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Let’s pause for a moment for something we rarely think about, the BARCODE. Yes, the barcode turns 35 today, and it’s actually a pretty important invention.

A design that is pretty straightforward… 59 black and white bars— changed the speed of check-out forever. The first barcode was on a pack of Juicy Fruit gum and scanned in an Ohio grocery store. Now, we see barcodes on everything… your airline ticket, inventory lists, or even digital postage.

George Laurer, an engineer from IBM invented the barcode. Designs such as circles were also considered before the “Universal Product Code (UPC)” was accepted as standard— 30 black and 29 white lines to convey 95 bits of data in binary code.

Maybe there is a lesson to be learned from the barcode— simple and utilitarian designs can change the world.

Dress for Success Seattle has launched a new volunteer branch called, YES! Young Executives for Success.

YES! is geared toward young professional women, and offers a fresh new approach to networking and fundraising in Seattle. It is where business and philanthropy come to meet and mingle through exciting events that “raise the fun” while “raising funds” for the organization.

Immix Design has had the opportunity to participate in a few of the YES! events over the past few months. As a participant and firm looking to network we established a great connection with this organization and have offered our design services in the form of a new logo. Immix design is excited to extend our services for free to this wonderful establishment. Here are a few of the initial logo ideas:

YES! Young Executives for Success

Today, I received my acceptance letter to the University of Washington Executive Development program, in which 40 (or so) students get accepted to per year!

I am absolutely thrilled about this program, in which I will have the opportunity to learn from the top MBA professors in the Foster School of Business along with other executives and small business owners. The program is 9 months long and focuses on strategic thinking, leadership development, core management functions, practical tools to improve business performance and current issues facing businesses today. 

Now, I just have to wait until September for it to start!

The London Theater presents a wide array of musicals and plays from Hairspray to Shakespeare. I recently had the opportunity to see Sunset Boulevard a 16 year running musical masterpiece. Starring Joe Gillis, a screenwriter who is down on his luck and Norma Desmond, a faded movie star who draws Gillis into her fantasy world in which she dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen. This production exemplifies the art of drama, comedy and demonstrates an exquisite arrangement of music. The actors master the gift of both acting and musical instrument.

As a designer I enjoy taking part in other forms of art and creativity. Often times the creative realms blend together and inspire new and innovative ideas. The theater provides artistic originality and an opportunity to express an opinion or image.  Graphic design possess similar aspirations in both print design and web design.