This issue is packed full of never-before-seen work produced by deserving,
under-recognized talents. First, Alice Twemlow rounded
up 25 individual species for the
2nd Annual Field Guide to Emerging
Design Talent. Working with respected designers in
the U.S. and abroad, Twemlow found new talent from around the
globe including Finland, Switzerland, U.K., Australia, Germany,
France, Netherlands, Israel, Canada, as well as New York, Minneapolis,
and Los Angeles.
Richard Boynton and Scott Thares from Wink, and Michael
Byzewski and Dan Ibarra from Aesthetic Apparatus (both based
in Minneapolis) interview each other in Q&A. They talk
about the origins of their firms' unusual names, the things they
collect, and how the partners' friendships have held up. These
guys also get into business issues related to starting and running a
small business. In fact, when asked what advice he’d give to young
designers wanting to start their own business, Byzewski replies,
“Don’t do it! There are enough of us trying to make it.”
This issue we also dip down under as writer Chantal Omodiagbe
talks about the challenges designers in Australia face, including
a sense of disconnection with the rest of the design world. She also profiles four firms from different regions of the country
and the work they’re doing for some well-known clients.
Nancy Bernard speaks with Stephen Frykholm of Herman
Miller and Joe Duffy of Duffy Partners about the secrets and skills
of mentoring and keeping good talent, and a Duffy protégé, Brian
Collins, provides his own take on being mentored and how it has
helped him throughout his career. He’s now in a position to nurture
talent as creative director of Ogilvy & Mather’s Brand Integration
Group and he passes on tips he’s learned along the way.
And last but not least, the student winners of the STEP annual
design competition are featured this issue. The projects range
from ad campaigns to posters to illustration and editorial design to
a fun-filled commercial for an alcoholic energy drink.
If there’s one lesson to learn this issue, this is it: Don’t get too
comfortable with your success. The new breed is gaining on you.
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