Just Published

The first edition of the brand-new Logo Lounge Master Library series, titled Initials & Crests, by Rockport Publishers, will feature our Metro Ferals logo, designed with “M” cat ears with one that has been “tipped”. A tipped ear shows caretakers which animals have been neutered or spayed already.

Print Magazine’s year-end mega-issue presents our University of Maryland Theatre poster on page 208. The Washington/Baltimore section opens with this: “The Government keeps things fat and happy around here,” says Marty Ittner, creative director of m-Art in Takoma Park.

Just in time for High Campaign Season, Marc Elrich's new website reflects m-Art branding and messaging. "Stand Up Guy" Elrich is a rare gem in politics—a profession that seems to attract less-than-savory power grabbers. Marc stands for and stands up for progressive change.

An early Christmas gift: our 2008 holiday card and wedding invitation were included in 1,000 More Greetings, alongside hundreds of fabulously designed and crafted goodies. A great gift idea for a designer or anyone who enjoys a getting great mail. Long live paper!

This month, Q Bookshop is offering 30% off everything, including 1,000 More Greetings. Visit their website for the full selection. They've got books for everyone on your shopping list: gearheads, history buffs, music fans, pet owners, crafters, designers, DIYers, and more. Promo Code: DECEMBER.

Sue Macy's book Wheels of Change hit the New York Times Book Review on May 15th. The short, but glowing review was the last entry in a coincidentally-named column called "Wheels".  

“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling,” Susan B. Anthony said in 1896. “I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.” In telling the interconnected stories of women’s rights and women’s cycling, Macy, the author of several nonfiction books profiling notable women, delivers a first-rate account. With archival photographs and reproductions of cycling posters, “Wheels” is as attractive and diverting as any “lady cyclist.” — Pamela Paul

Sue has also been busy giving interviews, including this one on The Outspoken Cyclist.  The interviewer loved the design of Wheels. But she even went one step further. She said, “And the font. I love the font that you use in the book.” (It's Mr. Eaves)

Washington City Paper's Molly McGinley came up with a new twist on public art: commission Pyramid Atlantic to turn 10 of their streetboxes into works of art. Marty Ittner and Ellen Smyth, as representatives of their "Design Divas" group were selected to paint a box. Clearly the box would be graphic and feature typography. Marty thought the box should say "READ", but Ellen suggested that  the addition of "ME" was more powerful, especially when they realized ME contained their initials (Marty + Ellen). Both remember designing before computers, and call themselves "Paper Dinosaurs".

They meticulously planned out the multilayered sequence which required seven applications of spray paint. Both felt strongly about juxtaposing the randomness of the stencils with the precise large letters, which were cut out of adhesive vinyl by General Imaging. The box took over 40 hours to complete. The pair of  designers met in 1992 while working at AURAS Design, then located on Kalorama Road in Adams Morgan, which is ironically where their READ ME! box will be installed.

See the READ ME! box in front of Tryst, 2459 18th St, NW, Washington, DC. Vote for your favorite box until the end of August.

Just off the printing press in China comes Marching to the Mountaintop, by Ann Bausum, who has a knack for discovering intrigue in historical events. In this book, we learn the reason behind Martin Luther King, Jr.'s fateful visit to Memphis: labor negotiations and demonstrations over a garbage strike. The movement began after two workers had been crushed to death in the back of a garbage truck, sparking the strike and the issue of labor rights. King was a natural leader who could help their cause. Ann uncovers the back story and tells the events leading up to King' s assassination.

These books are a joy not only to design, but to read. Favorite editor and wordsmith Jennifer Emmett, penned this Note on the Design, which sums up the look and feel beautifully: 

The 1960s was a period of turbulence in America—it was filled with protests and marches, loud voices, and, ultimately, significant change. The design of this book evokes the era with its typography and color palette and with its recurring motif of placards and protest signs. The endpapers are actual colorized protest signs from the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike. The photo essay spreads are constructed to evoke photo essays from the period as published in Life magazine. The large orange quotation marks throughout emphasize the primary-source material and make the book feel like a conversation with history. The texture used for color emphasis is meant to suggest urban decay and the dirty metal of a garbage can. All the photography from the period is black and white; here, some of it is tinted with blue, orange, or green color washes to add drama and life. The text for the book is set in Adobe Caslon and Headline HPLHS and, incredibly, Memphis, a particularly serendipitous font choice.

The new book in the National Geographic offices. 

Martin Luther King weekend's Washington Kids Post recommended m-Art-designed/ National Geographic Marching to the Mountaintop by Ann Bausum as "Something to Read". There's nothing quite like seeing your print work in print.