News

Art Director Hannah Fichandler has a knack for finding spot-on illustrators for our clients’ editorial projects, so she was well suited to write the article “6 Steps to Finding the Perfect Illustrator” that is featured on HOW Magazine‘s online edition. Hannah’s tips: dig deep to really understand the story’s subject matter, find an illustrator whose style will best articulate the piece, be honest with the illustrator regarding the scope and budget, prepare a detailed creative platform for the illustrator, demand lots of sketches in order to see the illustrator’s exploration and thought process, and finally, when the client gushes over the finished artwork, express appreciation to the illustrator for a job well done.

When Dan started Taylor Design in 1992, he aimed to leverage the skills he acquired during his years working at some of New York’s top design firms to create a similar style studio in Stamford, CT. Our company’s goals were simple: To offer high quality design and personable customer service to area companies and institutions—with the hope that they would grow along with us. This objective didn’t change as media evolved. We have continued to raise the bar higher and higher, year after year, so that our clients’ investments in design, branding, and web communications are richly rewarded. As our studio has grown to thirteen full-time team members, our commitment to excellence remains unchanged as we look ahead to our company’s next twenty years. To all of our wonderful partners, employees, and clients: Thank you!

Sarah Lawrence College magazine was selected for inclusion in the 2012 HOW International Design Awards Annual. The issue was designed by Hannah Fichandler and edited by Suzanne Gray and features work from photographers Andrew Lichtenstein and Don Hamerman. The judges of the competition were Steve Gordon of RDQLUS Creative, Mary Zall of Landor, and Ann Willoughby of Willoughby Design. The 2012 HOW Design Annual will be published in February 2012.

The Keep America Beautiful Annual Review “My World Tomorrow” was selected as one of 30 gold award winners in Graphis’ 100 Best Annual Reports 2011. Designed by Art Director Mark Barrett, the annual features original artwork created by school children from across the country. This volume, which contains the best annual reports of the past year, was published in November 2011 and can be purchased at the Graphis Store.

David Cushman, publisher of ConnCreatives, recently posed a question to several Connecticut designers: “What was the defining moment in starting your own agency?” For me, it was a simple desire to stop commuting and gain a better work-life balance. For others, like Peter Leeds of Gabardine, the elimination of a corporate position provided the catalyst. Perhaps the best reason was articulated by Brian Miller‘s colleague Tony Leighton, who reasons that having your own business is safer than working for someone else. “When you’re employed by an agency, you have exactly one client. And if they decide to make a change you have no clients. Whereas if you’re a freelancer, you might have 4 or 5 clients or more. One or two might make a change and you still have two or three to fall back on.” As tough as it is to lead and maintain a business, I can’t deny this simple business logic. Visit the “Making the Leap” article at ConnCreatives.

Stamford’s annual holiday balloon parade, which started eighteen years ago, marched past our studio on Sunday November 20. Designer Ryan Crane, dressed in matching blue coat and yellow hat, manned one of the ropes of the giant Paddington Bear, sponsored by First Niagara bank.

In preparation for next week’s special Legislative session in Hartford, Governor Dan Malloy is conducting a “Reinventing Connecticut” tour. Dan Taylor was one of twenty business leaders brought together for this dialogue on Monday, October 24, at Terex Corporation in Westport. Suggestions for the Governor included steps to make it easier to do business in the state, become more innovative, reshape education for next generation jobs, and incentivize small business growth. Let’s hope there will be bipartisan support for the Governor’s economic plans so the state can grow and prosper.

On Monday, October 3, Taylor Design participated in the 2011 Stamford YMCA “Golf Fore the Kids” tournament at Rockrimmon Country Club in Stamford, CT. Our team consisted of Dan Taylor and Senior Designer Mark Barrett (below) of Taylor Design and Patrick Dwyer, VP/Global Public Policy of MasterCard Worldwide. The event raises funds to supports the Stamford Y’s LEAD Academy, an after school program for grades K-12 that provides academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring and life skills training. For more information, visit the Stamford YMCA.

Dan attended the second Brand New Conference in San Francisco on September 16. A diverse line-up of excellent designers from Australia, the UK, Peru, Italy, and the US made the event inspiring. Dan also visited SFMOMA with friend Earl Gee, a talented designer in San Francisco, enjoying the special exhibit of Dieter Rams, the famous German industrial designer (see his work below).