Bravado!

Packaging Elements completely re-designed and styled for Culinary Arts.

Happy Snow Day ... Again!

Very pretty snowy day at King's Block. How's the weather were you are? Ready for spring yet?

Giveaway Thursday!

You heard it here first: Thursdays are Giveaway Days at Elements.


This week, a set of eight custom Elements coasters with handy "cheers" tin are up for grabs. This lovely prize will go to the first Elements fan/follower/friend to correctly comment, retweet or answer on Facebook the following question: How do you say "cheers" in French?

Have at it!

*Note: If you've already won a Giveaway Thursday, you're ineligible this time around - we like to share the love! One other note: Happy Birthday, Steve! ;)

It's a Small World, After All

Meet Mary Blair, an illustrator who worked at Disneyland and designed the "It's a Small World" which was my personal childhood favorite (and still holds a special place in my heart). I find her illustrative style delightful and her use of color inspiring. See more of Mary's work here.

FOUND!

When I was running the other day, I noticed this note in some melted snow and had to pocket it.

It reads: "Wow. Can you believe you used to be this pudgy and pale, sixth grader? neither can I. Because look at you NOW!" The side of the image reads "Lookin' good Jill". What a friend.

In my imagination, Jill threw this out the bus window.

Feel Good Monday: A Bright (Green) Idea

Here is a company started by two Yale students that I just love. Basically, when you are ready to trade up your electronic device, YouRenew will either give you cash - or, if its truly beat, recycle for you - including free shipping! Its a win for you and a win for the earth. See? What's not to love?

Belated Black Bear Saloon Wrap-Up

Monday night, we ventured out to the Black Bear Saloon for the inaugural New Media Haven event. The event was dubbed as "... the first of its kind in the New Haven area and will bring all techies, creative’s, entrepreneurs and anyone who is interested in the digital space together, someplace other than Twitter!"


Here is our friend Ben Berkowitz of "See, Click, Fix" fame speaking to a crowd of about a hundred or so. The evening was great filled with networking and meeting some of our social media pals F-to-F (face-to-face, right Chelsea?).

And in honor of the Winter Olympics, the gold goes to our best girl, Tracie Valentino of traciedesigns. Tracy is known for her design chops - but equally so - her impeccable taste in all things footwear. We just had two snow storms and 8" of snow on the ground and she still managed to rock the gold pumps. That alone deserves a medal. (Tracie, we've order this gold medal for you - it's on its way. Hope you like it).

We're looking forward to the next New Media Haven event, hopefully coming soon! (P.S. Ahem. We need a website for NMH. We'll await your call).

The History of Almost Everything

This video is AWESOME - YouTube user DispleasedEskimo created this animated flip book using simple biro pen and paper as a final project in their AS art course. 2,100 pages, it was created in just three weeks!

I love the creative thinking that went into this video - a distilled version of the history of the world.

Before/After

Seabrook Farms Creamed Spinach before Elements redesign ...




...And Seabrook Farms Creamed Spinach after Elements redesign:


We have redesigned over 25 packages in the Seabrook Farms frozen food line, starting with the Creamed Spinach packaging you see above - and we're still going!

{Thanks to the talented and always pleasant Paul Johnson for the lovely product photography and packaging "after" shot above.}

Happy Valentine's Day!

Winter Whiteout: DC

While most of Connecticut spent yesterday home in shelter out of the storm, the snow wasn't QUITE what was predicted.

Washington, DC, however, got absolutely hammered with snow (and wind), putting this year's tally at a record-breaking 54.9 inches. The last record, set in 1898-99 was just under that mark at 54.4 inches.

Here are some breathtaking images of yesterday's blizzard from The Washington Post.

Just Hatched

Google Buzz launched today. Check it out here.

We Love Collaboration

Delivered in Beta from KS12 on Vimeo.

Open design, collaboration, innovation, conversation - all ideas we've long ago adopted at Elements - are the topics discussed in this short video.

Can these new ways of working change how we all work together? Could this movement be as monumental as the industrial revolution? Human culture today is online. To make something relevant, do you need to open up your ideas to the online community? How is social media changing design? How are we blurring the lines between our work and play? Where is design headed in this next century?

“Delivered in Beta” begins a conversation on these topics and invites your participation (twitter hashtag #od10beta). This video was created during the Open Design Workshop at the Betahaus as part of Social Media Week Berlin 2010. Produced by KS12."

{via swissmiss}

Canceled: Elements Open Studio – Share the Love

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are canceling tonight's Share the Love Open Studio. Please feel free to stop by this week to drop off any donations for the Fair Haven Food Pantry from 9 am - 4:30 pm.

We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing our clients, friends and fans at our next open studio this spring. Stay tuned for more info!

Touchdown!

You know we watch the Superbowl mainly for the ad wars. Here's my hands down favorite {thus far, we're in the 4th}. Google's first plunge into television advertising. I loved it, and not just due to the whole French girl theme (but it didn't hurt, either)!

To cast your own vote, this year YouTube launched AdBlitz, which allows us to vote on our favorite ad as soon as SuperBowl 44 ends. You can also catch the ads you missed while refilling your (ahem) frosty beverage.

A Delightful Evening Speaking at Hartford Art School

Last night, I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of about 25 graphic design students at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford (some pictured above). I will post more about my talk in a later post (which I hope to turn into an article for all design students to read). I mostly spoke about how best to prepare for entering the marketplace and what to expect as a young designer transitioning into the working world.

I spoke for about two hours last night and enjoyed every moment of it. I hope HAS invites me back again. Thank you to John Nordyke and Ethan Bodnar for being such great hosts. To the students - you all impressed me. You are a wonderful group of bright, curious, and engaged designers and I look forward to watching all of your careers take off. Thank you for sharing some time with me and please stay in touch.

And to my fellow graphic design friends who are reading this blog - if you plan to make a new hire this coming year, I'd advise strongly at interviewing the graduating students at HAS. They have a lot to offer, are passionate, dedicated are eager to work hard and learn from all of us.

Much, much more to report so stay posted!

Elements Open Studio: Share the Love

As we enter the winter doldrums, everyone could use a little early February pick-me-up. That's why, here at Elements, we say "Let's celebrate with chocolate! Lots of chocolate! And maybe a little champagne."

Next Monday, February 8 frmo 5:30 -8 we will host our February Open Studio and invite you and a friend or loved one to "Share the Love". We will be collecting non-perishable goods on behalf of the Fair Haven Food Pantry as Elements is now proudly an official drop off location.

So fight those winter blues with a pink and chocolate celebration at Elements - come one, come all! More information | RSVP here.

Feeling Bookish

Out of Print Clothing Co. is selling this sweet tees with out-of-print book cover art.

{thanks, Jeremy!}

These vintage-looking hardcover books are actually very cool cases for MacBooks by BookBook.