Why Designers Deserve Margarita Fridays!

Friday...the single most celebrated day of the week!
To honor it, Menagerie just added a new member to the crew... Señor Margaritaville and he concocts the most delectable and decadent slushies this side of the Mexican border. To all you designers who made it through another week, we salute you with the Top Ten reasons you deserve one too!

1. Just finished designing, proofing and editing a 180-page book.
2. Found out your work is going to be published.
3. Interns are graduating.
4. Take a break from drinking coffee.
5. Margarita goggles help better manage multiple projects.
6. Stop thinking about kerning, rivers, widows, and tangencies and start thinking PMS 376.
7. The right brain is about to go on strike.
8. Two days and 167 comps later the client approves comp 1.
9. The Creative Director just announced everyone is working Saturday.
10. Do designers really need a reason?

Got another reason? We want to here yours!

Cel-e-brate Big Time...Come on!!!!

It’s another BIG year for Menagerie and CSUF Entertainment Design students in the 39th Annual Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards!

I’m pleased to announce that two of our most outstanding package designs – The Paul Newman Tribute Collection and Night At the Museum/Monkey Mischief Gift Set each received nominations in their respective packaging categories.

And, as if this mama hen couldn’t be more proud, 7 budding artists from my CSUF Entertainment graphics class received nominations in the Student Poster category. We then went on to win a clean trifecta of third, second and first places in the poster category. In the trailer category, Christian Hill’s AV students received 6 out of 9 nominations then walked home with both second and third place honors.

This year is the SECOND time that Entertainment Design Print students have taken the top 3 spots (last time was in 2008). CSUF has become by far the uncontested, highest winning school in the nation with the most student distinctions in this competition.

For a complete listing of all Hollywood Reporter Key Art Award nominees visit Key Art Awards Nominees

What a fantastic week and it’s only Tuesday!

Darth Vader will now direct you to your destination!

For those Star Wars Fans who don’t already know, you can now have Darth Vader give you turn by turn navigation via Tom Tom. Seriously, did someone out there read my mind one day? This has got to be one of the most brilliant cobranding efforts I have every seen...or heard. And yes, duh, I must have it.

Thank you istock users!

A special thank you to all our istock fans for their continued support as today we hit our 1000 download milestone.

If you’re looking for graphic styled explosions, transportation graphics, entertainment related photography or the ubiquitous red bow please feel free to visit us at our istock portfolio.

THE STAR WARS AUCTION IS HERE!

May the 4th Be With You!

Yes, it’s finally here. That day that comes once a year when we watch the Star Wars Saga unfold from the unbelievable talents of a young boy to the redemption of a father, practice our lightsaber duals and snack on Wookie Cookies.

Here at Menagerie, we are also celebrating in another way. Exactly one month ago, each of our creative forces was tasked to create a Star Wars inspired product that simply could not be purchased in a store. To further challenge the artists, they could only use recycled or reclaimed materials – nothing could be purchased from the traditional retail environment. It was swap meets, antique stores and Watto’s Shop only for this crew.

Finally, and most importantly, each artistic expression comes from the desire to simply share our love of these films while giving back to our local community. By creating a treasured item today out of what may have become landfill tomorrow, we hope to inspire others to do the same.
All proceeds from the sales of these auctions will benefit CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County).

So, what are you waiting for? The higher the bid, the stronger the force!

01 Darth Vader Doorknob

02 Bounty Hunter Cloak Rack

03 R2D2 Air Freshener

04 C-3P0 Desk Clock

05 Stormtrooper Earrings

06 Snowtrooper Keyring

07 Sandcrawler Storage Box

08 Darth Vader Picture Frame

09 Dark Side Fishing Lure Kit

10 Light Side/Dark Side Switch Plate Covers