What’s interesting about graphic design is how trends develop. Designers start copying one another and forget to evolve their source material to the next level. Take a look at these visual artifacts of a current trend.

For the last eight years, the military families of the United States have been deployed multiple times to various combat zones. The toll on those families is enormous. To address the stresses of the deployment cycle is the FOCUS program. I helped create the digital version of the physical program found only on military bases around the country. Now it can reach more families.

A new feature launched recently to existing online property, savings.com. I helped build a “question and answer” system that generates a more personalized experience with the site’s community. The project required a detailed understanding of the mechanics of the current property and other Q & A platforms.

In the beginning of their relationship, Jack did all the talking. Jill was happy to listen because Jack knew so much and he was entertaining. But over time, it became exhausting only listening. Jill wanted a dialogue…

Sounds like a number of relationships we all know, but the difference is that this commentary Is about television (one to many) and social networks (many to many). It frames the evolution of broadcast (TV) advertising in a compelling and fun manner.

This animation was created for an advertising conference held in Istanbul for the international advertising, marketing and public relations agency, Ogilvy & Mather.

Advertising: A Love Story from Isaac Woodby.

A method of rapid concepting is to collaboratively work through ideas. Initial UX guidance can then be video taped and sent to other team members. Ideas become disseminated in an arguably more engaging manner- quickly and efficiently.

What trends are emerging that may change the way we interact with our world? This was the challenge set forth on a recent project. Looking backwards always reveals what came out of right field to take us by surprise. For instance, Facebook in 2007 was a small player that now rules how we communicate, share and socialize. What will dominate in 2010 that is today still in it’s diapers?

The NBC Washington station has done an excellent job of using social commentary to surface articles to its home page that may or may not be the story choices of the editorial staff. They surface what people are reading most, but they do more than other news sites- they communicate how their readers are feeling about a news piece. Brilliant.

I’ve been following the emergence of a new production tool from Adobe, called Catalyst. It’s going to change the development process for client services and digital design firms guaranteed. As with all new things, there are both pros and cons that I foresee and share in this post.

This is a re-purposed article written by Jared Spool of Adaptive Path. It’s “re-purposed” because his original goal of spreading his gospel and making him look super smart has now rubbed off on me. I can now look super smart and, better yet, “in the know.” At least, this is how it’s supposed to work. I rebroadcast others content to influence how you (the reader) perceive me? That’s at least one angle on “re-tweets” and “sharing”… But, do read on, its an insightful article that I am helping promote…

If the goal of every process is to find the best ideas, then generating informal drawings early in the discovery process creates quick definition that when expanded upon, leads to solid ideas. It’s like NASA- faster, better, cheaper… just add “effective” to the equation and real value is discovered.