Michael J Walsh

🌍 It’s rare for a design team to share the inspiration behind a logo. 🎨 “How We Came Up With This” is a short educational series encouraging designers to create meaning behind their visual expressions — not just shapes and colors. We want to commend the efforts of Con Edison (Con Ed) National Grid (KeySpan Energy Delivery) NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) New York Power Authority (NYPA) U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | U.S. Department of Energy Corporation (EEC) Combined Heat and Power Alliance (CHP Alliance), and all those who have supported sustainable energy innovation for Co-op City over the years. 🏙️ When we were asked to design a symbol for Co-op City, the world’s largest housing cooperative, we didn’t start with geometry — we started with purpose. 💧 The Power & Water Plant you see here became our inspiration — a living example of sustainability that supports 50,000 residents every single day. Its self-contained system reduces reliance on New York City’s main electrical grid, saving millions in energy costs while keeping Co-op City resilient and efficient. 🌊 So, the waves at the bottom of the logo became our best graphic element — a visual reflection of sustainability in motion. ⚙️ Imagine this: a system that has powered an entire city for over 50 years, yet is rarely acknowledged as the marvel of engineering and foresight that it truly is. ♻️ Sustainability helps us think of better designs — ideas that can live forever. Please share below 👇 💭 What inspires your creative process when designing for community impact? #CleanEnergy #DistrictEnergy #SustainableNYC #NYPower #CHP

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How a logo-inspired mascot helped drive a major governance vote across the finish line. While I was an in-house designer at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP), one of the most urgent challenges was getting members to vote on a proposed governance restructure. It was critical, but engagement was low. The materials they were using weren’t resonating. One was an infographic that lacked context, and the other was a remix of Uncle Sam’s "I Want You" war poster... 😬 Not quite the tone this warm, creative community needed. So I proposed something new: ✨ A friendly, simple mascot inspired by the AWP logo. 📣 Clearer messaging that explained why the vote mattered. 📊 A new infographic showing what was at stake, and how close we were. The mascot’s name? Dogear — a literal dog-eared page brought to life with a hard hat and shovel to symbolize building a better AWP. Engagement grew. Voting picked up. The effort that had dragged for 1.5 years finally reached quorum and passed over the 6 months after implementing the new campaign, and Dogear became a long-lasting internal figure for member engagement. (He has since retired, being a mascot is exhausting) This is the kind of strategic design I love doing for clients, reframing complex or stagnant messaging into visual stories that move people to action. 📬 Need help re-energizing a campaign? Check out how I work with clients in a focused, high-impact way through my VIP Design Days. 👉 https://lnkd.in/egZujiay

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In the ever-evolving world of design, the lines between graphic design and digital design continue to blur and reshape. While these disciplines share common ground, they each bring unique characteristics and approaches to the creative table. Historically, there was once a clear divide between print designers and digital designers, with professionals typically specialising in one domain. However, the industry has evolved significantly, and many contemporary designers now seamlessly navigate both worlds. Let's dive into what makes each discipline distinct → #GraphicDesign #DigitalDesign #DesignEvolution #DesignIndustry #CreativeDesign #DesignTrends #PrintDesign #WebDesign #DesignCommunity #VisualDesign

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My number one tip for non-designers who have to create or edit designs: >> Pay as much attention to the space between and around elements as you do to the elements themselves. << Are elements neatly aligned? Is the spacing even? Is the margin too small so items are close to an edge? Is it crowded creating too much visual complexity and very little clear space? These negative space details make a HUGE difference in whether or not a design looks professional and is easy to read quickly.

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Award-winning creative director Diana Weisman says we're entering a new era of design where connected assets replace piecemeal efforts. “The most impactful creative doesn’t live in one asset or moment; it lives in a scalable framework,” says Weisman. She joined Brittany Doohan on In Her Direction to share how data and strategy fuel her process, why frameworks unlock more space for true creativity and how AI is reshaping design's future. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/gn2gYvTQ

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Amen - solve the problem first, beauty will follow! It’s the classic function over form argument. I once had a designer tell me “I do both at the same time”, which is absurd because you can’t. You either prioritize function or form. And, what you choose will always be a cue (subtle or not) to the people who engage with you, telling them exactly what you value. ✌️ Design philosophy aside, this struggle between function and form is easier done than said. 🤷‍♀️

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This is why typography matters For anyone who thinks typography and kerning (letter spacing) isn’t important … Here’s the difference between going to a reputable business or… this guy. Hire a designer. Not AI. Your brand (and reputation) depend on it. #DesignFails #TypographyMatters #GraphicDesign #animateEverything

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Week 2: Casting Matters. Fit. Chemistry. Role. In theater, a director knows that casting can make or break a production. The right actor brings a character to life, while the wrong choice throws the entire show off balance. Design works the same way. Every element matters. If the typography feels off, if the imagery sends the wrong signal, or if the colors do not align with the story, the audience feels the disconnect. Instead of being carried by the performance, they are distracted by what does not fit. Here is how I approach “casting” in design: •Define the role each element needs to play in supporting the message •Match the character by aligning type, color, and imagery with the brand’s tone and goals •Check the chemistry to make sure all parts of the system work together seamlessly When the casting is right, the story flows naturally. The audience is immersed. And the message connects. BRAND KISNER the N is silent. the casting? intentional.

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