When Jessica Hische visited Houston and spoke to a sold-out crowd of AIGA Houston members and design-community attendees, we expected many things: Jessica’s impressive lettering, some notes on her recent foray into type design, and glittery .gifs of cats, but also to leave inspired and reinvigorated. And we did—in fact, we feel like Batman.

Batman logo, image courtesy of sparehed.com

“I am Batman, and you can be too,” began the presentation. “This will make sense later,” Jessica promised before moving through slide after slide exploring elements of her process, like procrastiworking—the work you do when you’re not working—her type design for Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, and her love of side projects to keep herself excited about her work. “And now back to Batman.”

Bruce Wayne and Batman, image courtesy of comixzone.cz

As Jessica explains, Batman is inherently two people—Bruce Wayne, a wealthy business man, and Batman, a masked crime fighter—and one cannot exist without the other. Batman can’t have fancy crime-fighting toys without Bruce Wayne’s largesse, and Bruce Wayne can’t have personal fulfillment without Batman’s heroism. Both are involved in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.

“Should I Work For Free?” a Handy and Humorous Flowchart side project, image courtesy of Jessica Hische’s website.

In other words: don’t quit your day job. “Batmanify yourself: balance fun work with work that pays the bills,” Jessica suggested, because without your day job, or money, you don’t have funding to continue working on fun projects at night, which in turn inspire what you do during your day job, which in turn funds your projects at night, and so on. Continue to repeat this formula, and you’ll always feel inspired and productive.

Jessica’s Doodle Blog side project, image courtesy of Jessica Hische’s website

Jessica also emphasized a designer should always be realistic, but continue to push themselves to be diversified, specialized, and above all knowledgeable and well-researched about their work. Do this, and you’ll feel a lot like Batman.

Crowd at Jessica Hische, image courtesy of Khalil AbuSharekh via AIGA Houston’s Flickr

AIGA Houston felt inspired and honored to have the skilled letterer speak to our community. To see how other attendees felt during Jessica’s talk, check out the event’s Twitter feed using the hash tag #JessicaHischeHTX.

For more information on future AIGA Houston events, visit the events page, and, as always, keep up with current events via our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

When AIGA Houston asked Jessica Hische to visit our city and speak to our members, we knew we needed a larger-than-life venue to host the sought after designer. Le Grand Salon at the Colombe d’Or Hotel was one of our first choices.

La Colombe D’Or main entrance, image courtesy of La Colombe d’Or’s website

The Colombe d’Or Hotel was originally built in the 1920s as a residence for the founder of Humble Oil, but it was another oil man who brought The Grand Salon to Houston. John W. Mecom, a known aficionado of eclectic French antiques, imported much of the Salon’s contents when the ballroom was dismantled following the Countess Greffulhe of Paris’s death.

Le Grand Salon ballroom, image courtesy of Yelp!

While Mecom never saw the Salon reassembled in his lifetime, his son, John Jr., carried out his father’s wishes when he enticed Colombe d’Or’s hotelier Stephen Zimmerman with the ballroom’s story. Rebuilding the Salon took many years and a lot of money, but the praise upon it’s completion in 1997 has endured.

Daily Drop Cap “G” by Jessica Hische, image courtesy of dailydropcap.com

The first time many of the AIGA Houston board members set foot in the magnificent French ballroom was during an event hosted by Settlement Goods—a boutique featuring American-made products and designers. We found the ballroom exquisitely lined with 18th Century hand carved Louis XV oak paneling, soaring ceilings, and crystal chandeliers. Along with gold leaf mirrors, the details of the space were reminiscent of Hische’s style—in particular, the covers designed for Barnes & Noble Classics and letters from her Daily Drop Cap project.

We are are proud to know the world’s smallest luxury hotel is right in our backyard. and look forward to hearing Jessica share her impressive body of work within its walls.

For more information on the La Colombe d’Or Hotel and its Grand Salon, visit their website. While registration for Jessica Hische’s speaking event is now closed, you can learn more about her here.

AIGA Houston grabbed a few local creative professionals and students for the workshop at Grand Prize Bar on April 30th to tackle a few fun challenges, which included creating comic-book style industry superheroes (Brandscaper, Negative Space Invader and CMYKid) and drawing out a few frames of a storyline. The interactive event included photos, a question and answer session, and a ballot.

All of the input from this event will be sent back to AIGA for review. The purpose of Project Medusa is to determine the future of AIGA as it nears 100 years of existence.

Why Design Loop?

Design Loop is AIGA Houston’s opportunity to bring young designers into the fold of AIGA Houston’s design community via individual and group participation.

AIGA Houston will pair 10 mentors and 10 mentees after they meet at the first of a series of 4 design-related events. The mentors and mentees are asked to meet at least 1 additional time per month but beyond those meetings, the participants are open to determine the scope of their meetings.

The 4 events will cover such topics as how to get inspired, effective communication, and selling an idea.

What sort of experience do recent graduates bring to their positions? Is it just their schooling? Is it an internship? Is it being involved in a professional organization? In any field, there is so much you don’t learn in school, mentorship is just one more way to give newcomers all the information and tools they need to be effective graphic communicators.

Past AIGA Houston president and current AIGA national board member Robin Tooms understands the potential for Design Loop participants:

For Students/Recent Grads:
“When is the perfect time to get a mentor? Now. Whether you are about to graduate, or recently graduated, working with a mentor can help guide you in your next steps, or open some doors if needed. I promise you that there are many professionals willing to help smart, talented designers in their careers. You don’t have to go at this alone. So, be smart, take the initiative and start a relationship with a mentor.”

For Professionals:
“Do you remember the uncertainty you faced as you were graduating and moving into the world of professional design? Well, It’s still the same for students today – they don’t know anyone, and navigating the profession can be tough. This is where you can help get a student started on the right path. A mentorship will only take a few hours out of your month, but can mean so much to the career of a young designer. It’s very rewarding for yourself, and helps the design community as a whole.”

Edmee Micheli and Robin Tooms at the 2007 AIGA Leadership Retreat in Miami, Florida.

Congrats to Neil Brown (@Texuk71) for being our 500th follower on Instagram.

A year ago we were like: “Instawhat?” but have quickly adapted to the platform, and since then, found it to be a very interactive means to engage with our audience and creative community in real time. The best part for us, as a chapter, is seeing AIGA Houston events through YOUR eyes when you tag us (@aigahouston) or use our event hashtags when sharing photos.

Thank you.

Houston’s own Burning Bones Press is at it again this year with an even bigger and bolder It Came From the Bayou! printmaking event, presented in conjunction with AIGA Houston. The event’s success last year—despite a too-small venue and an unexpected storm—has fueled this year’s jam-packed screen printing, letterpress, and woodblock showcase, thankfully in a larger venue.

BBQ Screen Print Meltdown, image courtesy of Carlos Hernandez’s instagram

Carlos Hernandez will be inking up limited edition prints with BBQ sauce once again alongside printmakers featured at last year’s event—Sean Starwars, local letterpress studio Workhorse Printmakers, and more. The Amazing Hancock Brothers will also be in attendance—who can forget their poetry reading and samurai-sword knighting ceremony from last year’s event?

“DEMOLITION” woodcut on paper by Houston, Mazorra, and McNett of Cannonball Press, image courtesy of cannonballpress.com

They’ll be joined by two Brooykln-based printers Cannonball Press and Clawhammer Studios, as well as Evil Prints Crew, run by the infamous woodcut artist Tom Huck.

“First Responder” by Tom Huck from “The Hillbilly Kama Sutra” series, image courtesy of evilprints.com

For more printmaking indulgence, Burning Bones Press is hosting a pop-up art show at their studio for Tom Huck’s “The Hillbilly Kama Sutra” on Friday, April 26 from 6-9pm, the night before It Came From the Bayou. The woodblock suite is Huck’s first portfolio of prints in fifteen years.

It Came From the Bayou! Inkslinger Printmaking Showcase commemorative event poster, image courtesy of Burning Bones Press

It Came From the Bayou! Inkslinger Showcase is an official PrintHouston 2013 event. It will take place on Saturday, April 27 from 12-6pm at The Continental Club, located at 3700 Main St. SpeedballArt and Gamblin Colors will have door prizes and giveaways, and there will be limited edition screen print event posters by Burning Bones Press for sale.

Every year, Lawndale Art Center hosts a lecture, party, and art and design market dubbed the Design Fair  as an annual fundraiser. The lecture is always free, the party is always exciting—and comes with free Smilebooth sessions—and the two-day market is always a well-curated event featuring primarily Houston-based artists, designers, and retailers.

PH Design Shop’s booth from Design Fair 2012, image courtesy of Lawndale Art Center’s flickr.

With a handful of repeat vendors—Exquisite Corpse Booksellers, Smith’s Opticians, and Carol Piper Rugs to name a few—this year’s fair is focused more on design and craftspeople than previous years. It’s hard to argue with the $5 entrance fee when there will be textile design by Evens, home goods by Forma Revivo, and accessories by Sal Miel Jewelry.

Scott Cartwright and Jenny Lynn Weitz-Amaré Cartwright of wacdesignstudio, image courtesy of wacdesignstudio.com

Another section of the Fair aim to push its limits this year as well. The Texas Co-Op, usually housed on the Center’s second floor, will feature live printing demonstrations. The demonstrations are courtesy of the area’s curators, Scott Cartwright and Jenny Lynn Weitz-Amaré Cartwright, known for their work as wacdesignstudio. The pair is bringing in 3D printing and CNC routing technology to engage directly with attendees. Surrounded by work from multi-media and graphic artists, the machines will be producing 3D models using this technology with help from the public. Scott and Jenny Lynn hope to develop new ideas for use of these machines and create new projects during the Fair itself.

Eric Cohler, image courtesy of ericcohler.com

In lieu of Michael Bruno, Eric Cohler of Eric Cohler Design, NYC will be presenting this year’s lecture, “A Collector on Collecting.” Cohler is also one of the country’s leading interior designers—he even wrote a book about it. He also owns a diverse array of rare artifacts and art pieces, many of which he found on 1stdibs. Cohler will be discussing his collection as well as how to begin and maintain your own during his talk on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30pm hosted in the Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Admission is free.

Furniture from Forma Revivo, image courtesy of their website.

This event runs from April 24-28: Wednesday, April 24, is the lecture. Friday, April 26,is the Preview Party & Sale—tickets are $60 for Lawndale member or $75 for non-members, including weekend admission. Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28, is the Market. For more information on the Lawndale Design Fair, including a full list of vendors and sponsors, please visit the event page at Lawndale Art Center.

Lawndale Art Center is located at 4912 Main at the corner of Rosedale in the Museum District. Parking is available in the lot and on the street.

Portfolio Review 2013 is just a few days away (register here!). Here’s what you need to know:

What should I put in my book?

8-12 pieces of your absolute best work. You have exactly 15 minutes with each reviewer, so remember: quality trumps quantity. Weaker pieces tend to bring the whole portfolio down, so if you only have six outstanding projects to show, don’t feel the need to pad your book.

How should I present my pieces?

There is no set size or format. Presentation definitely counts, but great ideas executed well is equally important. Table space is limited, so large pieces are best presented either photographed or scaled down.

What about 3D work or packaging pieces?

Small pieces are OK to bring (at your own risk), but most 3D pieces should be photographed in advance.

Can I show my work on my laptop or iPad?

Yes, as long as you follow these strict guidelines:
- Be ready to go. Your device must be powered up with the presentation ON SCREEN when you sit down.
- Bring your own computer. None will be provided.
- Make sure everything you need is on your device. Wi-fi WILL NOT be available at the event.
- Charge a full battery. You won’t be able to plug your device in when you sit down.

What else should I bring?

Resume and a small notebook for taking notes. Business cards too, if you have them.

Should I be nervous? What should I expect?

The evening has a single purpose: to give you the most honest criticism of your work you’ve ever had. Seriously. There will be a lot of nervous people in attendance, and it can be brutal. But we do our best to keep the evening fun and enlightening. The reviewers have all been in your shoes and are there because they want you to do well. Be calm, be professional, and most of all, be yourself.

How many reviewers will I see?

You’ll see 3 reviewers, minimum. More if there’s time.

Can I choose my reviewers?
Unfortunately, no. Reviewers and reviewees are paired randomly. The reviewers invited are some of the top creatives in Houston, so you’re in good hands no matter who you end up with.

Anything else I should do to prepare?

Practice your presentation skills on your friends, family or instructors. Speak intelligently and confidently about your work and the design choices you’ve made (because the reviewers WILL ask).

I’d like to volunteer to be a reviewer myself. I’m scouting for a junior designer…

While we appreciate such offers, reviewers are selected by invitation only, and reviewing to scout for talent is discouraged. Our priority is for emerging designers to receive the best feedback possible. We certainly hope attendees make connections and even get interviews, but it’s a secondary concern.

What if I’d like to attend, but don’t have a portfolio to review?

We will be issuing a limited number of complimentary Observer Passes this year. Send requests here.
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Questions? Email president (at) houston.aiga.org

It’s time again for AIGA Houston’s annual Portfolio Review! Next Thursday, April 18 at 6pm, at the historic Heights Fire Station (register now).

There really is no better opportunity for an emerging designer to get rapid-fire critical feedback on their work, their level of polish, and their presentation skills from some of the most successful design professionals working in the Houston area today. Be prepared for some of the realest, most constructive critiques you’ll ever receive.

For some young designers, such a thing may sound terrifying. And it certainly can be – but in a good way, as you’ll soon see. Meet Michael Edwards and Erlinda Ayala, two of Houston’s hotshot emerging designers who’ve braved the gauntlet that is the AIGA Houston Portfolio Review and lived to tell the tale.

Michael Edwards
University of Houston, Class of 2012
Designer at Origin (origindesign.com)

The AIGA Portfolio Review is an amazing event for students. I was privileged to attend two reviews, and both times I expected the focus to solely be on the visual aspect of design. Instead, not only did I receive important aesthetic critique, I also received on-the-spot training in portfolio presentation.

For me, AIGA Houston’s Portfolio Review worked as a rapid-fire feedback loop. From one professional to the next, I learned what to say and what not to say about my work. I molded my words based on a reviewer’s positive or negative response. I learned to anticipate questions with answers. I learned when to physically present a hand-made book or when to only show a picture of its layouts. I learned a little something about when to speak and when to listen. This, my friends, is a can’t-miss AIGA Houston event!

Erlinda Ayala
Art Institute of Houston, Class of 2012
Designer at Spotlight Creative, LLC (spotlightcreative.com)

I’m just going to say the AIGA Houston Portfolio Review is a little terrifying. As a student attending this event, I never felt completely ‘ready’ for the review – not because I didn’t work hard enough, but because it’s a bit intimidating having designers that I admire review my work.

Not knowing what to expect, my first year at the review didn’t start very gracefully. My Portfolio Review roller coaster went like this: from nervous wreck, to ‘meh,’ to telling terrible Comic Sans jokes, and finally to excitement for the next review. After a while, I started to relax and get comfortable. Once I stopped worrying about how stupid I may have sounded, I realized I was getting some great advice from great people. Don’t miss out, these reviewers are here to help and really motivate you. Take a chance, get excited, and have fun!

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Register now: houston.aiga.org/event/portfolio-review-2013

If you’d like to attend but don’t have a portfolio to review, we’ll be issuing a limited number of complimentary Observer Passes. Past attendees willing to share advice, or educators accompanying their students for support are examples of someone who might qualify. If you’re interested, email Andy Rich at president (at) houston.aiga.org

If, like me, you’ve ever woken up and realized your hair hasn’t been washed in four days, you might be a working mom. If you choose your outfit for the day based on which clothes won’t show baby food and slobber, you could be a mom. If you find yourself at work with a fever and a nose like a faucet because you’re afraid to use sick days for yourself, you’re definitely a working mom. And if you’re a designer mom, things get even crazier.

It’s not every mom that struggles with form vs. function when buying baby toys; who has to design her kid’s Valentine’s cards for school because there is no way she’s using those $2 ones from Wal-mart; or who can’t help but art direct her baby’s one-year photo shoot.

We designer moms have a mismatched mix of blog subscriptions, alternating between Smashing Magazine and I Heart Nap Time, while our Pinterest boards can include everything from infographic design inspiration to a tutorial on sewing a pillowcase dress. And that’s only a glimpse of all the different things are going on in our heads.

Balancing the dual identities of mommy and employee is always a challenge, and being a mother in the world of design brings its own unique trials.

As a mother of two and full-time Art Director, I regularly battle the ups and downs of being a mom in a designer’s world. Although it can be overwhelming at times, it can also be highly rewarding. Obviously, everyone handles the balance in their own way, so I’ve added some advice from other creative moms in my office to the mix.

My favorite mantra is, “Life is short. Keep it real. Make it sweet.” It’s something I saw on the wall in a bakery and fell in love with, and it reminds me that I never have to settle. I love being a mom and I love being a designer, so I intend to do both. Here are some of the ways my fellow creatives and I have found to maintain the balance.

Communication is Key

There really is an overwhelming perception of the design profession as not very “family friendly,” and that you are looked down on if you leave work at 5 p.m. on the dot every day because you have to pick up your kid.

I’m sure some people feel this way, but I am lucky to work at a firm that is not only supportive of employees, but also encourages them to spend time with their families.

If your environment is not so encouraging, confront your boss about issues you have. I think every mom—and dad—would be surprised to see how supportive their industry can be.

Savage President Bethany Haley says, “I find that I am my own worst enemy at times, feeling that I am at the mercy of everyone else’s schedule. I end up telling myself that ‘I have to’ be at a meeting, or ‘I have to’ stay late, or ‘I have to’ miss this because of that. I think we all do that to some degree. Then I wake up with the realization that I have made my own sacrifice without even asking for some flexibility.”

Depend on Others

Some weeks I feel like Super Mom, other weeks I feel like a zombie. It’s during the latter when I really take advantage of those around me. I ask my husband to pick the kids up from daycare, and if other designers have lighter workloads, I ask for their help.

You can’t handle everything yourself, and you shouldn’t have to. As Savage Business Development Susan Simon says, “Know your boundaries.”

Bethany shares, “You’ve heard the quote, ‘It takes a village’? I take that to heart. I rely a lot on my husband and the grandparents, and I pay a lot for childcare. In any dual income family, whether you are in the design industry or not, you have to find people you trust to rely on.”

Plan Ahead

Everyone that I work with at Savage knows that I have to leave work on time in order to pick up my children. They also know that if they give me enough notice or if I am swamped, I will make plans so that I can work late. Planning is a crucial part of being a working mom.

Susan shares insight into planning as a single mom: “As parents, we know that we have a ton of planning that needs to be done to make each day successful. From our morning routine to the last light out, if we plan, we can achieve balance.”

Work at Work, Mom at Home

Designers are lucky. It’s easier for us to get lost in our work than most professions. However, it’s also easy to think about your children all day long if you want to! Focus on work when you’re at work so you can focus on your family when you’re with them. If I find myself getting distracted, I put on my headphones, tune out everyone around me, and bust out some beautiful designs.

Just like I am all business at work, I am all Mom at home. Some people are able to beautifully mesh work and home, but not me. Although it may not always be possible, turn work off when you leave so that you can focus on creating memories for yourself and your children.

The other Savage moms share my beliefs about balancing work and home. Savage Project Manager Misty Loocke says, “I try not to bring work home. If I stay late every now and then, that is fine, but I don’t want to be distracted by work when I’m spending the hour and a half a night I get with my daughter.

“Sometimes I just think: You know what, life is short and my daughter won’t be this way for long, so I need to calm down and focus on her.”

Jackie Dryden, Savage Creative Strategist, gives similar advice: “When your child is sick, be a mom. When there is a school event, be a mom. The work will get done. And it will be done better and more efficiently when you are not worried about your children.”

Trust and Take Care of Yourself

Design was my first love, and I refuse to lose that. I make it a point to spend time every week to do something creative, alone! Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but we all need time to ourselves to focus on things that make us happy.

Take time to recharge and remember what you love about design and being creative. Design a poster, paint, sew—whatever it is that reminds you you’re doing what you love.

Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about taking some time for yourself, or for anything you do to take care of your family. You have to trust that you are making choices that work best for you.

Being a parent is a demanding, rewarding job. It requires a lot from us, but parenting and work don’t have to be mutually exclusive. At the end of the day, I can feel proud about doing both because I am teaching my children, especially my daughter, that they can do whatever they want. I can work hard and be good at my job, and I can be a wonderful mother, too.

Life is short. Keep it real. Make it sweet.