Mies van der Rohe Society
I serve as the blogger for a Chicago-based organization based at the Illinois Institute of Technology, home of the largest concentration of Mies-designed structures in the world. Learn more about Modernism’s master architect.
Silk
I was on the Silk Soymilk account at Digitas, serving up an array of digital products for this all-natural dairy alternative. Projects included monthly emails to soymilk fans (more examples here and here), the redesign of a website for nutrition professionals, and a fun take on learning about your food. Silk now comes in PureCoconut and PureAlmond, too.
McDonald's
I worked with a talented team at Tribal DDB to help create a tasty new website for the planet’s largest foodservice retailer (gazillions and gazillions served). Biggest takeaway? Nobody takes food safety more seriously than McDonald’s. Take a look.
Lutron
Never heard of Lutron? Sure you have: they invented the dimmer switch. I worked on the copy team at Tribal DDB to write miles of copy describing thousands of products and applications—all while promoting energy efficiency. Take a look.
Kohler Engines
Kohler wanted to elevate the profile of their 90-year-old Engines business to reach the performance-minded consumer. Thus, a product-driven site full of sexy overhead cam shots and tough copy. I worked with The Royal Order of Experience Design as the sole copywriter. I don’t even have a yard but I want a mower with the Kohler Command PRO CV1000. That thing could cut down the rainforest. Take a look.
Busby Bakes
I love cookies. So I started a business. Rented a kitchen. Sweated over a hot oven all day. Also developed a website, online store, packaging, line sheets, calling cards, gift certificates for charity auctions, cross-promotions with local businesses—anything to help move the goods. Sold well. Got great press. Turns out there’s no money in handmade cookies for grownups.
Illinois Institute of Technology
What would Mies do? To celebrate the opening of a new campus center designed by Rem Koolhaas, the College of Architecture and the Mies van der Rohe Society hosted lectures, exhibits, tours, and parties. Even the Mayor showed up. And I got to work with 2x4 and Thirst to produce the goods. Mies would have enjoyed himself.
Chautauqua
Better than ever after a significant facelift, this 100-year-old historic honey was ready for her close-up. A six month, multi-pronged campaign was launched to convince the citizens of Boulder to reconnect with a cultural legacy in the mountains.
Which they did, in record numbers.
American Center for Design—Living Surfaces
Graphic design meets digital promise in an auditorium and high drama ensues. That was Living Surfaces, an annual conference for people who were pushing the world to the edge of new. Or at least it felt that way at the time. I had the good fortune to work with folks at Meta Design, Razorfish, and Viant to produce a full slate of conference materials.
American Center for Design—Website
Almost a year in the making, I worked with Sapient’s San Francisco office to produce a fresh website chock full of content.
ACD folded in early 2002. Here’s a postcard.
American Center for Design—100 Show
Thanks to design luminaries from Yale, MIT Media Lab, and Cranbrook, ACD’s annual roundup of 100 design hits garnered thousands of hopeful entries each spring…and no record of the winners for nearly 5 years. Publishing a backlog of design annuals proved a character-building experience.