I was pleased to come home with two Bronze trophies from the AIGA Work Show X last weekend. One was for my VVBF signs and the other was for the Pearls of Honor Trailer Wrap.

Bronze doesn't seem like a big deal until you understand just how difficult this show is to place in at all. It is judged on the same exacting criteria as a national awards competition and there are usually less than 10 Golds in any given year. This one was no different with only 7 being awarded. In order to place at all, you have make it past the first in/out round and garner at least 3 (of 9 possible) votes in the second round.

This year's judges are "rock stars" of the design community. Joe Duffy is a well-known creative and AIGA Medalist. Lynda Weinman is THE LYNDA from lynda.com, the popular online training site and everyone knows the Walt Disney company, where Patricia Hallenbeck is the Director of Strategic Sourcing and Print Services. It's not easy to impress people at that level of achievement.

Congrats as well to all my friends in the community who won awards. There was a great showing from students this year in addition to some new faces in the professional categories.

Of course an evening like this calls for an unforgettable outfit. If you recall from a few days ago, there's my Santa Rosa Necklace from Santiam Designs and my opal earrings from Whirling Rainbow. They were the perfect compliment to this smashing dress that was... get ready... $18.99 at Ross Dress for Less! The purse was $16.99 at Target and I already had the shoes. The manicure was $7 and the fresh color on my hair was $12. So for about $60, I got more compliments than I could count. Who says a recession has to kill fashion?

Dana (owner of the Pearls of Honor Trailer) came with me to the show and brought his camera (these pics are all his). I was really relieved that we won an award for his work and he was overjoyed. As soon as I got back to our seats with the trophy, he was taking pictures - in the dark no less! He polished it under the warming lamp for the meatloaf for heaven's sakes! He took so many pictures one of my friends asked me if I had brought my own paparazzi!
Since the Show was held at the Fifth Street School where my friend Richard has his office, it was kinda like a great, casual party at your friend's house. The entire show team did a stunning job producing one of the chapter's best Shows ever — on what was about 1/4 of the "normal" budget for this event. The turn out was wonderful and the venue was perfection! It was also a huge joy for me to have Richard there to see his VVBF signs win as well. See how happy he was?

I think it is important for client's to see that your peers also feel the work you do is of value. It sure helps in price negotiations!