On Sunday, July 17, 1955, invited guests arrived, and 90 million people watched via a live television broadcast. The day is still known in Disney lore as “Black Sunday,” and for good reason, as a guest list of 15,000 swelled to almost 30,000 attendees.

AMONG THE MANY MISHAPS:
+ Local police dubbed the seven-mile freeway backup the worst mess they had ever seen.
+ Rides and attractions broke down under the onslaught of guests, opening and closing periodically to make way for television crews.
+ Fantasyland closed temporarily due to a gas leak.
+ Main Street’s freshly-poured asphalt softened in the heat. Women wearing high heels sometimes left a shoe behind, stuck in black goo.
+ Because of a plumber’s strike, both restrooms and drinking fountains could not be ready by opening day. Walt opted for restrooms, leaving visitors hot and thirsty.

So there you have it. With every new product, there will be hurdles to overcome. Believe me, we’ve had our share while creating our new website. With some patience and persistence we’ve managed to put any setbacks behind us, and have created an awesome website! I’m happy that our team at Phinney Bischoff share a common goal. Our new site allows us to be thinkers, learners and creators. It allows each of us to share our unique perspectives with the world. Take a look around and come back often, as it’s our hope that we can become a resource for great content, strategic thinking and great design. If you are inspired, we win.

Experience Phinney Bischoff!

PROJECT: Phinney Bischoff Website
CREATIVE DIRECTORS: Leslie Phinney, Nick Chapman
ART DIRECTOR: Cody Rasmussen
DEVELOPMENT: Nick Chapman, Darren Kovalchik, Michael Price
And, of course everyone in the firm!

The Sun Valley Summer Symphony 2012 Season has been announced. Check out the amazing schedule as well as this season’s new look that I designed with the Phinney Bischoff and SVSS teams.

A new website for Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo!

Phinney Bischoff recently completed a brand overhaul for the zoo… with new logo and various print materials complete, we changed our focus to creating a new digital experience. We worked closely with the zoo and their development firm and the end result is a fantastic website. We helped organize their content and developed the user-experience. Then, it was time to add the graphic approach and visual language. The website is intuitive, clean, and up-to-date with the evolution of the brand. My role was art direction and design.

Zoo Home Page Sample

Zoo Animals Page Sample

Zoo Mammals Page Sample

For what it’s worth here are some pics of my install… just wrapped it up tonight. I still have some concerns with the wiring (I tapped into my aux battery via cutting the plug that used to power the Fridge. Anyway… this took about 10 hours once I made the decision of where to put the dang thing. I couldn’t put it under my bench as that’s where my 2nd battery is located… and I didn’t really want the fridge… so, without changing any of the camper cabinetry outside appearance, I came up with this! I can’t wait to get out and stay warm!

This project incorporates a years worth (from age 4 to 5) of “girl” drawings by my daughter Sophia. Here are a few pics showing some of the process! Good old fashioned quality time, good fun and awesome art!

Earlier this summer I designed this cycling kit (jerseys and riding shorts) for a friend of mine. We ordered up a bunch and have been wearing them all around the PNW. If someone zips by you…at mach speeds, you can tell your friends that you’ve had an encounter with the Hand of Doom Race Team. Go Roger.

Hand of Doom Jersey Front

Hand of Doom Jersey Back

Hand of Doom Shorts Front

Hand of Doom Shorts Back

Just completed a new logo for SecondPrism.

My friend and fellow designer David Cole and I spent some time this summer re-juicing our creative energy in the mountains high above Whistler Village. Here’s a down and dirty video of some of the fun. With some luck, a little skill and lots of practice, we made it back safe and are now back at the office with a whole new outlook on the daily grind!

Time to break out of your silo and do something fantastic!

By Sophia: Age 5.