Mattson Creative

Boon Fly Cafe

Just got back from a great Thanksgiving weekend in Napa where we stayed at one my favorite hotels, The Carneros Inn.

One of the best things about the Carneros is the Boon Fly Cafe.

The brand identity for the cafe, as well as all the signage and wayfinding graphics at the hotel were created by Gensler.

The other thing we love about the Carneros Inn is that it is Jax-friendly.

Thanks, Pap

The day after I send out an enewsletter featuring my recent projects is always encouraging. The next morning I usually have about a dozen emails from friends and colleagues responding positively to the work I’ve shown. As a designer you never get tired of receiving affirmation in relation to the work you create, and I always appreciate when someone takes the time to respond to something I’ve done.

This last week I got an email from my former art director at the first creative agency I worked for. It was just a short, simple note complimenting my work and congratulating my success. But it meant the world to me, because as an intern at Perich + Partners in Ann Arbor, Michigan — John Pappas was the person I looked up to the most. His work was distinct, compelling and smart. Unlike many of my instructors up until that point, he was actually practicing professionally – creating relevant work for real clients. And the amazing thing about the summer I spent working there is that he gave me the time of day at all.

In between my junior and senior year in college at U of M, I was completely unqualified and totally inexperienced. But Pappas gave me a shot. As he was designing ads and annual reports and brand campaigns he went out of his way to include me. Not a man of many words – all he’d say was, “Hey Ty, I think I’ve got something for ya.” They were small tasks and I am 100% sure that nothing I did was ever seen by a client, but I approached each one like it was the most significant project I had ever worked on (which was true at that point). Looking back, I don’t even remember what the projects were, only that I was on the team. That summer I gained the priceless experience of having worked alongside talented, creative professionals. And it shaped the rest of my career.

So this weekend I am thankful. Thankful for John Pappas, and for all of the people that helped me become a designer. As much as I’d like to think that I create work as an individual, the reality is that there are hundreds of contributors to everything I will ever design. And I am thankful for each of them.

Thankful for

… my parents who encouraged and supported me.

… my teachers and instructors who invested in me.

… my former employers who created the space and the environments where I worked and learned.

… my co-workers and colleagues who inspired me and raised the bar on excellence.

… all of the other designers and creatives who produce inspiring work that challenges me to make mine better.

… my clients who have trusted me with their brands and given me the opportunity to collaborate and create.

… my amazing wife who tolerates the consistently-chaotic schedule of a spouse in a creative field of work.

In many ways this has been a challenging year – but it has also been one of the most incredible. In the last 12 months, I feel like I’ve done some of the best work in my career. But I never could have done it alone.

New Client: Discovery Communications

We are thrilled to add Discovery to our list of clients. Comprised of a 100-plus worldwide networks, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, Discovery Communications is the world’s number one nonfiction media company.

Mattson Creative in Communication Arts

Mattson Creative is honored to be featured in the Communication Arts 2009 Design Annual. My logo for the Counting Crows/Maroon5 tour was selected as an outstanding trademark by the juried competition.

CommArts is the leading journal in the field of visual communication and the design competition is the most respected in the industry. Out of 2,700 submissions only 200 entries were selected to appear in the annual. I’m proud to be one of them.

Maroon 5 Fall Tour Merch

Maroon 5 is currently on the road playing a limited number of shows at East Coast colleges. I designed new merch for their Fall tour. This design was my favorite. Check out and buy the new merch here.

New Work for Pocono Modern

Some new fun stuff for Pocono Modern this week. A simple, one-page catalog to promote the company’s new furniture line. They created these pieces from the extra materials after they built the Martindale home. Great example of reuse. Cool furniture.

Mattson Creative Recognized in Print’s Regional Design Annual

My logo for Counting Crows/Maroon 5 is featured in this year’s Print Regional Design Annual! 10 years ago I saw the annual for the first time – and it had a huge impact on me as a young designer. I remember pouring over each page of amazing work, thinking, “THIS is what I want to do!” So, it’s definitely an honor to be included in this year’s edition. Thanks, Print!