Holiday Greetings, from Circle!

Holiday Greetings!, originally uploaded by Adrian J.K. Shum, CGD.

From all of us at Circle - Merry everything to you and yours!! Cheers!!!

In lieu of the traditional, Circle has opted to distribute holiday greetings electronically (past cards drew from Chinese proverbs, ancient rune translations, etc.). This year's message was written by Robert L. Peters.

Seasonal Wishes from Circle...

Circle2011_SeasonalWishes, originally uploaded by Adrian J.K. Shum, CGD.

Wishing you hope, peace, love, joy, and the very best for 2012 (the year of the Dragon)!!!

In lieu of the traditional, Circle has opted to distribute holiday e-greetings (past cards drew from Chinese proverbs, ancient rune translations, etc.). This year's message was written by Robert L. Peters.

COOL!!! Canadian Recording Artists Stamps - Series 3...

Canadian Recording Artists Stamps - Series 3..., originally uploaded by Adrian J.K. Shum, CGD.

While I typically refrain from blogging about the design work that I do at Circle Design Incorporated, this is one of the few times where I break those rules... as I feel it's a privilege and honour to be able to design stamps/philatelic materials. ;)

The latest set of commemorative stamps we designed for Canada Post were launched today in Toronto, ON.

The limited edition stamps and philatelic materials (official first day cancellation [OFDC], self-adhesive booklets, postcards, etc.) will be available as of today, in post offices across the country and online via the Canada Post website - for more information visit www.circle.mb.ca - Cheers!

*P.S. - For my friends who were in the know, this was the main reason for my visit out to Ottawa, ON back in February, as hinted in this photo I posted to Flickr - feel free to check out the rest of the photos I took during that trip, here - enjoy!

*P.P.S. - Have a great Canada Day long-weekend!!!

Lots of cobwebs in here...

ItsyBitsy_Detail, originally uploaded by Adrian J.K. Shum, CGD.

Hmm, well I have to admit I haven't been posting to this blog in any senses of regularity for some time now (so the title seems suitable)...

What can I say? Life has been busy, but that's good! I have become more active on other networks, like twitter/Facebook and even then, jump in and out sporadically. I've likely been most active on Flickr, so if you're interested in what I've been up to, go check out my photo stream!

Happy Holidays from Circle...

All the best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy holiday season, filled with love, laughter, and good times!

For a number of years now, Circle has distributed holiday e-greetings (past cards drew from Chinese proverbs, ancient rune translations, etc.).

May 2011 (the year of the Rabbit) bring you prosperity, peace, love, and happiness. Cheers!

Warm Wishes from Circle...

Holiday greetings! May your holiday season be filled with much warmth, love and happiness! Cheers!

For a number of years now, Circle has distributed holiday e-greetings (past cards drew from Chinese proverbs, ancient rune translations, etc.).

COOL! Robert L. Peters Receives Icograda President's Award...

Congratulations are in order as Robert L. Peters was recently honored by Icograda with the Icograda President's Award in Beijing, China at XIN: Icograda World Design Congress 2009.


The GDC National, the Manitoba Chapter, and all of us at Circle were delighted to hear the news - kudos and congratulatory wishes flooded the GDC Listserve, as well as Rob's inbox. ;) IMO, it couldn't have gone to anyone more deserving (and humble).

Read more about the award on Rob's News+, here.
Also via Icograda's e-news and on the GDC.net website.

As a wise man once advised me (while I was attempting to rock climb), "Trend upwards..." ;D

Congrats once again Rob! Cheers!

COOL! Canada Post Recording Artists Stamps...

It's not very often that I blog about the work I do at Circle - for reasons of security, confidentiality, etc... but I'm making an exception with this post. ;)

Today, Canada Post released the second set of the Canadian Recording Artists stamps. Circle designed the previous series a few years back, which was a great success. I'm very proud to say that I had the privilege of working on this series. Featured artists include Robert Charlebois, Édith Butler, Bryan Adams and Stompin' Tom Connors...


...the stamp series was featured in the latest edition of Details magazine, Canada Post's quarterly publication for stamp collectors. You can view some pix of the article on my Flickr, here - or even better, read it online, here - enjoy!

Additional information regarding the project can be found on Circle's News+ section of the website, here.

Here are some additional links to stories in the media regarding the release:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/arts-and-letters-and-stamps/article1202400/

http://www.radio-canada.ca/arts-spectacles/musique/2009/06/29/001-timbre-charlebois-butler.asp

http://www.spinner.ca/2009/06/23/bryan-adams-honored-with-his-own-stamp/

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canada-Post-1012337.html

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/putting-its-stamp-on-canada-49922632.html

Happy Birthday Mr. Peters!

Happy 55th Birthday Rob! Wishing you all the best, on this day and the rest! May all your birthday wishes come true! Peace, love, and happiness always... cheers!

Image: ASCII portrait of Rob prepared as part of my e-card birthday greetings.

Happy 33!!!

Circle turns 33 today!

No joke. Today marks 33 years since the birth of Circle Design Incorporated (known as Circle Graphics back then), sharing the illustrious 1976 April Fools’ birthdate with a little company called Apple Computer. ;)

Happy 33rd Birthday Circle!

Learn more by visiting Circle's website at http://www.circle.mb.ca/ - cheers!

Seasonal Greetings from Circle...

For a number of years now, Circle has sent out inspirational quotes/seasonal thoughts as part of our holiday e-greetings (past cards drew from Chinese proverbs, ancient rune translations, etc.).

May your holiday season be blessed with peace, love and happiness! Cheers!

COOL! www.SamWReimer.com Goes Live!

A while back, I posted about a recent poetry book project that we completed at Circle. Sam W. Reimer's Gray Matter Graffitti is a collection of some ~200 poems, penned over the course of four decades... (visit Robert L. Peter's news+ to learn more).

Anyhow, the website www.samwreimer.com (designed by Circle to promote the bard and book) has now gone live! Check it out at http://www.samwreimer.com/ - once there you'll be able to read a few sample poems from the book as well as read up on the latest news/happenings... enjoy!

FYI, the site is best viewed using Firefox. Cheers!

Recommended Viewing | GDC Manitoba's Spring & Summer 2008 Digital Newsletter...

The GDC Manitoba Chapter's Communications Chair, Jeope Wolfe has done it again! The Spring & Summer 2008 digital newsletter was sent out to the Chapter membership today... I'm sure that it will be available for download (at some point) via the GDC Manitoba Chapter website, visit www.gdc.net for more information. As the current Activities Chair for the GDC Manitoba Chapter, I'd like to take a minute to thank the professional development presenters for 2008 (to date):

Dean Smallwood (Associate, Bounce Design) for his March 25 Lunch Talk presentation Pro Bono Design. Dean reviewed GDC’s pro bono guidelines – what you need to know, whether working for a non-profit or your best friend’s cousin – in an informative presentation covering the issues that need to be considered.

Mike Lesyshen (Prolific Graphics) for his April 29 Lunch Talk presentation, Spekta - Hybrid Screen Printing. Mike elaborated on print technology, from conventional printing, to stochastic to hybrid, what they mean, what to look for, the pros and cons and how to take full advantage of what’s available and to bring out the best in your images and designs.

I’d also like to extend special thanks to Brian Fawkes (MGDC) and the Red River College Creative Arts Department (and faculty) – for their ongoing support of the GDC Manitoba Chapter’s professional development activities.


The great outdoors has arrived in Manitoba – get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather! Look for more professional development events down the road... visit GDC Manitoba on the web at www.gdc.net. Cheers!

Visiting The Neon Factory...

Visited the Neon Factory on Main Street (in Winnipeg) today, as part of a project we're currently working on at Circle. I've always been fascinated with neon and was able to learn a lot more about it, and the fabrication during the visit. Looking forward to seeing the project come to light! ;) Shouldn't be long now...

Image: inside the Neon Factory... you can see Rob (or at least his back) on the right.

Happy Birthday Rob & Sam!

Well... not only is it the birthday of our own, and very dear, Robert L. Peters (FGDC, Design Director and Principal at Circle), but it's also the birthday of his cousin Sam W. Reimer!

In celebration of their mutual birthdays, and the recent 'birth' of the poet, Sam W. Reimer's book, Gray Matter Graffitti, Rob is in beautiful B.C. (visiting Sam, likely atop a mountain or at some other scenic point) and enjoying the Canadian outdoors. As we're all busy plucking away at Circle's office today, our thoughts go out to both him and Sam for the most joyous of birthdays! Cheers to you both (click on our thoughts)!

Recommended | HOT OFF THE PRESS! Sam W. Reimer's – Gray Matter Graffitti...

Poetry fans take note... Sam W. Reimer's, Gray Matter Graffitti has finally come off the press! After an approximate two year gestation period, and a number of 'hiccups' in the production, I can't even begin to describe how exciting it is to see this labour of love come to light! It was a pleasure (and struggle at times) to work on this book. The book designed by Circle, is a compilation of poems written by Sam W. Reimer, and edited by Robert L. Peters. Here's an excerpt about the book's author by the editor from the back cover:

Draft-dodger, Jesus-freak, “conditional pacifist,” prolific writer, devoted father, “tactical anarchist & strategic monarchist,” unwavering romantic, bohemian bard, “ecstatic depressive,” gregarious hermit… this rollicking collection of some 200 original works draws from thousands of poems penned over the course of four decades—inspired ruminations by Sam W. Reimer, an (hitherto) unsung gem of a poet.

This book (IMO) should belong on any poetry fan's bookshelf... a truly diverse, treasure trove of prose, sure to delight! I'm not sure how you can obtain a copy of the book at this point in time, but I'll keep you all posted! FYI, the book ISBN 978-1-55383-196-9

It's a Boy!

Congratulations! It's a boy! My friend and design colleague at Circle, Susan McWatt FitzGerald and her husband, Ryan are the proud (new) parents of a baby boy, August McWatt FitzGerald. August was born yesterday evening (April 30th), weighed almost 9 lbs and apparently has a head full of red hair! In lieu of flowers, Rob and I compiled a framed keepsake on behalf of all at Circle, read more about it here. Way to go Sue!

So... we'll expect to see you back in the office on Monday... just kidding! Congratulations to both parents once again! Cheers!

Back in the 'Peg... after the GDC National AGM...

Yesterday afternoon I, along with my fellow GDC Manitoba representatives returned from Saskatoon and the GDC National AGM. It was an amazing experience to say the least (being my first National AGM), and I felt privileged to be able to share and contribute to the wealth of diverse knowledge & experiences of the representatives & delegates from GDC Chapters across Canada (as well as the representatives from Icograda and SDGQ in Montreal).

It was a great pleasure to be able to meet them all in person, and to be able to put faces to some that I have long interacted with via the GDC Listserve and other common areas of interest. I feel energized and inspired by all the passion that was shown, and humbled by the endless devotion of the GDC Executives and volunteers (both nationally and regional). A big thank you to our generous hosts the GDC Saskatchewan North Chapter!

With that being said, I urge everyone with a GDC Chapter in their area to get involved, become a member or volunteer, share in your passion for design/sustainability, and contribute to the evolution of the face of Canadian design! I can say (quite honestly) that you'll benefit the most out of membership in any organization (be it the GDC or your local gym), by being active within it. I also recommend that you visit the GDC website often, as it, along with our industry is constantly evolving and being updated with new technologies and features. Anyhow, it's good to be back in the 'Peg - Cheers!

GDC National AGM - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan...

In approximately one week's time, I will be in the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan attending the GDC National (Society of Graphic Designers of Canada) Annual General Meeting (AGM), as a National Council representative for GDC Manitoba. I will be making the road trip from Winnipeg to Saskatoon along with a number of my fellow GDC Manitoba Executives/Board members. It will be my first visit to Saskatoon... I'm looking forward to the trip and to meeting my peers/design colleagues from across Canada. Cheers!

For those of you who'd like an idea of what the road trip will be like, check out this video (Winnipeg to Saskatoon in 5 minutes) I came across on YouTube, here.

Something to Ponder on April Fools' Day...

Happy April Fools' Day. Hopefully you haven't been exposed to too many office pranks at your expense... anyhow, a recent post to the GDC Listserve by friend and colleague - Robert L. Peters, really got me thinking... the gist of which is summed up by Mark Twain in the quote above. Anyhow, there were some interesting facts(?) featured in Rob's, And you think oil is pricey? post:

Product US$/Barrel

Oil 108.50
Coca-Cola 126.45
Milk 163.38
Snapple 237.72
Perrier Natural Mineral Water 300.61
Tropicana Orange Juice 307.44
Budweiser Beer 447.25
Scope Mouthwash 682.34
Starbucks Venti Latte 954.24
Ben & Jerry's Chunky Ice Cream 1,609.44
Pinot Grigio Wine 2,117.75
Bertoli Olive Oil 2,370.71
Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey 4,237.63
Tabasco Pepper Sauce 6,155.52
Visine A.C. Eye Drops 39,728.64
FLONASE Nasal Spray 902,304.00
Chanel No.5 Parfume 1,666,560.00

...I'll admit I've purchased my fair share of the products listed above... so, don't we all feel a little foolish now?

On another note... Circle Design Incorporated celebrates it's 32nd birthday today! Circle first opened it's doors for business on this day in 1976! Happy Birthday Circle!