Seasons Change

The sun is out but there's a distinct chill in the air. Fall is upon us and given the heartbreaking news out of Condé Nast yesterday, it feels downright wintry. (It was all just a bad dream, right?  What will I do without my Cookie?!) We've certainly seen better times but we continue to press on knowing that challenges like these bind us together and remind us not only of the great work we do but the great and talented people who make up this membership.



The Society of Publication Designers is busy at work lining up a series of fall and spring events that will, we hope, inspire, inform, educate and entertain. We support you and want to provide the opportunities to gather this year and celebrate our industry (i.e. network, edify, conspire, commiserate, get wrecked). Really, whatever you need, we've got your back!

To kick things off, please join us tonight for the first installment of SPD's Speakeasy series with the ever inspiring and innovative Richard Wilde. We are debuting a new venue this year, the Helen Mills Theatre, so help us christen it properly. Later in November we'll be hearing from Raymond Meier, David Sebbah, Judith Puckett-Rinella and others from T Magazine on the creation of their most powerful and transcendent imagery.  Then in December we'll hear firsthand from Matt Lenning and Bailey Franklin of Bon Appétit about the process of redefining the food genre.  We also have George Lois, Paul Sahre and others waiting in the wings with special nights planned for the Spring. Stay tuned for more details.

I'm happy to announce a new addition to our member benefits this year--SPD's Master Class--brainchild of our own Kate Elazegui of Money magazine. Consider members-only access to some of the titans of our industry, instructing on magazine identity, successful assignment of photography and illustration, the art of the package and more. We'll provide a small, intimate classroom setting on a first-come, first-served basis for SPD members. Keep your eyes open for posts from Kate and get ready to pounce.

Huge thanks to the entire Student Outreach Committee for continuing to grow a vibrant community of student members. In just five years, we have more student members than ever, more activities, portfolio reviews, Pub(lication) Crawls, a student design competition and, starting last year, a student photography competition. (Not to mention a fantastic student blog -- don't miss it.) 

And what would SPD be without some proper party planning? We have a book launch in the works for Pub 44, designed by Tom Brown and Todd Albertson; our annual holiday bacchanal party awaits; and then of course, there's the Pub 45 Competition and Gala. The pre-game show has begun and I'm thrilled to announce that the infinitely talented and (clearly) indefatigable Debra Bishop of More magazine will be joining me to co-chair this main event. Start thinking about entries now...oh, and crafting those arguments to your ME's as to why this money will be well spent!

Please stay tuned as always to spd.org. We are planning lots of new upgrades and additions to our site and we're so thankful to our frequent fliers and commenters (that one's for you, Grant Glass!). Also we've completed the upload of Pub 43 and Pub 44 winners--our goal is to have 40-43 up by year's end and so on and so forth. (It's 45 years, people, and a whole lotta chromes so thanks for your patience!)

As always we love hearing from you and are entirely open to your suggestions and feedback. Don't hold back. After all, this is OUR Society!

See you tonight...
Casey Tierney
President, SPD