Last night we went to the “Designism” event at the Art Directors Club. There was a panel of world-renowned designers including Milton Glaser and George Louis, as well as some great commentary by Tony Hendra, author of “The Messiah of Morris Avenue” (from how they explained it it sounds like an interesting book).
We were trying to figure out why he looked so familiar, and then it was revealed that he also appeared as the band manager in the movie Spinal Tap. (When they intorduced him they told him they would turn the speakers up to 11).

Because Doug is a board member of the Art Directors Club (crazy right?!), we got the best (front row) seats in the house.

Before the event began I had the honor of meeting and speaking with Milton Glaser (known for, among many other things, designing the I (heart) NY logo). Doug knows him personally because he has been working with him on the Brooklyn Brewery account.
While chatting with him he mentioned that his main connection to the dance world was that he used to live in the same building as Balanchine. He says he spoke to him sometimes in the elevator. I’m so surprized we never ended up with some Milton Glaser designs for NYCB!

Me and Milty (as Doug likes to call him).

The panel had some great things to say and showed some interesting work. The whole purpose of the event was to encourage designers to use their creative talent to invoke social change. Hmm, I think I know someone that’s doing that right now.
One of the things that stuck out to me was Milton’s concept of Purple - the idea that red and blue make purple (we’re talking politics here). “Truth not Spin, Patriotism not Partisanship, Principles not Politics, Facts not Fear…”

Afterwards we headed to the launch party for Good Magazine, which was held in a crazy two floor space on 21st Street and the West Side Highway filled with art and interesting people. Subscription to the magazine costs $20, but that whole $20 is donated to the charity of your choice (they have like 9 to choose from). Cool huh?

Above, Erin and Jen check out the goat art, then Jen check’s out the tree made of pushpins and green buttons.

Sasha, co-founder of Flavorpill.net, mans the turntables on the lower level.

Above, the Brazilian Girls set up. Right, Doug stands in front of a wall made of books (while he still has a shirt on).

So, not sure if many of you checked it out from my earlier post, but Doug and I recently worked on putting together a newsletter for his t-shirt company.

In it, we asked for people to help put us in touch with Al Gore, because we desperately wanted to send him one of Doug’s USA No. 1 Polluter shirts.

So we’re hanging out at the party, checking out the art and the people… and magically Mr. Al Gore himself appears before us!

It just so happened that Doug was wearing his USA No. 1 Polluter shirt that night, along with a zip-up hoody. So I say, “Doug… take your shirt off now and give it to Al.” And he did!

Above, the shirt of the hour. Right, a half-naked Dougie.

Thanks to Doug’s fearlessness and design talent, we now have the card for Al’s press agent so that we can send him his very own shiny new shirt. It’s funny, I was more excited and star-struck seeing Al Gore than any other celebrity I’ve seen. I kinda wanted to give him a big hug, but figured that was probably inappropriate and restrained myself. I doubt his body guards would have been amused.