Editor's Note
And so they said...

For the whole five intense months and being half a globe away battling the differences in time and date, TAXI Design Network have put our heart and soul to expand the coverage of the international event, Icograda Design Week in Seattle, not solely as their Major Media Partner but also as a design advocate.

Sitting in the auditorium of Meany Hall hearing the bon ton and reputable designers speak during the Over the Fence Seminar and International Conference, the power of design was resonated; further pronouncing the act and responsibility of it to the world and mankind. Some speakers disappoint with their drone and text-heavy slides, predictable content, and some… were self-promoting.

But some are deeper than what Aesthetic shows and spells, kinder than the ergonomic chairs that were built, more spiritual than the architects who helped the town of New Orleans… We witnessed social responsibility by design spoken in convicted diction, recognition freshly interpreted by the students and the relentless support from the fellow official supporters for Icograda… It is really motivating to see such bombing energy in this industry. although do wish to see more attendance and turn-ups.

Our thanks go out to our Canada Event Collaborators. Any amount of bottles of champagne and wine can never explain our heartiest gratitude.

And to all the people we have shook hands with, shared laughter and opinions with, and especially to all those who made this happen… cheers!

Talk Soon,

Bianca Zen







Lisa Larsen
Technical Recruiter
Aquent
Icograda Design Week in Seattle’s Exhibiting Sponsor
“I am very happy to be here and it was fun to sit next to Microsoft and play Xbox 360 and to be able to see a sneak preview of Visra. The attendees seem open though it is too bad that more attendees could not come as I heard that the speakers are good.”


Kathleen Ryee
Business Development West Region
Sappi
Icograda Design Week in Seattle’s Major Sponsor
“Terrific conference! It was nice meeting individuals who share similar interests in a learning venue. I will help promote Icograda within Sappi, North America, for further support and attendance.”


Vesna Patrovic
Committee Chair, Everyday Design: Great Finds from Around the World
Picnic Design
AIGA Center for Cross-Cultural Design
“I really enjoyed most of the speakers that I listened to. Some of them were very inspirational for me. It was great to see and hear in person other designers from other countries talking about their problems and successes. Political and economical issues that they have to deal with. I wish more people from abroad will come for the next Icograda Design Week.”


Andrea Marks
Assistant Professor
Graphic Design Program, Oregon State University
“Meeting all the people from so many countries was inspiring, in particular, working with the students was great. Thanks!”


Sara Little Turnbull
Director
Process if Change, Innovation, and Design Laboratory Stanford Graduate Scholl of Business (United States)
Icograda Design Week in Seattle Special Guest who received The Icograda Achievement Award
“It is essentially important and very meaningful that Icograda has merged with AIGA. This combination creates a third strength that is very important.”


Allison Bloss
Designer
KBDA
“Very inspiring! Need time to digest and discover how this new knowledge will affect the way I design.”


Agelia Borges
Director
Meseu da casa Brasileira
Icograda Design Network’s International Conference’s Speaker
“I find all this event very inspiring. What I do like most is the possibility of hearing from people from different parts of the world, with different point of views. We only can respect the cultures we know, so this opportunity of knowing often cultures from the design perspective is great!”


Lindsay Smith
Logistics Coordinator
Icograda Design Week in Seattle
“I have been so involved, I don’t know what to say! From an organizer’s perspective, I have met some great people and encountered some inspiring minds.”


Maurice Woods
Designer
Achana
Icograda Design Network’s Student Workshop Leaders
“Icograda Design Week in Seattle has been a great way for cross cultures to connect and talk about relevant issues that affect lives. It was exciting to be a part of this conference and to witness what other designers are doing with design to try to make our world a better place.”


Christopher Liechty
President of Meyer & Liechty
President of AIGA Center for Cross-Cultural Design
Meyer & Liechty Inc.
AIGA Center for Cross-Cultural Design
“Carpe Diem! Seize the day! There is a great opportunity for designers and as an industry, we need to take advantage of it. Business and organizations have needs. They need help. They need help connecting with customer who now hold the power in the relationship. They need help with cross-cultural communication. Designers are the ones to do it. We know how to listen to customers. We know how to observe. Then we know how to transform that information into visionary programs that can guide companies throw the chaos of the brand universe.”


Leanne Rolling
Event Volunteer
Meany Hall, University of Washington
“The Icograda Conference has been a great combination of the aesthetic and its effect on the modern culture – A mix of The Modern with The Unchanging. Very well-organized and pleasant for all of those interacting.”


Larry Richard
Common Ground
“Creativity… Collaboration… Connection… These are essential components of a gathering like this, and all were present here in the last few days. I have come to better know respect many talented designers from my time here at the Icograda conference. What’s really valuable beyond these relationships, has been the re-enforced message of our flattening world… People of disparate cultures using the tools they know best – DESIGN – to better understand each other and communicate more clearly.”


Fatima Markar
IdN
It is a good starting point for students and I do not understand or know the knowledge whether management wishes to project this. There is certainly a lack of professional people as attendees. Maybe this conference is not tailored for them. Or is it? I am not sure. But the last day’s session rocks! Chris rocks!”


Saki Mafundikwa
Founder and Director
Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts (ZIVA)
The conference was a success, I think, but I wished there were more people attending. The quality of speakers made up for that though. I found the speakers engaging and passionate. These seemed to be a discount though, with some members of the audience over the whole “design for “causes” versus design for profiting. I think it is an issue that is very difficult to resolve. A well-executed conference all in all.”


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Photography taken at Icograda Design Week in Seattle can be viewed at TAXI Design Network's Travel Album.
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TAXI Design Network is proud to be the Major Media Partner for this inaugural international design event.


© 2006 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.