Studio A

Milton Glaser, June 26,1929—June 26, 2020

Print Magazine, and Steven Heller, did a little Q&A with Antonio Alcala about the soon-to-be-issued Hip Hop stamps. So proud of US Postal Service for issuing these. Check it out: https://www.printmag.com/post/hip-hop-forever-first-class

The photographer Cade Martin reached out to many of the creative people he’s worked with over the years to find out how they’re doing during this pandemic-clouded time. Antonio was one of his featured profiles, and you can check it out here. We hope you are safe and well!

Many months ago, Antonio Alcala was honored to serve as a judge for Print Magazine’s 2019 Regional Design Annual. Unfortunately, just after the judging was completed the company that owned Print went bankrupt and winners went unrecognized. But new owners have come to the rescue and just announced the winners! Congratulations to all the designers and their colleagues creating this inspiring work.

Use this link below to learn a little about the judges and see the winning designs.

Wednesday is the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, when millions of people collectively called for better treatment of our planet. Today, USPS issued an Earth Day stamp we designed to commemorate this milestone. The need to work together to help preserve and improve our environment is greater than ever. Celebrate on April 22nd by doing something to help. Plant a tree. Reuse/Recycle. Write a letter to an elected official or business leader to let them know what they can do to help. And have a Happy Earth Day!

On February 23rd, Helen and Antonio arrived in Verona, Italy just as 12 towns nearby were placed on lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. They were there to do a press inspection for this book about Paul and Bunny Mellon’s close connection to trompe l’oeil paintings–especially those at their home in Upperville, Virginia. Our travelers returned safely and now the first sample bound books have arrived. We’re grateful for the support given by Oak Spring Garden Foundation for this project, and hope you like the book.

Celebrate! If you know someone who is having a birthday, or a wedding, or got that new record deal, or published their first book, or even just made it through a tough week, it’s time to celebrate! Consider sending them a note using the new “celebrate” stamp we designed. I know it will make them happy!

The world can always use a little more love. Tomorrow, the latest in the USPS Love Stamp series will be issued. We hope our design, made with dozens of hearts, encourages people to build many loving relationships in their lives. Family, friends, partners, pets, and even strangers. Thanks to Ricky Altizer for helping creating the final artwork! Love ya!

What a great way to start the new year! Our lettering for the postage stamp commemorating Woodstock was recognized for excellence and included in the new Communication Arts Typography Annual (January/February issue). Thanks to USPS for supporting our design and to Ricky Altizer for help with the final artwork.

“African Apparel” is a new exhibition catalogue we designed with Scala Publishers and The Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins in Florida. Special thanks to Ricky Altizer for a job well done!

We love working in charming, colonial-era, Old Town, Alexandria. During the holidays, many doors are decorated with wreaths in a variety of styles. Inspired by their beauty, we worked with local floral artist Laura Dowling to create a set of stamps featuring wreaths (and local doors). Issued last week, they’re available now.

Today, USPS announced several stamps to be issued in 2020. We’re extremely excited about this group commemorating Hip Hop’s contributions to our culture. It is arguably the most important US cultural export of the last 50 years. MC-ing (Rap), DJ-ing, B-Boying (sometimes called breakdancing), and Graffiti Art. We were fortunate to work with the talented Cade Martin on the photography and proud to have designed these stamps. We hope you like them and will look for their release next year.

Art directing postage stamps can be an exercise in patience. Six years ago, with help and encouragement from Helen McNiell and Carol Beehler in our office, we started working on a set of stamps featuring plants that produce berries during the winter. Steve Buchanan created the art, and Leslie Badani worked on the booklet cover. A real group effort! Yesterday, the stamps were issued and available for purchase. A long and overdue thank you everyone who helped make the Winterberry stamps!

Next week marks the 50th anniversary of “Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music.” A half-million people attended the festival. Do you know someone who was there? For the rest of us, it’s a legendary event where music, cooperation, and peaceful celebration unfolded capturing the popular imagination. In designing a stamp to commemorate the event, we combined the iconic dove of the original festival with custom lettering evoking concert posters of the era. Wishing you Peace and Music!

We’ve jumped the pond! ArtUK podcast “Art Matters” broadcast an episode on the art of stamp design. Host Ferren Gipson interviews Paul Skinner of the British Library and our own Antonio Alcala (he starts at the 6-minute mark). Take a listen for the philatelic fundamentals. Photo Credit: Stamps, Lisa Milroy (b.1959),British Council Collection