EVENT COMMITTEE:
TINA CHANG, LIZ DANZICO, KENT HUNTER,
BOBBY C. MARTIN JR., SAM POTTS

EMILY RUTH COHEN

EMILY RUTH COHEN, MODERATOR

EMILY COHEN
Emily has been a consultant to creative professionals for over 20 years, providing experienced and objective advise on effective staff, client and process management strategies, conducting client surveys and writing winning proposals and contracts. She currently serves on the board of advisors of InSource and on the AIGA in-house task force. Emily has also served as secretary for the AIGA/NY board of directors and has taught classes and conducted seminars for many leading design schools and organizations. Emily is a frequently requested speaker on business-related issues for the creative industry and has spoken at the HOW, MYOB, and InHOWse conferences, as well as at numerous AIGA events.

MATT OWENS, JASON GNEWIKOW, JAMES ELLIS: ATHLETICS

MATT OWENS, JASON GNEWIKOW, JAMES ELLIS

ATHLETICS
Athletics is an art and design collective comprising some of today’s best and brightest talents in their respective fields. With skill sets ranging from graphic design, illustration, art direction, motion graphics, and video directing to web design and development, Athletics members have come together to leverage their talents and energies for a wide range of clients and projects.

Each member of the studio brings unique insight and expertise to the collective. From publishing books and records, playing and recording music, producing and directing videos, and running art galleries, Athletics members have a strong commitment to creative thinking and a broad range of experience on the front lines of cultural production.

Each member works both independently and collectively. As individuals, members have the opportunity to pursue a variety of projects and creative interests. As a collective, Athletics members combine to leverage skill sets, resources and an overall organization greater than the sum of its parts. Each Athletics project represents an opportunity to raise the bar and challenge both client and studio to push creative possibilities, and visualize the work in a larger cultural context.

ERIC BLOCK

ERIC BLOCK

DUFFY & PARTNERS
Throughout his career, Eric has used his rare combination of business acumen and creative thinking to build powerfully effective ideas that inspire customers to action. He founded Duffy & Partners with Joe Duffy and Tricia Davidson after 17 years with Fallon Worldwide, most recently as chief operating officer, where he was the chief architect of the company’s global expansion and broadened integrated marketing capabilities. Block has developed highly effective branding solutions for clients including United Airlines, Jim Beam, Federal Express, Coca-Cola, EDS, International Trucks, McDonald’s, Nestlé Purina, Panera, Cornerstone Capital, Thymes, and Jack in the Box restaurants. He was VP Creative Services for Fox Television in Los Angeles helping to launch FOX, the fourth television network. He is a frequent lecturer on branding and believes creativity is one of the last sustainable opportunities to gain a competitive advantage in business.

JOE DUFFY

JOE DUFFY

DUFFY & PARTNERS
Joe is one of the most respected and sought after creative directors and thought leaders on branding and design in the world. Duffy’s work includes brand and corporate identity development for some of the world’s most admired brands, from BMW to Coca-Cola to Sony to McDonald’s to Starbucks. His work is regularly featured in leading marketing and design publications and exhibited around the world. He founded Duffy & Partners in 2004 to be a new kind of branding-and-creativity company, partnering with clients and other firms in all communications disciplines. In 2004 he received the Legacy Medal from AIGA for a lifetime of achievement in the field of visual communications and his first book, Brand Apart, was released in July 2005. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the “fast 50” most influential people in the future of business by Fast Company.

JASON FRIED

JASON FRIED

37SIGNALS
GETTING REAL
Jason Fried is the co-founder and President of 37signals, a privately-held Chicago-based company committed to building the best web-based tools possible with the least number of features necessary. 37signals’ products do less than the competition—intentionally. Jason believes there’s real value and beauty in the basics. Elegance, respect for people’s desire to simply get stuff done, and honest ease of use are the hallmarks of 37signals products.

SYLVIA HARRIS

SYLVIA HARRIS

SYLVIA HARRIS, LLC
Sylvia Harris is an expert in user-centered branding and information design. She is sought after to lead design innovation initiatives for institutions that serve the public interest. Well-known for her leadership of the 2000 Census re-design, Harris has produced communications strategies for New York Presbyterian Hospital, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Columbia University.

DOUGLAS RICCARDI: MEMO PRODUCTIONS

DOUGLAS RICCARDI

MEMO PRODUCTIONS
Douglas Riccardi has practiced graphic design and brand development internationally for over 20 years. From his initial start with the renowned M&Co. in Manhattan to positions at Forbes, Inc., Benetton SpA, and Sottsass Associati in Milan, Riccardi has developed an impressive portfolio that includes magazine publications, corporate reports, identities, and communications, product design, packaging, and a full-size working prototype for a new store model. In 1993, Riccardi founded Memo Productions, a multi-disciplinary studio specializing in corporate identity and brand expansion. Clients include Mario Batali, Restaurant Florent, Definitions Private Gyms, Schnippers Quality Kitchen, Hale and Hearty Soups and Pour Wines.

Riccardi teaches typography at the School of Visual Arts at New York University. He has been a visiting critic and lecturer at Yale University, has taught at the Hunter College Graduate School of Interactive Media Arts, and the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and served as Vice-President of AIGA/NY.

An avid gardener and cook, Riccardi also studies piano with Nurit Tilles, and, with the Dessoff Choirs, regularly performs at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Saint Bartholomew’s Church.