Christmas with Mom

Mom (business partner) Barbara was a funny lady. She was quick to add a touch of subtle, droll humor to any situation. Mom truly had a "sparkle." And she could always poke fun at herself, too. Smiles and laughter were ever-present!

As some of you know, Barb passed away in late 2010 after a valiant struggle with brain cancer. The holidays are "family time," and although she is no longer with us on earth, she will always be in our hearts.

In 2010, my dad and I established the Barbara Pallos Brain Tumor Research Fund at USC, and our friends and clients will be pleased to learn that Barb's research team at the Keck School of Medicine, led by neurosurgeon/oncologist Dr. Tom Chen, made some important discoveries during 2012.

These findings could lead to less-invasive treatments for brain cancer or even a vaccine in the future. What a blessing for patients and families. This is a notoriously difficult cancer to treat, and many patients survive less a year after diagnosis.

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We are so grateful for your monetary support of this vital research. You may continue to access Barb's fund through this link: https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/SCA/onlinegiving/showGivingForm.jsp?form_id=129377.

Your gifts will be used solely for brain cancer/stem cell research by Dr. Chen's team. Thank you. :)

A Promise of Heaven

As we celebrate the holidays this year, we are blessed to have such wonderful memories of Mom and the love we shared for 40 years.

One of Barb's favorite hymns was "Once in Royal David's City," which always opens the Christmas Eve service at King's College, Cambridge. She loved this choir and this church service, which we enjoyed together on the radio for more than 20 years. Here are the last two verses of this beautiful hymn, which tells the story of Christ and a promise of Heaven:

"...And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in Heav’n above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in Heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around."

Words: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848; Music: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1849
From the English Hymnal

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A Joyous Holiday Season to All!

Dogs Beware: Cats are King at Cartier

Yesterday we took a late afternoon stroll through Beverly Hills to see the environmental graphics —signage, window displays and retail storefronts. It's always fun to walk the busy streets, camera in hand, checking out the latest shops and restaurants, and seeing a few friends along the way, too!

Beverly Hills signage doesn't "shout." Subtlety reigns (for the most part!). Classic Roman lettering, nice sans serifs, cool color schemes and perfectly-kerned script faces are popular. Luxe facades, interesting lighting effects and the relationship between exterior and interior design is all-important for success.

Here are some favorites featuring great design and typography (intersection of Rodeo Drive and Brighton Way):

Marble-clad Chanel commands center stage. Rodeo Drive's median is decorated in sparkling white lights.

Cartier features a feline motif in its store windows and on the building's roof.
Sweater-clad dogs are everywhere in town, but at Cartier, the Cat is King. 

Snell Roundhand is Cartier's signature typeface. Its perfectly spaced gold script letters
exude wealth and refinement. A classic choice for a classic store.

Bulgari store windows offer a mid-century modern architectural motif
offset with pops of orange color and signature Roman letters. 

Jeweler David Yurman has the most elegantly lighted exterior 

lettering we've seen in a long time. The effect is stunning.

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At our Glendale studio, we design for clients in various industries — from the arts to medical practices. Drop Emilie a line to talk about your projects — websites, corporate identity and signage, and high-quality marketing materials.

Happy Holidays to All!

Good design is good business.
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