Had a great presentation Tuesday at Kean University, about 45 minutes out of Newark, in Union NJ. They had a brunch for the students, and there were a bunch of them (how’s that for an almost-pun?)… all of them planning to go into the visual arts, and some ready to make plans to head toward graduate school. An extremely bright, enthusiastic group, so it was a real pleasure to visit with them.

The head of the department, Rose Gonnella, was there, as was Professor Robin Landa, author of 9 books on creativity, branding, design and advertising. I want to thank …more

The noted designer Leo Lionni once remarked, “As a designer my values are absolute, to be found and satisfied only deep within myself – where I search for my most naked integrity and where, as a result, I stand mostly alone. As a designer I perform for an audience, I exercise showmanship, I demand attention.”

Here, Portfolio Center students are examining the contemporary historic perspective of a designer’s role, what their values and influences can be about, through their own sense of theater. It is about celebrating the idea …more

I’ve been back for over a week, and I’m still beat from my two-and-a-half days in Kansas City, where they rolled out the red carpet treatment—nonstop. It was an exciting, enlightening, and entertaining trip, and quite nutritious—for the relationship between Hallmark and Portfolio Center. You know, we have at least 20 alumni designers, illustrators, and art directors employed by Hallmark, and new opportunities are in the works for writers and photographers.

Here’s how it all went down: Scott and Greg, two heads of product areas, met me on arrival and took me to the Capital Grille for dinner. I usually …more

Recently I was going through two years’ worth of projects in preparation of putting a final portfolio together. I felt something every grad student probably feels after looking at the tangible results of their Portfolio Center experience: I’m so glad I came here.

It was a risk. Like many, I didn’t know a soul in Atlanta before coming here (although I considered Wolf Blitzer my personal friend regardless). I had just gotten out of the lowest low of my life: a depressing inner-city teaching job that made Dangerous Minds look like Saved By The Bell (first season, Hayley Mills style). But …more

Hank leaves tomorrow for Kansas City, where he’ll be one of the jurors (along with Margo Chase and Michael Hodgson) for KC’s AIGA A2 Design Competition.

Doubtless, he’ll be renting a bike while he’s in town. Consider yourselves warned.