2005 National Conference Update - New Orleans
Just back from the Big Easy and the
National SEGD Conference (June 1-5)
where the food was good, music loud
and the conference enlightening and
stimulating.
This year's conference was
focused on Stirring the
Gumbo, and that it did.
Opening presenters
on Friday were mostly
architectural based
designers, from large
east coast in-house
firms, that have started
to develop their love
for environmental
graphics and their search for the true
meaning of design [:)].
Apple Stores and their interior
architecture - beautitul architecture but
only ocassionally did the Apple show
up on the street and the complaint was
that it was considered signage. Nike's
advertising and in-house graphics
program - all red, based on speed and the
development of shoes. Emeril's
restaurants used wine bottles for
wall graphics. A whole lot of great
interior design, but not enough
substance for EGD.
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Tours in the afternoon was a
perfect break and the weather
wasn't too sticky. Jim of course,
took the cemetery tour - anything
morbid - but illustrated
wonderful life after death
architecture.
The EXPO day was great with several
new products and technological
information. We saw a lot of
wonderful items at the Auction
for Education -- not to mention an
interesting roasting of Wayne Hunt and
his donation to the cause.
Saturday was the meat of the
conference and the most inspiring
guest leactures with Aveda and "green"
products and their stores; the real
meaning of LEED and can EG designers
be "green"?
The Honorable Ambassador Richard
N. Swett, FAIA gave a very inspiring
talk on how the design process and
designers need to be more active in
being leadersof change for society
- local, national and international
potential. One point was from the
turn of the century through the 60's,
architects, planners and designers were
active in politics and other positions
that could drive social change. His
question was where are we now? His
book, Leadership by Design, could be a
good read for us all.
And, last but not least, Bruce Mau
and his concepts on changing society
through design and... if you design
it (with good conscience and with
thoughtfulness), they will come (change).
Anticipating that he would be way
over the top, we were quite surprised.
He was not pretentious, flamboyant
or ridiculous. He was sincere, open
to everyone and charismatic, but at
the same time, almost softspoken -at
least in New Orleans. If you haven't
heard him speak on his concepts, make
a point to do so. His book is Massive
Change.
The workshops that afternoon were
good too... topics covered staffing, and
of course how, and where education
of EGD,Symbols Use and Design in
Healthcare (JRC Design's presentation);
fd2s Inc's in-depth study of creating
an extremely user-friendly wayfinding
program in large healthcare facilities;
3D software comparisons of Sketch-
Up and Vectorworks, Cloud Gehshan
Associates Schuylkill River emergency
management information system;
Pentagrams' temporary World Trade
Center path terminal, and New York's
Moynihan Museum and the process of
design and construction.
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The conference wrapped
up with a Mardi Gras style
party at Mardi Gras World
- a warehouse of floats and
costumes galore. If you
were ever frightened by the
fun house at a carnival, this
was one on steroids. What
a blast! The graphics were
fabulous, there was great jazz
entertainment, real Naw'lins
cooking and fun SEGD party
people.
All in all it was inspiring, motivating
and just plain good fun. Meeting
new people from around the country,
sharing war, horror and most
importantly the successes of our
projects.
Friday night dinner at Galatoire's:
(Counter clockwise) Bob Loza, Debra
Wren, Jamie Cowgill, Jim Bolek,
Gretchen Cherrill, Nancy Pitkin,
JoAnna Hamaguchi and Scott Moss.
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There was alway someone
new to meet and old acquaintences
to catch up with. Next year is Los
Angeles - since it's closer to home, plan
on attending.
We are all planning on
connecting again.
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SEGD 2005 pdf