Typography Instruction and Nearing Final Product

Excursion Day Then Power for an Hour

Despite Power Failure, Creativity Abounds in Santiago Atitlan´

After sharing their homework assignment with us -- layout of a tri-fold brochure for the client -- our very talented students worked individually to create several logo options for their client. Each one was thoughtful and took into account the needs expressed by the client. Much careful consideration was then given by each to vote on, and explain the merit of their top three choices. Two designs quickly rose to the top, with two additional options included for further development.







The late afternoon brought with it a return of electricity (a BIG overnight wind storm downed a tree taking out a few power lines, a tramsformer and our power). With a return of power, Lynn was able to begin teaching Adobe Illustrator, which the kids took to like ´white on rice.´ Tomorrow they will begin to transfer their designs into ¨Illustrator.¨ What fun!!

Off to a Good Start

Sunset behind Vulcan Antigua as seen from Parque Central.






Arriving a day or two early in Antigua afforded quaint scenes in this colorful town.


On Sunday we went to the restaurant Pres. Clinton ate at while in Santiago.


The whole team begins to come together at the restaurant. Lynn, Carmen, Jessica, Stephanie, Abdisa, and David


Werner, Carmen, and David in Parque Central in Antiqua



Jason and Werner share tunes on the long bus trip from Antigua to Santiago Atitlan.


All the students gather around a table to interview the client to determine her communication needs.


Holley, from Santiago Atitlan, listens as the client describes the target audience.


Stephanie, from Guatemala City, listens intently.


Lynn from Austin, Texas, walk through the streets of Santiago with Werner and David to visit the client's facility.


Holley, Joseffa, and Daisey.


Jason, Lynn, Joseffa, David, Holley, Daisey, Jessica, and Stephanie sit on the walk way in front of their client's library in Santiago Atitlan.

Bienvenidos!!!

Fotokids wishes you a very warm welcome!

We are very excited about this first workshop of Design4kids. There are 10 kids participating, 4 from Guatemala City and the other 6 from Santiago Atitlán. All are between 15 and 18 years old and have had some experience with PhotoShop. They are so looking forward to this.

I was quite impressed when I saw the profiles Jeff put up on this Blog! It should be a good group.

Some practical things; a cold front is moving in, so although 58 degrees at night doesn’t seem very nippy, it can be chilly in the evenings, so bring a sweater… and an umbrella or rain gear. The rainy season should be over, but not officially till mid November.

I am [going to be] posting some of the photography work of the kids participating. They were all chosen for either their sense of design or interest in learning computer graphics.

We will have two former Fotokids who are working with us at Fotokids and who speak English and can do some interpreting!

Nancy Morales age 26, who has just graduated from San Carlos University in graphic design but hasn’t had much exposure to Indesign and Illustrator. Nancy is currently designing a book for the United Nations on teen pregnancies. She won a scholarship to study with Jock Sturges at the Santa Fe Photography workshops and has been interested in nudes for the last 4 years.

Berlin Juarez will also join us. Berlin has worked as a still photographer for HBO’s Discovering Dominga, Hispanic Television Network and recently filming a trailer for the Hollywood production, Marimba Trade. He has been teaching Photoshop and design with us for the last 8 years. He is also 26. Both he and Nancy started with Fotokids in 1994 when they were 12-13 years old.

Marco Tulio, the taxi driver, will be outside the airport as you exit with a sign with your name on it. He has curly short black/gray hair and a moustache, slim, light complexion and wears penny loafers!

I’ve worked with Marco since my journalism days in 1985 when I first came to cover riots here. He is totally reliable. If however you find yourself stranded for any reason (which will not happen, but I have to add this) there are authorized taxis at the airport that can take you to Antigua for 225 Quetzales or so ($30).

Eric, Marco will not be waiting for you so just take an authorized taxi to Hotel Posada Belen, it’s only about a 15 minute ride that time of night.

There is a bank as you leave customs on the left hand side and an ATM machine I think. There are ATM’s in Antigua and Santiago. The exchange rate is Quetzal 7.5 to the dollar (more or less).

That’s about it! We’ll see you soon, and all join together for a good lunch at Calle de La Posada Real on 5th Avenida . My telephone number is 7832-8062 or my cell phone 5994-9993 then we will continue on to Santiago Atitlán!

Con Cariño,
nancy

Meet the Volunteers

JASON CAMPBELL

My name is Jason Campbell, and I am a designer currently working for Methodologie, Inc., a Seattle-based brand firm.

I left my home state of Utah at the age of 19. I have since lived and studied in Brazil, Cuba, Italy, Mexico, and Switzerland, and in 2007, I received a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design from the University of Washington.

My interests include music, art, design, movies, concerts, my family, close friends, COLORS magazine, Dolly Parton, Sigur Rós, international food, baby animals, nature shows, picnics, swimming, and anything that can make me smile.

I decided to participate in this program because I see it as an opportunity for me to deepen my education. I have taught classes on typography in the past and feel that my design and language skills will benefit those involved with the program.

Jason Campbell
jason.campbell@methodologie.com

LYNN CURRIE

Lynn Currie hails from Austin, Texas where she works in Hispanic Marketing.

As the third founder, Lynn completes the Mercury Mambo triumvirate. On the outside, Lynn seems like the quiet one, but her brain is processing faster than most microchips. She’s churning on how to go from vision to execution—with all the steps in between. Lynn loves all things geek and do-it-yourself-ish. If there’s a way to wire up something to run off of a computer or a remote, and instructions are on the Internet, she’ll be working on it. Don’t let that fool you, though. Lynn’ brings to the Mercury Mambo team an impressive range of marketing knowledge and experience in design and production. She’s virtually transformed client’s’ marketing goals into profitable solutions using print and web solutions. Lynn is really proud of the fact that, as an agency, Mercury Mambo attracts talented people—both as employees and clients.

Trip Expectations
This upcoming volunteer opportunity was of special interest to me because it will allow me to combine all of my passions - design, Latin American travel and working with young people. Earlier this year, my partners and I attended a event called "See Jane Give" which promoted active involvement in philanthropy. We made a commitment at the time to open ourselves up to new opportunities and new ways to give back to our community. I am excited about contributing my skills and knowledge as part of this larger team. I am fully committed to participate at whatever level is needed and look forward to making new friends along the way.

Lynn
lcurrie@mercurymambo.com

ERIC LOLKEMA

Hi, My name is Eric Lolkema, born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Married, no kids and live in a town some 20 miles outside of Amsterdam.
I am a professional photographer, with a main interest in topics of a human(itarian) kind.
Not being able to make my living with portraiture and wedding photography alone, a short while ago I accepted a job in a large housing organization in Amsterdam. This provides me with a main income, peace of mind and the means to travel to places like Santiago Atitlan. Which means I am a happy part time photographer now.

In the past few years I have joined three workshops with the Bridges to Understanding organization of American photographer Phil Borges. These were professional as well as personal highlights. The last workshop in Guatemala with the Fotokids organization was a mind blowing, superb and unforgettable experience. I think Nancy and her staff are doing a most remarkable job here and I am proud and honoured to be able to join again and offer them some of my time and skills.

Nancy, Werner, David, Jeff and of course all the people I haven’t met yet, I can hardly wait to meet (again)!!!

Eric
info@ericlolkema.com

CATHY SHEA

Hola! My name is Cathy Shea. I'm a marketing program manager for a Fortune 50 computer manufacturer. My entire 30-year career has spanned a variety of roles within this same company -- from business development to sales to marketing program management. In my current role, I work closely with ad agency creative teams to design online and print advertising to communicate our 'commercial storage' message in the marketplace.

Although I very much enjoy working and spending time with creative people, and am blessed to have one of the most creative people I know for a brother, I don't actually consider myself to be very creative. I love people and enjoy doing what I can to be of service. In fact, I've just returned from a Habitat for Humanity trip in Biloxi, Mississippi where I joined with 19 other team members to build a 1200 square foot 3 bedroom, 1 bath home.

I am married to a wonderful man, Ken who is very supportive of my participation in trips focused on helping others. While we don't have children of our own, I am proud to be Aunt and Great Aunt to 10 nieces/nephews, 17 grand nieces and nephews, and am godmother to 9 year-old triplets.

I am thrilled to be a part of this first "Design for Kids" team, organized by my very own brother, Jeff Speigner. I look forward to working with the Fotokids students and to getting to know each of you better. What an amazing experience this will be for each of us! Safe travels to you and I'll see you in Guatemala.

Cathy
cathy.shea56@gmail.com

JEFF SPEIGNER

Hi I'm Jeff. I'm a graphic designer working for a large company. My visual communications career has included film making, still photography, technical illustration, newspaper production, adverstising design, self employment, and designing graphics for print and presentations. I love to use images to tell stories.

A year ago I visited Santiago Atitlan with Bridges to Understanding for a week-long digital story telling workshop. That was my introduction to Nancy McGirr and the kids of Fotokids. During lunch and dinner conversations Nancy talked about wanting to develop a design studio. I offered to come back with colleagues to teach design basics and software skills. It's thrilling and a little humbling to see the quality of the colleagues who have volunteered their time and resources to join in this experiment. I look forward to getting to know you all better.

I love foreign travel and photography, and am always looking for ways to combine both with helping people. My desire for this workshop is to inspire and motivate kids to learn more about design and communication arts and to get a glimpse of their own potential.

My immediate family includes a grown daughter, two brothers, and one little sister, Cathy Shea, whom I'm thrilled to share this experience with.

Jeff
jeffspeigner@comcast.net