Lindsey (b. 04-22-1982)

Aunt Zelda made sure Monmouth County knew that Lynnie Stevens had a baby girl. Uncle Marty (Dr. Malachowsky) showed himself to be the man for the job of delivery. Dr. and Mrs. Stevens (Sam and Toby) were thrilled. I was there too, of course. I knew then and there that you were Daddy’s little angel (all 7 lbs. 7 ounces). Being born in 1982 makes you a millennial, a statistic and among the first of another generation. I love to think that you represent and influence the future. It makes me very proud.

You became a sensation in Hoboken. The shops along Washington, the Italian bodegas, the chocolatier and the city park will never be the same because they saw that little angel smile. Henri Matisse painted The Dance just for you: “The Ring around the Rosie painting is my favorite,” you said of that work at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Around that time you mastered your Big Wheel bike on our block (Elmwood Avenue in Maplewood). Your smile was missing some baby teeth then. Nevertheless that smile welcomed a baby brother. (He didn’t know then how lucky he was at the time.) You shared a room with Ben in the Dorothy Street apartment in Los Angeles (Brentwood). Before you knew it we’re back in New Jersey (South Orange). The Penthouse suite at Kingsland Terrace was your perch. Another move and you were the very best ADDY award assistant The Triangle Advertising Federation ever saw. You were 10! (Raleigh, NC). You and your brother were emphatic fans of “technique of the week” and always a blast at flea markets and store checks. The continuity of Camp Seafarer for a land general who was camper and counselor is a part of your journey. Of course, we moved again – to Miami, and you rose to the top again. “First Clarinet is like the quarterback of our team,” your music teacher said of you. You were a teen changing High Schools when we moved again. St. Louis. Parkway West High School never saw a more enthusiastic supporter of free speech. (I was so proud of you as you took it upon yourself to lead a crusade and alert the media over the issue of Free Speech.)

Fast forward and it is astounding how many lives you have touched (as a leader, sister, daughter and youth group advisor. You are a friend, an advocate, a champion of human rights, a decent citizen and a remarkable inspiration.) That might be enough for some, but now you show the world you can set unbelievable goals, new goals, and get on a path to not only achieving them but crushing them. The world is a better place with you in it. Happy Birthday Lindsey! Thank you for being you! Dad

Ten engaging things

This is a blog. (Which as you may or may not know is short-hand for web log.) We bloggers are generating so much content every day the clutter of it all demands creators find ways to engage readers. Blogging borrows heavily from a tradition called print media - a system where editors are accountable to the readers because the advertising revenue depends on them. Delivering eyeballs is worth a lot to advertisers from manufactures of cake mix to sellers of automobiles. (Advertising dollars, paid circulation and editorial lived together in near perfect harmony.)  But now you must do it without testing the limits of the increasingly shrinking attention span. So, offered here for your engagement pleasure my top ten:

10. So, a priest, a rabbi and a minister walk into a bar. The bartender says “What is this some kind of joke?”

9.  So St. Peter says, “There are no lawyers in heaven!”

8. How do you make elephant Jello? Just read the directions on the box.

7. A canner can can anything he can, but a canner can’t can a can, can he?

6. What’s black and white and red all over…a newspaper. (A newspaper is part of that ancient print media tradition referred to earlier in this blog. Read all over, get it?)

5. She sells sea shells by the seashore.

4.  A daffodil slid off ada.

3. If you flip a coin 99 times and it comes up heads every time, what are the odds it will turn up heads again if you flip it the 100^th time? (Answer 50/50.)

2. Like Groucho, I don’t want to be part of any club that would have me as a member.

And finally at number 1… There was an Old Man of Nantucket; Who kept all his cash in a bucket. His daughter, called Nan, Ran away with a man, And as for the bucket, Nantucket.

(Anonymous)

If you read this far, thank you. I hope you were reasonably entertained and engaged along the way through this post of 350 words (or less).

Welcome to Casey's Cave

Sitting around the dining room table at Casey’s; Kathy, Kat, Ferrell, Vicky and myself; we are ready to talk business about ExecLink. Terry sent his regrets because he’s working on a contract basis with a software development client in Illinois (across the river).  Our leader is at the head of the table and ready to conduct business. This was not the president’s first choice for our board meeting, but he is gracious none the less. Casey’s home is pleasant and comfortable. In this Ballwin neighborhood this evening, it seems the only sound is the clamor of our little business meeting. Casey’s wife said hello before heading upstairs.

Our meeting comes to order. Casey offers updates on the composition of our board. We might like to add two more he says. He yields the floor to Kathy to give a member update and some news on our event registration procedure. A natural segue on costs allows Ferrell to jump to the treasurer’s report. All are in agreement that we are not yet in a position to charge annual membership fees to the 650+ we have on our roster. The meeting structure relaxes enough to cover a few thoughts on one new website, marketing, sponsorship, speakers and future venues. A motion to adjourn is seconded and our business is complete within the space of an hour.

The subject of the cave comes up as we begin to disperse. Kat and I follow Casey down the stairs to find out what it is. I expected a haven for sports viewing with a big-screen TV and a fully stocked wet bar, but that was not it at all. This cave is a remarkable display of memorabilia that is a feast for the eyes. The room is small with a 360 degrees of collectibles arranged carefully. It is a work of art and a celebration of life itself. The curator of this museum makes sure that every inch of his approximately 200 square feet is neatly arranged and dust-free. There are Kurt Warner bobble-head dolls, NASCAR die cast cars, a couple of file cabinets, spaces dedicated to displays of buttons, coins, action figures, Olympic Pins, baseball memorabilia, more than 200 beer steins.

Clearly a person could peruse such a place for hours. Our guide talks about a few of his favorites: A retrospective of personal cell phones spanning three decades (telecom specimens that reminds us of how fast technology is changing); A Stainless steel NYC subway strap, installed and hanging perfectly, allows you to imagine a bumpy trip downtown. A coconut monkey sits proudly on a shelf in the middle of it all. The purchase made during a tropical vacation with his wife. “It was just 50 cents. I just had to have it,” he says. The room is a collage, the art of assemblage, almost a decoupage,  a masterpiece, parts of which consist of holiday and birthday gifts from his children.

In all, the room is a glimpse inside the life and mind of Casey himself, a wonderful cornucopia of tokens that are recognition of travel, business, family and friends. It’s a tribute to colorful memories and simple pleasures. Thanks for showing it to us Casey!     

How Much for a Logo?

Tiffany posted a question on LinkedIn Group recently. How much do freelancers usually charge for a logo? The question triggered a lot of answers that were really more like guidelines than definitive rules. Unfortunately, the value of design can often be determined by what the market will bare.   

David Ogilvy did NOT say, it’s not creative unless it sells. The mantra actually originated with Benton & Bowles in the 1970s, but David Ogilvy, however, frequently quoted (or misquoted it as) if it doesn’t sell, it’s not creative. Either way, it is unfortunate to suggest design doesn’t have value unless someone is willing to pay for it. Some of the answers to Tiffany’s question seem to point to a pretty good range of challenges designers face, especially freelancers. Highlights of some of responses to Tiffany are offered here:  

A few factors used to determine a price: How easy or difficult is the client?  Is it a rushed job? or  Expected difficulty of project? Not every designer will be charging the same. Other factors: your experience level, your costs, your expertise, possibly your location, and most of all your ability.

This is a challenge for designers at every level. Look for the Graphic Artists Guild Ethical Pricing Guide, an invaluable tool. I wouldn't base identity design solely on time. The value of an identity should largely be based on the size of the organization and audience it will reach. Unlike other areas of design, identity includes a transfer of copyright which has value. As a baseline hourly rate, determine what you want to make annually and divide that by 2000 to determine your hourly rate.

A project retail price range depending on client budget, how many comps, how many versions of logo, etc. If Joe Blow wants a logo for his new bagel shop that's a lower rate. If a corporate entity wants a new logo, that's something entirely different. Also depends on where you're located. I'm just outside NYC where the rates are probably a little higher than say Oklahoma City. Generally speaking, if I retail a logo for $550, I will pay my freelancer $250-$350 depending on the number of comps. Some clients want 2-4 original comps. Then they pick the look they like and I do 2-4 variations of that. Then we nail it.

An hourly rate for design can be problematic. You develop a good feel for how long it will take and how much it should cost to do a given project. A good designer with specific instructions and sample logos as a guide can do a logo in 2-6 hours.

If you sell logos for $100 you will never be able to demand $500 somewhere down the line.  The design part of your job is 50%, the other more important 50% is being able to sell value.

If you are currently working as a freelance designer I would highly suggest becoming a member of AIGA. It is very affordable and would provide you with the information you need to be competitive.

Say What You Mean

A little more thoughtfulness in our daily communications could go a long way to preventing cliché traps, irritating patterns and shortcuts that creep into our businesses. Okay, at the risk offending some people, here are some examples of what I mean.

“Let’s continue the conversation off line.”- This one comes up during a conference call or webinar. It kind of dehumanizes things. I get it. Sometimes the leader needs to suggest follow up on side issues not germain to the larger group.

“Think outside the box.”- This phrase is used by non-creative people in an attempt to classify their efforts as creative, but what does it really mean anyway? Only the most inarticulate among us needs a crutch phrase like this.

“My plate is full.” - Unless your business involves eating contests, find a better way to say you are busy. You just want to finish up projects on which you are currently working before accepting additional tasks. Fine. And eat your vegetables, they are good for you.

“At the end of the day…” - The day doesn’t end in a world connected by global commerce and 24-hour web presence.

“Thanks for reaching out.”- This sounded kind of sweet the first time I heard it, but as I started to see more and more people affected by economic setbacks, it seemed to take on a tone of pity.

“Getting the right people on the bus…”- Good to Great is a well researched business book by Tom Collins. It offers a lot of valuable insight. Sadly, some of the rhetoric it generated leads to some unfortunate, maybe even downright wrong conclusions for everyday business people. Getting people in the right seats? Be careful. You are talking about real people and their livelihoods. It’s not a game, a parable or a formula. If it were, wouldn’t every company be GREAT?

 

“We are a Solution Provider.“ - This is one of my favorites. Sales guys sometimes think in a vacuum, so they love this one. The next time you go to a big trade show, be on the lookout and listen for it. “We like to think we are a solution provider.” I heard a printer say it recently. Printing is tough to sell these days. Printing firms are branching out into other areas not so much about paper and ink. A good salesperson will benefit from corporate strategy and find more exact language.

“It’s right in our space.” - What are you trying to say? You don’t own space. It isn’t a parking lot. Space is used instead of business, expertise, process or industry. I hope you find a space where you can be comfortable.

 

“Let’s go Viral.” - Malcolm Gladwell and his books, including The Tipping Point, and the emergence of Social Media made this a common phrase to describe internet strategy. It’s overused and with all of the tactical based options available, it’s not very precise terminology.

“Core Competencies” - Come on, why can’t you just say it straight up? We are good at certain things, and not so great at others.

But enough about me, How did you like my last movie?

Mark wanted to meet for lunch. His idea, he said, was to learn more about my background and experience. “Bring your portfolio and/or samples of your work,” he said “I know you like to write since I’ve read some of your stuff but I’d like to know more.” Naturally I was flattered. I am my favorite subject. I am happy to talk about myself. I’m not sure Mark is fully prepared for what he’s gotten himself into. He assures me that he is. The result was a three hour monologue.

I’ve had an interesting career journey. The things of which I am most proud do not fall neatly into those pithy but memorable mnemonic devices that business coaches recommend. I could certainly engineer such disingenuous statements as “I managed the strategy and execution around this product launch for the wholesaler segment that resulted in over $2 Million in sales in year one,” or “I lead corporate communications for a architecture/engineering/construction firm, earning over 3 million dollars worth of media exposure, that resulted in new business wins of over 100 million dollars for the company,” but in my heart I know my efforts are never that solitary. In fact I don’t believe anyone can honestly claim that their greatest successes can accurately be described in such definitive terms. Maybe a sales manager can get away with a claim like, “I improved sales performance by 83% in my territory,” but  doesn’t that tend to discount the efforts of manufacturing, distribution, customer service and operations? Come on. No man is an island. Furthermore, isn’t is a bit unfair to the previous territory sales guy who managed to keep the company in business during the economic downturn in spite of lackluster sales numbers?

“I’m looking for threads in your career journey,” says Mark as he enjoys his hamburger at the sports bar/tavern we chose for this meeting. “One thing I notice is you are about strategy and execution. You have solutions and you know how to get it done.” Very nice. Thanks for listening Mark.

Net-Net. I’m happy to tell you where I’ve been and share career highlights. It takes about three hours. Or, even better, let’s talk about your biggest marketing challenge and invest three hours brainstorming ways to improve your chances of out-thinking your competition, earning market share, delivering value and improving profitability.

Docents visit Chrystal Bridges (AR)

Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture

Three Questions…

During the weekend of November 9, 2012, 39 members of the Laumeier staff and docent team traveled by bus to Bentonville, Ark., to experience the first anniversary of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The best thing about the trip was travelling with Laumeier Docents and Friends, experiencing the wonderful indoor and outdoor spaces at Crystal Bridges, looking at and talking about the architecture, the setting and the art collection. Sharing our knowledge, experiences and responses with each other—it’s what we love! The trip to Crystal Bridges is one of the continuing education opportunities offered to Laumeier Sculpture Park active and honorary docents; it’s also an opportunity for new recruits!

Fieldtrips to other museums, to view collections and observe other docents in action, offer both educational opportunities and camaraderie. The Crystal Bridges Museum itself is site-specific architecture at its best, fitting naturally and jubilantly in the landscape. Although we had read about the museum and shared articles, including the celebrated purchase of a Rothko painting—the value of which is rumored to be from $25 million to $57 million—we were all blown away by the magnitude of the collection and the building itself.

We toured inside and out, enjoyed the Crystal Bridges Documentary Film Public Premiere in the Great Hall and hiked the trails. A few of the Crystal Bridges docents and staff visited St. Louis during the 2011 National Docent Symposium and graciously returned the hospitality with their “Greatest Hits” tour. My greatest hits tour would have included personal favorites, a smaller sculpture by Jackie Ferrara, reminiscent of our Laumeier Project, 1981, as well as work by Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Ursula von Rydingsvard and James Turrell’s, “The Way of Color,” 2009—worth getting up 45 minutes before sunrise to see!

I enjoyed the exhibition, “Moshe Safdie: The Path to Crystal Bridges”! Would love to tour Safdie’s earlier buildings, especially “Habitat 67″; what a different approach to public housing compared to our current discourse about the Pruitt-Igoe public housing disaster showcased in Juan William Chávez’s “Living Proposal: Pruitt-Igoe Bee Sanctuary, 2010-2012,”on view at Laumeier through January 20, 2013.

What I liked least about the trip was there was not enough time to thoroughly enjoy the collection—which means I will have to go back!

What would I have changed? Definitely scheduling more time to look and explore on our own the life-long learning opportunities across every bridge, yes every bridge, at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art!

– Clara Collins Coleman, Curator of Interpretation

This post by Clara Collins Coleman originally appeared in Laumeier blog in November of 2012. I was on this trip and enjoyed the place thoroughly. 

Rothko No. 210/No. 211 (Orange)