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February 27, 2020 - Comments Off on Better together: Meet Tracey Ranta

Better together: Meet Tracey Ranta

When I took the leap from employee to owner of my own firm 24 years ago, I had no idea what roads and twists EnZed had in store for me. Like Dorothy, I followed a promising path hoping to find a home in the design and marketing industry. Along the way, I’ve met many faithful companions (e.g. Carla, the good witch) and have enjoyed rich experiences and collaborations. One character who has been in and out of EnZed’s world for two decades is Tracey Ranta. Today, I’m happy to say that she’s here to stay.

I met Tracey through volunteering with AIGA—the professional association for design. I was communications director of AIGA Colorado and she was a recent graduate from DU. We sat around the table with her classmate, Jason Wedekind (owner of Genghis Kern and Furniture Creative Coworking, where we are officed), stamping and addressing the member newsletter. She started her design career working in several small agencies. When she went freelance, EnZed was one of her clients for many years. Her design aesthetic, sense of fun and delight, work ethic and dedication matched mine. My favorite memory from that time was during the final stages of a catalog. She was wrapping up production and writing files to CDs, while going into labor. “No, it’s ok, I can finish the job. It’s taking my mind off the contractions!” True to her word, she delivered the files... and a baby! Her beautiful daughter now has her driver’s permit. 

When Tracey returned to full-time work at an agency in the late 2000s, our collaborations turned to personal projects. We designed and crafted a wearable, red-ruffled  paper dress for the Paper Fashion Show in 2008, an event we’ve attended together for more than a decade. Then last year, the road took another turn when Tracey was ready for a leap of her own, leaving the agency for new ambitions. 

Tracey joined EnZed officially in February 2020 as Senior Designer and Art Director, putting her talents to work as creative lead on existing and new projects. A beautiful example: the owners of Elle.b Academy wanted a brand refresh and expansion for their stylist-training programs and to communicate their status as a leading academy for the application of hair extensions. Tracey created original brand elements to distinguish them in the industry and tell their story across course workbooks, Instagram and a new website. Tracey, Carla and I collaborated with Sean at Studio Nomad on the website design assets and content development.

The brand expansion moodboards show color, texture, pattern and photography styles
Brand elements applied to print and digital media—course workbooks and Instagram
Patterns and large photography distinguish the brand on ellebacademy.com

With a portfolio spanning 25 years of successful branding, print, digital and environmental design for real estate development, recreation, retail, restaurants and the arts, Tracey excels at creating special spaces, from a brand moodboard to a new-community greeting house to a website. The following projects illustrate her brand concept design, art direction and digital marketing expertise that are now enhancing EnZed’s print design and content development offerings. 

Tracey designed this "greeting house" interior environment while at Strada Advertising
Art directing and styling photo shoots is one of Tracey's passions
Credit: Duston Todd for Strada Advertising
Tracey designed the front-end of custom websites, like these lifestyle pages, while at Strada

I’m particularly excited to have Tracey join me on my next design journey—to bring our creative minds together to take us new places and create new spaces. It’s been fun to see how her work has evolved in the 2010s, and I’m so glad to see her sparkly shoes back on my path in 2020.

We look forward to collaborating with you on your next venture. Up, up and away!

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August 8, 2017 - Comments Off on A Scroll Down Marian Lane

A Scroll Down Marian Lane

It was 2011 and I was showing pictures of rubylith and T-squares to a tittering crowd at the MCA, recounting the many acts of Marian Halliday. This everlasting pillar of Colorado’s creative community was about to receive the coveted AIGA Fellow award, and I had the honor of introducing her to the audience. Highlighting her achievements was easy; the difficult part was doing justice to her shining personality. So I opened with her signature “helloooooo” and the rest took care of itself.

Fast forward six years to the lobby of Gensler. I’d convened the Advisory Board for their first meeting of the new year and we were gathering at Amy Siegel’s office. I was excited to spend time with Amy as I’d always admired her for being a founding member and great mentor in our community. Marian was there, being a valuable fixture of the chapter, always the “doer”, the helper and connector. That was when she draped an arm around each of our shoulders and said, “Guess who are the newest AIGA Fellows?”

It was now May 19th, a snowy, cold spring day turning to dusk. I was sitting in Room and Board, wearing the dress Karl and I found in Rome on my 49th birthday six months before. Rotating delightfully in a half-round, chartreuse chair, I surveyed the setting. Marty had the microphone talking about 1985, incoming president Victoria and outgoing president Jess beamed in the background, and past president Elysia was running the laptop. My posse was poised in front of the screen — the EnZedders, treasured collaborators, clients, friends and college roomies coming from out of state. Alexis was live streaming it all for my family in New Zealand to see on Facebook. To the other side, a swash of Fellows were seated with familiar and new board members, volunteers peppered in amongst them. I could see my 27-year-old-self in some of their faces, full of anticipation of what might come next with party lights in their eyes. AIGA had brought the lifers, the newbies and the mentors together in one room.

Amy’s video rolled. Her path was different than mine, discovering commonalities and friendships through swimming, developing talents and mentorship programs through working. But our roads were now converging. After a heartfelt tribute from her boss and an elegant acceptance from Amy, my video rolled and Marian took the floor. She had a scroll with a large red ribbon. She untied it and, like Santa’s good-girls-and-boys list, it unfurled dramatically and dropped down to the top of her toes. And so began my introduction. Marian asked. I said yes. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat... A yes is what plunges you into all sorts of interesting things.

The AIGA National Fellow award program is a means of recognizing seasoned designers who have made a significant contribution to raising the standards of excellence in practice and conduct within their local or regional design community as well as in their local AIGA chapter. The areas of education, writing, leadership and reputation as well as the practice of design are given equal consideration in measuring significant contribution. AIGA is the professional association for design with more than 25,000 nationwide organized in 72 chapters. Colorado’s chapter was established in 1990.

AIGA can act like a mirror. If your career is stagnant, it will present those who are doing what you aspire to, sometimes providing inspiration, other times frustration. If you’re in a place of change, it can provide the springboard to inspire new thoughts, approaches and collaborations. If you’re feeling your power, it offers you a way to give back or reconnect. It’s all about your view of your situation and how you choose to engage with those opportunities around you. I’ve gone through all those stages and I expect I’ll do so again. Thankfully, I can’t say no to you, Marian … ahem … AIGA. But I can say, no regrets.

Photos by  Jim Darling Photography and Hashtagitude

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February 14, 2014 - Comments Off on President, AIGA Colorado

President, AIGA Colorado

Aiga president Colorado Helen Young

Last summer, I accepted the role of President for the Colorado Chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. AIGA is a national organization with 25,000 members and 67 chapters. The AIGA is committed to advancing design as a professional craft, strategic advantage and vital cultural force.

Founded in 1914, AIGA celebrates 100 years this year. The Denver Art Museum is keeper of the AIGA National Archives, a collection of more than 6,000 of the physical artifacts representing decades of the best in design and communication. Their new exhibit pulled from the Archives, Drawn to Action, is up throughout 2014.

AIGA Colorado consists of 550 members and 2,500 friends. Each year, AIGA CO hosts 35 local events and initiatives relevant to designers and industry friends. Starting in May 2014 through June 2015, the chapter will celebrate 25 years serving the local design community.

This volunteer position involves guiding a dynamic board of directors, along side President Emeritus Elysia Syriac, and representing the organization within the local community. My love of AIGA began in the mid 1990s when I served on the Board as Communications Chair, producing the quarterly newsletter. My membership has never lapsed and my involvement with AIGA has continued throughout my career via attending local speaker events and national conferences.

When asked to take a leadership role, I viewed it as an opportunity to expand my knowledge of the myriad design disciplines that have arisen since founding EnZed Design 17 years ago. So much has changed since “print” was king. Teams of specialists now work seamlessly together to communicate within diverse media. Being part of AIGA helps me keep on top of trends and best practices. A true passion for design craft and design thinking—that together create strategic communications—is what really fires my caldron. AIGA offers an outlet for both. Read my post on AIGA CO’s website for more thoughts on why AIGA is still relevant to designers, after all these years.

As President, I’m in a unique position to see the organization in a national scope. It’s been a privilege to get to know presidents from other chapters, national board members, and the national staff who are the wind beneath the sails of the organization. And it’s been a delight to get to know an enthusiastic local team of go-getters in the design industry making waves in the community.

And it’s only just begun. I’ll be sharing more of AIGA Colorado’s plans for the coming two years of my term, including highlights from the National Leadership Conference hosted right here in Denver in May 2014. Stay tuned.

Photos taken at the National Design Conference and at AIGA Colorado Gala (by Jason Hayes).

 

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February 12, 2013 - Comments Off on Fine Fellows

Fine Fellows

This June, AIGA Colorado is honoring two of our brightest and boldest creatives to be recipients of the prestigious AIGA Fellow Award. The Fellow award program is a means of recognizing designers who have made a significant contribution to raising the standards of excellence in practice and conduct within their local or regional design community as well as in their local AIGA chapter. The areas of education, writing, leadership and reputation, as well as the practice of design are given equal consideration in measuring significant contribution. I’ve been honored with the request to design the gala event invitation.

At the 2011 Fellow awards, I had the opportunity to make the introductions for one of my favorite people—a fine Fellow she is. I would like to share with you a little about my wonderful friend and colleague, Marian Halliday.

AIGA Fellow Award 2011: Marian Halliday
Star Date: June 2011 — Introduction Speech

Huh-looooooo!

Good evening. I’m pleased to have the honor to introduce one of my favorite people in the graphic design industry, Marian Halliday. Or as some of you may know her affectionately as Marian Jolly Halliday, Maid Marian, Marian, Marian the Paper Librarian, or even... Marian the Barbarian!

AIGA Colorado Fellow Marian Halliday paper expert Sprint Press Denver EnZed Design

You maybe wondering why Marian is being symbolized by animated stills. Actually, it’s only fitting because Marian’s entry into the design world was first as an illustrator for animator Paul Fierlinger in Philadelphia. During her two years there, she hand drew cells for animations featured on The Children’s Television Network. Yep, Sesame Street! Paul’s most memorable work from that time was Teeny Little Super Guy.

Marian Halliday started her career as a designer in the publishing world as a paste-up artist at the newspaper Canyon Courier. And eventually she worked as a designer for Macnimera Publishing for eight years where she design collateral for quintessential Colorado clients, like National Cattleman’s Association.

Although her career started in Philly, her love affair with design, designers (one in particular) and AIGA grew when she came to Colorado. As she merged families, she also corralled her passions into something much more far reaching.

AIGA Colorado Fellow Marian Halliday Sprint Press EnZed Design Denver

Fastforward to 2011. On a particularly sunny day this spring, Marian came by and shared with me that she had been helping Bob Taylor’s daughter clean out his office. Given Bob’s love of this creative community, she wanted to be certain nothing of historic importance was lost. But when she said, “You’ll never guess what I found…,” I knew there was a surprise coming with a story to match.

I met Marian in 1993, when she had moved on to paper. I was new to Denver and had just four years of design under my belt. We bonded immediately over the gorgeous textures, the newest colors, the heaviest weights — she knew them all. And best of all, she could read that scary spec chart behind the decks.

Along those lines, let’s just take a moment to review Marian’s career history with this handy, and much simpler, timeline. On left is the Archaic Eon circa 1972 to 1989 where she worked as an illustrator and designer — represented by the T-square.

During this period, it was often noted that Marian could draw a straight line, a skill many clients covet to this day.  Then we enter the eventful Paperozoic Eon. It starts with the 5-year Zellerback period and is followed by the more substantial Unisource Period that lasted through 2009. Note the correlation of the founding of the local AIGA chapter in 1989 and the inaugural Heart Art event, in 1994.

AIGA Colorado Fellow Marian Halliday Sprint Press EnZed Design Denver

If you look very closely, you’ll notice a tiny blip during the 1999-2000 millennium called the Steinian Period, or more commonly known as the Scottie Dog in the Lobby Event. Finally, Marian landed at Johnson Printing where she now functions as their paper librarian by day, and Bat Girl by night. [Marian is now with Sprint Press.]

Woven throughout this enduring career has always been AIGA.

I served with Marian on the board in the mid to late 1990s. A few years prior, the board had conceived Heart Art. A beautiful event at chocolatier Coco Loco, it had captured Marian’s heart and she made it her priority to run it. And she boy did she run with it.

Heart Art became the single most consistent event held by AIGA Colorado. Moreover, it is a significant fundraiser for the association, as well as the community. That longevity and its great return is due to Marian's passion, hard work and ability to recruit a great team of volunteers to make it happen. She's a practical gal, understanding the time and budget limitations, but still managing to turn out great attendance every year. Not to mention, gather the artwork for auction, from our local deadline-stretching designers.

When I see Marian in action on Heart Art, I think of Dick Van Dyke's one-man band in Mary Poppins. Quite a physical feat, with a dash of comic genius. Marian has served on the AIGA Colorado Board, it’s executive committee and as Advisor to the Board. She is always ready to lend a helping hand. She remains involved in many events, as encourager, instigator, organizer, sounding board, and welcoming face.

AIGA Colorado Fellow Marian Halliday Sprint Press EnZed Design Denver

In 2010, she was instrumental in the advancement and renaming of The Robert Taylor AIGA Scholarship. Earlier this evening, you heard from Robert’s daughter, Jenny, about this wonderful resource. Beyond AIGA, Marian loves being it touch with the community. She's often called upon as a recruiter by creative principals or a head hunter by job seekers. She's like a walking Twitter feed.

One hour with Marian and I feel connected. She's how I keep in touch with what's really going on in printing, design and advertising firms, who's working where, and what great account just landed on whose desk. So, at lunch, I got all caught up. Caught up in what a remarkably valuable asset Marian Halliday is to AIGA Colorado.

The momentum builder and worker bee. The bringer of industry news, paper promos, and now printing technologies, too. The caretaker of the past, so we don't forget how we got here. I think when Bob left us, he passed that well-carried torch to Marian.

So, I thought for a good while before responding to her you’ll never guess teaser. What would surprise me in Bob's dusty collection of design tools? No, those are probably still in my basement. We need to go back even further...

AIGA Colorado Fellow Marian Halliday Sprint Press EnZed Design Denver

“Not a clue,” I finally said. “What was it?"
Marian laughed:  “A 300-sheet pad of Rubylith!”

Certainly one for the archives.

AIGA Colorado Fellow Marian Halliday Sprint Press EnZed Design Denver

Thank you Marian. From all of us. And especially from all of the volunteers and members, past and present, who make AIGA Colorado a lively and lovely organization.

Ta! Ta!

Credits: Mary Poppins, Maid Marian, Walt Disney Studios; Bat Girl, DC Comics; Red Sonia, Marvel Comics; Side of Beef, Ask The Meat Man; Brady Bunch, ABC. The imagery collected here was found via Google nearly two years ago. If an image is yours, please contact me and I will add a credit and a link.