posted by Teresa

Jan 18, 2012 @ 7:00am

TEDx Columbia: A beautiful day

Sharing CreateAthon and the pro bono love

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining 14 other speakers and performers at the inaugural TEDx Columbia event. What began for me as an Oh my God, how will I ever have time to prepare for this item on my never-ending list became a transformative experience second only to CreateAthon, my subject de jour.

While I was more than humbled to have the opportunity to spread the CreateAthon gospel on such a distinguished stage, I was more moved by the cumulative effect of the day. It crept inside me as these words bounced in and out of every conversation.

What if. Who knew. We can. You can. I did. I asked. Yes.

There also was a lot of talk during the day about Columbia and the undiscovered potential of our city as evidenced by the talent, intellect and passion of everyone assembled at TEDx Columbia. The mere fact that we “did TEDx” was viewed as a great achievement. Certainly it was.

I submit the greater outcome of the day, however, lies in a heightened awareness of the other. Look at what that other person is doing. Look at the terrible thing that happened to her, and what she did with it. Look at the risk he took.

TEDx gave us a day to put down our own ego-driven lens and peer through the lens of the other. To soak in our fellow man’s distinctive experiences, and to consider just how vital it is that we all see the world a little bit differently.

After all, if two of us are exactly the same, one of us is irrelevant (to quote Jay Coles).

I think the world’s a little more beautiful today, being reminded of that.

So many thanks to the incredible TEDx Columbia team and fellow speakers for inviting me to be part of this incredible experience, for working so hard to make it such a success, and for entering my life as new friends.

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posted by Kevin

Jan 16, 2012 @ 3:00pm

Métro Signage

The Métropolitain – Paris’ rapid transit metro system – has 245 different stations within 34 square miles of Paris, many of them exhibiting unique interiors that set them apart from the rest. I had the opportunity to witness this firsthand on a recent trip to Paris several weeks ago.

Abbesses – Its chipped tiled type contrasts well with these round yellow chairs that could have been pulled straight from a Herman Miller catalog.

Concorde – A 100+ year old stop with a grid of letters spelling out the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a fundamental document of the French Revolution (wall of type=revolutionary idea).

The Métro signs at each entrance also differed from each other at different stops. These variations were not nearly as widespread, however, and their usage seemed random and non-specific to location. I did some research to find out why.

This is one of the 83 original surviving art nouveau entrances and is seen as an iconic symbol of Paris. It was designed by Hector Guimard in 1900 and its style caused much surprise and controversy. This is the primary stop we used on our trip (Abbesses) and it’s also one of the three remaining entrances with a more elaborate glass canopy.

This simpler version, a metal balustrade accompanying a “Métro” sign crowned by a spherical lamp, could be found in early stations around 1910.

This one has a similar type treatment to the previous, but is simplified even more with its stronger sans serif lettering placed onto a stone wall.

Signposts with just an “M” have become the norm since the 1970′s to present.

To see more pictures from the trip, check out my Flickr feed.

 

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posted by Apprentices

Jan 13, 2012 @ 7:00am

On super powers.

If you could have a super power for one day,
what would it be?


Cathy Monetti
I would like to be able to fly.

Kevin Smith
Time travel.

Ryon Edwards
Super beard-growing power.

Julie Turner
To be able to fly to and visit far-flung places across the planet. But, I’d want to do touristy things, not let commuter trains ride across my shoulders because some crazy wanker blew up a bridge.

Teresa Coles
Turbo power. I could get so much work done in one day, I could take the rest of the week off!

Maria Fabrizio
To be able to hit command + Z and have it apply to real life.

Kevin Archie
I would have the unheard of superhuman ability to avoid procrastination.

Pete Anderson
Flight, both on Earth and through space.

Illustration by Ryon Edwards

Illustration by Ryon Edwards

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posted by Ryon

Jan 11, 2012 @ 9:29am

Type Observed: HOBO

I see the typeface “Hobo” in a lot of different places — labels, signs, posters, logos – the list goes on. I once thought that this was one of the ugliest type designs out there, but I now realize that it’s not the design itself, or even the terrible name — it’s mostly because of how it’s used and misused. Of all the type crimes out there (thank you Ellen Lupton: http://www.thinkingwithtype.com/contents/extras/#Type_Crimes), you’ll often find Hobo as a nearby accomplice. And I’ve certainly made my jokes about this “awful” typeface over the years, but once I studied the origin and the history of this design, I’ve become much less critical.

Stylistically, Hobo looks like something crafted from 1970′s, but was actually designed in 1910 towards the end of the Art Noveau Movement. It was designed by Morris Fuller Benton, one of America’s most prolific typeface designers. After closer examination, the letters are actually well-proportioned (when typeset properly) — every part of each letter is curved, which gives it a decorative effect, but with a modern twist. It’s lowercase letters are unique — descenders that do not drop below the baseline. Yeah, it’s weird — but it’s designed to be a display type. Fairly progressive for 1910, considering that most typography from that period was very decorative and ornate.

So I’m no longer a Hobo-hater. I just hate seeing it being misused.

Note: If you’ve seen examples of Hobo type out there (good or bad), please send  some pics my way – I’m starting a collection of images and would love to include yours! Thanks.


The oldest use of Hobo I've ever seen!

Type Crime!

 

 

 

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posted by Teresa

Jan 10, 2012 @ 7:00am

5 Trends for Nonprofits = 1 Big Challenge

“Greater emphasis on strategy, organizational alignment and process design will be applicable to all nonprofits, large or small. Essentially, being more sophisticated and savvy when it comes to supporter engagement won’t be just a ‘nice to have’ — it will be a necessity.”

This from Vinay Bhagat, founder and chief strategy officer for Convio, as commentary to support their predictions of Key Trends for the Nonprofit Sector in 2012. A quick look at these five indicates the significant challenges organizations are up against:

  1. Online and New Media Channels Will Continue To Extend Their Influence
  2. Peer-to-Peer Engagement Will Play An Expanded Role
  3. Donor Fatigue Will Be More Pronounced
  4. Supporters Want To Control Their Experience
  5. Integrated Marketing Will Rise To New Heights

So what’s at the bottom of all this? Is there one thing nonprofits can call on to help address these complex marketing issues?

Yes. It’s called strategy.

After a couple of years basking in the glow of social media tactics, nonprofits must accept the consequences of all the “free and easy” noise that has resulted in a highly crowded nonprofit marketplace. One in which the consumers who have been bombarded with so many cause-related digital messages may be considering a way out (see points 3 and 4).

On the other hand, nonprofits that design and deploy well orchestrated, multi-channel  marketing initiatives — with highly focused objectives, clearly defined audiences, and a razor-sharp message —  will not only prevent “donor fatigue” but also attract and engage record levels of supporters (see points 1, 2 and 5).

But it’s neither free nor easy. Planning integrated, multi-channel marketing programs is hard, and it demands a tremendous amount of focus, self-discipline and attention to detail. Start now with an assessment of current marketing efforts, give yourself an honest grade, and commit to a marketing program in 2012 that is built  on an integrated, strategic platform that takes into consideration these five consumer predictions. Then stand back and watch the magic.

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posted by Cathy

Jan 06, 2012 @ 5:51pm

Lee Clow’s Beard

The best tweet I’ve seen in a long, long time.

 

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posted by Cathy

Dec 23, 2011 @ 6:55am

A Little Christmas Story

I was digging through the attic earlier this week looking for a box in which to wrap a Christmas gift. I came upon this one and had my annual thought regarding it:

I can’t use that box. I love that logo too much to just let that box go.

the coveted box

And then I had a little talk with myself about how ridiculous I was being. How completely over-the-top consumeristic to hold on to a BOX.

But it does speak to the power of a really great identity, doesn’t it?

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posted by Teresa

Dec 19, 2011 @ 12:35pm

TEDx: Exponential Impact for Nonprofits

Earlier this fall, I was both surprised and delighted when I discovered my dear friend Julie Turner had nominated me as a potential speaker for TEDx Columbia. Founded as a four-day video conference in California 25 years ago, TED is now an international program committed to Ideas Worth Spreading. Presenters are asked to talk about their passions, inventions, beliefs, observations — the ideas they have that can spark change in the world. Talks are captured on video and viewed worldwide.

TEDx events allow people to use the “talk” model as a tool for effecting change in their own communities. On January 16 (MLK Day), I’ll have the honor of joining seven other speakers in the first-ever TEDx Columbia event. I’ll be talking about CreateAthon, and the incredible things that can happen when you let a big idea go in the world. Others will share stories on topics ranging from First Amendment Rights and brain damage research to urban farming and a program that uses rescue dogs to teach compassion and character development.

To say I was a bit overwhelmed at the thought of joining the distinguished ranks TED presenters is an understatement indeed. So being me, I began the task of preparing my presentation by researching other TED presentations. I was amazed to find the types of topics that were tagged at TED.com: the arts, humanities, animal rights, environmentalism, social justice, health, education, energy, philanthropy. A treasure trove of good.

Meanwhile, back at TEDx Columbia, I thought about the amazing story of Anna Bigham, one of my fellow presenters. She founded a nonprofit organization called Hidden Wounds that provides interim and emergency counseling services to combat veterans and their families. Her work honors her beloved younger brother, who took his life while struggling with PTSD. To realize I will be sharing a stage with someone like her — with such a noble and noteworthy cause — has humbled me even more. And what a gift the TED organization gives by lending a stage to nonprofits and their causes, as well as commercial endeavors that can make a difference in the world.

If you have a cause you’re passionate about, or just looking for a little inspiration, I encourage you to spend some time with TED. If you have a TEDx event in your area, consider how you might introduce your cause to the audience of inspired doers and thinkers in the TED universe. If you don’t have TEDx nearby, organize a team and make it happen now.

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posted by Apprentices

Dec 16, 2011 @ 7:00am

On jobs and money.

Would you rather be poor and work at a job you love or be rich and work at a job you hate?

Pete Anderson
Poor/job I love.

Julie Turner
You can’t fully enjoy bathing in one hundred dollar bills if you loathe what you do for most of the day. I’d choose poor with a job I love.

Kevin Smith
Of course I’d choose to be poor and work at a job I love. I specialize in being rich without actually having any money.

Kevin Archie
If you can find a job you love, I think you’re lucky to be there regardless of pay.

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posted by Cathy

Dec 15, 2011 @ 3:41pm

Goodwill for Goodwill. And There’s a Prize!

from chair spindles to gorgeous tree ornaments

We couldn’t be happier about this one if we tried. Working with Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands SC is a dream assignment—powerful mission, great people, interesting projects.

A wonderful bonus of the work we’ve done for Goodwill is the friendships we’ve developed along the way. Good Life blogger Kendra Ardis, for instance.

We first met Kendra when she responded to our Craig’s List ad looking for The Perfect Person to help us develop and launch our first lifestyle blog, The Good Life. The blog centers around the definition of thrift we love the most, from Wikipedia:

the recycling of formerly-owned items, finding new use and new love for vintage material goods which had been thrown out, and the thrill of imagining what the former life of the item was like

A thrifter from way back, Kendra is the Perfect Person to write The Good Life.

wouldn't these look swell on your tree?

As a bonus, Kendra and The Good Life brought to us another artist who takes thrift to a new level, Barb Blair of Knack Studios. In a guest post on The Good Life, Barb transforms these old chair spindles into the most incredible Christmas Tree ornaments around. What’s more, she’s allowing The Good Life to give them away a set of 12 in a contest on the blog’s Facebook page as a way to bring more people who love the art of thrift to the blog.

(To enter to win these ornaments, just click on this link. Deadline is midnight tonight.

Maybe it’s just the traditional feeling of goodwill (pardon me) the holiday season brings, but we’re feeling grateful for so many things that came to Riggs Partners wrapped in the Year 2011—not the least of which is a wonderful new client and all the relationships therewith. We are truly grateful.

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