"I hope you enjoy the fourth issue of Volume 2. The topics are expanding and will continue to do so. I will do my best to help promote and emphasize all the positive creative talent, movements and information here in Rhode Island to pass onto you." - Kimberly Sherman Leon
articles
Mastering the Craft:
Making with Modern Materials
There is a renewed and growing discussion in America about the importance of craftsmanship in both our culture and economy. As a school whose mission is to teach craft—irrespective of the material—and celebrate its place in our history, IYRS is uniquely qualified to be part of this dialogue. As part of our broadening involvement in the conversation, IYRS initiated the Mastering the Craft series in 2013 with visits to the local studios of six masters, including a stone carver, sculptor, jeweler, photographer, woodworker, and bow-maker. The summer series concluded with an extraordinary roundtable discussion of these artists and craftspeople, moderated by Mr. Wurman last summer. Video of that event can be found on the IYRS YouTube channel.
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Internet Marketing Metrics: What to Measure?
WHAT SHOULD SMALL BUSINESSES BE MEASURING
TO TRACK THEIR INTERNET MARKETING SUCCESS?
The answer depends on their goals – but as a baseline, we recommend businesses have a handle on the following 17 internet marketing metrics: read more...
TO TRACK THEIR INTERNET MARKETING SUCCESS?
The answer depends on their goals – but as a baseline, we recommend businesses have a handle on the following 17 internet marketing metrics: read more...
Corporate vs. Agency - the dark side
I have worked on the agency and corporate side. They are different. I am asked all the time which I prefer and why – great question. Let me start by saying all of my corporate roles were in trend-based categories and global businesses that had to react to market and consumer trends. read more...
Graphic Design: Now in Production
“The RISD Museum is thrilled to present the groundbreaking exhibition Graphic Design: Now in Production,” says Museum Director John W. Smith. “We are confident that this exhibition will resonate widely throughout our community—where powerful, innovative design is valued and respected.” read more...
The Four Letter Word Artists Don't Like
I hear you asking “I’ve known lot’s of artists, and I can’t think of any four-letter words they didn’t like.” Fine – but the word I’m thinking of is “sale”. Alright, I cheated a bit, it’s actually a five-letter word “sales”; but the title wouldn’t have been as much fun. read more...
Redesigning Your Website? Turn Your Web Design Project into a Lead Generating Machine
Website design involves so much more than pretty fonts and images. Let's consider 3 key factors that will have a heavier impact on your website’s ability to maximize employee morale, sales leads, market momentum, and sales results. read more...
Print Thrives in a Digital Age
We live in an era dominated by virtual communication, where animated birthday cards, emailed party invitations, and digital newsletters have become the norm. But are these virtual messages as effective as their traditionally printed counterparts? read more...
A Breeding Ground for Creativity
SkillsUSA is a nationally recognized organization preparing students for careers in technical occupations. SkillsUSA Rhode Island runs approximately 40 competitive events that focus on content specific competencies found within the aligned Career and Technical program of study. read more...
Spring Sweetness
Hey finally this snow is melting and with crazy rain means springtime is just around the corner. Time to take the cover off the grill and clean it up good! Something I also love about spring time events are the desserts that come afterwards (Not only the ones I bring everyone elses’). Hey, it’s ok to splurge once in a while but we can create a cleaner and healthier version of our favorites. read more...
Lightning Strike (Part 4)
Brandon Emond has always been amused and intrigued by art and comic books. Since the age of three, he has been developing his art skills on a daily basis. Learning from the art styles of cartoons and comics, he has been able to get the attention of not only fellow comic fans, but even the editor of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, which led to a drawing of his being published in the fan art section of the comic. Professional artists, such as Tracy Yardley, Greg Capullo, and Evan Stanley have seen the young artist’s work, giving him compliments and helpful criticism. read more...
Prioritizing for You
There are many competing demands for our time and our resources. As creative individuals we may have family obligations, mundane tasks which we need to complete to keep our business going, day jobs, as well opportunities to do truly creative work. We probably cannot do everything we could do, should do or would like to do. Unfortunately, we may, at times, complete relatively unimportant tasks which consume a great deal of our time and resources and never get to great value projects which we really want to do. read more...
Creating Photoshop "Actions"
So, you’ve used Photoshop for awhile now and are fairly adept at cropping, working with layers, changing colored photos to black-and-white and the like. Have you ever had this happen? You tinkered around with a picture for awhile using Photoshop, and ended up with an image that was creative and different. The only problem is, you can’t remember how you arrived at that final look. read more...
Alex and Ani
The heart and soul of the sixties flower child is firmly rooted in a deep respect for the Earth. Inspired by this vast planet and the ancient belief in the healing properties of natural gemstones, the Natural Wonders Collection contains stones specifically chosen for their innate power. read more...
Report Shows Positive Trend in Jobs and Businesses in the Creative Industries in Rhode Island
“Creative Industries in Rhode Island,” an annual report conducted by Americans for the Arts (the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education) and released by RI CFA, shows that the RI creative sector added 770 jobs (or 6%) and 460 (or 16%) new businesses between 2011 and 2012. According to the report, based on Dun and Bradstreet registered businesses, the period... read more...
Dedication to Dr. Lenore Collins
When I was a student at Rhode Island College, I was taking courses for my minor in Industrial Technology, which included photography, screen-printing, color correcting, prepress, desktop publishing, etc. This course was taken by young students but also current professionals in the field to update their knowledge with the fast changing technology. My IT professor, Dr. Lenore (Lee) Collins, who was also my advisor, was the most caring, amazing, ... read more...