Art runs in the family.

I recently became connected to a kid named
Chris Lizzi. He is a Syracuse musician that
has moved down to Virgina to spread his
music. I came upon his cd last spring....I
bought it at a Wegmans, where Chris had
worked and got 10 area stores to carry
the cd; where some of the proceeds went
to the Hillside program. I instantly loved
the music and contacted Chris about doing
shirts with him.

Long story short its been a year, and Chris
is doing well, and we are slowly working some
shirt designs to the public.

I think over anything I have enjoyed
getting to know Chris, his family and
friends. His mother Debbie is a talented
shell designer, making awesome center
pieces and ornaments. The family is
blessed with talent!

Check out Chris at: http://www.chrislizzi.com

Check out Debbie's work at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amelias-Treasure-Chest/341168213273

New Post. No pictures.

I recently read a post by a fellow
friend and designer (Micah Rich).
In the post he talked about his
works with his web company, creating
aps and customer interaction. He
is doing well, yet he noticed
a fair amount of his customers are
taking advantage of his company's
"free" website opportunities. He
debated on whether he as a designer
should value those kind of customers
versus the big spenders. He concluded
that all customers, no matter ones using
him for free or paying, is a valued customer.

I agree with Micah, like himself my
Kicks clothing business is fairly
small with a growing clientele. But,
no matter if the order is 3 shirts
or 50 each customer deserves the
same great service. That's how good
business grows....good relationships.
People who had a great experience will
come back and tell others. And soon
your small business is now a solid
company...makes sense right...not
always easy to do but its a risk...
a gamble that good people will carry
you....And they will.

Inspiration. Cuse'

Nike has used Syracuse as one of it's big schools
to show off new styles and techniques in uniforms,
particularly in Basketball and lacrosse. I really enjoy
what they did for the Lax uniforms a year or so ago,
putting logos in the lower section.

They have since gone away with it, or it seems like they have.
And currently they look to be using the "old" stlye
uniforms and colors. But Nike can afford to take risks,
so you always have to look at what they are doing.

I am big into logos: Here are a few favorites

Lake County Captains Baseball logo
Grenade brand for snowboarding
Skullcandy Music
Paul Jr. Motorcycles and Design
Peterbilt trucks
Oregon Ducks (college)
Oakley Lifestyle
Famous Star
Etnies
Dishaw Guitars
Jordan Jumpman

Erin Wengrovius

I love following old classmates. Erin is from Albany and graduated
from RIT (2008) with a degree in graphics. Erin's style is contagious and
you can tell her work from a mile away, with the dark defining
lines and accentuated features. I love this drawing she did
for Esquire Magazine, so much I bought a copy from her. See
more of Erin's work by clicking on the "Design Friends" link on the
right hand tool bar. ----->

Nate Bachman

So my good design friend Nate Bachmann works in NYC
for a company called Graj + Gustavsen and he worked
on an experimental project for Amrican Eagle and had
a large part in the design process (above) search ECO on
the AE site for more examples! See more of Nates work
here: http://www.natebachmann.com/

New Post!

Hello all,

For now on (as if it already hasnt
happened) I will continuing to report
some of my favorite findings and hoping
to get to the Library soon!

But along those lines I will try to
continually highlight local work aka
my design friends to keep you
in the awe of what they are doing....

So enjoy!