A Bird's Eye View of the Design World: February 2014

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Let's get moving! Movement Links website launched

NEW Home Page:
Lighter background, strong photos, good copy

Movement Links, a presenter of neuromuscular physical therapy rehabilitation seminars, hired Emilie Pallos Graphic Design to update its online presence. Owner Clare Frank likes our firm's "clean, modern visual style," and was referred to us by client Karen Joubert (owner of Joubert Physical Therapy).

Custom-designed website

The new website is targeted to a well-educated, sports-oriented demographic — physical therapists. Testimonials by well-known trainers and PTs from professional sports teams appear throughout. Site was programmed by our web developer who understands a designer's strict attention to detail. Text is easily updated as seminars are added during the year.

Viewers will find pages easy to navigate in both desktop and mobile versions. Video and audio content is included, and readers can register for upcoming seminars through the new site.

As a full-service creative firm, we also took new staff portraits and edited copy.

Social media integration
To coordinate with the launch of new site, Emilie created a blog (for postings by staff members), and Facebook banner artwork. Since Movement Links presents seminars worldwide, its Facebook page attracts new followers daily — that page was viewed by 1,229 readers last week!

A few comments about our design:

"Excellent website, easy to negotiate and provides clear guidance to your courses and positive comments from participants. Well done!" — Inger Villadsen

"Your redesigned site looks so great, Clare. Layout and content are nicely organized, too!" —Erin McGuire

"It (site) is very good, welcoming and grabs your attention!!" —Lin Choo

View Movement Links site here: http://www.movementlinks.com

We love referrals

Please continue to let your friends and colleagues know about our work. We appreciate your referrals. Emilie can be reached at studio@emiliepallosdesign.com. Thanks!

NEW Resources page which features video and audio files.

"OLD" Home Page
Copy can be difficult to read on a dark background.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Sussman's Supergraphics: Witty & Fun

Last month I visited Woodbury University's gallery on Hollywood Blvd. (WUHO) to see an exhibition featuring the graphic design work of legendary Los Angeles-based designer Deborah Sussman.

As a young teenager, I attended many events during L.A.'s Summer Olympics in 1984, and have long remembered the "supergraphics" and colors used in and around the venues. Orange, bright green, turquoise and magenta were chosen by Sussman and her design team to reflect the world's athletes.

One of my favorite large-scale design elements at the Olympic venues were "Sonotubes," stylish cylindrical artwork which flanked venue entrances — modern-day Greek columns. They look a bit like giant paper towel rolls wrapped in bright hues, patterns and type. A group of Sonotubes was assembled in WUHO's space. It was great to see them again after 30 years!

This show also featured the artist's early work — including brochures and packaging Deborah created while working in the Office of Charles and Ray Eames (where she began her career in 1953). In the 1950s, Ray Eames and Deborah were among the few women designers in our profession.

In the last few years, Deborah's artwork has been featured in several exhibitions. And she's still doing impactful design — Sussman/Prejza & Co. designed downtown L.A.'s Grand Avenue Park wayfinding and graphics (2012). You can't miss the "signature" magenta park benches.

Thanks, Debbie, for inspiring generations of designers — including me!

Interviews
Deborah talks about her career in these video clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Qx9eC3DvE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl8j0VSVnW4

About Our Firm
Emilie Pallos Graphic Design

website & print design / identity / marketing communications / advertising

Contact Emilie today to talk about your creative project: studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call (818) 242-9055. Visit us online at www.emiliepallosdesign.com.

Good design is good business.

Bright colors defined the '84 Olympics.

Poster showing "kit of parts" (graphic standards) for '84 Olympics.
Get out your sunglasses! :)

Gallery murals show Olympic architectural structures.

Visitors enjoy the artwork.

Vintage brochure for Eames chairs. I have a bright blue "PKC-1" from 1968.

Bags for L.A. County Museum of Art's gift shop (1960s)

Sonotubes flank the rear of the gallery.

More Sonotubes in the spotlight. Cheers!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Memphis Bound!

Standing tall!

Once in awhile a special opportunity comes around. Yesterday, I had a chance to join a VIP tour of Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, CA. Although we visited other cool spots in the terminal and on the field including Million Air (ritzy corporate jets), and the Glendale/Burbank police air patrol helicopter unit, the highlight for me was "backstage" at the FedEx hangar, located west of the main passenger terminal.

B A C K S T O R Y

When talking about logos and branding with our clients, I have long cited the FedEx identity as an example of one of the best ever created. Futura Bold typography, strong secondary color combination (orange and purple), and that cool "hidden" arrow — a classic. The FedEx logo was created by international design and branding firm Landor (yes, they do "land" some great projects...).

Here's Landor's case study on the FedEx branding: http://landor.com/#!/work/case-studies/fedex/

B O U T I Q U E F I R M : B I G I D E A S

If you count the number of humans at our L.A.-area studio, no, we're not as large as Landor, but our work is creative, original, and targeted. We think big. Give Emilie a call or send a message to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com to talk about your design and marketing projects, online and in print. Please visit our website at www.emiliepallosdesign.com.

Au Revoir!