30th
AIGA 365/28
AIGA’s Annual Design Competition 365/28 was on display at the Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan University from September 4 – September 27, 2008.
After driving to Kalamazoo in torrential rain, we arrived at the gallery.
I was very interested in the package design on display. I’ve noticed a trend in package design, especially with innovations in plastics. Some of the packages on display use clouded plastic tinted with the same color as the product—or tinted with the same color as the label. I find this practice to be very successful in relating the actual product with the design. Genius!
I do wish that the pieces had been labeled with the title of the piece and information about the designer/design firm involved. There were several pieces that I felt needed some sort of background information. With only the context of white walls, some of the pieces fell short. The stunning design drew me in, but was unable to keep my attention because of the lack of information.
I’ve always been attracted to the New York Times Idea Annual. It has an image of a lightbulb on the cover. I think that they do an iteration of the same cover every year, and I love it! The color of the bulb is always what draws me in. Bright yellow.
My current obsession with pattern brought me to some cards designed by Charles Anderson. His work is so easily recognizable, and it makes me look every time I catch a glimpse of it—whether it’s in HOW magazine, a French Paper ad, or a gallery.
Overall, it was nice to be exposed to some award winning design, while getting out of the rain at the same time!
