Images property of Chute Gerdeman

The Chute Gerdeman team had the distinct privilege of contributing to this year’s Veterans Day parade here in Columbus. We were selected to design and install new banners that honor all branches of our military service at Franklin County’s Veterans Memorial. Any day is the perfect day to honor our servicemen and women, and Friday was a particularly beautiful day for a parade! Thank you to all our veterans!

Image property of Chute Gerdeman

Image via Chute Gerdeman

As CG’s resident Materials and Trend Specialist, one of my key duties is keeping our studio’s materials library up-to-date. With a focus on what’s new, there are items that inevitably get pulled off our library shelves. I’ve been hanging onto unwanted items, waiting for an opportunity to recycle them, rather than dumping everything into the trash. As it turns out, there are others outside of our industry who find value in my unused porcelain tile samples or a discontinued wallcovering binder. And IIDA has created a program to bring us together and reduce the waste.

ZeroLandfill™ is a wonderful event, hosted by IIDA in various chapter cities, where designers and architects can donate old library samples, binders and other items that are taking up valuable real estate in a materials library. This reuse program offers discarded materials to local artists, teachers, DIYers or anyone else who might be able to repurpose these products.

Read more…

Ever notice how some people have oodles of really cool stuff on their desk? Katie Clements, a Materials Specialist Designer, is one of those people. Here’s a snapshot and a few words from our “material girl.”

1.  I meet with vendors frequently to stay updated on the latest and greatest materials, so my old-school rolodex is literally bursting at the seams. I have a one-in, one-out policy to keep it manageable.

2. My sister lives in Miami, FL, and the Clevelander at South Beach is always our first stop when I visit. I try to make the trip at least twice a year, and this Clevelander coaster is always a great reminder of our time together.

3. My favorite trade show is NeoCon at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. I went this year in June and saw so many great new products and trends! [See Katie's favorites from NeoCon 2012 here.]

4. OMG, I love everything Kate Spade, and this advertisement makes me feel like taking a fantastic road trip. I also proudly display Kate Spade’s Live Colorfully campaign, which introduces a different color theme, with merchandise to match, each month.

5. I work closely with great vendors and sometimes they surprise me with fun gifts: a brush man to clean my keyboard, a vintage cage lamp and cork puzzle pieces!

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And here’s a little bit about the lady behind this desk…

As Chute Gerdeman’s Material and Trend Specialist, Katie is involved in all projects providing design support as a materials and color expert. She utilizes her vast knowledge and extensive library to present clients with well-considered selections for fabric, carpet, tile, wallcovering, lighting, furniture and any other special feature.

To read more from Katie, visit The Gist to check out her Top 5 Summer Trends.

During a quick jaunt to NYC, practically running through the upper east side, this curious exterior caught my eye. From across Madison Avenue, I had to pause and take a quick snapshot of Lanvin’s faux exterior. The life-sized graphic construction barrier brings to life illustrations that reflect creative director Alber Elbaz’ famous sketch style.

Images via lanvin.com

We love when retailers get creative with their construction cover-up, just like Dior and St. Stephen’s Cathedral did. It’s the perfect opportunity to use the barrier as a blank canvas to express your brand, draw shoppers’ attention and create some excitement around the store!

During our Monday morning studio meeting, our Senior Designer of Brand Communications inspired the team with a presentation on the talent and experience of graphic designer and custom chalk letterer, Dana Tanamachi.

Image property of Chute Gerdeman

Image via westelm.com

Recently, I was shopping at West Elm and came across these great typographical paper weights. I, of course, couldn’t resist and purchased the ‘M’ version. At checkout, the cashier informed me that the same designer who created the style behind the series of paperweights also designed a series of wall graphics, that can be seen immediately upon entering the store.
Okay–now my interest was peaked. I had to find out more about this designer. Read more…

Image via http://www.cscarts.org

Many are familiar with their iconic mid-century modern chairs, and perhaps even their short 1968 educational film, Powers of Ten. But there is a deeper story behind the influential duo design team of Charles and Ray Eames. The Columbus Society of Communicating Arts (CSCA) invited filmmaker Bill Jersey to present his recent documentary, Eames: The Painter and the Architect, this past Thursday night at Columbus’ Gateway Film Center.

A small group from the CG office was part of the 170+ audience composed of creatives from the local community who viewed the screening. Afterwards, many attendees participated in a Q&A with the producer. The film not only takes a deep journey inside the studio walls of the Eames office, but also looks at the lesser-known personal lives of Charles and Ray. The film includes insightful interviews from some of the individuals who worked directly with the Eames. Additionally, behind-the-scene clips show the extent of the their extraordinary genius and influence.

If you have not had the fortune of catching a screening in your area, you can purchase your own copy on DVD.