Ten Hot (Im)positions To Try Tonight - 06/07

It is in the nature of magazines to revisit topics of interest to readers and advertisers. Cosmopolitan seduces with “189 New Positions That Will Keep Your Man Coming Back For More” and its endless derivatives. Us Magazine dishes “Paris Hilton’s Heartbreak” weekly. Men’s Health beefs up on “10 Ways To Build Your Abs” pretty much every month. Rolling Stone replays “The Best Road Trip Songs.” Food & Wine uncorks “Rules of Thumb For Matching Wines With Food.” And Weight Watchers Magazine regularly serves up “Control Your Appetite Now!”. It is nothing short of astonishing that the editors find something — anything — novel to say. I feel their pain every Spring because, as our Annual Print & Paper Survey edition looms, I despair of unearthing something consequential to add to four decades of reports. But as so often happens here, our smart and accomplished readers have once again come to the rescue with fresh insights worth sharing: that print provides warmth and authenticity in an age of cool, remote and ephemeral communications; that the medium must evolve to remain relevant, timely and cost-effective; that “green” practices and materials resonate; that finding the right cross-media mix is an ongoing challenge; that digital printing is finally fulfilling it’s value premise and promise; that designers are reasserting dominance over paper specification; that design schools are failing to teach the power of print; and that ink and paper’s epic journey is far from over. Not all of this is virgin territory but — much to my relief — the report in its 44th incarnation is newsworthy, bracing and substantial. Admittedly, it’s no “Five Smart Solutions For Organizing Your Closets” (Redbook), but definitely worth the read.

Two Fold Legacy

In 1993, Myrna Davis stepped in as Executive Director of the Art Directors Club in New York, a venerable organization with a legendary past which, like so many others, was struggling to find its place in a fast-changing communications industry. During her tenure, Davis achieved much — probably more than even she could have envisioned — including growing the Annual Awards, introducing outstanding educational and professional programs, upgrading the physical plant and facilities, increasing membership and recruiting a first-rate team. As she departs, Davis’ legacy is two-fold:  a rejuvenated ADC and a lesson in the capacity of the individual to shape institutions and inspire communities.

Citizen Soldier Artist

Sergeant 1st Class Steve Opet recently returned from Iraq, after having put his 33 years of art experience and training to work for the Army Reserve. With a degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and a multiple award winner in illustration and caricature at local shows and exhibits, Opet’s mission was to capture of the humorous side of an Army Reserve soldier in Iraq. In the process, he travelled to eight different locations to capture the wry side of being a soldier thousands of miles from home, following a long-established tradition that has seen American cartoonists-journalists enter war zones to depict everyday military life, entertain fellow soldiers, and tweak the system. Whatever one’s views of the Iraq War, it is heartening to be reminded that there are brave people from all walks of life doing their duty as they see it and trying to lighten the load for their embattled colleagues. Opet’s pre-Iraq work can be seen at www.steveopet.com

Hidden Gems

The influence of nature and the environment was the predominant (and somewhat predictable) theme to emerge from our May ’07 Color Forecast story. Green-mania aside, Margaret Walch and Christine Chow of the Color Association of the United States alone noted the potential influence of the upcoming presidential election and the catharsis that it promises. “2008 will be a year in which Americans will without hestitation embrace colorful attitudes,” they wrote. “As the election year approaches, there is an expectation of change and a new optimism in the air. Dull or predictable neutrals appear to belong to the past, just as vivid, full spectrum palette seems to define the palette.” The color story is full of such hidden gems; if you missed them, you can find the story which can be found on our website at www.gdusa.com/issue_2007/05_may/