There is an awful lot of talk about design for good.  As designers and creatives we can volunteer our services to any number of worthy causes with the hope of making our world a better place. There are notable organizations such as Design for Democracy, Arts Advocacy, The Living Principles, Design Ignites Change and so many others.  Additionally, much has been written and discussed about the unique thought processes of designers and artists, and how creatives can bring renewed and out-of-the-box problem solving to a number of issues for both private and public concerns. This is all good and true. I support Design for Good . . . but somewhere I think we are missing a link. Somewhere along the line, we have forgotten and neglected the essential elements within ourselves that are required before we can truly give to others. Stress has left it’s mark on all of us.

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a list maker.  Journals, agendas, Moleskines and Ecosystems rule my day, my week and my month.  I love everything about these little books … the paper, the covers and all the assorted tools, pens and pencils that go into creating the dairies of my life.

My “To-Do” list has been an important part of keeping me organized and on track but several months ago I looked at my list and it was just sad, “There’s no way I’ll finish all this.” The truly self defeating part of the whole thing was that I knew once I checked off one task it would only be replaced by two or three more.  This method was flawed and completely unsatisfactory.  So how does one change this seemingly fruitless situation?

Life can be harsh and sometimes the struggle seems not worth the effort, but then there are people who remind us that it is.

Some months ago I attended a social media breakfast in Branford, Connecticut.  It was a rainy morning, a very early morning, and I arrived to the event a bit late.  Feeling awkward (I hate being late), I entered the front of the filled conference room and not knowing where to go, I spotted WTNH News Anchor Ann Nyberg waving me down and motioning for me to come sit with her.  Ann and I had never met before except for exchanges on Facebook and Twitter. As I adjusted myself at the table, Ann put her hand on my shoulder and said “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”  (Ann Nyberg is going to get ME a cup of coffee?) I was taken aback because for some reason random acts of kindness always surprise me.

Last week, I met with Peter Good of Cummings & Good for an interview regarding AIGA CT.  It was the second time I would interview Peter for INK publications.  Good is a rock star of graphic design and recently was recognized as the first AIGA fellow from Connecticut.  He’s created logos for The Hartford Whalers, Wadsworth Atheneum and Special Olympics. The poster design coming from C&G crosses the line between art and design.  As I entered the design firm, Peter immediately comes to greet me, grabs my hand and provides me with a big hug.  He expresses his pleasure in being able to meet again and once again I’m taken aback with the kindness and warmth of someone who has accomplished amazing and worthy lifetime achievements.

It is not often that we have the opportunity to meet such sincere and gracious people and when we do those encounters make a lasting impression.  Our streets are filled with road rage.  Big business and corporations take advantage of their standings and sometimes it seems that everywhere we look people are just waiting to be rude. I don’t write here about Ann and Peter because of their stature. I write about them because they have accomplished so much and they give so much back. It comes to them naturally.

All it really takes, for me, is a reassuring hand on my shoulder or a welcoming embrace.  I suspect the same is true for most people… little random acts of kindness go a long way in healing someone’s day. So the next time I see you coming in out of the rain, looking a little awkward, I’m going to offer you a cup of coffee or maybe a hug. Until then, here’s some flowers for you.

Hi, Everybody. I thought I’d update you on how it’s going with the TV blackout here at my house.  Many of you wished me well with this experiment, so I’m happy to inform you that, in fact, it’s going pretty good.  Nights like tonight are especially wonderful. Instead of watching TV (or even being online), my entire family is home (for once) and reading. This new type of behavior happens quite often. Except for the gentle clacking of my laptop keyboard and the sound of pages turning…it is silent in my house.  No music (usually three different types coming from 3 different rooms…at the same time).  No bombs blowing up.  No yelling.  No TV noise. It’s silent. It is bliss.

After the TV blackout, I went and explored some Internet options, just in case. Hulu has good content and it’s free. ABC offers several of their series online as full episodes. Netfix is an organization that has its act together. Also, Netfix is about nine dollars per month as opposed to the ninety dollars I was paying for my TV provider.  The additional beauty of it is that it’s all on demand. It’s here when, and if, we want it.

Even with these online options…we’re reading.  Or we’re writing or we’re talking.  We don’t need TV, don’t really miss it, and I think we’re better for it.  There are a lot more options now.

Signing off,
/L.

I recently rediscovered my local library. I can’t imagine why it escaped me the last 5 years, but it’s a wonderful environment in which to work.  My library was recently remodeled and now comes equip with sloping ceilings, exposed beams and floor to ceiling windows.  I have a favorite spot.  It’s tucked in back with a comfortable chair next to a window that receives sunshine all afternoon. It’s quiet, of course.  While working at the library, I find I can complete entire thoughts, work through solutions, plan, organize and get work done in a peaceful setting.  I’m incredibly productive there and I come home feeling happy and refreshed.  The library makes me feel like I’m hiding out.

Perhaps I’ve been reading too many business marketing and motivational books.  Seth Godin, and The Red Lemon Club have provided me with advice on how to be more productive and extraordinary. Taking them at their word, I’ve decided to conduct an experiment as part of my approach at living a bigger life of art and design. I’m ditching TV.

This measure is requiring a certain amount of bravery on my part. While I don’t watch that much TV anyway, there are certain times when I really truly just want to relax in front of the tube and let it take me away.  It’s candy for my brain.  Regardless, this week I’ll be calling up my satellite provider and canceling my account.

It’s not just a matter of wanting to be more productive… if I wanted to be more productive, I could always elect to just not turn the thing on. But, my Directtv bill is approximately $90/month and I find that ridiculous. I don’t receive the premium channels such as Showtime or HBO.  Nope, that $90/month goes for perhaps 4 channels I watch regularly and a whole bunch of other channels I rarely use.  I’ve called Directtv and eliminated some channels in attempt at making the monthly bill less like extortion, but that only brought my bill down by about $15 and eliminated Ovation TV, which I loved.  So with the support of my kids, off it goes and here are the benefits we’re hoping to gain:

1. More productivity and a enhanced lifestyle
2. I can either save that $90 or use it toward attending a social event.  That’s $1,080/year and that’s some significant vacation money!!
3. Less stress… I find that often the background noise of TV causes stress for me.  Quiet is good. Music is good. Bombs blowing up, repeated bad news, loud TV commercials…BAD.
4. I can enjoy television and programs without the monthly bill.  I can rent DVDs from the library. Watch Hulu.  ABC provides many of their regular programs online at abc.go.com. I can read the news online or in print.  These things are all “On Demand”.

I think that with the economy being such as it is, and with the inflated prices Comcast, Directtv and others are demanding, television will eventually go the way of the dinosaur.  Why should we pay $90+ when we can get what we need for less and On Demand.  My mission, my attempt, is to take back control.  Come on, join me.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

I’d love to get to know you.  Please drop me a comment and introduce yourself. Don’t be shy.

Every year for the last 4 years I have looked forward to obtaining the annual calendar from the design team of Cummings & Good in Chester, Connecticut.  Artful and unique, these beautiful creations serve first as an embellishment to any office or kitchen, but then packaged in a canister the happy calendar owner can roll it up at the end of the year and keep a year of events as a time capsule.  These calendars are not just a palette for date keeping, they celebrate a yearly theme… Love, Work, Play, and this year Books. Each month of 2010, a literary theme is illustrated and illuminated… A Book of Photographs, Alphabet Book, Sketch Book, Book Case, Cook Book, and Scrap Book are some of the subjects explored.

The variety of  letterforms, imagery, and illustration on these calendars are examples that have made Cummings & Good the amazing design team that they are. It is a labor of love. For more than three decades the award-winning Cummings & Good have created compelling design solutions for Fortune 500 companies, arts organizations, educational institutions, and special events.  For the past 16 years, the team has created these gorgeous keepsake calendars.

Design of Time: Ten Years of Cummings & Good Calendars, an exhibition, is presently on display at Thomas J. Dodd Research Center Gallery and Corridor, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut through March 5, 2010.  The exhibit highlights the calendars and covers from 2001 – 2010. The creative process is demonstrated from concept sketches to the final printed pages as well as original art, photographs, constructions, news articles, correspondence, and promotional items. Slow Latin Groove Project will play at the opening reception on Sunday January 24 from 2-4pm.

January 19th – March 5th, 2010
General exhibition Mon – Fri, 8:30 – 4:30 PM

Sunday, January 24th
Opening Reception 2 – 4 PM

Peter and Jan would love to see you at the opening.

Thomas J. Dodd Research Center
University of Connecticut Libraries
Storrs, Connecticut
(860) 486-4500

The Dodd Research Center is adjacent to
the Homer Babbidge Library.

View Directions

Get your own calendar from the Cummings & Good Website
Also available at Mohawk Paper’s Felt & Wire.

Visit the AIGA CT Website