Fair's Wild Ride
Begins on MySpace
Go hang with the hogs at the Kansas State Fair through Sept. 16, but before you go, check out an interactive game and other fun elements on the fair's MySpace page. You, too, can be a friend of the fair.

More about the fair's MySpace page

Play Crack Shot shooting game

Trailblazing Oklahoma
City Zoo Exhibit
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s new exhibit, “Oklahoma Trails,” features 140 species of native animals in an authentic, natural environment. Environmental design and interpretive graphics guide visitors through the immersive exhibit. Ravines and rock formations create natural barriers that allow grizzly and black bears, bison and elk to live in surroundings similar to their native habitats. The bears can even swim and catch fish in their own ravine. The fun, interactive exhibits are packed with interesting, important information. Put your hand into the “den” of a hibernating bear and hear him growl in protest. Walk through a darkened barn and view creatures of the night. Experience the majesty of an eagle and compare your arm span against its widespread wings.

View more photos here

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Renovating Aviation History With New Tools
The Kansas Aviation Museum is a hidden treasure. Though it operates out of a historically significant building with a wealth of aircraft, artifacts and documents important to the history of aviation both in Kansas and worldwide, its visibility and support haven’t matched its considerable potential. The task: create a brand that reflects the museum’s essence and a website that unlocks its substantial assets and builds enthusiasm. The museum’s compelling new mark includes a highly stylized aircraft heading skyward, swirling contrails and clouds replicating imagery found in the museum’s Art Deco ironwork details. Phase 1 of the new website incorporates the new identity in a user-friendly, easily navigated structure that highlights the museum’s strengths while providing essential information for researchers and potential visitors. Backend architecture allows museum volunteers to keep content updated. Phase 2 will incorporate additional interactive features such as video biographies, aviation blogs and online research.

Check out the new brand and site, www.kansasaviationmuseum.org

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Refresh, Recharge, Renew
Two Greteman Group art directors returned from the annual HOW Design Conference – the nation’s top annual gathering for designers – charged with the latest design intelligence (no evolution jokes, please) and inspiration to fuel another year of creative expression. Craig Tomson, senior art director and vice president, and Garrett Fresh, art director, honed their already sharp skills at intensive sessions on all aspects of design, from getting the best use out of new software to tips on developing new ideas. More than 3,000 designers attend the conference, providing a wealth of opportunity to network and exchange ideas.

After a session on custom-designing typefaces, Garrett says, “You wanted to walk out of the class and design something right there.” For Craig, the highlight was a workshop with one of his most important sources of inspiration, environmental design trendsetter Deborah Sussman. “Her work often is a disconnect from prior thinking,” Craig says. “She seems to work with no constraints.” Other highlights included a “Using Storytelling in Design” session with world-renowned designer Kit Hinrichs and a “Staying Creative” session with Shelley Armstrong of Microsoft’s Xbox design group. Since returning to the agency, Craig and Garrett have been busy sharing tips and inspiration from these reputable sources – and incorporating lessons learned into their work.

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The Results Are In
Our last newsletter asked: How are you coping with spam filters and other emarketing barriers? Here are the final tallies: