Azul 7 announces the launch of the On Board Midwest website. On Board Midwest is a coalition of people, businesses, elected officials and organizations who support the proposed high-speed rail line project, which would connect St. Paul to Chicago. The goal of On Board Midwest is to inform people about the rail line project and help them understand how it will enhance the lives of Minnesotans. Follow On Board Midwest on twitter and facebook.

We were thrilled to have a small part in AIGA Portfolio 1-on-1. A group of students came in for a tour and presentation today (and cookies) as a part of the studio tours for the event. They had also visited the studio of Fame and were heading to Hartung Kemp after our tour. The studio tours are a great way for students to experience the working environments of many different studios in the area. A big thanks to the MN AIGA for involving us, it was fun.

University of Minnesota Presentation

View more presentations from Azul 7 .

It's the Little Things

View more presentations from Paul Armstrong.

The other night I was at the MPLS AIGA show. The show is intended to display the best of what the industry is doing to solve problems for our clients. It's intent is to highlight the best of what those in the MPLS market are doing in design, annual reports, identities, ID systems, collateral material, packaging, etc. I've been fortunate enough in my career to participate in shows all over the world. I have worked with Kevin Swanaple from the One Club, one of the most respected leaders in the world.

Kevin maintains an honorable standard, he educates and he has crossed continental boundaries by bringing the One Clubs to places like China - a communist country where capitalism is evolving. He travels all over the world with his show, which teaches young people about the power of design, advertising, and interactive. And his peers respect him for it. I saw a lot of beautiful art work that, in the past, I would have categorized as illustration. There were a couple of very nice designed bottles and a couple of nice posters. I say Charles Andersen defines the new role of design in MPLS as an Arts & Crafts show.

What I didn't see was real work done by clients. Where was General Mills, 3M, Activision, Toro, Imation and Andersen Windows? Are you kidding me? And the work that was done by clients, such as Target, wasn't new, fresh or something we haven't already seen. It was a complete abomination of what this industry should be teaching and guiding. Where were the ID systems, packaging systems and collateral materials? I'm assuming that companies aside from design and advertising firms do them. I didn't see one annual report. And maybe they were there and I'm not remembering them. Sad. What makes a show work is the leadership that guides them. These people must see their craft stand above themselves. This makes them respected and honored. AIGA would be well served to find leaders like Kevin, someone that can bring focus to an industry and not self-promoting bias.