Last updated 10/07/2008

AMRI STUDIOS (Santa Rosa, CA) is the new name of Wallach Glass Studio; Christina Wallach is returning to her family name of Christina Amri and bringing that name to her business and art.

APPLIED IMAGE (Farmingdale, NJ) completed fabrication and installation of new environmental graphics and signage for Syracuse University (designed by Poulin + Morris); over 600 linear feet of custom wall murals for the Barnes & Noble flagship store in Tribeca, NY; the W Hotels in both midtown New York and Atlanta Georgia; installation of all large format printing for MURAKAMI at the Brooklyn Museum in New York and New York City Department for the Aging (designed by Russell Design).

APCO (Atlanta) introduced MyDay, an innovative system for displaying several types of information within one modular unit; it offers a clean yet functional integration of marker boards, pin board, clocks, and more. Initially designed for hospital patient rooms and nurse’s stations, it offers ideal solutions for corporate and educational environments.

ASI-MODULEX (Dallas) has been acquired by Wolfe Capital Partners of Dallas. The firm will remain headquartered in Dallas and will continue doing business under its current name.

BARCO (Rancho Cordova, CA) acquired High End Systems, an Austin, Texas-based global technology provider of automated luminaries, digital lighting, and lighting controls. The two firms unveiled SHOWPIX, the first in a new line of Pixelation Luminaires, at the Barco booth at InfoComm 2008 in Las Vegas. SHOWPIX is both a high-power LED wash light and a programmable fixture that can display graphics. Barco also introduced the FSN Series, a high-resolution production switcher that combines advanced video switching functionality with the power of Barco image processing.

BOWMAND DESIGN GROUP (Los Angeles) created one of the inaugural displays, “Putting DNA to Work,” for The Marian Koshland Science Museum; the hands-on exhibit will now travel to science museums and centers across the country. Instead of seamless, monolithic structures favored in permanent installations, they designed the exhibit’s large graphic displays in modular pieces that are bolted together. Laminated birch plywood was selected over typically used MDF material because it resists the damage incurred during repeated installation/dismantle sequences.

BRC IMAGINATION ARTS (Burbank, CA) created the first “new” gallery in the revitalization of the Arizona Science Center, located in Phoenix, AZ. The Forces of Nature exhibit includes an immersion theater, a 5-ft. digital interactive globe, and many other displays and interactive exhibits.

CORBIN DESIGN (Traverse City, MI) is working with the Town of Mammoth Lakes, CA, and other area stakeholders on a wayfinding analysis and initial design of a signage system for the extensive network of recreation trails through the town, surrounding U.S. Forest Service lands and nearby recreation areas like Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. The firm was also selected to develop an exterior wayfinding and signage system for Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN, following completion of an initial wayfinding analysis. Corbin will also develop wayfinding and signage standards for Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL. The firm has been selected by their hometown Downtown Development Authority to develop a comprehensive wayfinding plan for the Traverse City DDA District; the plan will serve pedestrians, bikers, parkers and motorists. Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI has selected Corbin to develop a vehicular and pedestrian wayfinding master plan for the campus and its facilities. Lakeland HealthCare in St. Joseph, MI chose Corbin to develop exterior and interior wayfinding and signage standards for the main campus and its new patient tower, as well as the healthcare provider’s center for outpatient services. Corbin will be designing a wayfinding system of gateway and directional signage for downtown Akron and its surrounding neighborhoods, following the firm’s completion of wayfinding analysis and recommendations for the city. The firm will also be documenting the wayfinding systems that they had previously designed for Medina, OH and Rochester, MI, preparing them for fabrication and installation; the Medina system involves comprehensive signage for the city’s Historical Business District, while the Rochester system includes vehicular and pedestrian signage for the Detroit suburb’s DDA District. For Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, IL, Corbin will develop an exterior and interior wayfinding master plan for the hospital and its campus. The cities of Bryan and College Station, TX, home to Texas A&M University, recently selected the firm to document the wayfinding system that the firm designed in 2005, paving the way for the cities to bid the system for fabrication and installation. The city of Holland, MI, where Corbin developed a comprehensive wayfinding program in 2000, has rehired the design firm to develop a system of map and directory kiosks and street markers to improve the city’s downtown shopping experience.

DAKTRONICS (Brookings, SD) introduced its newest LED innovation, the freeform ProPixel LED stick. Designed to wrap a structure of any size or shape with video, animation, color effects, text messages, and live date, the stick features a flexible mounting system.

THE DOUGLAS GROUP (Houston) welcomed Nicole Lapidus, Jorge Gonzalez, and Michael Rodriquez to the Houston office and Amy Dale to the DC office. In addition, the firm will soon begin to implement an exterior signage program at Houston’s Hermann Park, based on a master plan previously developed for the Hermann Park Conservancy. The firm will develop comprehensive signage programs for Houston’s newest downtown skyscrapers, 6 Houston Center and 811 Main Place. As a result of a recent merger between the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, the firm will be renovating the exhibits in two visitor centers, one originally designed by DG. The firm was also selected to provide exhibit design services for the expansion of the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX.

EMERYSTUDIO (Southbank, VIC, Australia) announced To Three, a major publication on the firm’s environmental graphics. The book consists of three volumes bound together; the title alludes to the trilogy as well as the two- and three-dimensional nature of environmental graphic design. Designed by Wang Xu, the new book offers a series of essays about environmental graphic design, placemaking, urban legibility, and identity and features principal works of the past decade including Parliament House of Australia, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Petronas Towers, Sydney Opera House, and Manchester Civic Justice Centre.

FD2S (Austin, TX) has started work on several new projects across the U.S., including the development of a comprehensive wayfinding master plan for the Duke University Medical Center, and the implementation of the plan at the upcoming hospital addition and Cancer Center projects; the creation of an environmental graphics program for the new headquarters of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, just down the street from the firm’s offices; the development and implementation of a wayfinding strategy for the University of Chicago Medical Center's New Hospital Pavilion, being designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects; and the development of a wayfinding strategy and the documentation of signage standards for the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center in Mobile, AL.

FMG Design (Houston) was hired by Gables Residential to develop environmental graphics for a new mixed-used and residential building comprised of retail and apartment units located in one of Houston’s most prestigious neighborhoods. The firm has also been awarded the contract to develop architectural graphics for the Austonian, the newest residential development in Austin, TX. The Austonian will be an elegant, elliptical high-rise tower, with the latest green innovations incorporated into its design.

GALLAGHER & ASSOCIATES (Bethesda, MD) designed the new Museum at Bethel Woods, which highlights the transformative era of the 1960s in American history and showcases the role of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Planning for the museum involved a lengthy phase of research, including an analysis of historic events of the 1960s and a review of artifacts and historical accounts of Woodstock. Oral histories were also compiled through interviews with several of the artists who performed at the concert.

GEMINI INCORPORATED (Cannon Falls, MN) received approval for its Formed Plastic Channel Letter as a Recognized Component under UL879 and UL48, which applies to lighting and signage.

IMPACT DESIGN ASSOCIATES (Venice, CA) completed an interior & exterior wayfinding sign system for the Newport Lofts condominium project in the artist district of Las Vegas. Stainless steel channel letters with an edge illumination detail identify the project from the exterior. The acrylic interior signs have a subsurface blue color and a stainless steel metal frame that holds the panel slightly off the wall allowing light to pass through.

LAUNCH DYNAMIC MEDIA (Wyomissing, PA) christened their new studio, located at 828 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610. To quote Mrs. Smails from the film Caddyshack, "Alright everybody, it's time to christen the sloop! You too children... you can shake your booties down on the dock."

LOONEY RICKS KISS ARCHITECTS (Boulder, CO) completed project planning, visioning, and brand strategy development for Sheridan Ridge, a luxury second-home resort in Smyth County, VA. The project Advisory Board includes NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, and Elliott Sadler. LRK has also been awarded the commission for architectural, interiors, and environmental graphic design services for Parkside Town Commons, located in Cary, NC.

LORENC+YOO DESIGN (Roswell, GA) is celebrating their 30th Anniversary in 2008 with projects across the globe and with partner firms in Dubai, Seoul, Beijing, and Philadelphia. UPS has commissioned LYD to design their customer welcome center for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Jangsu Country Club has retained the firm to design a comprehensive identity program for their country club in Korea. LYD designed three new trade show booths for the ICSC convention in Las Vegas. The Mayo Clinic Scottsdale retained LYD to design Heritage Hall commemorating the Mayo legacy in Arizona and nationally. Leisure Corp in Dubai has retained LYD to design a comprehensive wayfinding and sign program for Jumeirah Golf Estates. Jan Lorenc is proud that the book he co-wrote with Lee Skolnick and Craig Berger titled What is Exhibition Design has sold out in its first printing and is in its second edition. It has been published in Chinese and Russian and is being translated into Jan’s native Polish. The firm welcomed Stewart Sonderman as senior designer/project manager; most recently, Sonderman worked with EDSA as a senior environmental graphic designer where he led projects for high-end resort, residential and mixed used developments such as Chub Cay Resort in the Bahamas, and The Tiger Woods private residential golf community in Dubai, UAE.

MERJE (Philadelphia) is the new name and brand of RMJM’s boutique environmental graphic design studio, which operated under the Hillier Architecture banner prior to the RMJM and Hillier merge in 2007.

NEMETSCHEK NORTH AMERICA (Columbia, MD) introduced ThermoRender, a VectorWorks-based application that is a unique simulation and analysis tool for the thermal environment.

PRECISION SIGNS (Amityville, NY) announce projects including AOL Time Warner, New York; Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn, NY; and Smithsonian Institute National Zoological Park, Washington.

SASAKI ASSOCIATES (Watertown, MA), in partnership with WHL Architecture, designed new wayfinding signage in the Downtown Development District of Baton Rouge, LA. A lively system of signposts, banners, informational kiosks, and historic markers enliven the various districts, in addition to providing critical wayfinding information for the city. An expansive color palette embellished with historic patterns celebrates the rich cultural mix; heritage trail markers with historic commentary bring additional depth to the system, engaging newcomers and long-time residents alike.

STAR SIGNS (Lawrence, KS) introduced their new president & CEO along with their new brand identity. The business, formerly known as Star Signs & Graphics, retained top operational management, key sales personnel, and fabricators from the former company. The firm was awarded contracts for interior signs and branding for the Invesco Corporate offices in Atlanta and Tax Analyst corporate offices in Falls Church, VA; both projects were designed by Gensler of Washington, DC. The firm also finished all the exterior site signage and parking garage signs for Park Place, a multi-use development in Leawood, KS.

STUDIO 369 (St. Louis, MO), Lawrence Group’s in-house graphics studio, was recognized by the St. Louis Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services with a 2008 Archie Award in the corporate identity category for Lawrence Group’s 2007 rebranding.

STUDIO GRAPHIQUE (Cleveland, OH) was selected to receive the COSE Arts Business and Innovation Award in the Business Patron Category. Studio Graphique is being honored for their commitment to the Northeast Ohio arts community for their 10-year anniversary celebration, Art of Space. The businesses that receive this award are recognized for engaging in creative partnerships that have benefited a specific aspect of the local arts community.

TROLLBÄCK + COMPANY (New York) completed branding work on three networks from three different countries: the launch of ESPNEWS in HD, the rebrand of The Movie Network, and a promo package redesign for Swiss network SF1.

WPA (Seattle) designed the signage and the donor program for the new Technology Access Foundation in Seattle, a collaboration between Public Architecture, Miller Hull Architects and wpa. The building employs salvaged materials in creative ways. The firm also completed the design phase of Washington State University's Library Road, providing architectural services related to the conversion of the former vehicular road into a significant pedestrian space in the heart of the WSU campus in Pullman, WA. The firm designed the signage, donor program, and graphics for the University of Washington School of Medicine Research Labs in South Lake Union in Seattle.