SPOKANE, WASH., April 1, 2011 – In a stunning move announced late Thursday evening, Anderson Mraz Design revealed that it has merged with leading agricultural processor Archer Daniels Midland, finally bringing to a close a bitter legal fight over the rights to the letters A, D, and M.

Representatives from the Dallas Museum of Art and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, along with proponents of the doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction, hadn’t returned phone inquiries as of press time.

Patricia A. Woertz, president of  ADM, will  assume the role of senior creative director of the new company, as yet unnamed. “How hard can it be?” she asked. “I scrapbook on the weekends, so…”

AMD principal CK Anderson, who, according to witnesses, was last seen boarding a plane to South America with “a very large briefcase,” was unavailable for comment.

ADM shares opened at $36.68 Friday with news of the merger—up nearly 2 percent over Thursday’s close.

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

Even though it’s a bit, well…jarring to see Dostoevsky and Chaucer on the same list as Stephenie Meyer, it’s worth the discomfort just to witness Iain Hollingshead poke a finger in the eye of gasbags like James Joyce and Margaret Mitchell.

Best line? On Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time: “No, you haven’t read it either.”

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: the writing life  |  make a comment

On a recent photo shoot for one of our clients, I came across this message from a fourth grader. He was kind enough to pause for a brief moment so I could share it with all of you.

posted by: CK Anderson  |  category: random thoughts  |  comments(2)

For the most part, I remain indifferent about the mashup genre. But this—The Big Lebowski meets Quincy Jones—is, I have to admit, pretty sweet.

http://vimeo.com/21073409

From the always-worthwhile-but-too-infrequently-updated Bright Cloudy Day.

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  comments(2)

It’s official: as of 4:21 p.m. PDT yesterday, spring is here. Which means it’s time for a little Stravinsky.

From Esa-Pekka Salonen’s debut live recording at the Walt Disney Concert Hall—and his first recording as principal conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic—here’s the final movement from The Rite of Spring:

[audio:https://helveticka.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Danse-sacrale-LElue.mp3|titles=Danse sacrale (L’Elue)]

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

Turns out yesterday’s post about the sublime Low Country Blues is the last word‘s 200th. And we forgot to celebrate.

Think about that for a sec: 200 bits of wisdom from the finely tuned minds at AMD World Headquarters, regularly squirted into the ether for your edification and enjoyment. Seems to me we deserve an award or something.

But no—it’s all about you, the reader. (Seriously, there’s only one of you.) Which is why we remain committed to bringing you the latest in breaking news, vigorously defending sound writing practices, and offering insightful commentary on the latest developments in the world of graphic design.

Here’s to another 200 posts!

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

The logo for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London has created quite a stir. Turns out that, if you’re the Iranian government, the stylized numerals resemble the word “ZION,” which refers to Jerusalem and, by extension, Israel. And since Iran opposes Israel’s existence, they filed a protest, urging other Muslim nations to do the same.

The only thing that I might protest, however, is the fact that organizers reportedly spent $800,000 on the logo’s design development. In this tough economy, AMD would gladly have accepted the assignment for a mere $600,000.

posted by: CK Anderson  |  category: the design life  |  comments(2)

The Denver Post has published some remarkable photographs from the collection of John C. H. Grabill. Shown is one entitled “The Great Hostile Camp”—a Lakota camp on or near the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1891.

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment