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Scott Ballum is the founder of Sheepless Co., a creative design practice dedicated to providing deliberate, considered solutions in design and promotion for socially responsible small businesses and cultural organizations - ADC included, as Scott will be designing the 88th Art Directors Annual. A proud and active alumnus of the School of Visual Arts, Scott was previously a Senior Designer at C&G Partners, creating identity projects for Signature Theatre Company and Alhurra Television Network, among others, and Design Director for Housing Works, Inc. He is a contributing writer on PSFK and the Huffington Post, and his editorial work has recently been featured in Objects-Journal of Applied Arts (Germany), LINO Magazine (Australia), Resurgence (UK), ChangeThis.com, and Adbusters. We caught up with Scott this month to talk about social responsibility, promoting "community" while simultaneously avoiding the herd, and his upcoming projects. Interview by Regan Murphy, regan@adcglobal.org.
ADC: While in high school, what was your dream job?
SB: Its funny to look back and see that, despite being the editor and designer of the high school yearbook, a career in design never even crossed my mind. I think it's being accepted as a viable opportunity for students today more than it was even when I was in school. I guess I thought I'd be an English or Social Studies teacher. It was one of the few careers I saw dedicated to analyzing culture and society, and shaping how others thought about it or saw their place within it. It's exciting to use my design and writing abilities to do that now, even if it didn't end up being teaching in a traditional sense.
ADC: Your ConsumeŽeconnection Project was that introduced you to people who made everything that you purchased for one year. How is it going?
SB: This project was a series of amazing experiences, leading me to all parts of the country and meeting people from all backgrounds and occupations, from chemists to line-workers to farmers to laborers. It really forced me out of my comfort zone, and taught me ways in which I was connected to these folks that I had never considered before. I have thought about writing a book on my experiences, but for the moment I'm focused on studying how it's effected me, and looking forward to what's next instead of revisiting what I've done. One way in which I'm looking to expand the project is to work with local schools to develop a student curriculum around traceability, buying local, and conscious consumption.
ADC: You're recognized for your writing on the intersection of creativity and social responsibility as it applies to design, consumerism, and personal choice. ADC's mission is to Connect, Provoke and Elevate world changing ideas and creative visual communications professionals around the world. As a 'provocateur,' what challenges do you face when writing about social responsibility intersecting with creativity?
SB: I think the biggest hurdle was getting myself, and subsequently encouraging others, to change the way we think about the ways in which we can 'do good' with design and other creative skills. With few notable exceptions, most of our practices revolve around commercial work, with the infrequent pro-bono project we might be able to fit in. It's been inspirational to me to find and meet individuals who have completely flipped that equation. There are designers, filmmakers, creative thinkers and artists who dedicate their energy exclusively to projects that make some corner of the world a better place. Similarly, there is a remarkable and encouraging movement towards increasing volunteerism under the Obama administration, but wouldn't it be a wonderful place if we could all spend our 9-to-5 doing community service instead of relegating it to one weekend a month when we're already tired? Sustainability has become a buzz word, but in order to fulfill that goal, we need to be as aware of how we work and what we create as we are of where things come from.
ADC: In the past you've worked at ADC and you designed ADC's 83rd and 87th Annuals. You now are back again for ADC's 88th Annual project. How have you seen the Annual evolve? Anything different about your approach this year?
SB: Designing the Annual is an amazing opportunity and I'm very excited to be working with ADC again. Unlike some other work I'm doing, this project is one in which it's really about the designer becoming invisible -- I would never suppose to compete with the fantastic work inside -- so it's really about creating a framework in which to best showcase the winning pieces. When I worked on the 83rd, I had the advantage of being present during the judging process, so I really understood each piece and its scale and context. While I don't have that luxury this time around, the folks at ADC do, and building an ongoing relationship there definitely benefits the project as a whole. Additionally, the new categories and award distinctions bring some new challenges, which keep it interesting and we're looking forward to tackling those. The cover and section dividers, though, end up being a place in which a designer can have a lot of fun since it's such a wonderfully creative audience, which I think I learned while working on last year's edition. The direction we're moving in for the 88th is really light-hearted and surprising, and I hope it will be a unique and reverent addition to the collection.
ADC: You promote "community building", and yet you often state you "avoid the herd". This seems like a contradiction in some ways -- do you find working alone isolates you from the greater creative community?
SB: Sometimes. But this is something that I'm excited to be working to solve. To me, "avoiding the herd" means maintaining a strong sense of self and not succumbing to popular trends and doing what everyone else does - so yes, that can be a little lonely sometimes. Which is why I'm thrilled to be a member of organizations like the ADC, The Freelancer's Union, and Green Spaces. These are places in which we can maintain our autonomy, while sharing resources, knowledge, and inspiration. I think amazing things can be done in a community of independent thinkers. I am currently working to launch a magazine that celebrates these values and encourages them amongst small business entrepreneurs -- whether overtly creative or not -- whose work is dedicated to social, cultural, or activist endeavors. I optimistically believe this business model is catching on and will have a significant impact as we move into the next phase of our evolving economic situation.
ADC: Miss anything about working in an office located right in the Union Square area or is Brooklyn fabulous and treating you well?
SB: Union Square was a fun place to be, and I worked with some amazing folks, so moving on was certainly bittersweet. But I love being based in Brooklyn. Since I live nearby as well, I feel like I have so much more time in my day. I bike to work, run to the gym for a swim at lunch time, and have access to every type of food, entertainment, or transportation I could ask for. I've traveled to some spectacular places over the past year, but only in Brooklyn do I feel like I have a little taste of it all.
ADC: Any new projects coming up?
SB: In addition to the ADC Annual, this summer I'll be designing an identity and event catalog for MIX22, an experimental queer film festival, new projects for Housing Works, and finishing up a book for the School of Visual Arts. I'm also donating my efforts to a non-profit film and arts organization called DecadesOut. Somewhere in there I hope to get my activist entrepreneur web/magazine project, and the ConsumeŽeconnection student program, off the ground as well!
ADC: Fantastic. Well good luck! And now please give your three favorite:
Places you have been: Amsterdam; Minori, Italy; Outer Banks, North Carolina.
Places you want to go: Berlin; Buenos Aires; Sydney, Australia. New York City landmarks: Brooklyn Bridge; Prospect Park; Williamsburg Savings Bank Clock Tower in Fort Greene. Foods to order while working late: Almonds, pepitas, dried fruit, whatever's in the cabinets; sorbet on a hot night; Chinese delivery (unfortunate but true). Drinks:: Maker's Mark; Margarita/rocks/salt; Brooklyn Lager. Websites: tapitwater.com; theselby.com; kayak.com. | ||||||||||||||
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This month ADC has chosen to highlight three CUBE members, Sascha Hanke, Bipasha Mookherjee, and Suck Zoo Han. CUBE is ADC's prestigious, honorary membership group for every ADC cube winner - past and present. All cube winners with a personalized cube are automatically qualified to join ADC's award-winning member group: CUBE.
The formation of this unique group will lead up to a CUBE members' reunion at our 90th Anniversary Gala in 2011 - CUBE members will be invited to attend as our guests and enjoy other special benefits. Do you have a cube? Contact us at cube@adcglobal.org. June's spotlight question: What does winning an ADC Cube mean to you?
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ADC 88th Annual Awards Exhibition
Thursday, June 4 - Friday, June 26, 2009
This exhibition will feature the work of ADC's Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in 5 key categories: Design, Advertising, Interactive, ADC Hybrid and ADC Design Sphere. The exhibition will be on view at the ADC Gallery from June 4 through June 26 before it embarks on a global tour.
The Annual Awards Exhibtiion opening reception was held on June 4th. Stay tuned to www.adcglobal.org for exhibit and party photos. This event is brought to you by:  Backstory | ADC Young Guns Live: +&
Thursday, June 11, 2009
They work for top agencies. They create award-winning campaigns. They've made it in the advertising world and keep pushing themselves every day. Join us as Wieden+Kennedy and Y&R creatives Chris Hutchinson, Driscoll Reid and Menno Kluin share their ideas, ideals and industry secrets.
Driscoll Reid and Chris Hutchinson are a creative team at Wieden+Kennedy Portland. Driscoll grew up in Vermont and graduated from Skidmore College. Chris grew up in California and graduated from the University of Oregon. They met in 2004 in the first group of W+K's school/experiment, 12, where they decided to team up and were subsequently hired by Wieden+Kennedy. They recently returned to the Portland office after a two-year stint in the agency's Tokyo office working on Nike Asia. Menno Kluin is an art director at Y&R NY. He started at Saatchi & Saatchi three years ago and within two years in the business he was ranked by Creativity magazine as the "Most Awarded Art Director" in the world. He is currently working at Y&R NY for clients like Bacardi, LG, Colgate, VH1 and Land Rover. Join us to see how these three innovators have used their head, their heart, their hands and the Adobe Creative Suite to create memorable, award-winning work. +& Thursday June 11, 2009 @ ADC Gallery 6:30 pm Drinks 7:00 pm Presentation ADC Members Free Non-Members $15 online, $20 at the door This evening is brought to you by Adobe. RSVP/Buy Tickets here. Reboot: Advertising
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
This session will cover how attendees should present themselves as multi-platform communicators that today's agencies and advertisers are looking to hire. Discussion topics will include the digital tools needed to present oneself as technically-savvy, the right career experiences to play up when putting together the 21st century resume and portfolio, and how to get the pertinent experience one might be lacking in newer platforms.
This session will be led and moderated by Catharine P. Taylor. She started covering digital media and advertising in the mid-1990s for Adweek, and went onto found the magazine's AdFreak blog. Currently she writes the "Social Media Insider" column for Mediapost, is a daily contributor to the BNET Media blog and had her own blog, Adverganza. The session will include the following presentations and speakers: Framing Your Brand - Allison Hemming, The Hired Guns Agency Network Recruiter & Recruiter Panel - with Ali Brafman, creative recruiter, Publicis; Danielle Blydenburgh, creative recruitment manager, MRM Worldwide; Greg Christman, Sam & Lori and Renetta Welty, creative recruiter, JWT SoDA (Society of Digital Agencies) Roundtable - with Dan La Civita, senior vice president, Firstborn; Aaron McDannell, creative director, Exopolis and others TBA Sharpening Your Tools - Chris Power, Power Consulting The evening will conclude with one hour of cocktails and networking. ReBoot Advertising June 17, 2009 5:00-9:00 pm @ADC Gallery 106 West 29th Street, NYC ADC Members: Free Non Members: $30 At the door: $35 Pink Slip Price: (you must bring an Unemployment Check stub): $15 RSVP/Buy Tickets Now! Click here. Reboot: Design
Thursday, June 18, 2009
This session will help attendees learn about viable new opportunities for your creative skills that designers can take advantage of in today's economy. Topics addressed will include effective networking, embracing failure and its rewards, creating your own products, and accessing creative support while implementing your own ideas. This session gives attendees access to a network of support and ideas which you can implement on your own.
ReBoot: Design will be led and moderated by Scott Belsky, CEO, Behance. The session will include the following presentations and speakers: Failure and Its Rewards - Steve Heller, co-chair of the MFA Designer as Author program at SVA What Do You Suck At? - Allison Hemming, The Hired Guns Innovation in Plain Site - Craig Dubitsky, managing partner, Kind SwapHive.com, a new online barter system - Kristina Critchlow, creator/principal, SwapHive.com Licensing Products - Rick Kurnit, partner, Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz 5 Quick Fixes - Chris Power, Power Consulting The evening will conclude with one hour of cocktails and networking. ReBoot Design June 18, 2009 5:00-9:00 pm @ADC Gallery 106 West 29th Street, NYC This evening features: Craig Dubitsky, Kind, Innovation in Plain Site Kristina Critchlow, Creator SwapHive Rick Kurnit, Licensing Products Chris Powers, Powers Consulting, 5 Quick Fixes ADC Members: Free Non Members: $30 At the door: $35 Pink Slip Price: (you must bring an Unemployment Check stub): $15 RSVP/Buy Tickets Now! Click here. | |||||||||||||||
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There's Nothing Funny About Design
By David Barringer
By winning the 2008 Winterhouse Award for Design Writing, David Barringer firmly established himself as the freshest and most interesting writer on the subject. His articles, which have appeared in publications from Print to Emigre, are notable for his strong personal point of view, literary style, and even humor, not always attributes associated with writing about design. In this collection of essays, Barringer's first, he wonders why drug names have so many X's in them, ponders the rise of gory DVD covers, and ruminates on his father's business card collection, pythons, and the human skull - proving again and again that design is everywhere you look for it, (but may not have seen) without the powerful magnifying lens of this talented and exciting observer and writer. Available on Amazon.
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Henry Wolf Summer Photography Workshop
In 2008 ADC kicked off the annual Henry Wolf Summer Photography Workshop. The photographer and ADC past President Henry Wolf, bequeathed funds to ADC to underwrite a summer photography workshop for High School students. The workshop is an introductory course that exposes the enrolled students to digital photography and brings them face to face with professional photographers. This year the workshop will run from July 13 - July 17, followed by an exhibition on July 18 at ADC Gallery. The exhibition is open to the public and ADC members and friends are encouraged to attend!
ADC is looking for volunteers who can lend their time for either all of the workshop or for a few hours. The workshop runs from 9am-4pm Monday July 13 through Friday July 17. Please email isabel@adcglobal.org if you are interested in volunteering! | |||||||||||||||
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New Membership Benefit: 50% OFF ADWEEK!
Adweek Media offers a 50% discounted subscription prices to all ADC members. With in-depth analysis, features and commentary in print and up-to-the-minute news updates online, no other source covers advertising, marketing and media like Adweek, Brandweek and Mediaweek. Start your subscriptions today by clicking here.
Artwork by past ADC Young Guns at Ace Hotel 
ADC is happy to announce that several past ADC Young Guns have created artwork for various rooms in the brand new (and now partially open) ACE Hotel New York. Above, artwork by Jayson Atienza (left) and Chris Rubino.
Wolda '09: Deadline is approaching!
Wolda '09 is accepting entries. Hurry and submit your work by June 30 for logos designed in 2008. Logos designed in 2009 can be submitted by January 31, 2010. Participation in Wolda '09 entitles you to a '09 book copy free of charge, including shipping. Winning entries will be determined by a three-tier jury, selected by ICOGRADA, AQUENT and CONSUMERS INTERNATIONAL. Winners, participants of '08 and members of endorsing associations and schools are entitled to discounts. Enter today here.
Storied: Notable voices on celebrated photography
In the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Corbis, writers, heroes, photographers, and people who were there when the shuttered snapped, were asked to comment on important images from the Corbis collection. Photographer Henry Diltz talks about working and hanging out with Neil Young and the Doors. Writer Fran Lebowitz dishes on Andy Warhol's Polaroid of a then unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger. The expanding list of contributors also includes auto racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart, former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, and Wright brothers relatives Amanda and Steve Wright.
Their insights uncover hidden truths in the images and illuminate the events, places, and personalities they capture. See the stories here. "A Week in Your Life" presented by ID Magazine and Moleskine
On the occasion of the 2009 Stationery Show in New York City ID Magazine and MoleskineŽ hosted 125 guests at a special exhibition at ADC Gallery of "A Week In Your Life".
On display were the Moleskine books by: Yves Béhar, Michael Graves, Seth Godin, Linda Tischler, Alfredo Häberli, Claesson Koivisto Rune, James Biber, Han Feng, Marian Bantjes, Jessica Helfand, Giuseppe Amato, Ayse Birsel, Louise Campbell. For more information on "A Week In Your Life" visit Moleskine's events page. Coroflot Creative Confab at ADC and their next stop
Coroflot.com unveiled the second installment of its Creative Confab series at ADC Gallery, to a packed house of over 140 designers. It was a boisterous afternoon of discussion and networking. For more on the event, some key observations from the panel, and photos go here.
The next Confab will happen in Portland, Oregon on June 11th. This Confab will feature Kirk James (Creative Director, Cinco Design) Nick Oakley, (Industrial Design Lead, Mobility Group, Intel), Beth Sasseen (Senior Design Recruiter, Nike) and Chelsea Vandiver (Head of Communications Design Group, Ziba Design). For more information about this event go here. | |||||||||||||||
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Individual Members
Tayla Anter-Engel: NY, NY Pilar Belhumeur: NY, NY Ryan Brown: Hoboken, NJ Daniela Burr: NY, NY Rich Buyer: NY, NY Nolan Cabeje: Santa Ana, CA Elishia Candelaresi: Cincinnati, OH Ryan Carl: Brooklyn, NY Kelly Cooper: Alexandria,VA Clayton Crocker: Brooklyn, NY  Jose Fernandez: NY, NY Davide Fissore: Bra, CN Ray Graj: NY, NY Suck Zoo Han: Philadelphia, PA Fernando Horcasitas: NY, NY Jarard Isler: NY, NY Chris Jarrin: NY, NY Lilit Kalachyan: North Hills, CA Kitae Kim: Chicago, IL Jane Lee: NY, NY Merlin Yu Lu: Beijing, China Michael McGinn: Brooklyn, NY Andrew McKechnie: Boston, MA Bipasha Mookherjee: Jersey City, NJ Nick Moore: NY, NY Amanda Morales: NY, NY Doreen Patron: NY, NY Robin Perry: Washington, DC Krystal Plomatos: Richmond,VA Alana Renfro: Newbury, NH Adam Rogers: NY, NY Avigdor Susana: NY, NY Rafael Vasquez: Springfield, NJ Javier Vega: NY, NY Stephen Viola: Los Angeles, CA Michael J Walsh Jr: NY, NY Thomas Weiling: Bad Honnef, Germany Veronica Windoe: Jakarta, Indonesia Vito Zarrillo: Hoboken, NJ designates a CUBE member.
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ADC members - this is your place to share. The newsletter is published
monthly. The deadline for submissions for the July newsletter is
June 24. Send news or inquiries to regan@adcglobal.org with the subject
line Newsletter.
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Consider the ADC gallery for your next event
 The ADC Gallery can accommodate up to 430 guests and is handicap accessible.
Location: 106 West 29th Street (Just West of 6th Avenue) Closest subway stops are 1/9 or R/W to 28th St. To view event photos visit ADC's online photo albums. For more information click here. For further questions or to make an appointment, please contact Olga Grisaitis at olga@adcglobal.org. | |||||||||||||||
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About ADC
The Art Directors Club is the premier organization for integrated media and
the first international creative collective of its kind. Founded in New York
in 1920, ADC is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to
Connect, Provoke and Elevate world changing ideas. It focuses on the highest
standards of excellence and integrity in visual communications for the
industry, and encourages students and young professionals entering the
field. ADC provides a forum for creatives in Advertising, Design,
Interactive Media and Communications to explore the direction of these
rapidly converging industries.
Not Yet A Member? Join Now.
The Art Directors Club 106 West 29th Street New York, NY 10001 212.643.1440 www.adcglobal.org
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