Etta James' 12 Songs of Christmas (1996) is a must - especially for a party. That incredible voice, taking on traditional songs, is sure to be a hit.

The Sinatra Christmas Album, a compilation originally released in 1987, is a great musical gift package from "Old Blue Eyes." White Christmas (1996), from the late Rosemary Clooney, was another immediate selection. For me personally, it just wouldn't be the holidays without A Charlie Brown Christmas from the Vince Guaraldi Trio. I've been a longtime fan of The Manhattan Transfer and their release The Christmas Album (1992) has become a season classic in my home.

My final selection is also the most personal. In 1989 my friend Leslie McMichael released her CD Snowfall: Harp Solos for Christmas. Listening to it always brings back great holiday memories - especially of being in Seattle years ago and going to the Space Needle to hear Leslie perform live. In addition, Leslie (who co-founded the Vashon Island Harp School), and her significant other Marty Schafer, always celebrate the season by sending out an eagerly anticipated musical holiday card.

© 2006 Jeff Fisher Logomotives

Yikes! Suggestions for stressed out shoppers

The holidays are here! Last year many bLog-oMotives readers were thrilled when I posted my list of favorite places to shop - online and in person - for holiday gifts (and shopping year round!). I'll admit that I sometimes just slobber on my computer monitor while ogling some great products from some of the retailers. I've added some new suggestions this year:

Archie McPhee - Seattle WA • auto - New York NY • BabyStyle.com • Bad Byron's Butt Rub - Santa Rosa Beach FL • Bay View Farm Coffees - Kona HI • Blue Raccoon - New Hope PA • Cafe Du Monde - New Orleans LA • CD Baby - Portland, OR • Chef's Catalog • Chocolate Flower Farm - Langley WA • Chronicle Books - San Francisco CA • Clos du Val Wine Company - Napa CA • Coffee, Tea & Spice - Talihina OK • Cork - A bottle shop - Portland OR • Cornucopia - Napa CA • Cry Baby Ranch • Despair, Inc. • Desperado - Portland, OR • Dippy Chick Company - Kingston NH eCookbooks.com - Newton Highlands MA • Eleni's Cookies - Long Island NY • Erath Vineyards - Dundee OR • Elephant Dung Paper • Fireworks - Seattle WA • Fitzsu.com • Flax Art & Design - San Francisco, CA • Garnet Hill • Geribi Ceramics - Deruta, Italy • Hip CHICKS do Wine - Portland OR • In Good Taste - Portland OR • Inky Lips Press • J Peterman Company - Lexington KY • J.K. Carriere Wines - Newberg OR • Jacqui Naylor - San Francisco, CA • Joy Creek Nursery - Scappoose OR • Kenspeckle Letterpress - Duluth MN • Keyboard-Characters - Salem OR • Laughing Elephant - Seattle WA • Lime Green • Patina - Minneapolis MN • Peter Miller Books - Seattle WA • Mitchell Larsen Studio - Christiansted, St. Croix • Mobile State of Grace, Inc. • MoMAstore - New York NY • Moonstruck Fine Chocolate - Portland, OR • Moss • MXYPLYZYK - New York NY • New Dimension Seed - Scappoose OR • New Seasons Markets (great gift sections!) - Portland, OR • Oakville Grocery - Oakville CA • Oblation Papers & Press - Portland OR • Office - Portland OR • Powell's Books - Portland OR • Raindogs - Yachats OR • Rogue Creamery - Central Point OR • Ravenna Gardens - Seattle WA • Red Envelope • Rejuvenation - Portland, OR • SFMOMA MuseumStore - San Francisco CA • The Spoon Sisters - New York NY • Square Deal Wine Company - Portland, OR • Stonewall Kitchens - York ME • Sundance - Sundance UT • Sur La Table - Seattle WA • Ten Thousand Villages • Territory Ahead • The Conran Shop • The Hard-To-Find Grocer • The Monkey & The Rat - Portland OR • The Museum Shop of The Art Institute - Chicago IL • Twig and Fig - Berkeley CA • Uncommon Goods • Wipe Your Tush With Bush - Portland OR

Happy shopping!

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Bibendum: "Puffed up and provocative"

I've always loved advertising characters. In fact, I have a collection of over 200 advertising figures in my home studio. Bob's Big Boy hangs out on my desk with Toucan Sam, Sprout, Mr. Bubble, Cap'n Crunch and Chinese versions of Tony the Tiger. Colonel Sanders, Marky Maypo, the Trix Rabbit, Frankenberry, Sleepy, Snap, Crackle, Pop, Tillie the Tillamook cow, and many others look on from around the room. With the increasing value of the growing collection, I somewhat jokingly refer to it as "my retirement fund."

One of my favorites has always been Bibendum, better known to most as "the Michelin Man." As a kid, I remember seeing him on billboards, in the form of large roadside statues, and even sitting on an ashtray at my grandparents' house. He stands tall (and in other forms) among all the characters in my studio gathering.

Recently, with the popularity of the traveling exhibition “Nunc est Bibendum, An Iconographic Legend Since 1898,” Bibendum has been getting a lot of international news coverage. The exhibit is currently at the Conde Duque Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporaneo in Madrid until January 14, 2007. Additional locations in Europe, and eventually the United States and Japan, will be announced in the future. Michelin has a fun, abbreviated version of the exhibition on their corporate website.

The Michelin Man was first created in 1898 by French entrepreneurs André and Edouard Michelin in cooperation with the artist O’Galop (pseudonym of Marius Rossillon). Edouard noticed how a display of tires, stacked one on top of the other at an exhibition in Lyon, resembled the shape of a portly restaurant reviewer he knew. He told his brother Andre, who commissioned O'Galop to recreate Edouard's vision. The new character appeared in a 1898 poster showing him offering a toast, "Nunc est bibendum" (“It’s time to drink,”- or "Cheers" - in Latin), to his competitors with a glass full of highway dangers such as jagged glass. Nearly 100 years later, in 2000, Bibendum was selected as the "most recognized corporate symbol" by an international panel at the Financial Times.

Hopefully I will be able to see the exhibition in person at some location in Europe or when it comes to the U.S. I'll post any exhibit location updates in future bLog-oMotives entries.

One of my own Bibendums (in the photo above) is a 1980-81 French representation of a slim and trim Michelin Man. There's even an entire book about such Michelin items: The Michelin Man: An Unauthorized Advertising Showcase. I'll introduce you to some of my other advertising "friends" later. For more information about iconic advertising characters you might want to take a look at the books Meet Mr. Product: The Art of the Advertising Character or What a Character: 20th Century American Advertising Icons

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

P22 type and the logo designer

In a recent bLog-oMotives entry I mentioned that the P22 Type Foundry was altering their pricing structure - and having a sale on their current boxed sets. The sale ends on December 31st. The font selections of P22 are based in letterform designs used throughout history. Over the years, often when needing type representative of a specific historic era, the company has been a great resource of appropriate type for my logo design projects.

When architect Thomas Fallon was seeking an identity for his firm, he explained that much of his residential home design was reflective of the Arts & Craft era. I immediately felt that P22 would be a possible resource for type to be used in any designs. I was drawn to the unique letterforms of the font Dard Hunter for use on his logo text. In fact, to create the icon in the center of his logo, I combined elements from a lowercase Dard Hunter "t" to create an image representing the initials "t" and "f." Additional research lead to the subtle blue color being selected as representative of the time and Arts & Craft stylings.

The Fallon identity received an American Corporate Identity 21 honor and appears in the book American Corporate Identity 2006 as a result. It is also in the volume Logo Design for Small Business 2.

Another P22 font, Terracotta, was used in designing the event identity for The Spring Showcase Art & Gift Sale for Portland's Greek Orthodox Church. Organizers of the annual event, the Holy Trinity Philoptochos, desired a somewhat classic-looking logo that would work well for flyers, ads, notecards and other promotion items. The frame of the logo was inspired by an old floral graphic I had seen in a book of wallpaper patterns. Again, P22 seemed like the perfect place to find a typeface complimentary to the art elements. The typeface, and graphic elements, also worked well with the architecture and interior of the beautiful church.

A long-time client, George Fox University, contacted me a couple years ago to redesign the identity for their Tilikum Center for Retreats & Outdoor Ministries. The center includes 92 acres of green meadows, quiet lake waters, and wooded hiking trails. The previous logo was a somewhat free-from shape and did not work well in some applications. A more concise identity, still conveying the serenity and beauty of the retreat location, was desired. The P22 font Pan-Am worked very well with the stylized organic frame created for the new logo image.

Although not using one of the P22 fonts that are historically inspired, the identity for Jason Holland's Twisted Elegance Interactive does make use of a font selection from the company's International House of Fonts. The typeface Bramble was selected to convey a sense of elegance - with a bit of twist.

The Twisted Elegance logo was recognized by P22's Fonts-In-Use competition in March 2005. It was also recognized with an American Corporate Identity 22 award and is included in the new book American Corporate Identity 2007.

P22 also has a variety of other font selections in addition to the International House of Fonts. Be sure to check out the offerings of the Langston Type Company, the Rimmer Type Foundry and the Sherwood Type Collection All offer excellent type suggestions for logo designer.

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Calls for entries:Upcoming design competition deadlines

All of the following competitions deadlines present great opportunities to showcase your design efforts, market your work on an international scale through the published books, and "toot!" your own horn to clients, peers and the media:

I.D. Annual Design Review
(I.D. Magazine - USA)
Deadline: Entries accepted until December 15, 2006
Entry fees charged - late fees now apply

American Corporate Identity
(David E. Carter - USA)
Deadline: Entries accepted until December 18, 2006
Entry fees charged - late fees now apply

Photoshop User Awards
(National Association of Photoshop Professionals - USA)
Deadline: December 31, 2006
Entry fees charged

Brochures from North to South America
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: No specific date published
No entry fees charged

Hungry Design
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: No specific date published
No entry fees charged

Packaging Identity
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: No specific date published
No entry fees charged

Instant Graphics
(Rotovision - UK)
Deadline Extended: January 5, 2007
No entry fees charged

CA Interactive Media Design
(Communications Arts - USA)
Deadline: January 12, 2007
Entry fees charged

TDC53 - Typography
(Type Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: January 12, 2007
Entry fees charged

Letterhead and Logo Design 10
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline Extended: January 15, 2007
No entry fees charged

Summit Creative Awards
(Summit Awards - USA)
Deadline: January 29, 2007
Entry fees charged

The Art Directors Club Annual Awards
(The Art Directors Club - USA)
Professional Deadline: January 19, 2007
Student Deadline: January 31, 2007
Entry fees charged

Identity: Best of the Best 2007
(Identity Magazine - Russia)
Deadline: January 31, 2007
No entry fees charged

European Design Awards
(Europe)
Submission period: January 1 - February 28, 2007
Entry fees charged

PRINT Regional Design Annual
(PRINT Magazine - USA)
Deadline: March 1, 2007
Entry fees charged

HOW Promotion Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: March 19, 2007
Entry fees charged

HOW InHOWse Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: April 13, 2007
Entry fees charged

LogoLounge 4
(LogoLounge - USA)
Deadline: March 31, 2007
LogoLounge membership required

You may want to read my article about participating in design industry competitions: A Winning Strategy. It has appeared on the Creative Latitude and NO!SPEC web sites. A list of design competition links appears at the end of the article.

Design competition calendars are also available at Icograda and Workbook. DesignTaxi and Dexinger post competitions of great value to industry professionals - however designers need to be aware that some of the listings are for "spec" work as a requirement for submission. Requests for new, or speculative, work as a condition of entering a "contest" are much different than legitimate design competition "calls for entries," in which previously created works are judged for possible awards, exhibition, or publication in an annual or other book.

Good luck!

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

PRINT offers 10-year design retrospective on DVD

Now you can have immediate access to ten years' worth of PRINT Regional Design Annual winners, online and on DVD. All of the 16,000+ winners—hand-picked by PRINT editors—are organized into easily searchable categories, including Identity/Stationery, Self-Promotion, Posters, Packaging, Ads, Editorial Design, Environmental Graphics, Photography, Illustration, Invitations/Announcements, Annual Reports and Outdoor Ads.

This design resource is currently available online for $49.95 (plus $3.99 shipping & handling) — a savings of 33% off the suggested retail price. The purchase includes a DVD as well as a full year (12 months) of access to the Regional Design Annual website, both of which allow you to search and view the past ten year's Regional Design Annual winners.

Quite a few of my own designs were recognized by PRINT over the years, including logos for food bank Esther's Pantry, the "Fat Men in Skirts," hairstylist Jeff Maul, theatre venue Main Street Playhouse and the Samuels Yoelin law firm. The identities for writer Kimberly Webster, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, and Black Dog Furniture Design have also been featured in the annual. A few of the designs also appeared in the resulting late, great PRINT's Best Logo & Symbols series of books.

Hmmm...I just realized, for the first time, that all but one of the images selected for inclusion over the years has been a one-color design.

A few years ago, when I noticed the annual was exhibiting less and less of a focus on logo design, I quit submitting entries for consideration. I do think it is unfortunate that identity design has been given less exposure in recent editions.

Those wishing to submit designs for the upcoming PRINT Regional Design Annual need to do so by March 1, 2007. Entry forms and details are available on the PRINT website.

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Client gift-giving: The good and the gaffes

"As the song goes, it's 'the most wonderful time of the year,' but for many the holiday season is also the most stressful. If you're a freelancer, you might spend more time racking your brain for client gift ideas than roasting chestnuts over an open fire. While shopping for family and friends can happily be postponed, coming up with the perfect way to say "thank-you" to your customers - especially on a budget - is a challenge that requires planning."

So begins the article, Client gift-giving: The good and the gaffes on The Creative Group eZine. TCG eZine interviewed author and marketing mentor Ilise Benun, and yours truly, about client (and vendor) gift ideas for the piece that was originally posted a few years ago. The advice holds true today as the holiday season quickly sneaks up on us all.

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

UCDA designer poster auction under way on eBay

The University & College Designers Association (UCDA) is currently conducting an eBay auction of designer posters. Most of the posters are signed by the designer. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the UCDA Foundation which supports scholarships and programming and helps elevate the image of designers and design educators in education.

The current auction items include:

Spring Poster (signed), by Michael Manwaring

Summer Poster (signed), by Michael Manwaring

Winter Poster (signed), by Michael Manwaring

Wolfgang Weingart: Misc. Thoughts on Typography Poster (signed), by Chris Pullman

Wine Graphics Letterpress Poster (signed), by Mo Lebowitz

Earth Day 1990 Poster (signed), by Seymour Chwast

Mountain Laurels Poster (signed), by Lanny Sommese

Seasons Greetings Double-sided Vintage Postcard Poster (signed), by Deborah Sussman

Ohio Arts Council Grants in Design Arts Poster (signed), by Gordon Salchow

Fish Gulfstream Poster, Savage Design Group; Illustration by: Jack Unruh

Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival 2006 Poster, by Milton Glaser

Holocaust Museum Poster (Ten Years: Remembrance.), by Milton Glaser

Illustration: Mountain Laurels Poster, by Lanny Sommese

(Hey, they may have spelled my last name wrong - but I'm thrilled that UnBeige picked this entry up and mentioned it in their graphic design category on Monday. Hopefully more creative types will participate in the bidding.)

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

World AIDS Day 2006:A day of reflection and a call to action

Just over 25 years ago a small article in The New York Times reported the outbreak of a rare "cancer" among 41 gay men in New York and California. No one could have predicted the impact that news item would eventually have on the world.

Today, an estimated 22-25 million men, women and children have died of AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses, and an estimated 40 million individuals are living with HIV. AIDS impacts people of all ethnicities, ages, genders and sexual orientations. AIDS is devasting generations in Africa. The United Nations AIDS agency estimates that India has the largest caseload for a single country with 5.7 million individuals infected with HIV. AIDS continues to impact Americans in huge numbers.

World AIDS Day, December 1st, is a time for all people worldwide to unite in the ongoing fight against AIDS. It is up to all of us to stop the spread of HIV - and prejudice - through education, prevention programs, assisting in the care of those with HIV/AIDS, and doing what we can to help find a cure. World AIDS Day also offers a time to reflect on the personal impact of AIDS in our lives.

In December 1985 I got the news that one of my best friends had AIDS - one of the earliest cases in Oregon. Still, I was not prepared for what was to come. Over the next decade so many people I knew died of AIDS, including my college roommate, a fraternity brother, teachers, friends, clients, vendors, neighbors, other roommates, a distant cousin and others. I literally lost count as the number of people I personally knew who died from AIDS neared 100. My cousin, promising playwright and director Bradford O'Neil, was HIV-positive and committed suicide after caring for his partner until his death. This past year my best friend, Brad Hall, - who was diagnosed HIV-positive many years ago - died from what had extended his life. The "cocktail" of medications he'd taken for quite some time destroyed his liver and he did not live to get a proposed transplant. I've thought about many of these individuals with recent AIDS, and World AIDS Day, news.

As "creative types" - designers, photographers, writers and others - we are in a unique position to take action in the ongoing battle against AIDS. It's hard to believe that it has been 20 years since I first started doing design work related to HIV and AIDS. The projects have included logos for AIDS Walks, fundraising events, AIDS organizations, theatrical presentations about AIDS, a food bank for people with HIV, hospices and related clients. I've also created posters, newsletters, banners, ads, education booklets and other collateral items used in informing the public about the prevention of AIDS and the care of those with HIV.

I encourage - or challenge - others in the creative professions to do the same. Contact your local AIDS organizations, health departments, hospices and related groups to offer your services as a designer, photographer, writer, or even as person with some time to donate in providing any service needed.

The following resources may be helpful in locating organizations needing your assistance:

amFAR • KnowHIVAIDS.org • MTV/Staying Alive • UNAIDS • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative • The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation • Designers Without Borders • ONE • We All Have AIDS • WorldAIDSDay.org • Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS • Doctors Without Borders • GuideStar • Design for Social Impact • AIDS Healthcare Foundation

© 2006 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives