UCDA mourns tragic loss

Leo Obstbaum
1969-2009

UCDA was deeply saddened to hear the recent news of the tragic passing of Leo Obstbaum. Our hearts are with the family he leaves behind and all those who called him friend and colleague over the years. As Design Director for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver the creative legacy Leo leaves behind will soon be witnessed by millions as the world turns its attention to Vancouver.

Leo's presence will surely be missed at the 2009 UCDA Design Conference. Plans remain in place for Derek Baxter to present the work of hte Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) but Leo's absence will weigh heavy even as we are inspired by his work. The full affect of this untimely passing are undoubtedly not yet fully realized by all those that worked alongside Leo and we will post updates if there are any subsequent changes to the conference schedule.

Student Rate for the Conference!

The 2009 Annual UCDA Design Conference has a unique opportunity for design students in the Pacific Northwest!

Full Conference (Opening keynote plus three full days of program)
$400 Student Rate ($850 Full Rate)

Single Conference Days
$200 Student Rate ($350 Full Rate)

Keynote and Reception Only
$40 Student Rate ($60 Full Rate)

We're excited about our 39th annual design conference in Seattle. Our theme of Navigate acknowledges the challenges facing designers in today's complex organizational landscapes, the confusing maze of media options, sustainability choices, and budgetary pressures.

To address these concerns, we've brought together more than 20 experts and offer five general sessions, 24 breakout sessions, and many additional workshops, reviews, tours, and discussions. Speakers include Anne Traver and Dale Hart from Methodologie; Joshua Berger from Plazm; and several prominent design education panelists. Other offerings include photographers, marketing and communication agencies, university designers, and award-winning magazine art directors, as well as speakers from Adobe, Quark, iStockphoto, and Campaign Monitor.

Call 615-459-4559 to register or for complete speaker and schedule information visit http://ucda.com

Brand Champion of the Day

From conference speaker Rex Whisman's Brand Champions Blog:

"Every Monday and Friday I feature people and organizations who understand what it means to be a brand champion. Today I am pleased to highlight David Dryden and Tadson Bussey from UCDA."

"I was first introduced to UCDA several years ago when I was working in a communications and marketing department at a private university. Several of my staff were members. I become more familiar with the organization when I had the opportunity to facilitate a pre-conference workshop two years ago in Toronto. That experience led me to become a champion of their brand. I am honored to have the privilege to present at their upcoming conference in Seattle this October. Today David and Tadson share their views on what they think it means to be a brand champion for UCDA."

Interesting camera gear?

Small world. Apparently conference presenter Max S. Gerber works maybe three blocks from my home here in sunny Pasadena, but I came across his name through referrals by Pam Fogg at Middlebury College in Vermont. Max just sent me his latest email promo, "(the latest shot)," featuring photos of speedcubers capable of solving a rubik's cube in something like 12 seconds, and I see that the genesis of these images goes back to an assignment done for Pam. Now he carries a "cube" with him everywhere in his camera bag and when he's not loosening up subjects with it he solves it himself in about a minute. Someone's goin' to have to test this in Seattle.

IE demonstrates power in words

Among the recognitions IE Design + Communication recently received from the 24th Annual Admissions Advertising Awards was a gold honor for their USC Viterbi School of Engineering Graduate Program direct mail design.

IE's work for USC beautifully demonstrates their dedication to smart solutions that integrate visual and verbal narrative. Marcie Carson and Corey Baim, IE principals, will be presenting a pair of sessions not only highlighting the role of words in their design, but are planning a collaborative workshop where participants can explore for themselves the power of words in overcoming visual hurdles.

Foodie friend recommends...

Just got a list of Seattle recommendations from a politico friend that travels quite a bit and always eats very well...

Macrina Bakery and Cafe, 2408 1st Avenue, for coffee and pastries, sanwiches, soup, etc. Only a few blocks from the hotel, and for those that do the walk, talk and shoot to the Olympic Sculpture Garden this is my recommended lunch stop right on the way back.

Etta's, 2020 Western Avenue, one of famed Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas's locations, conveniently located between the hotel and Pike Place Market.

Gelatiamo, 1400 Third Avenue, downtown--always something new and unusual to taste ("try the rice")

Matt's in the Market, Pike Place Market, hard to find but cheap eats--try the hot albacore tuna sandwich.

A couple of other nicer Belltown recommendations I know nothing about but will pass along, Mistral at 113 Blanchard and Lampreia at 2400 First Avenue.

Enjoy!

Oregon State "powered by orange"

In March of this year Oregon State University launched a new social media campaign, Powered by Orange, offering a network of alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends and fans a place "to tell your story and connect with the other practical idealists who are Powered by Orange."

In their June 25 blog mStoner featured the site calling it the "most comprehensive university social marketing campaign that we’ve seen to date" and eduStyle awarded the site the Jadu Best Integration of Social/Networking award. Mashable featured the site in their must-see article 10 Ways Universities Are Engaging Alumni Using Social Media.

Amy Charron will be representing Oregon State as this year's "featured school." I'm sure I'm not the only one in UCDA that often feels overwhelmed trying to figure out how these new tools fit into our patterns of work and strategies for marketing. Can't wait to see what Amy has to share with us.

On the right track

Looking for another way into Seattle when you arrive?
Give our new light rail system a try.

The main terminal from the airport won't be complete until December. You can, however, take a free shuttle bus or walk to the terminal and from there it's a short 34-minute ride to downtown Seattle.

From the Westlake Mall Downtown Seattle station, you can take a 10-minute cab ride or a 15-minute walk to the conference hotel. This will drop you right into the heart of the shopping district.

During your 34-minute ride into the city you will pass through the historic neighborhoods of Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, SODO (home to the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners), the International District (Chinatown) and Pioneer Square.

If the weather isn't too cloudy, you will also see some amazing vistas of Mount Rainier.

Healthcare and Cupcakes?

Seattle cupcake maven Jody Hall, owner of Cupcake Royale, was featured this past Friday in a Morning Edition story on healthcare. Who am I to question NPR?

Okay, I probably can't buy into health benefits from cupcakes, but my mind is open...however, can't wait to make a trek to one of Cupcake Royale's four locations to do my part "to support healthcare benefits."

Conference registration deadline extended.

We know budgets are tight. So we're extending the early-bird registration and hotel deadline to August 15 in order to save you a few bucks.

Get to it!