Way to Grow: A story of love from Adam Reynolds on Vimeo.

Way to Grow is quickly becoming the premier early learning advocate and provider in Minneapolis. This video was created to help tell the story of how it all started in a little yellow house in North Minneapolis. It was concepted and written to have a storybook feel — a device Way to Grow implements to teach families. It also gave me the honor of working with a longtime favorite musician, Chan Poling.

Concept: Adam Reynolds, Lindsay Fischer, Jennifer Levreault. Copy: Adam Reynolds. Animation: Make. Music: Chan Poling.

I think a lot of graphic designers’ work goes un-credited and they become anonymous and bitter. And that’s why they drink. And that’s also why they cry. — Chip Kidd

 
It’s nice to see that even great designers struggle with obtaining credit for their work. But in my observation, it’s the writer who gets left off of the credit list a large majority of the time.

I was recently fortunate enough to get my 20•33 wine packaging design not only in CMYK Magazine, but on the cover as well. Getting in CMYK was my dream as a student. And here it finally happened 10 years after graduating from college. (The design still qualified for CMYK because my designer was a student at the time.)

My happiness, however, turned to frustration when I noticed my name missing from the credits. My designer and her instructor received the full credit. While my designer definitely deserves recognition, I was once again reminded of the backseat most copywriters take when receiving credit for projects. It’s unfortunate and, in my opinion, unacceptable.

I’ve always hated claiming ownership of a project. It’s definitely a team effort to me. But to help you understand this copywriter’s frustration, the original concept, identity and creative direction was mine — not just the words. By pushing my designer, we were able to create great packaging that happened to find its way to the cover of a magazine. The instructor, in fact, got very easy credit on this one. Oh, and to throw salt in my wounds, there’s a typo in the credits list. “Designer E.”

This isn’t just an issue with my 20•33 project. No packaging designs in CMYK feature a copywriter’s name. This tells me their submission form probably never had a spot for “copywriter.” This is a huge miss for a student magazine that should be preaching the value of collaboration. Smart design takes a strong concept and vision — something great copywriters bring to the table. I can only imagine there are many copywriters upset after seeing their un-credited work in CMYK, or other publications — especially students looking to break into the business.

So designers, and the rest of the ad world, please remember your copywriters. They are, quite possibly, the ones who helped come up with the brilliant design in the first place. And while you’re at it, thank those who have helped you along the way. Like all the great copyeditors and project managers who save my ass time and time again. Stepping off my soapbox.

Artist Craig Frazier had a fun idea: illustrate different scenes for a year, and let the world write the captions. As a hack writer, I couldn’t wait to try my hand at this. While I’m not the greatest artist, I loved the idea of adding my words and collaborating online. And with someone I’ve never met.

Somehow, I managed to almost get the featured headline right from the start. Maybe only 10 people were submitting captions at the time. I never did get another comment selected. (Though I know I wrote better ones than what were picked. If I do say so myself.)

Want to read them all? Buy the book. Want to read mine? Here you go.

Every so often, I get to work on projects that not only reward me creatively, but reward the community as well. My latest project was just that. I had the great opportunity to rebrand Way to Grow, a Minneapolis nonprofit organization that focuses on early learning within the homes of the most isolated families. Before August, I knew little about early-childhood learning. Now I’m scared for the future of our nation. Luckily, there’s an organization like Way to Grow looking out for us.

With the talented creative and planning crew at Little & Co., and support of Way to Grow leadership, we provided Way to Grow with a new logo, website, photography, interior design and marketing materials. And I’m happy to say that after months of hard work, the new Way to Grow website officially launched today. Take a look and let me know what you think.

New:

Old:

This fall, my design partner and friend, Jon Stone, and I were asked to create a campaign for a nonprofit group that collects used bikes to give to kids. The organization, aptly named “Free Bikes 4 Kidz,” looked to build on its initial bike drive one year ago. Having collected 250 bikes in 2 weeks last year, we were excited to see how our efforts could help this year. With a notebook full of great ideas, one little dude stood above them all, Bike Boy. Figuring my stick drawings might need a little help, I called up the talented Andrew Chesworth to bring the boy to life. Well, illustrated life.

Ladies and gents, I bring to you, Bike Boy:

I’m happy to report that Bike Boy, and the dedicated Free Bikes 4 Kidz family, collected more than 700 bikes this year — and gave away over 350 in two days to kids in need. Good wheel to all is right!