Welcome to Bill Gaylord BAR ‘77 and Kyle Gaffney BAR ‘90, who have agreed to take on leadership of the Seattle Alumni Club.

Here’s a photo of Bill:

And here’s a photo of Kyle:

Bill and Kyle are full of ideas for new events and activities for alumni, and welcome your input as well. You can contact Bill at BGaylord*AT*GGLO.com and Kyle at kgaffney*AT*skbarchitects.com. Get involved!

If alum Scott Mednick (GD 78) is RISD’s Thor, then Seth MacFarlane (FAV 95) is RISD’s Superman and Shepard Fairey (IL 92) is RISD’s Batman. Seth is the whimsically brilliant creator of the popular TV series Family Guy which has many subtle RISD tie-ins; Shepard is the creator of the eponymous Obey Giant brand that placed propaganda art on the contemporary map.

I sat with RISD alum Scott Mednick (GD ‘78) while in Los Angeles last week and became completely inspired by his personal story of development from starting as a RISD student that later connected creativity with the commercial world on his very own terms. Scott has been involved with iconic films like Jerry Maguire and Dirty Dancing, and has executive produced the uniquely beautiful 300 among many other exciting new films. Coincidentally Scott and I were in the same series of covers for UCLA Extension School.

During my conversation with Scott, I scribbled down something he said that struck me profoundly, “Don’t look for someone else’s ending in life.” Scott’s point was that you should be free and open to find your own path in life instead of sticking yourself into a pre-recorded destiny. Find your own path — I believe this is the RISD way.

Now there’s another reason to get to the movies this summer: Michael Riley ‘91 GD and his company Shine were selected by Dreamworks Animations to design and produce the main title sequence for Kung Fu Panda, an animated feature in theaters now about a lazy panda who dreams of becoming a Kung Fu Warrior. Take the kids, take a friend, have some popcorn, enjoy. RISD is everywhere!

Watch for Aaron Tang ‘02 ID on the second season of Everyday Edisons, a PBS program featuring new inventions and the stories of the people who invented them. The 14 inventors, selected from thousands of entries, share the evolution of their extraordinary ideas, which began for Aaron at RISD in 1999 with his first sketch of the Anemone Clock. As Aaron describes on his blog, designverb, “The Anemone Clock is designed to rumble, tremble, and literally bounce away from your beside when the alarm sounds forcing any sleeping beauty out of bed to wrestle it down, pick it up, get shaken awake, and finally turning it off. This clock will definitely wake you up through its engaging use of sound, interaction, movement, light, and fun.”

Looks like it’s the end of the snooze button for me - I can’t wait to buy one! To find out when Everyday Edisons is showing in your area, click here.

For all you digital RISD folks out there: Rick Shnitzler BAR ‘66 phoned me yesterday to tell me about an exciting project Brian DeCubellis is producing for MTV. Called MTV Engine Room, this new program will feature teams of digital artists (at least 18 years of age) from around the globe to compete in a series of creative challenges utilizing HP computers. The team will compete in groups of 4 participants each for prizes by creating animations, websites, short films, sound mixes and more in the “Engine Room”. MTV will cover incidental expenses (including flight and hotel) for those selected to participate in the “Engine Room” show. The winning team will get $400,000USD in cash and HP gear to be divided equally among the 4 teammates. Go to their website for more information about the competition. The deadline for entries is coming up FAST so don’t delay. Go RISD!

I’m watching the mail for my latest order from Amazon. Just in time for summer, I’m looking forward to making some frozen treats, with recipes culled from the pages of POPS! Icy Treats for Everyone by Krystina Castella BFA ‘89 ID. This is Krystina’s third publication, following Crazy About Cupcakes and Discovering Nature’s Alphabet, both published in 2006.

POPS! features sophisticated “cocktail” pops like the Sweet Martini Pop, healthy energy pops like Green Apple + Pear, tea + coffee pops and much more. Krystina creates all her own recipes, considering flavor, form and pattern as part of the process.

It won’t be an easy choice, but I think I’ll be making the Napoleon Malt Pop first. Yum!

Alumni Council members assisted again this year with Commencement, but it was only one of the activities members participated in this past weekend. After a luncheon with Alumni Award recipient Walter Lorraine ‘52 Advertising Design, Council members heard from President John Maeda, participated in a business meeting, winding down the day with dinner together and a visit to the Graduate Thesis Exhibition. Sunday morning began with a breakfast and farewell celebration with Roger and Gayle Mandle, then launched into by-laws review, membership approval, and a lively discussion about how to increase alumni participation and foster connectivity among alumni of all ages. Click here for a comprehensive read of the minutes. Interested in finding out ways you can participate? Call or email Christina Hartley at chartley@risd.edu or 401.454.6794.

Alan Tracy, Event Coordinator in Career Services, is busy this week handing out caps and gowns to graduating students, and collecting updated information from these soon-to-be new alumni. 

They are also provided with information about the on-going services available to alumni from Career Services, including Artworks, a searchable database with job postings, internships, residencies and more.  This service is available to all alumni, not just those graduating this year.  Register in the on-line directory for access.

I spent part of the day walking around campus snapping photos with Aaron Meshon ‘95 IL, who was in town to discuss a possible mapping project for my office.  Aaron’s work is fanciful and whimsical, full of color and activity.  His work has been recognized in a several illustration annuals and juried awards including; Graphics, Society of Illustrators, RSVP, 3×3, AltPick, and American Illustration 23, 24, and 25. Our lunch was filled with reminiscences of his years at RISD  - rollerblading on Benefit Street, wintersession in New Zealand with Franz Werner, lots of hard work,  and the inspiration he found from faculty and classmates.