After several months of talks, negotiations and all-out melees regarding the condition of the Graphic Design profession there is finally a resolution, and it comes in the form of the acquisition of Speak Up by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) as well as The Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) were both outbid by the AIGA. During negotiations, Design Observer (DO) also made a strong bid to acquire Speak Up — or at least the code for their web templates — however, when a stipulation in the contract required that foul language be used as much as possible they pulled back their offer which included a tour of Pentagram’s New York office, a free subscription to Eye Magazine and a copy of Winterhouse’s National Security Strategy of the United States of America.
The acquisition netted Armin Vit, Speak Up founder, a reported US$275.00 (the equivalent of a Professional AIGA membership) which he plans to donate to Adbusters and their worthy cause as they jam America. In the deal, Vit will stay as part of the advisory board of Speak Up but all managerial decisions will be done by AIGA’s National Board, he will also be granted three more copies of the What every business needs brochure. All Speak Up authors will be required to adhere to the AIGA Standards of Professional Practice and must also write for the AIGA’s online forums but moderators will monitor their contributions.
Speak Up will roll out its new identity — initially implemented and tested internally — within the next three months. One year in the making, the new brand, designed by Futurebrand New York who showed admirable restraint in the visual development, will retain AIGA’s brand essence while dispelling all of Speak Up’s personality. Vit participated in all focus groups sessions but his opinion was outweighed by the majority. He remains skeptical but positive.
In a press release issued by Emigre today, its founders expressed their support and contempt for the deal. The profession’s trade publications, including HOW, Print, STEP and Communication Arts have vied for exclusive interviews, but Vit’s only authorized biographer will be Steve Heller, who will score book number 83… no, number 84… 85…86? Yes, number 86 as of this printing on Vit’s account. Milton Glaser will issue a collector’s edition I (heart) SU button — after debate of whether or not to jump straight to I (heart) SU More Than Ever. Stefan Sagmeister declined to show his privates… even though nobody asked him to. The Tomato collective has agreed to film a documentary that tells the Speak Up story through a relenting visual feast of the transformation of a single Silly Putty. And lastly, Bruce Mau will add number 44 to make his manifesto more complete:
44. Speak Up. If you can’t make your own tools, scat, stay up late or even ask stupid questions, speaking up might just save your life from the ominous repercussions of life as we know it.
Through it all, Vit is proud of the new Speak Up and will do as much as possible to see it succeed under its new management. When asked to comment on the situation, Vit, in his handsome and exotic accent, answered: Happy April’s Fool.
I was having a bad morning until I read this.
I'll probably still have a bad morning. Oh well, thanks for the laugh, Armin!
On Apr.01.2004 at 07:50 AM