Work at ICON

Hello everyone! I just finished my second week at Icon and things are going well so far. It definitely feels good to be working in design again and to be using my skills/ learning tons of new ones. The work pace is really fast and that forces me to learn quickly and to not second guess my design decisions. This week I worked on designing a format and spreads for the University of St. Gallen's Executive School Annual Report. Normally, the work that Icon does, is designed using strict style guidelines that the client has prepared for the Graphic Designers and Marketing team. In this particular project, the client wanted to stray away from the established grid system and try something different. Because of this, we were given more freedom to set up our own grid and come up with the concepts for how the information would be presented. I was glad to have been a part of this process, as I was forced to learn tons of new tricks and tools to knock out multiple spreads in order for them to be sent out and recieved back for feedback. I learn so much even from sitting down and listening to Jon and Lori (my bosses and owners of ICON) give us feedback on what absolutely doesnt work and what is successful etc. Their design perspective comes from an impressive background working in top marketing and corporate agencies. I not only find what they say interesting, I am beginning to see a different side to design than I've never seen/used before. More on that when I figure it out...haha. There are definitely a lot of things I need to learn, and I still feel a bit slow at certain things but I know that with the amount of work I will be doing, I am bound to improve and get faster.

Tomorrow Kat, Valerie (two of the other interns) and I are taking the train to Lucerne and then continuing on to Geneva! We will spend tomorrow night in Geneva with one of Valerie's family friends. Sunday we will explore the city and then head home for work on Monday. Im excited to take my first Swiss trip! I'll be back with photos and stories later!
Have a great weekend!
-E

An Icon Valentines Day

For Valentines Day us gals made an ICONic brunch.

Piano Heaven

My new German friend, Dustin, brought me to a music store in St. Gallen called MusikHug. As we walked to the back room, he said "and now you enter heaven". We floated into a quiet room with all kinds of pianos. Me and my giddy self started to gallop around to touch all of them. THEN, we took an elevator to the third floor where this video takes place. If that was heaven, this floor was Heaven's sage old Father. I was wondering before coming to Switzerland, where I would find my music outlet here. I think Ive found it. I cant wait to go back and play more. Listen to Dustin play!

Appenzell Run

Bianca and I kicked ourselves into gear today, after an ungodly late night out in St. Gallen and we ran to Appenzell and back--which ended up being about 10 miles...although it probably would only be 6 if we knew where we were going. woops. Oh well, really good run and great pictures to show you. Enjoy!

Elephant EP by Billy Dodge

ELEPHANT, BILLY DODGE

Please check out my friend Billy Dodge who just came out with his new EP "Elephant"! Billy's tunes makes me so nostalgic, and I love his poetic and narrative lyrics. I was honored to have recorded the backup vocals with him for his song "Illusory", which is a beautiful tune. I hope you enjoy him and follow him as he continues to produce amazing music.

-E

Accidental treasure

In the midst of a stressful day at work, I went to start some research and accidentally stumbled upon this which causes me to stop. and re-asess my outlook.

Desiderata


Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

The Morning Runs

Take a look at my route!

My very first Swiss Chocolate Bar. omg. Denner is the market across the street. a little pricey, but they have everything you need, including cheap wine and all the chocolate you could ever imagine. The girls that work there are super nice and Im forcing myself to practice my German on them...even when they look really confused, I just keep going. Can't wait for a breakthrough then maybe I can actually have a conversation with them.

My new room in The Faulken.

Gais, my new home

I have arrived safe and sound to my new home! Bianca picked me up at he train station and showed me back to our home The Faulken in Gais. This town is absolutely picturesque and beautiful. Its been snowing hard ever since I arrived and the town is covered. (this is the most snow theyve had in a month since Bianca arrived). I brought me bags into my room, which looks out over a church, and I have a perfect view of it from my window. Its bells ring at times throughout the day and its always a lovely sound. With 9 franks I bout some pasta, an orange, apples, pita and some tomato sauce. I took a good 6 hour nap and got up, strapped on my boots and took a walk through town. It was getting dark and I could see families sitting down to eat dinner through their lit windows. There are all of these winding roads that take you every which way through the village. Everywhere I look there is another rising peak and flickering house lights. I strayed off to a path that took me to a farm and a big field. Two white rabbits were hopping around in the snow and I stopped to watch them for a while- they weren't afraid, as if putting on a show for me. There are little cheese shops and candle stores tucked into the sides of streets and I cant wait until daylight to explore this area some more. I arrived back to the Faulken and in front in the center of the village there were three ice sculptors chipping a way at a huge block of ice. One man spoke broken English and told me that they are sculpting two wheels? He said it was a recreation of an image found on a vase of grandmother's .I couldnt quite understand, but tomorrow I guess I will find out if they have completed their masterpiece.
I met the other interns and I am anxious to experience for myself what they tell me about. Now I will get some sleep and get up early to explore some more. I have the weekend to settle and than I start work on Monday!

Love from Gais,
Eleanor

Things I learn on a plane

Within 5 seconds of boarding my plane to Zurich, I found a man already passed out with a ziplock bag full of oatmeal cookies falling over his lap. My new travel sedative: lots of cookies.

As if someone's going to shove that back into their seat pocket.

Bon Voyage!

Off to Switzerland!! Wish me luck as I begin this new adventure!

Bon Voyage!
Eleanor

The Tasties at Plough & Stars 1/19/2012

Had a great show last night at the Plough! Such a good turn out with lots of friends! Thanks all who came to support us, we had soo much fun! This was our second time performing at the Plough and our last show before I leave for Switzerland for 3 months! Once again, the cozy and intimate setting at Plough provided a perfect venue for our soulful set. Peter and Bryan rocked it on drums and guitar and I played keys and sang. Go to the right column to see a video from last night of my song "Plateau" and the John Prine song "Angel from Montgomery". Keep following my blog for updates during my time in Switzerland. Also follow The Tasties and more of my music on reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/eleanorkaufmanandthetasties. I'll be adding some more recordings soon! I hope to keep writing while in Switzerland and maybe can find a cheap keyboard at a pawn shop or something. Or maybe I'll just take up a small, transportable instrument like the harmonica. Until next time, Auf Wiedersehen!

In Memory of Kip Weeks

I would like to send my love to the Weeks family. A good friend of mine, Meg, lost her father, Kip, this past week to a three-year battle with brain cancer. Today I attended the funeral in Keene. It was a beautiful service. A family friend delivered the eulogy, which was so thoughtful, tasteful, and funny ...so Kip. Although Meg and her family are so strong, to lose your father is an incredible loss, and I send my deepest blessing and all of my love to Meg, Sam, Chris and her whole family.

With love,
Eleanor

holiday snapshot

Happy Holidays everyone! And a very happy New Year! I was able to get home this year for Christmas and the last couple nights of Hanukkah. I hope you were all safe and able to spend time with your loved ones. Here are some snapshots of how I spent my holidays this year- snapshots include: Christmas cookies from scratch, Alex and his baby Simon, Roots concert with Isaac, Jameson, Mom's ruggies, cranberry chutney, etc
Love,
El

Deck the Halls!

This year I decided to try online printing. I used overnightprints.com and uploaded my designs quickly and easily. I spent $30.00 for 200 cards (100 Chanukkah and 100 Christmas)! Definitely the way to go for a fun holiday send-out! Also, made latkes from scratch this year...they were delish! Eric and I enjoyed them while we lit candles and sang Matzor. Latke fact #1: MAKE THEM FLOAT. (and mix the applesauce with sour cream)