The Museum of Craft and Design’s current exhibit, San Francisco Graphic Design, is a show made of 12 mini-exhibits. Each one is attributed to (and designed by) a local designer/studio. The exhibit, curated by Michael Osborne, showcases 12 San Francisco designers, and presents their design projects including exhibits, packaging, posters, books, and much more. In honor of the exhibitors, my review for each is 12 words long.

The entrance to the Museum of Craft and Design is set back from the sidewalk, with a quaint sculpture garden.

Introduction
It began with printers.
Then came Landor, Primo, and all the Michaels.

A brief timeline of San Francisco Graphic Design.
Photo: Christopher Simmons

Michael Schwab, Michael Schwab Design
If only life were as simple and as beautiful as a Schwab.

Michael Schwab makes Muir Woods iconic again.

Recycle or Die, by Schwab.

Mitchell Mauk, Mauk Design
Graphic designer given exhibit designer’s job.
Twenty-three years later, still rockin.’

Mauk’s sewer grate reminds people where their water flows.

Joshua Chen, Chen Design Associates
Gave me color.
Gave me texture.
Gave me form.
Give me opinion.

Designer’s statements about what design in San Francisco means to them were displayed on a separate wall.

Detail of Cinthia Wen’s statement.

Sara Schneider, Chronicle Books
Chronicle Book + my lap = necessity.
Still wishing there was more to read.

Cinthia Wen, noon
Not searching for God in the details,
just looking for Cinthia Wen.

Photo: Christopher Simmons

Barbara Vick, Barbara Vick Design
Branded, beautiful designs for things that I will consume,
then poop out.

Photo: Christopher Simmons
(Barbara Vick)

Jennifer Jerde, Elixir
Inspiring jealousy in Joseph Cornell;
will lavish design continue in this economy?

Adam Brodsley & Eric Heiman, Volume
Charles and Ray,
Pen and Teller,
Bert and Ernie,
Adam and Eric.

Looking through Volume’s exhibit into the next room.
Photo: Christopher Simmons

Photo: Christopher Simmons

Quotes and silly graphs adorn one half of Volume’s exhibit.

Tom Ingalls, Ingalls Design
We drink wine. We golf.
We drink tea. We design.
Life’s rough.

Christopher Simmons, MINE™
There is no way
that I’m wasting twelve words
on these mother

Photo: Christopher Simmons

Jennifer Bostic, Paper Plane Studio
I want to hold your hand, because it is holding graphic design.

Philippe Becker, Philippe Becker Design
A! B! C!
Always! Be! Communicating!
Write it down!
Don’t forget it!

Artifacts outside of the 12 exhibitors works are incorporated into the exhibit. Alphabetilately was a project that expanded from a local AIGA event into a set of stamps now on display at the Smithsonian. Each stamp was designed by a San Francisco graphic designer.

Conclusion
San Francisco is a cyclical city
of creative inspiration:
always evolving, growing.

Afterword
Lucky to have more than 12 great graphic designers
in San Francisco.

Tim Belonax is a designer at MINE™ and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.