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CEO,  Judy Kirpich was recently interviewed along with 9 additional nationally-known design professionals as part of the AIGA/Aquent Survey of Design Salaries 2009. This group of select design professionals was asked to share advice on how to remain competitive in these challenging economic times. Here's her advice for staying competitive: Control only the things you can control Here’s my advice for staying competitive in tough times: Always manage your business like you are in a recession. That means putting money away in good times so you can weather the next recession—because there will be a next recession. Resist the temptation to spend profits during fat years because lean years always follow. Remember, cash is king. “Business” is not a dirty word. Many of us designers look down our noses at the business aspect of our profession, in which creativity reigns supreme. Never forget that if you do not operate your practice like a business, there will be no place for your creativity to live. You cannot control many things, but you can control your budget. During difficult economic times you can’t control if a business cuts back its marketing budget or Wall Street tanks. But you can control what you spend. A budget can help you understand where your money is flowing and is the best picture into your economic health. Create one yearly; look at it monthly; revise it if necessary. A “Grub first, then ethics” mentality is shortsighted. If you abandon your professionalism by entertaining spec work, or by severely undercutting your competition, it will come back to bite you. The health of the economy is not your fault. If your business is not doing as well as you would like, it won’t do any good to beat yourself up about it. There is less work and more competition for accounts and projects. And jobs are often cancelled right after they are awarded! That’s the definition of a recession. Just remember that you are going through tough times due to external circumstances out of your control— not because you are a bad designer or a bad person. To read the comments of the other luminaries: http://www.designsalaries.org/advice.shtml

We are excited to announce the recent addition of Teddi Alyce Segal as Vice President of Business Development. In her new role, Teddi will build new business opportunities while publicizing the agency’s accomplishments. “I was drawn to Grafik because of the firm’s unique personality,” says Segal. “With senior players on every account, sound strategic marketing coupled with top notch design, and a wonderful corporate culture, Grafik enticed me to make the move from Miami to the DC Area.” Managing Director, Lance Wain, believes that this is the first of many steps in Grafik’s growth plans. “We are well-known and highly-regarded in this market, and we’ve always recognized the importance of evolution. The current economy, the political climate and the changing marketing landscape mandates more focus than ever. Creating a dedicated new business department demonstrates our commitment to another 30 years of prosperity.” Before joining Grafik, Teddi consulted for many Miami and Fort Lauderdale-based ad agencies, most recently Zimmerman and Partners Advertising. She held the position of Vice President of Business Development for HDC, a Fort Lauderdale-based shop that was acquired by Zimmerman in 2003. Her career started on the agency side with Hispanic shop CreatAbility where she headed up business development and public relations.

Grafik is pleased to announce that we recently received three awards in the American Corporate Identity Call for Entry Competition for our work on the GHT Tenant Interiors brochure, the Volunteers of America 2006 annual report and the Convergent Wealth Advisors brochure. The American Corporate Identity Competition is a highly respected showcase for the top corporate identities in the United States. An annual design competition, with a corresponding book highlighting the competition winners, American Corporate Identity continues its twenty-four-year legacy as a mainstay for designers who want to keep current with contemporary American design and corporate identity.

The winners of the 2007 Addy Awards have been chosen, and Grafik is pleased to announce that the judges have recognized our work on the Volunteers of America 2006 annual report and the Convergent Wealth Advisors brochure. With over 841 entries from 75 entrants, including agencies, design and public relations firms, illustrators, photographers, printers and media outlets, we are honored that our work has been highlighted in such a wide spread competition.

Grafik is pleased to announce that we recently received four awards from the Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington’s 58th Annual Show for our work on the Smithsonian Latino Center brand identity, the GHT Tenant Interiors brochure and the ADCMW 57th Annual Show gala invitation and poster. In addition, the Creativity Annual Awards has recognized Grafik’s work for the following initiatives: Volunteers of America annual report, GHT Tenant Interiors brochure, EYA Centerpointe sales package, Convergent Wealth Advisors identity campaign and the Smithsonian Latino Center brand identity.

The Winners of the 2007 W3 Awards have been declared by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, and Grafik is pleased to announce that we have received the Silver Award for grafik.com. Receiving over 2,700 entries, The W3 Awards honors outstanding Websites, Web Marketing and Web Video created by some of the best interactive agencies, designers and creators worldwide.

Grafik is pleased to announce that we have two new additions to our Interactive team at Grafik: Ludwig Jablonski as the new Art Director of Interactive Services; and Greg Appler as the new Vice President of Interactive Services. Ludwig comes to Grafik with a wide range of interactive programming and design experience, including work with website development, branding and art direction. Ludwig has worked with several prominent clients such as Pratt & Whitney, the Washington Times, Mid-Atlantic Builders, Beam Global and the Taurus Enterprise Group. Ludwig received his B.A. in Graphic Design at Academies des Beaux Arts in Brussels, Belgium. Greg is a veteran interactive marketing and communications professional with experience in strategic online business consulting, client-services and operations. In the past, Greg has worked for some of the nation’s top online communications agencies including Magnet Interactive, Y&R’s Brand Dialogue, and Proxicom. His client list includes globally recognizable names such as Nissan/Infiniti, Bacardi Global Brands, Lincoln/Mercury and Adobe. Greg received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland.

Grafik is pleased to announce that the Rolyn Website is now live. Grafik has been working with Rolyn, a disaster recovery and restoration specialty construction company, since September 2006 on a full-scale branding initiative. Since its inception, Rolyn has provided dependable, full-service restorative and specialty services to public and private facilities, including hospitals, hotels, office buildings, and apartment buildings nationwide. In addition to the website, Grafik has been working with Rolyn on a variety of marketing initiatives, including the development of its visual identity, logo, vehicle signage, and business paper suite, to name a few.

We are excited to announce that Lance Wain has been named a principal of the firm effective July 15, 2007. “The Grafik executive team welcomes Lance,” said CEO, Judy Kirpich. “His energy, focus and contributions to the firm have made him an ideal candidate and we know he will be instrumental to Grafik’s continuing success and growth.” Lance joined Grafik in 2001 as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development and has been a steady force in the company ever since. David Collins, principal in charge of interactive services commented, “Since Lance started, he's been a catalyst for growth and change – pushing our interactive offerings and extending the firm’s geographic reach. His strength in building strategic partnerships and his ability to choose the right opportunities has helped Grafik gain increased visibility in this important sector. I value his insight and enthusiasm.” Grafik’s principal in charge of creative services, Gregg Glaviano, added “I’ve worked side by side with Lance on our executive management team and it's clear to me that Lance is determined to help us realize our full potential. He's driven and tenacious and I really appreciate that he challenges us. At the same time, I've been impressed by his efforts to make sure that each member of our staff has a voice at the table. He helped form Grafik's executive management team and has led the group since its inception.” Lance will continue in his role as Vice President/Principal in charge of our business development and account services groups.