Creative Best 2010

I've worked on Creative Best twice before, first in 2001 and again in 2002. It took eight years for me to forget how much work goes into this event. CSCA is a 100% volunteer organization and creative directing Creative Best is no exception. Fortunately, I had a great team of people and several generous sponsors who came together to make it happen. From multimedia to print, signage, to laser-cut awards, this job dominated three months of my life. Looking back, it was worth every minute. I made some great friends, built a nice portfolio piece, and best of all, supported an organization that I love.

CSCA also celebrated its 40th year this year. Making it the oldest independent organization of its kind. So we decided to hop in the way-back machine and bring back some tools of the trade that were so crucial to creatives in the 70's and 80's. Many of which, I still use today.

Jeremy teamed up with the brilliant folks at Spacejunk Media to create these animations for the event. They ran throughout the presentation to introduce the categories as well as throughout the venue on large flat screen video arrays.

Jessica Hische, Mikey Burton and Peter Chan were our amazing judges for this year's event. Jessica chose my Post-a-Print: Vintage Cameras as her "Judges Choice." I was quite honored.

THE AWARDS. These laser cut trophies were designed from the vector-based illustrations used throughout the event. The acrylic was generously donated by Plaskolite. Laser cutting and etching by Laser Cutting Shapes. In order, from left to right, Best of Show, Judge's Choice, Best of Category and Award of Excellence.

THE BOOK. Every year, we produce a collectable book that features all of the winners. Hopkins Printing generously printed the book below cost. You can download the PDF here.

THE INVITATIONS. We sent these laser-engraved acrylic french curves to everyone on our mailing list. The result: a huge attendance for the event. The invites were cut and etched by Laser Cutting Shapes.

My beautiful wife, Becky helping me hold six of our seven awards. Without her, this event wouldn't have happened and I wouldn't have won any awards. She ended up with a lot of single-parenting evenings while I was out at planning meetings. She also takes care of many mundane tasks that allow me to be creative for my clients. She's the best.

Our awards were as follows: one "Judge's Choice," three "Best of Categories" (Identity, Illustration, and Campaign), two "Awards of Excellence" (Identity) and one Award of Merit (Photography). It was a good year.