Today marks the fifth anniversary of Substance. It has had its share of ups and downs, and while it has not been exactly what I thought it would be, I would be a liar if I called it anything but rewarding. Having the privilege of working with great clients, talented writers, photographers and web programmers has made this a rewarding experience, one that continually teaches me new things.

A colleague recently asked me what was the best part of working for oneself. Was it not having a boss and setting one's own hours?

While both of those have their merit, they don't even make the short list. What has made this so enriching has been learning something new every day, about a new client or industry, and benefitting from the relationships that come from these experiences.  

Someone once said you should never work with clients with whom you would never have lunch or a glass of wine. I'm fortunate that many clients have become friends, people who I get to see socially outside of the context of merely work. That is what I would consider to be the best aspect of the past five years, one I hope that continues for the next five years. To everyone who has been there for Substance over the course of this time, a huge heartfelt thanks.

Another word of thanks on a less frivolous but no less timely matter. To my father, my Uncle Chuck, and my Uncle Mike, all of whom served in World War Two.

Dad was a tail gunner on a B-24, flying 38 missions during the war. Chuck served in Italy and North Africa, spending the final months of the war in an Italian, then a German POW camp. He was transferred after his second escape attempt. Mike served in the first Army Ranger Division in France during the war. All went on to survive and live to see their children and grandchildren grow up.

None of this has anything to do with design or five year anniversaries, but on Memorial Day, their service does help to put things into their proper perspective and context.

Thanks one and all. 

While there are no shortage of iPhone apps to help make ones way around the city, there's something to be said for a physical map. 

The Metropolitan Transit Authority has unveiled the new transit map design for Manhattan and outlying boroughs. I've always been a sucker for well-laid out maps, and this one is no exception. The NYTimes has a nice infographic showing the progression of changes in the map since 1968, which does a good job showing how trends have changed the areas of emphasis in the subway map.

To a generation of geeks who grew up on comic books, science fiction and fantasy novels, there was no more iconic illustrator in the 70s and 80s than Frank Frazetta. His work was violent, sexist and subject to being tossed in the trash by offended mothers everywhere.

Needless to say, it was awesome.

Frank Frazetta passed away at the age of 82 on Monday, May 10.

Growing up in the cultural vacuum of small town northeastern Ohio, there were few things that made the early teen years bearable. One of these was the occasional trip to the comic book store at the local university with my oldest brother Mike. He would come home for the weekend from college and we would hit the book and record stores of Kent State. Many was the Saturday that I returned with a stack of paperbacks, purchased on the strength of the cover illustrations alone. More often than not, these covers were the work of Mr. Frazetta.

Fantasy heroes such as Tarzan, Conan and John Carter of Mars were his typical subjects, always rendered with rippling muscles, bold colors and a scantily clad or completely nude female in tow. When we would return home with the new purchases, the only items subject to greater parental disapproval than the Clash and Ramones albums were the books with the Frazetta covers.

This only served to increase my appreciation for their impact.

Tastes change as we mature, and while I still occasionally listen to old-school  punk rock, I'm more inclined toward abstract expressionism in artwork than neoclassicist comic illustration. Regardless, Frazetta was a palpable influence upon a generation of designers and illustrators. 

When James Coburn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 70, he was noticeably moved, coming as it did at the end of a long and storied career as a Hollywood tough guy. Holding back uncharacteristic tears at the podium, he said "In this business, some work you do for the money, some you do for the love. This was for love."

That same sentiment is true with regard to our recent campaign for AIDS Foundation of Chicago for the AIDS Run & Walk Chicago. In addition to being a high profile campaign for a very worthy cause, the client has been a complete joy to work with. They are collaborative, engaged, and open to new ideas, everything we look for in a client. 

We developed the theme "I live. I give. I move." This conveys the three step process of awareness, action and participation. The spectrum visually references the rainbow pride flag and provides impact to the campaign, as well as contrast to the black and white photography. The images represent a diverse group of participants, with their faces cropped out. Instead, we focused on the bodies preparing for the run, either through stretching or the act of moving.

The campaign will be rolling out over the course of the summer, in posters, advertising, CTA transit banners and signage throughout Chicago. Keep an eye out for it.

Even better, get involved and sign up to participate.

Every work of art has a story to tell, and the sculptures of Michelangelo are no exception. After spending two weeks in Florence and Rome, there are a few insights that resonated with me that I thought worth sharing.

In Palazzo Vecchio stands the statue of Michelangelo's David. It's a masterpiece of form, something that has to be seen to be believed. His body is bent, poised to action, with every muscle and vein visible within the marble. 

It's also a fake, or a replica in the local parlance. The real David stands within the Accademia Galleria, surrounded by protective plexiglass with a roof to shield it from the ravages of the elements.

The two pieces are alike in every way yet could not be more different. Even before experiencing the legitimate David, you can see the replica is not quite right. The details are not nearly as well executed, the marble of an inferior quality. The real piece is perfect in every regard, from the oversized hands clutching the sling, to the details that form the hair and deep set eyes. It's so astonishingly lifelike, you half expect to see its chest expand in an exhale of breath.

How does your brand stack up to these two examples? Is yours flawlessly executed, from concept to the last detail? Or are you merely competent, good enough to receive a passing nod, but nothing that people are going to remember for the ages?

A final take away from the sculpture are the two interpretations of David's pose. Some art historians hold that he has already slain Goliath and stands surveying his achievement, dispassionately. Others believe that the pose represents David before the melee, in that moment after he has agreed to do battle, but before it has taken place. In short, after he has committed to the act but before completing it.

Which defines you? Surveying your past achievements or looking forward to the next challenge which you can overcome?

Our friends at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative are hosting their third annual Print and Poster Show, beginning May 22 from 12:00 - 7:00 PM. Everything from silk screen prints, posters, card and T-shirt are all $20 or less. There is some amazing work from a number of very talented Chicago artists, including Jay Ryan and Amos Kennedy.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase some really lovely work at an incredibly low price. Stop by the collaborative at 4642 West Leland and check out what they have to offer.