Studio A

Even though it’s only September, USPS wants you to think ahead! This past Saturday the new Holiday Joy stamps were issued with a celebration at the National Postal Museum. The stamps, inspired by Mexican folk art, use original digital illustrations by Los Angeles-based artist Michelle Muñoz, with art direction and design by Antonio Alcalá. A brief speech was made encouraging everyone to use their creativity and send messages by mail to friends and family. Have fun, and share a little Holiday Joy!

Last week, the Folger Shakespeare Library opened their new and expanded exhibition space. Studio A, in partnership with Polygraph, was selected to design the inaugural show in their temporary exhibition gallery. “Imprints in Time” features fifty rare books and manuscripts representing highlights of literature, science, religion, and philosophy.

Our design contributions included space planning, wall text, object labels, giveaway booklets, a microsite, and a wallpaper-like treatment for the gallery. The wallpaper design includes nine medallions featuring authors of works in the exhibition, surrounded by imagery related to their writing and lives. You can get a better look at the medallions here and view some images of the treasures in the show.

It was a great honor to be selected for this important first exhibition, and a pleasure working with my colleagues at Polygraph. I hope you get a chance to see the show (it closes on January 5, 2025).

Thank you to the dmi: Diversity in Design Conference for inviting Antonio to give a presentation on the creation of the Underground Railroad stamps. Positioned between a panel about career paths and a presentation by Katie Lee of Smart Design about AI, the talk about postage stamps was a fun interlude.

Our stamp design commemorating the Underground Railroad was issued yesterday, March 10, by the United States Postal Service.

The network of people, places, and routes known as the Underground Railroad functioned to help people in this country escape enslavement. The full pane of stamps honors ten people as representatives of the hundreds of anonymous people involved in successfully using and supporting the Underground Railroad. The words highlight experiences of those who took part, in colors alluding to the diversity of participants.

Bright and early this morning, Helen did a press inspection for one of our favorite clients: #oakspringgardenfoundation. Soon, visitors will be able to collect a booklet about the beautiful, playful, and enchanting garden Mrs. Mellon developed during her life at Oak Spring. Be sure to visit during Historic Garden Week, April 25-26.

Today is the First Day of Issue for the new Love stamp we designed, with an illustration by Katie Kirk of Eight Hour Day and a typeface by Michael Doret. We’re particularly excited about these as we have a wedding in the house and these will be used on the invitations! How cool is that? Be sure to get some of your own and send a little love to a friend.