AIGA Design Rewind Celebrating 25 Years of Design in Indianapolis

* Proud to have my work from over the decades included in the AIGA Indy Design Rewind 25 Retrospective//

Over the last 25 years, Indianapolis has developed, changed and grown with exciting momentum. A large part of that growth is due to our local design community. The collective work of artists, designers, and entrepreneurs have positively impacted how this city looks, feels and thinks. Through this progression, AIGA Indy has been there every step of the way. We have molded leaders, facilitated connectivity, and inspired creatives to make meaningful differences. This September, AIGA Indy is turning 25 and will be hosting a design show in collaboration with Big Car. The entries will be selected, curated, and displayed in chronological order showing how Indianapolis has evolved over the years. _AIGA Indy

_1995 : ART DIRECTORS CLUB OF INDIANA / The Best Show Materials / Design : Eric Kass

The annual design show, judged by nationally renowned designers, featured 100 of the best design pieces created from the year. Embracing our local Midwestern heritage I based the concept on a booklet called Van Pelt’s Cow Demonstration by Hugh G. Van Pelt which came free with your subscription to Dairy Farmer magazine in 1911. Along with several campy photos of Hugh oddly fondling cows was copy that seemed to directly relate to how we discussed and judged design.

“Beauty—Attractiveness of appearance, though hardly an essential to great production, should never be lost sight of, for, all other things being equal, the handsome cow will command the greatest respect when placed upon the market and will invariably sell for the highest price.” _Hugh G. Van Pelt

_2005 : PENROD ARTS FAIR / Identity + Poster / Design : Eric Kass

I designed the identity for the Penrod Arts Fair, and posters from 2003–2006, a local tradition since 1967 held on the grounds of The Indianapolis Museum of Art. I shot photos of the environment, architecture and sculptures to include on the poster combined with a variety of vintage found typestyles to reflect the diversity of art and people at the event. The logo marks the crossroads where art comes together, alludes to a painters palette and flower relating to the beautiful location and art.

_2015 : SOCIETY OF SALVAGE / Identity + Branding / Design : Eric Kass

Feeling beautifully weathered from decades of use the S.O.S. identity represents the mystical moment when we find a vintage object which unlocks something emotionally inside us. That magical personal feeling when we see then touch something rare and special. There is a sense of being in the club, a secret club, united by discovery. Society of Salvage is where that discovery occurs whether in the warehouse or on the web. Local pride and inspiration comes from the many extraordinary war memorials located in Indianapolis with similar historically mystic themes.