Anderson Krygier

Out & About: Chemeketa Community College's Yamhill Valley Campus

2012-02-22T18:20:00.000-08:00

Building Dedications are perfect days. Owners, architects, designers, contractors and all project
participants come together with building users to celebrate a job well done. Problems along
the way have been solved, budgets resolved and schedules met. It's a time to say thank you -
to our visionary clients, to our partners in collaboration, to everyone who made it possible.
Yesterday we were at Chemeketa Community College's Yamhill Valley Campus where
the beautiful new classroom building ("Old Main") was officially dedicated. Designed
by Yost Grube Hall Architecture, "Old Main" anchors the new campus in McMinnville, OR

Chemeketa Community College's visionary president, Cheryl Roberts (above, with Elizabeth),
welcomed everyone to the College's second campus, noting that Chemeketa is one of only two
multi-campus colleges in Oregon. The art in the building showcases regional artists and is content

specific to Chemeketa and Yamhill Valley. The glass sculpture on the right, interprets
the Chemeketa motif, a graphic interpretation of the native American "gathering place"
which is the original meaning of the word "Chemeketa."

Elizabeth Anderson and Mark Stoller, YGH Principal-in-Charge for the project, are all smiles

as they take in the event and admire the results of their firms' collaboration. They are standing in

front of LeRoy Setzoil's magnificent wall panel in the entry lobby.

Upstairs, AK interpreted the Chemeketa motif to provide screening on the storefront glass at

classrooms and gathering spaces.

As we left the event, the building was illuminated against the darkening sky and the halo lit letters

on "Old Main" identified the campus along Highway 18.

On The Boards: Gladstone Library

2012-02-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

New Library

Situated in a wooded setting with a Mt. Hood view, the new Gladstone Library is a stunning, John Yeon-inspired design by THA Architecture. When completed in 2014, it will replace two small, dark and outdated community libraries.

In kicking off our design work for exterior and interior signage in any new library, our first burning question is always "How do they currently identify their collections?" Because collection ID signs are typically the most prominent and numerous in any library, they are not only critical design elements but are also the most important signs for users - visitors and staff alike. They also require frequent message changes as the collection shifts and grows. In order to begin a new design, we must first understand the current approach. Karen and Mike took a field trip last week to find out.

Our research proved invaluable: we learned that the current libraries use Dewey decimal numbers rather than detailed listings to identify collections on the shelf end panels, informing our design and shaping the overall view within the new library. We're now ready to move forward with design!

New Library: stacks and view

What we saw: collection ID and range finders at existing library

Share the Love: Community Transitional School

2012-02-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Our 3rd Annual Share the Love party...

This year we shared the love with the Community Transitional School (CTS), a local non-profit dedicated to children whose families are homeless or in transition. Since 1990, CTS has served more than 4,000 children (ages 4-14) in the Portland metro region. CTS provides encouragement, education and support, along with food, clothing, transportation and school supplies.

Inspired by our decorations from last year's party (all that wonderful painting from CHAP) we covered our walls with self-portraits and stories by the students of CTS, and scattered colorful letters among the candy dishes.

The children and staff at CTS were thrilled with all of the donations collected at the party.

Thanks to everyone who shared the love!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

Puff in your nostrils, find your spark, then breathe out fire.

This is your year, be big.

Happy Holidays from Anderson Krygier!

2011-12-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

Out and About: University of Idaho - Kibbie Dome

2011-12-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

Happy Project Managers

Last week Elizabeth and Abby traveled to Moscow, Idaho to review the recently installed signs at University of Idaho's remodeled Kibbie Dome. We kicked off this project in October 2010 by reviewing existing site conditions with Alec Holser and Chris Roberts of Opsis Architecture; a year later, lots of collaboration with Opsis and the University, and what a difference!

After

Words to the alma mater line the glass entry to the club level.

Before

After

A complete graphics overhaul transformed dark corridors into hip and vibrant spaces featuring university colors and bold historical photos.

Before

After

Donor and Booster recognition were redesigned and organized in a centralized location.

Before

After

Wayfinding was updated to be clear, concise and bold!

On the Boards: Lane Community College Downtown Campus

2011-09-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

After 30 years in downtown Eugene, Lane Community College's Downtown Campus will have a new state of the art facility combining academic programs and student housing with community spaces. We met with SRG Architects yesterday to kick off our participation in the design process for "the building that teaches." Targeted for LEED platinum, the building design is intended to both demonstrate and teach sustainable building strategies.

Karen, Mike and Elizabeth met with Kent Duffy, Louise Foster, Tim Grinstead and Jon Wiener at SRG to review drawings, renderings and floorplans as we brainstormed wayfinding and interpretive graphics for the new building.

We also brought lots of sign samples and a slide show of relevant projects to stimulate discussion.

Tim is demonstrating the metal cladding panels for the building exterior. We spent a lot of time visualizing building identification signage and its relationship to street trees and sight lines.

We were especially taken with the stainless cabling for the stair railings - surely it could be jewelry for more than a building!

On the Boards: Chemeketa Specialty Recognition

2011-09-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

Scott Myers of Center Pointe Signs stopped by our office with proofs of digitally printed headers for specialty recognition signage at Chemeketa Community College's new Health Sciences Building in Salem. Printed on clear vinyl, the graphics are subsurface laminated to acrylic and then backed with opaque vinyl. We had specified white opaque backers for photographic clarity but when we saw the proofs, the images were not "singing" to us. We asked Scott to peel off the white vinyl (photo below) so we could try some different backing materials. Pulling materials from our resource room, Mike, Karen and Abby began experimenting immediately (above).

Silver vinyl, shown on the left half of samples above and below, provided the needed sparkle to the images.

In the Mail: Anacostia Library

2011-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

DC Public Library's bold vision for neighborhood libraries is clearly communicated in the design of six new buildings by three internationally acclaimed architects. To serve this vision, Anderson Krygier developed sign standards for implementation in all the libraries - new and newly renovated, including the historic Georgetown Library. As part of the standards, the dramatic word "Library" becomes a unifying icon throughout the system. It's on the canopy at Anacostia, where the new building provides a learning oasis and a vibrant gathering place, open and welcoming to all.

Work with the architecture... it's our brand of environmental graphic design.

On the Boards: University of California San Diego

2011-08-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

We met with ZGF this week to kick off our work on UC San Diego's School of Medicine. Above, ZGF project designer John Carhart shares building exterior details with Mike and Abby. The new Health Sciences Biomedical Research Facility is a brilliant composition of terracotta, glass and metal in a light palette of sand and silver.

Abby and John review materials and finishes as we visualize how graphics and signage will support the project vision and at the same time, provide clear wayfinding and information for users and visitors.

Out & About: Oregon State Hospital - Salem OR

2011-08-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

We stopped at Oregon State Hospital today to check out recently installed site ID (above) and also to "retake" a photo we made over two years ago for a Cafe Retail sign layout featuring the historic Kirkbride Hospital. Then, Kirkbride was cream in color and surrounded by scaffolding. Today the building, now a beautiful brick color, is magnificent against the Oregon summer sky - and ready for her close-up!

Mike holds our layout while Abby focuses on the subject.

Out & About: Field Trip to Speedpro Imaging

2011-07-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

After a visit from Carolyn Miye in May, yesterday AK accepted her offer to visit their new Speedpro Imaging office in Beaverton to learn more about their printing capabilities and process. We were very impressed with their printing quality and their willingness to work collaboratively.

Checking out the Roland printer in action

Not content to just discuss theoretical applications, we brought an actual project to discuss with the Speedpro team. Nick, Mike and Carolyn were very helpful in trouble-shooting our project and we left with a viable solution!

On the Boards: UO Lewis Integrative Science Building - Eugene, OR

2011-07-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

Lewis Integrative Science Building will conjoin three adjacent buildings into an integrated complex beautifully expressing the very paradigm of Integrative Science: bringing together content experts from varied fields to study complex problems in collaborative ways. The results are multifaceted, complex and beautiful, as is THA & HDR Architecture's collaborative design for the new building.

We were onsite last week for a design workshop and site walk with Amanda Petretti and Laurie Canup of THA Architects, shown above with Abby Alway from AK. It's always exciting to be in the building after knowing it only from architectural drawings!

With construction in full swing, we were able to visualize locations and sight lines for signage and graphics and then study adjacencies within the volume of the newly conjoined buildings.

On the Boards: OHSU Student Center

2011-06-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

In 2009 we began collaborating with Opsis Architecture on graphics for the OHSU Student Center, currently undergoing renovation. It's been a long time coming, but today we received
this photo from Center Pointe Signs:

The signs in fabrication!

These powder coated steel panels will wrap the corners of three columns in the Student Center lounge. Combined with graphics integrated into the information desk and glass storefront, these column wraps will add identity and rhythm to a very lively space!

Design concept photo simulation

Out & About: Contemporary Montreal

2011-06-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Montreal exploded when Expo 67 came to town. It brought the world to Montreal and contemporary architecture too. Above, Moshe Safdie's Habitat 67 heralded a new era for Montreal and most of the newer buildings in the city today date from that period. Above, the site glows from the setting sun's reflected light.

The 1976 Summer Olympics brought more lasting architecture to Montreal and a beautiful Olympic Park which today welcomes visitors to the Biodome (above left), an observation tower (right) and many beautiful gardens, including Japanese and Classical Chinese.

Montreal's classical Chinese Garden has many of the classical forms we recognize in our Portland garden only they are much larger and more spread out. It was a thrill to see it after visiting very similar, much older gardens in Suzhou, China last year.

Bixi Bikes! The zip cars of Montreal. Slide your credit card, get 40 free minutes, then pay by the hour. These line ups are all over the city, often with few bikes - everyone's riding!

Montreal's newest design excitement is the "Quartier des Spectacles" in the center of the city. Created by closing streets to vehicular traffic, a large event plaza is still in construction. The most significant design feature, however, is illumination that changes nightly to spotlight the cultural activities within the quarter. Venues are illuminated only when something's happening. Above, an LED light display changes colors on the facade of the art museum.

Out & About: Vieux Montreal - The Old City

2011-06-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

Settled by the French in the mid-seventeenth century, Montreal expanded when the British won the city in 1759 and English, Irish and Scottish settlers followed. At the summit of Mont Royal, a crest represents all countries equally: fleur de lis for France; rose for Britain, thistle for Scotland and shamrock for Ireland. At the bottom, Montreal's motto: "concordia salus" - well-being through harmony.

British presence in Montreal is illustrated at the waterfront, where the country's maritime influence is reflected in the architecture.

In the center of Vieux Montreal (the old city), Place des Armes is anchored by Notre Dame of Montreal, spiritual home to the City's French Catholics.

Delightful hand crafted shop signs in the traditional French style.

Layers of architectural history outline the facades of Old Montreal where stone walls of earlier buildings are part of later buildings.

Out & About: SEGD climbs Mont Royal in Montreal CANADA

2011-06-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

SEGD's Montreal Conference broke into "workshops on wheels" Thursday afternoon when participants from all corners of the globe explored Montreal. EA joined the group hike on Mont Royal (Mont Real), after which the city is named and where we enjoyed panoramic views in all directions.

Begun in 1874, Mont Royal features a lookout and park design by Frederick Law Olmstead, designer of New York City's Central Park.

The city of Montreal is an island located at the confluence of the St. Lawrence (shown above) and Ottawa Rivers.

Parlez vous francais? In Montreal, as in all Quebec province, French is the official language - and that means no bilingual signs!

Happy 20th Anniversary AK!! - Montreal CANADA

2011-06-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and Lynn toast AK's 20th Anniversary in Montreal where we are attending the SEGD (Society for Environmental Graphic Design) international design conference. It's hard to believe it's been that long since EA and John Krygier combined their talents to form Anderson Krygier, Inc. and even more astounding that six years have passed since we lost John to cancer and continued his legacy
of innovation and reinvention to become the firm we are today.

Happy Anniversary AK and thank you to all who join us in this wonderful adventure!

Out & About and On the Boards: University of Idaho

2011-05-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

Abby travelled to Moscow, Idaho on Wednesday to present our 85% CD submittal for the University of Idaho's sports arena, Kibbie Dome. Scale is everything in a big arena, as you can see from our mock-ups of 24" and 36" letters (see inset) inside the dome.

We go a long way back with the Vandals. The guy on the right is Chace Anderson (EA's dad) on the field with his football buddies in the late 40s.

On the Boards: Punching Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

2011-05-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Karen spent the first part of this week in Everett WA with a team who reviewed, analyzed, approved (or corrected for approval) every installed piece of signage in the new hospital tower at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett (PRMCE). From the roof (above, with a view to Puget Sound) to the basement, a team of five walked every corridor of the hospital and looked at every single sign. When something didn't pass inspection, it was corrected on the spot.
Jenae Goldfinch , Mortensen Construction,Vicki Scott , PRMCE Facilities and Scott Hoffman Trade-Marx Signs & Display (left, above) each take notes while walking. Along the route, Scott (right photo) pulls out his tools and installs a sign in a location that was previously inaccessible.
The best part of all - Jenae typed in every location and created a "real time" punch list - saving what is often a couple of days effort back in the office following a walk-through.
Exterior signs had just been installed - plantings to come!

On the Boards: Chemeketa Yamhill Valley campus

2011-05-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

A beautiful sample arrived in our office today: a section of aluminum mounting channel we specifically designed to capture glass panels without penetrations. Digitally printed graphics will be subsurface laminated to glass and recess mounted in Chemeketa Community College's new classroom building at the Yamhill Valley campus in McMinnville, OR. Above, Cherry and our intern, Mike Sauer, break into smiles as they review the sample.

Above, the yellow arrow points to the 2.5" mounting channel in drawing. At bottom, the channel is 4", to align with baseboards throughout the building.

Out & About: AK Intern finds his way through Chemeketa Community College's skybridges

2011-05-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

We have a new intern at AK and he seems to be a natural when it comes to wayfinding. Mike Sauer, a senior in the interiors program at Marylhurst University, discovered Environmental Graphic Design when Abby and Karen made a presentation to his class earlier this year. His first assignment at AK: improve wayfinding through the skybridges of Chemeketa's Salem campus. Abby took these photos while Mike made notes during his first visit to the campus.

On the Boards: Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, WA

2011-04-22T11:37:00.001-07:00

Karen traveled to Seattle Wednesday to review exterior signs-in-progress for Providence Regional Medical Center campus in Everett, WA. Illustration shows placement of a vehicular directional sign at campus perimeter. In background, the new medical tower slated for completion May 1 of this year.

Trade-Marx Signs & Display is fabricating the signs. Photos above and below: housings and illuminated cabinets for parking signs.

Housings for illuminated cabinets reference the medical tower's modulated forms. Above, a study for vehicular wayfinding signs.

Also on the floor at Trade-Marx, a 12' wide x 15'-3" tall cross - part of the Providence logo to be mounted atop the towers.

On the Boards: Blanchfield Army Community Hospital - Fort Campbell Kentucky

2011-04-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

Early collaboration makes all the difference when integrating environmental graphics with architecture. Elizabeth and Karen met Tuesday with ZGF Architects David Staczek and Mark Booth in their Portland office to review floor plans and elevations and discuss sign locations within the new additions to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Fort Campbell, KY.

We all noted that side-by-side patient room entries, while efficient in terms of sink and utility placement, made for confusing wayfinding when patient information stacks in close proximity. Especially so when nurses depend on colored flags in corridors to signal patient issues and room conditions.

We were able to include ZGF architects and planners Dena Cook and Dave Fisk in the conversation and within minutes, all agreed that the sinks could move.

A happy win for legibility, clarity and patient safety through early collaboration and wayfinding!

Another issue arose when we looked at placement of changeable insert holders on framed panels next to entry doors. With protruding frames, recessed panels do not accommodate both a sign and someone's fingers to insert a changeable message. Voila! Frames are flush with the panel and insert holder will sit proud of the surface.

In coordinating locations for ceiling mounted signs, we saw that sprinklers sometimes occurred at decision points for wayfinding. Thanks to our early collaboration, the sprinkler plan will be adjusted for signage.

Always of interest to the project, we also looked at how sign background colors might coordinate with the building palette.

On the Boards: University of Oregon - Ford Alumni Center

2011-04-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

"Getting it right" with color palette is often a multi-tiered process at AK. Jay Cole of Center Pointe Signs has just stopped by our studio with yet another set of color options - each subtly different - for donor recognition panels at UO's Ford Alumni Center.

Donor panels will mount above room ID signs of 3form made with ecoresin and sporting raised numbers and braille. Digitally printed colors should echo the room ID palette in a more subtle, timeless fashion. It took another visit from Jay and a series of 8 more options before settling on just the right hue and value for the donor panels.

Out & About: Philanthropy Wall unveiling, Shriners Hospital for Children - Portland

2011-04-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

With great fanfare and much anticipation, a new philanthropy wall was unveiled Sunday as part of daylong festivities surrounding the dedication of Portland's new hospital addition/remodel.

Shriners from around the country gathered for a first look at the new standard for recognition in all 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children. Designed and prototyped in Portland, the new system combines cast metal medallions, green glass acrylic, digitally printed film and stainless fixtures in a format that is easy to update and change with the evolution of the donor program.

The new system replaces a series of individual oak plaques, one for each donor and each with a separate medallion, to dramatically reduce the amount of required wall space.

Skip Stanaway, SRG Partnership and Elizabeth Anderson - happy collaborators.

Out & About: Shriners Hospitals for Children - Portland, Cafe Mural

2011-04-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

The Portland hospital's temporary cafe mural is ready for visitors. Pat Grennan, Director of Community Affairs, Portland, spreads her arms in celebration and anticipation.

The temporary mural will stay up until permanent panels of high pressure phenolic laminate are installed for the July events surrounding the mural's topic, the Shriners Hospital Oregon East-West All-Star Football Game. The cafe and hospital addition are designed by SRG Partnership, architects.

Out & About & On the Boards: Shriners Hospitals for Children - Portland

2011-04-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the dedication on Sunday, TubeArt Signs is unrolling and installing the temporary version of a wall graphic for the hospital's new cafe. Showcasing the Oregon East-West All-Star Football game, the mural has been produced in short order on digitally printed vinyl. The permanent installation in July will be of durable, graffiti resistant high pressure phenolic laminate.

Cherry is with the installers, making sure everything is copacetic.

Shriners staff, board members and SRG Architects stop by to check progress and find lots of familiar faces in the photos on the mural. Ready for Sunday!!

On the Boards & Out & About: Chemeketa Community College & OBP Digital

2011-04-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

Chemeketa Community College's new campus in McMinnville, Oregon rests in beautiful Yamhill Valley, home to rolling hills and world class vineyards. Working with Yost Grube Hall Architecture to promote "sense of place" within a new classroom building, we designed specialty graphics to punctuate major corridors. Featuring photographs by Janis Miglavs, these full wall graphics appear as windows to nearby valley views.

The wall graphics will be digitally printed and subsurface laminated to glass. We joined Rich and Julie Anderson of Architectural Metalcrafters, sign contractors for the project, at OBP Digital to review OBP's printing capabilities. Above, Cherry unwraps samples from similar projects.

Chris Underwood gives a tour of his shop and chats about our project. Started by Chris's grandfather and formerly called Oregon Blueprint, OBP Digital is a great example of keeping up with technology and changing to meet the needs of our evolving industry.

Our projects succeed with collaboration, from project kick-off with owners and architects to the last details of fabrication and installation. We relish it all.

Out & About: Sakura Sunday - Portland, OR

2011-04-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Portland's First Annual Cherry Blossom Festival held special meaning as a celebration of blossoms, the season of spring and friendship between the United States and Japan. Portland's waterfront cherry trees were a gift to the City from the Japanese Grain Importers Association in 1989. This year, the city's first Sakura Sunday - Cherry Blossom Festival - and its gifts of hope and prayers were dedicated to victims of Japan's recent earthquakes and tsunamis.

Japan has celebrated cherry blossom season for centuries with picnics, music and dance under the trees. Portland's festival also included a riverfront gathering where, led by a Japanese priest, well-wishers sent prayers to Japan and flowers into the Willamette River which leads to the Pacific Ocean via the mighty Columbia.

Participants of all ages celebrated together under the trees.

On the Boards: Bay Area Hospital - Coos Bay, OR

2011-04-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

A site visit and project kick-off for our work on the expansion of Bay Area Hospital provided a great excuse for a road trip to Oregon's south coast on April Fool's Day. We felt anything but foolish upon leaving cold, wet Portland for this warmer, sunnier climate zone.

ZGF Architect Paul Evans joined us for a site walk and documentation of existing conditions. Above, Abby snaps a photo of an existing sign while Paul correctly identifies its typeface: Helvetica - for which we now have so many alternatives!

Traversing the site with the sun on our backs.

Inside, we took on the role of visitor to understand how existing signs and other means help patients and visitors find their way. Here, Paul asks a volunteer what happens when no one is present.

Our friendly volunteer turned around the counter top sign to show the following message:

Following the site walk, we met our clients for a lively discussion of signage and wayfinding not only for the new addition, but for the entire hospital as it responds to the new construction.

In the News: Anacostia Library - Washington, DC

2011-03-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

Anacostia Library is the first of six new DC Public Library buildings to be completed in a program to build architectural noteworthy facilities in a variety of Washington neighborhoods. Featured in this month's ARCHITECTURAL RECORD magazine and designed by Freelon Group of Durham NC, Anacostia Library also showcases new sign standards designed by Anderson Krygier, Inc. for the DC Library system. Above, canopy mounted dimensional letters are designed to be friendly, approachable and welcoming.

New sign standards include both exterior and interior signage. Above, an illuminated parking directional points the way to parking around the block and behind the building.

In addition to six new Libraries, the sign standards will be implemented in all existing contemporary libraries as they are updated and remodeled. The historic libraries of Washington DC are also being updated and AK has developed a sign standard to complement their historic character. Georgetown is the first of six to have implemented the historic sign program. Five additional historic libraries are in process.

Inside the library, collection identification on the stack end panels is easy to update and change as the collection moves around the library.

Interior palette and finishes are bold, colorful and inspiring.

On the Boards: Shriners Hospitals for Children - The Greatest Little Shrine Game in the World

2011-03-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here we are, just weeks before our deadline, looking at photos and gathering content for a 28' wide x 8' high wall graphic slated for the new cafe at Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland. It will showcase the stellar efforts of Oregon Shriners and their communities in a year-round effort to produce the Shriners Hospital Oregon East-West All-Star Football Game from which 97% of net proceed go directly to patient care. Above, Cherry interviews participants as we gather photos for the display.

Exactly, one month later: design is complete, copy is written (and vetted) and we're presenting to the national facilities director for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

We're in the cafe, checking things out. Note the palette: carpet and graphic in perfect harmony.

The Graphic Wall. Our next installment: April 8th installation for April 10 dedication. Sometimes things go smoothly. We don't take it for granted.

Out & About & On the Boards: Fort Campbell, KY -Blanchfield Army Community Hospital

2011-03-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

We made our first visit to a military hospital when we traveled with ZGF Architects to Fort Campbell, KY (home of the "Screaming Eagles") for a site visit . We're working on an addition that includes the Emergency Department (ED) where we were very inspired by the people we met in uniform. Above, Karen is listening to Major Schaeffer, head of the ED and mother of twin boys age 2 1/2. A veteran of two tours in Iraq, Major Schaeffer was gone for a full year of her boys' short lives. Her husband is getting ready to ship out for a third tour of his own.

On the boards: The Story of Writing - EA Lecture

2011-03-07T18:07:00.000-08:00

In Portland Center Stage's production of FUTURA, we witness typography professor and librarian Lorraine Wexler give a lesson on the history of fonts in a future where the art of pen and paper has all but disappeared. The professor is particularly fond of the typeface, Futura.

In 2006, when Anderson Krygier designed signage and graphics for the new Gerding Theater at the Armory, we just happened to think Futura the perfect typeface to marry the original architecture's classic proportions with the modernist lines of its contemporary interventions. What could be more perfect than for AK to be a sponsor of the play!

As part of our sponsorship, Elizabeth rolled out butcher paper and wrote with real pens to demonstrate the history of writing in an interactive, pre-matinee chat before the Sunday March 6 presentation. Over 60 people attended.

In the theater lobby, amazing letterform sculptures continued the typography and lettering theme.

Share the Love: Valentine Party to benefit CHAP - Children's Healing Art Project

2011-02-12T18:31:00.000-08:00

We continued our tradition of combining social activity with social activism at our second annual "Share the Love" Party in celebration of our favorite holiday. This year, we shared the love with CHAP - Children's Healing Art Project - for a total lovefest. Above, Frank Etxaniz, CHAP founder, artistic director and inspirational teacher is on the ladder to install custom art panels created by CHAP's Children's Art Factory to fit the walls and doors of our conference room.

CHAP - Children's Healing Art Project - brings the healing power of art to children in crisis and their families with a mobile team of teaching artists working in Portland's children's hospitals. CHAP classes offer an art experience that engages and inspires -- where children can be seen for their artistic talents and not for their diseases or diagnoses. In 2010, CHAP reached over 10,000 and their families. Learn more at www.chap.name.

Children's Art is interpreted in a variety of apparel and other items such as the hand loomed carpet featuring a "love bunny" - just in time for the Year of the Rabbit! At right is a "bling" heart embedded into a giant resin foot that served as our bar for the evening.

Out & About: UC San Diego Sun Break

2011-02-03T17:06:00.000-08:00

Abby & EA spent a delightful day touring the University of California San Diego campus in preparation for our work on a new lab building for the UCSD School of Medicine.
When a campus sign shop updates and maintains our sign programs, we like to know their capabilities before we design - that way, changes are seamless and our design remains intact. At UCSD, Mike runs the sign shop and he proudly showed us around to help us understand what's possible in terms of materials and fabrication technologies. We were impressed!
Bright blue sky, red hot pokers and blooming eucalyptus!
Abby & Renee Kajimoto, ZGF Architecture, smile into the bright sun while bundled for the cool weather.

Out & About: Signs of interest - China

2011-01-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

Who can resist brush written Kanji in Beijing- follow the arrow!
Movable stanchions in the Forbidden City: symbols, arrows, Kanji and Chinglish.
Poetic regulatory signs: "Perilous hills, no climbing please" at left and "Tender fragrant grass, how hardhearted to trample them" at right. Note bollards at the Olympic Village shaped like the nearby Birds Nest.
Absolute favorite: "Carolina Blue" city road signs tell which way lanes turn (left photo) and illuminated signs (right photo) diagram traffic patterns ahead. Avoid the red areas!
Drinking water stations in the airport. Fill your water bottle only if you are a native: foreigners beware. At right, restroom icon tells you what kind of toilet inside.

Out & About: Rainier Building, Pierce College - Lakewood WA

2010-12-28T14:47:00.000-08:00

We arrived at Pierce College's Lakewood campus on a typical late December day - pretty much overcast. When we entered one of the building's two winter gardens, the tiny bit of sun exploded to shower us with light.
The four levels of this state-of-the-art science & technology complex are organized around the winter gardens where, due to the site's steep grade, no more than three levels are stacked in any one spot.
Abby reviews a freestanding directory featuring building maps in both plan and section views.
Floor level entries off the winter gardens are color-coded to help with wayfinding. Opsis Architecture designed the building.

Out & About: A change of scenery - Tucson AZ

2010-11-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

As winter approaches and Northwest skies go gray, a change of scenery nourishes the spirit and dazzles the eyes. In Tucson AZ, skies are blue and the saguaro cactus rules the horizon.
Xeriscaping is a way of life and art.
Javelinas (wild pigs) show up for a breakfast of barrel cactus -- in the garden (center) and as sculptures in the shopping mall (left).

Out & About and On the Boards: University of Idaho - Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho

2010-10-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Abby and Elizabeth traveled to Moscow, Idaho with Alec Holser and Chris Roberts of Opsis Architecture to prepare for our work designing signage and specialty graphics for the University of Idaho's Kibbie Dome.
There was a hint of snow in the air as we walked the site and documented conditions. The photo at right was taken (by others) on a blue sky day earlier in the year.
At the end of the day we were happy to come inside and sit down while reviewing stadium seating submittals.

Architecture Foundation of Oregon

2010-10-14T18:54:00.001-07:00

When Elizabeth joined the Architecture Foundation of Oregon Board in January, the group was poised to clarify their message and logo in order to communicate AFO's expanding role in the community. She joined the team for a season of focus groups, brainstorming and design: in short, a rebranding exercise. The result: the new afo identity expresses the organization's approachable, community based mission and is supported by a short paragraph some call our elevator message:

"afo supports Oregon's quality of life and creates awareness of our designed environments through education, advocacy, philanthropy and inspiration."

The roll-out for the new afo logo coincided with this year's Honored Citizen event, for which Elizabeth also created the identity and graphics.

Harvest Designs

2010-10-11T17:17:00.001-07:00

This year, our friend and collaborator, Jason Naiman has surprised and delighted us all with gifts from his garden. We are astounded by the natural forms of his climbing zucchini and, after much admiring, have created a variety of dishes with this amazing vegetable. Truly, a designer's delight. His latest and most beautiful offering - the Swan - is still being admired.

Out & About and On the Boards: VA campus at American Lake - Tacoma, WA

2010-08-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

Our first design presentation for a new Outpatient Clinic on the Veterans Administration's American Lake campus in Tacoma WA was also our first visit to this idyllic campus. With a picture postcard view of Mt. Rainier, a striking collection of Spanish Colonial Revival buildings and towering Douglas Fir trees, we almost felt we were on vacation. Originating in 1923, the campus was established after the Veterans Bureau was formed in 1921 to care for soldiers returning from World War I.
Walking the site in the right photo, above, are Abby Alway and ZGF project architect David Staczek. Below, six flags representing the six branches of the United States Military join the American flag in front of the campus administration building.

Out & About: Japanese American Historical Plaza, Portland, OR

2010-07-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe it's been twenty years since we completed our work on the Japanese American Historical Plaza on Portland's waterfront. Yet on this bright, beautiful Portland summer day, a re-dedication ceremony took place in memory of the Japanese American citizens who were deported to inland internment camps during World War II. The names of these camps are inscribed on the stone in the top photo. Highlights included Lawson Inada, former Oregon Poet laureate, whose haunting poems describe the experiences of the Japanese Americans. "America the Beautiful" sung against a backdrop of water sprayed from a fireboat in the Willamette provided an emotional finale.

Out & About: Springfield & Eugene, Oregon

2010-06-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Field trips are an important part of our professional development at AK: we like to stay up-to-date with new projects in our field and to build a shared vocabulary of experience and insights into the world of environmental graphic design. On this beautiful day in June, we went first to Sacred Heart at River Bend, a brand new medical campus in Springfield, Oregon. Shown at left above, Abby provides scale for a freestanding entry monument. At right, Cherry admires bronze gingko leaves in a railing structure.

At the University of Oregon in Eugene, we stopped by the new Jacqua Academic Center for Student Athletes. We loved the playful use of letters in the landscape! Above left, Karen and Cherry are up close and personal with the site ID. At right, the University logo, which is the letter "O", is fabricated of aluminum and set at a rakish tilt to provide racks for bicycle parking.

Out and About: Shanghai, China: City of Contrasts

2010-06-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

Shanghai may be the most cosmopolitan city in the world: it is certainly one of the richest. Old and new sit cheek by jowl - at least for a while - as economic progress devours the past in deference to the future.

Busy and impressive during the day, Shanghai is magical at night. Full neighborhoods are illuminated (but only until 11 pm, for energy conservation), and that includes bridges, the river embankment, and buildings of all sizes and shapes. In the French Concession (left photo), allees of Sycamores are uplighted in white and green, with illuminated pendants of persimmon and white. In the Bund, neoclassic and art deco buildings are symbols of late nineteenth and early twentieth century Western influence (right photo). It appears that China has staked a claim in LED lighting and the result is festive, uplifting and downright dazzling. Can't help but think some of Portland's neighborhoods might benefit from same.

Not all neighborhoods are affluent. Tucked between high rise avenues are narrow twisting streets where neighbors live and work literally on top of each other. Citizens live in very close quarters and daily life, including laundry, is conducted in the street.

Turn the corner and find Confucius and prayers tied to trees.

Where substantial construction fences line a street, whole blocks are coming down for progress. If you look closely, you'll see two guys sweeping the site with brooms (!) Similar guy, seen on the street, uses the ubiquitous street sweeper's broom, made of branches.

Progress has many forms. Here, signature buildings and ordinary projects dot the skyline along the Huangpu River. The tall icon in the middle (some call it a "churchkey") is by I. M. Pei.

Out and About: Expo 2010, Shanghai, China

2010-05-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

Arriving in Shanghai, we see billboards and signs advertising Expo 2010; on traffic signs, billboards, and buildings. Expo's mascot is the blue "gumby" figure and Shanghai is proud to be hosting Expo - for the world, but most importantly, for China: "Better City, Better Life."

The Expo's iconic image is their own China Pavilion. As the official program says, "with the traditional Douguan Bracket and the concept of nine-folded script (a type of ancient Chinese calligraphy) it showcases the spirit and disposition of Chinese culture. This pavilion is visible throughout the landscape, from all views, taller and bigger than everything else - clearly a symbol of China's emerging position in the world.

The number of people at the Expo was staggering - and most often, we were the only non-Asians in view. People waved at us and took our photo as we stood in lines (for hours) and took photos of them. Everyone carried umbrellas (more like parasols) against the searing sun (and it's not even summer!). At first, I was chagrined to be carrying a black one, but then I realized that it stood out from the crowd!!

Many Pavilions were temporary as were their construction materials. Brasil's facade was made of "sticks" painted green.

We couldn't figure out what this building was for, but loved its form, covered in stretch fabric.

The bright blue on the landscape drew us near. It was covered in foam cloth - the type we use for packing material!

Everywhere water misted in fine spray to cool visitors. Here, it's coming out of the ground, cooling our ankles as we walk under the blue building made of foam cloth.

A few of the exposition centers are permanent buildings. This is the Expo Culture Center and when Expo is finished it will be a performance center in Shanghai's new River Park.

Pavilions varied in shapes, styles and quality. We quickly learned that those with short lines usually weren't very interesting inside. It was more fun to look at their exteriors. A five hour wait for the Saudi pavilion was based on the fact that they were giving away a diamond each day to one lucky visitor. Note the China pavilion sneaks into the composition.

The Expo Axis is a permanent feature of the park and will become a landscape boulevard after Expo. It includes an elevated walkway that spans half the length of Expo and provides amazing views of all pavilions, especially China. We did invest time in the lines for China and it was worth the approximately 3-hour wait - even with special tickets! It was beautifully constructed - looked good close-up, no five-foot rule here! And again, the exhibits were for the Chinese people - full of idealistic views of China, past and present, with no expense spared to create the most dazzling displays.

Out and About: Souzhou, China

2010-05-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

Portland's Classical Chinese Garden, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, was built in Souzhou, China and assembled on-site in Portland. It was a very special treat to visit our Sister City in China and see a few of the gardens that inspired our own. While the form and style of these old gardens were familiar, I felt a very different spirit that only age can bring. The above photos are from "Master of the Nets" or "Fishermen's" Garden.

At our next garden, curators were documenting carved stone panels of calligraphy and brush painting. In no more than 3 minutes, the man in the left photo, with a deft staccato rhythm, covered his paper in powdered charcoal. The result is lying on the ground in the right photo.

Ending our day with a meal of fine Souzhou cuisine, we were all delighted with the light, fresh flavors and textures - so different from the heavier, meatier cuisine of Fouzhou.

Out and About: Tongli, China

2010-05-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth continues her adventure in China...

Arriving in Shanghai on Sunday afternoon, we left early on Monday to visit surrounding areas, venturing first to one of China's river towns to catch a glimpse of China's past. Tongli, modestly restored and welcoming to visitors, is about 45 minutes outside of Shanghai. Without cars, it provides a picturesque view of of early life on the river.

Out and About: Fuzhou, China

2010-05-24T10:29:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth is in China with the State of Oregon's Trade Delegation and the Third Angle Contemporary Music Ensemble. The first stop was Fuzhou in Fujian province, Oregon's Chinese sister state. These are here photos and captions of her adventures so far.

We were blown away by the warm and generous reception we've received from our local hosts and have fallen in love with the beautiful gardens and landscape of this subtropical area in Southeast China. Our hosts have treated us to banquets, receptions and tours of the area - making us feel very welcome indeed.

Every morning, afternoon and evening, locals gather in the public parks for movement, dance song and music played on traditional Chinese instruments. Their faces radiate with joy and happiness as they sign and play the traditional songs of China. Caught in a monsoon shower, we shared a park shelter with about a hundred locals and these musical citizens, as rain obscured the city. Foreigners are still a rarity here and we noticed others snapping photos of us while we tried to photograph the musicians.

The public parks of Fuzhou began as Imperial gardens in the 3rd century. Lit at night, they are filled with people and magic.

View from the hotel window, on the morning after monsoon rains had fallen. The sky has cleared a little and distant hills are exposed.

Three banquets in three days - each with more dishes than the last. The last course is always watermelon; local and sweet. In the above photo, it shares the table with all the food we couldn't finish.

Complimentary colorful umbrellas were thoughtfully provided by the hosts.

Out & About: Shriners Hospital for Children

2010-05-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

After months of mock-ups, proofs and more proofs, our specialty graphic walls are installed and looking fabulous in the elevator lobbies of Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland. We were on site for dedication festivities last Saturday and celebrated with our Shriners clients, including Skip Stanaway of SRG Partnership, Portland (second row). Top photo is the view from the family waiting rooms near the elevator lobbies on each floor. Playful icons we developed for the walls also appear on wayfinding signs and in carpet and vinyl flooring though out the new hospital. When we heard hospital staff playfully referring to their areas as the "chicken wing" and the "butterfly wing" we knew the program was a success.

On the Boards: Chemeketa CC - Yamhill Valley Campus

2010-05-10T14:04:00.001-07:00

In a collaboration with YGH Architecture, Elizabeth joined a presentation of interior concepts, including specialty graphics, for Chemeketa Community College’s new Yamhill Valley Campus in McMinnville OR. Project themes and metaphors are based on the colors, textures and imagery of this abundant valley. Shown above in an animated conversation with College President Cheryl Roberts and her team are Liz Bray, Edward Running and Mark Stoller, YGH.

In the Studio: Oregon State Hospital

2010-05-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

We invited our collaborators on the Oregon State Hospital Replacement Project to our office last week to review sign submittals prepared by Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE). Over lots of chocolate, we discussed OCE’s fabrication capabilities and brainstormed the best approach to achieving design intent using OCE materials and methods rather than technologies we might otherwise have specified. This congenial and collegial process resulted in a shared committment to each other’s success in the project.

Top photo: Rodney Myrick (Hoffman Construction) holds a sign sample for the group while Jon Melschau (SRG Partnership) and Abby Alway (AK) look on.
Bottom photo: Abby Alway and Cherry Britton, (AK) observe as Barry Moss and Richard Wright (OCE) take notes. Also present were David McCarthy (SRG), Michele Bouterse (HOK) and Steve Ryan (OCE).

Out and About: Above the Clouds

2010-04-13T20:59:00.000-07:00

EA and Karen took a cold rainy flight to Seattle this morning, had a productive day with our Providence Regional Medical Center Everett clients and on the return flight, found sunshine and dazzling volcanoes above the clouds. What a great way to cap the day!

In the Studio: Just in Time

2010-04-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

“Just in time” delivery by Jay Cole of Center Pointe Signs brought smiles to our studio late last Friday afternoon as we reviewed samples destined for Stanford School of Medicine (right photo) and a dedication plaque headed to Clatsop Community College. Following this quick review, Abby packaged the samples for FedEx and Jay left carrying the dedication panel to its destination - another week, another finish line.

On the Boards: Benning Library, DC Public Library

2010-03-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

It was such fun to see our DC Public Library client, Barbara Norland, in our studio last week! In Portland for the Public Library Association’s 2010 national conference, Barbara visited our office to review color proofs for Benning Library’s supergraphic window facade.
At left, above, Barbara and Elizabeth review selections from the first round of proofs sent by DC fabricator, Gelberg Signs. Barbara returned the following day for a second set of proofs shown at right with Karen. Barbara is DC Public Library’s Senior Librarian for Building Projects.

Out and About: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California

2010-03-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and Abby arrived at Stanford’s School of Medicine last week to find the central plaza cleared of construction trailers and poised for Spring. Flanking the plaza and shown in the top photo at left: Lorry Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, and at right: Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge. We were on campus to discuss donor recognition for both buildings and to review installed building signage in the Li Ka Shing Center. We also found time to try out new seating arrangements and enjoy the sun with Vivian Jones, Facilities Engineer for the School of Medicine.

Shriners Hospital for Children

2010-03-11T16:35:00.000-08:00

A second round of proofs for specialty graphics at Shriners Hospital for Children arrived in our office last week. The 5’ wide strips represent images that at full size range from 8 to 12 feet wide and
7 to 8 feet high. Photos by Allan Bruce Zee provide background imagery for layers of playful graphics designed by Anderson Krygier. Graphic panels are being produced by Wilsonart in Temple, Texas and will be installed in the elevator lobbies of the Portland hospital.

Share the Love: Valentine Party to benefit Community Warehouse

2010-02-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

With a desire to combine social activity with social activism, Anderson Krygier invited friends and colleagues to celebrate our favorite holiday and share the love with the Community Warehouse, non-profit supplier of household items to individuals and families recovering from crisis. With open-hearted generosity, guests brought new and gently used cookware and cooking utensils for the Community Warehouse to share with individuals and families transitioning from the streets to apartments of their own. Learn more about this amazing furniture bank serving the Portland metro area and SW Washington at communitywarehouse.org.

On the Boards: OSU Linus Pauling Science Center & Multnomah County Libraries Kenton Branch

2010-02-12T14:30:00.000-08:00

Karen Fishel reviewed samples last week for two very different projects in our office. Shown above at left, Karen is selecting colors for a 16’ x 8’ art installation based on the Periodic Table of Elements & Chemistry for OSU’s new Linus Pauling Science Center.
On the right, Karen shows how edge-lit letters for the Kenton Library marquee will be illuminated. The OSU project is slated for completion Fall 2011 and the Kenton Library, March 2010.

Out and About: Clark College

2010-01-13T12:07:00.000-08:00

Abby met with Mike Moran of Clark College and Jason Olson of LSW Architects at Clark College last week to review recently installed Campus Site ID signs fabricated by Security Signs and Columbia-Cascade Construction.
Shown above, at top: a campus perimeter marker; bottom left: one of two campus gateway signs; bottom right: reader board. With just brick sealing and landscaping remaining, these signs complete implementation of Clark College's Exterior Sign Masterplan, designed by Anderson Krygier.

On the Boards: UO Ford Alumni Center

2010-01-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

Abby Alway met with Randall Heeb at Opsis Architecture’s office in Portland to finalize the color palette for University of Oregon‘s new Ford Alumni Center. Anderson Krygier is developing both building signage and donor recognition for the new building, which is adjacent to the new UO Matthew Knight Arena, also currently in construction. Project completion is slated for Spring 2011.

On the Boards: Shriners Hospital for Children

2009-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

Cherry Britton visited SRG's Portland office last week to review full-size sample strips of elevator wall graphics designed for a new addition to Portland's Shriners Hospital for Children. The wall graphics feature photographs superimposed with imagery and icons illustrating wayfinding themes for each floor level. The graphics are typically 12' wide x 8' high, printed to Wilsonart® laminate panels and adhered directly to the wall surface. Project completion is slated for May 2010.

In the Mail: Clackamas Community College

2009-12-04T10:14:00.000-08:00

Clackamas Community College's Health Sciences program has recently grown from two programs to a thriving college division because healthcare professionals are urgently needed. Here at their new allied health building, crisp oversize graphics and dimensional letters reflect the school's pride in their state-of-art nursing and health education facility as they prepare to meet this demand. Spirited blue and orange are the new white, setting the tone for future buildings on the Harmony Campus in Milwaukie. Corridors are activated with strong color and oversize graphics at recessed room and department entries throughout the three-story building.

On the Boards: Oregon State Hospital

2009-11-30T09:57:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Anderson and Cherry Britton met with the City of Salem in November to review proposed exterior signage for the Oregon State Hospital Replacement Project and to discuss permitting, code and historic landmark issues related to the site. Shown above, Cherry reviews design concepts and sign locations with Amy Dixon, Associate Planner, and McCrae Carmichael, Project Coordinator for the Community Development Department, City of Salem.

On the Boards: Stanford University: School of Medicine

2009-11-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

Abby Alway and Elizabeth Anderson visited the Stanford campus last week to present proposed designs for Donor Recognition at the School of Medicine. While on site, they visited the two project buildings, still under construction and separated by a future plaza for the School of Medicine. Shown above, Abby and Kelley Mitchell, Whiting & Turner, traverse the Academic Walk between Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge (NBBJ, below left) and the Lorry I. Lokey Center for Stem Cell Research (ZGF, below right).

Out and About: Security Signs

2009-11-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

A large electronic sign flashing “Welcome AK” greeted our arrival (above, right) at Security Signs for a Lunch and Learn presentation and shop tour last week.
Above left: Abby carries a recent submittal for Clark College’s new gateway and perimeter markers currently in fabrication at the shop.
Center: discussing fabrication details with Security Signs production manager Matt Allen and project manager Joseph Platt.
Bottom left: a vibrant composition of fabricated letters.
Bottom right: flurry of activity on the shop floor.

Out and About & On the Boards: Chemeketa Community College

2009-11-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

Abby, Cherry and EA made a site visit to Chemeketa Community College’s Salem campus last week in preparation for upcoming work on several Chemeketa campuses. While traversing the campus via skybridges, Abby and Cherry were especially charmed with the iconic “circle in a square” chairs (middle left) and native American motifs incorporated into interior finishes and exterior facades of the Student Center. In addition to the Salem campus, AK will soon begin work on Chemeketa’s new McMinnville campus and its campus in Brooks, Oregon, having recently completed the Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry in Salem.

Out and About & On the Boards: Mercy Corps World Headquarters, Portland Oregon

2009-10-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and Karen visited the newly completed Mercy Corps Headquarters in Portland's Old Town neighborhood yesterday to review color and material samples for donor recognition graphics currently in development at AK. Upon arrival, they admired recently installed building signage and stairwell banners also designed by Anderson Krygier.

Out and About & On the Boards: Oregon State Hospital, Salem, Oregon

2009-10-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and Cherry visited the Oregon State Hospital on one of Oregon's most beautiful October afternoons. While on site to study sight lines and scale issues for exterior signage, they also enjoyed the splendid fall foliage and historic features of the arboretum-like hospital grounds. AK is developing exterior and interior sign programs to accompany the hospital's major renovation and new construction slated for completion in 2011. Soon, no one will recognize the famous site of the movie "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" with Jack Nicholson.

Out and About & On the Boards: Chapel Hill, NC

2009-10-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

While on the East Coast last week, Elizabeth and Karen stopped in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to review installed signs and specialty graphics designed by Anderson Krygier for the North Carolina Cancer Hospital. Top left: view of the UNC Hospitals through a Cancer Hospital window. Top right: wayfinding sign. Center left: Pediatric infusion bays. Center right: Pediatric specialty graphics. Bottom left: Pediatric Clinic Corridor. Bottom right: rechecking the punch list.

Out and About & On the Boards: Washington DC

2009-09-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Anderson and Karen Fishel were in Washington DC last week as part of their work developing sign standards for the DC Public Library.
Above left: testing a mock-up for the Historic Libraries site ID sign at Georgetown Library; above right: trident finial design on the Georgetown Library's fence will be incorporated into a site-specific post design. Below right and left: AK is working with David Adjaye and his New York office to apply the new sign standards to two contemporary libraries, Francis A. Gregory and Washington Highlands.

In the Mail: Lower Columbia College

2009-09-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

Lower Columbia College's elegant performing arts center features two theaters, a music recital hall and a soaring art gallery. At the main entry, a monumental 90" etched metal panel honors the Rose Family who were major contributors. Beneath a mural by nationally known painter Lucinda Parker, a lively donor wall sparkles in the light of two-story windows. Composed of four modular segments, different in size, finish and thickness, the panels are carefully aligned to the vertical cedar slats behind them. The wall will mark gifts to the LCC Foundation in support of projects throughout the campus.

Out and About: Adventures in Alaska

2009-08-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

In the far reaches of Alaska to catch fish, glimpses of wildlife and glacial adventure, EA still found environmental graphics that caught her eye. Above, bears showed up for the spawning salmon in Prince William Sound; artful restroom sign in Halibut Cove on Cook Inlet; Homer and Valdez.

Out and About: SCUP Conference in Portland

2009-07-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

Culminating more than a year of planning and a college term of rehearsals, the Opening Ceremony for the Society of College & University Planners' (SCUP) national conference dazzled attendees in Portland on July 19th, 2009. Performed by students in a collaboration of experiential learning involving Michael Curry, Portland State University & Portland Community College in a Movement Performance Workshop designed specifically for this event. Elizabeth Anderson and fellow host committee members planned and organized the opening event.

Out and About & On the Boards: Stanford University

2009-07-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

On campus to present environmental graphics for two new buildings at Stanford University's School of Medicine, Abby-Sophia Alway and Elizabeth Anderson spent some time walking the campus, admiring the architecture, making friends with the sculpture and checking out the signs.

On the Boards: North Carolina Cancer Hospital

2009-06-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

Large-scale photographic murals showcasing the amazing North Carolina landscape - from the ocean to the valleys to the piedmont - are currently in fabrication for North Carolina's new Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill. Shown above, a 3-panel study mock-up behind the welcome desk. Substantial completion is slated for September 2009.

Out and About: DC Public Library

2009-05-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Anderson and Karen Fishel spent the week of May 4-8 in Washington DC developing sign standards for the DC Public Library system. Standards will address the six new contemporary libraries, the six historic libraries and the many libraries in between. The week was filled with architectural work sessions, site visits and several staff and community meetings. In the photos above:
top row, right: Karen confers with Christiane DeJong and Cody McNeal of Davis Brody Bond Architects.
middle row: wrought iron studies from the historic library sites.
bottom row: Georgetown Library. At right, Karen stands in for a future free-standing site ID.

Happy Anniversary Lynn!

2009-04-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

While in San Francisco, we honored Lynn Parsons, Marketing Consultant, with an early celebration of her ten-year anniversary with AK. Shown above, a festive dinner at Spruce, a lively new restaurant in Presidio Heights.
We began working with Lynn in August 1999.

Out and About: AK field trip to San Francisco

2009-04-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Anderson Krygier designed their own "annual conference" this year, traveling to San Franciso to visit recent projects and to see what's new in architecture, art and environmental graphics.
Highlights included:
top left: Karen Fishel admires Patrick Dougherty's Willow Sculpture installation outside City Hall.
middle: de Young Museum
bottom: Academy of Arts & Sciences tour with Jes Pederson, Webcore Builders

On the Boards: Salem Hospital Exterior Sign Program

2009-03-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

Begun in 2002 and re-started in 2006, AK’s exterior sign masterplan for Salem Hospital is finally coming to fruition. The signs are currently in production at Creo Industrial Arts in Everett, WA, (top 3 photos).
When samples arrived at our Portland office, Karen Fishel, AK Project Manager, found the crates as well-made as the signs. At bottom right, Karen and Abby Alway shed light on the samples.

Out and About: Michael Curry Design Studio

2009-03-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Anderson and fellow host committee members visited Michael Curry Design Studio in Scapoose, Oregon in preparation for the Opening Ceremony of the Society of College & University Planners’ (SCUP) national conference in Portland, July 2009. Shown above: mock-ups, prototypes and full-size puppets are familiar images in Michael‘s studio. Following the tour, the group participated in a lively brainstorming session with Michael (far right).

On the Boards: Lewis & Clark Wayfinding Study

2009-03-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Wayfinding begins long before the first sign is sighted. That’s why, in a Wayfinding Study for Lewis & Clark in Portland OR, we looked at all the ways people get directions and find their way to and through the institution’s three campuses - from the website and marketing brochures to city road signs and campus landmarks.

Wayfinding updates will include campus improvements to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic circulation, new city road signs, gate numbers at key campus entries and a few new campus signs.

On the Boards: DC Public Library

2009-02-27T10:19:00.000-08:00

Several new DC Public Libraries are case studies for Anderson Krygier in developing sign standards to serve all of the District’s 23 libraries. Shown above are two of four new contemporary libraries in the study. Georgetown will provide the first case study for historic libraries.

Out and About: Ramsay Signs

2009-02-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

AK team members pay a visit to Ramsay Signs in Clackamas, OR to review signs currently in production for Clackamas County’s new Red Soils campus.

Upper left: Karen Fishel and Cherry Britton check progress on freestanding pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding signs .

Upper right: Karen and Joe Gibson of Ramsay Signs scrutinize paint finish on a perimeter marker.

Lower left: Joe demonstrates neon tube bending for Cherry while Karen and Abby Alway look on (lower right).

Out and About: Happy Anniversary Cherry!

2009-02-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

The AK team celebrated Cherry Britton's 5-year milestone at Anderson Krygier with a festive lunch at Park Kitchen, a Portland restaurant, where we were greeted with "Happy Anniversary" menus prepared specially for our table. Yum!

In the Mail: The Armory

2008-12-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

In the early 20th century, the Armory Building in Portland was a hub of community togetherness and creativity, a venue for events from wresting matches to John Philip Sousa concerts. One hundred years later Portland Center Stage's Gerding Theater draws crowds again to a robustly modern theater hidden inside its old shell. Re-imagining the 1891 building from National Guard Drill Hall to elegantly sustainable theater required considerable teamwork. Part of the team, Anderson Krygier designed a signage program contrasting the rustic raw brick and steel bracing with a sparkling sign program both timeless and contemporary, including exterior banners reminiscent of the famed Globe Theater in London.

Honor the site... it's our brand of environmental graphic design.

In the Mail: Sandy Boulevard Resurfacing & Streetscape Project

2008-09-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

The “Sandy Boulevard Resurfacing and Streetscape Project” called for much more than asphalt. Beginning in 2005 the Portland Office of Transportation worked with community stakeholders with the twin goals of enhancing sense of place and providing needed infrastructure and traffic flow improvements in Portland’s Hollywood District. As EGD consultant, Anderson Krygier worked closely with the city and a citizen advisory group to develop a Hollywood District logo themed after the neighborhood and its vintage theater. The logo is used on city street signs and pedestrian maps throughout the business district, contributing to a friendly, walkable environment and a cohesive neighborhood identity.

In the News: Portland firm wins D.C. library work

2008-07-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Anderson was interviewed by the Daily Journal of Commerce for an article about our upcoming work on four libaries in the District of Columbia Public Library system. Click here for a link to the article.

Out and About: SEGD Annual Conference - Austin, TX

2008-05-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

The annual SEGD Conference took place in Austin, Texas this year, so we packed our bags and headed South. We soaked up the sun, took in the city and absorbed lots of design inspiration.

In the Mail: OHSU Center for Health & Healing

2007-11-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

OHSU’s Center for Health & Healing hums with activity. Ten floors of medical offices, four floors of research labs, a pharmacy and optical shop combine with a wellness facility used both by patients and the community. Plus, it’s the lower terminus of the tram to OHSU, giving it the feel of a transportation hub. For unimpeded sight lines, our 8.5’ laser-cut directional totems are visible high above the lobby activity. Elsewhere we developed custom fused glass disks as a wayfinding device to distinguish centralized waiting areas on each floor. Bold graphics, wavy lines and luminous disks draw inspiration from the river and the surrounding South Waterfront neighborhood.

Work with the architecture... it's our brand of environmental graphic design

In the News: Wayfinding at Kohler Pavilion: From City to Corridor

2007-09-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Check out an exciting article in Healthcare Design about Anderson Krygier's work at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon.

Out and About: Vancouver Sign Company

2007-07-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

Anderson Krygier visits Vancouver Sign Company in Vancouver, WA. to review fabrication of parking ID signs for Clark College’s new Exterior Sign Master Plan.

Owner Dick Miller demonstrates while Abby-Sophia Alway looks on (upper left photo)
Phase One signs installed in September (lower left and middle photos)

Out and About: Seattle

2007-06-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

It’s good to get out of the office now and then...
In June, the firm ventured up to Seattle to see the sights and the signs. We visited the Seattle Art Museum, Federal Courthouse and City Hall, attended an SEGD event hosted by Girvin and bonded with the street pigs.

In the News: Sign Language

2007-04-24T08:54:00.000-07:00