January 2009
Issue #40

Peace on Earth

This is the card my family sent to friends and loved ones this holiday season.

In so many ways, this was a wonderful year (in spite of the many misguided policies our government promoted in our names). Of course, having elected, as our president, a centrist with progressive values who is also deeply thoughtful, broadly educated, and compassionate — and our first president of color — trumps pretty much every other good news story of the year. Needless to say, I am thrilled and feeling extremely hopeful.

Thanks to you, our work this year was filled with many challenging and meaningful projects. I can’t tell you how much it means to us that you trust us to help promote your work. It is a pleasure and an honor. I came to this work in an attempt to make an honest living providing a service that matters. You continue to make that possible, and I thank you.

On a personal note, my son is a happy college freshman, my daughter is thrilled to be spending every spare minute dancing, my wife and I celebrated our first 20 years of marriage, and our house thanks us every day for finally doing the repairs for which it has been crying out for 15 years.

I know we may be facing some tough times in the near term, but at this moment, I am counting my blessings, and you are among them.

Out with the old

When I started doing graphic design, my first work (and my first love) was periodical design. This month I hit the jackpot: I am redesigning two magazines.

My first contract with the Union of Concerned Scientists, in the late ‘90s, was to redesign their membership magazine, Nucleus. A few years later, the name changed to Catalyst and a few layout adjustments were made. Now that a decade has passed, it is time for a review and fresh look.

The other magazine is Dollars & Sense. I began working on this bi-monthly about a year ago. From the start, our plan was to collaborate on a redesign as soon as possible. The bulk of the pages are printed in black and white and both the paper and the printing technology present limitations. I have worked primarily for nonprofit organizations for quite a while and have learned how to respect my clients’ fiscal concerns. I often enjoy working with the challenges that accompany budget priorities.

The images above show the current designs. Stay tuned. I’ll unveil the new looks in the coming months.

A final note. When I started DG Communications, I sent letters of introduction to five Boston-based nonprofit organizations that I believed did exemplary service work. I was familiar with their publications and wanted to be part of their programs. Over the many years following, all five have hired me. Dollars & Sense and the Union of Concerned Scientists were among these five. I am thrilled to continue to be of service to them.

In with the new

Because we don’t advertise — DG Communications isn’t even listed in the phone directory — we rely on our friends and collaborators to put in a good word for us with their friends and collaborators. We are ever-grateful for your referrals to us. Some clients with whom we’ve recently begun to work include:

• The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX)

• The Middlesex Partnerships for Youth (Middlesex County, Mass., DA’s office)

• The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI)

• The Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH)

You are sure to hear more about their work in the coming months.

And peace be with you

We wish you a wonderful new year with many blessings and hope that you can find time to enjoy and appreciate your loved ones. Peace be with you.