Jutila Center to host "Conversations about Design" multi-media event Oct. 17

HANCOCK -- For its second annual SeeDesign seminar, the Finlandia University Jutila Center for Global Design and Business will present a multi-media, interactive installation and presentation titled "Conversations about Design" at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Jutila Center lobby.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Funded in part by a mini-grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts, "Conversations about Design" will showcase how design and creativity can influence business decisions and contribute to overall business success. The mini-grant is administered by the Copper Country Community Arts Center, Hancock.

"The purpose of the installation is manifold," says Bonnie Holland, director of the Jutila Center. "First, it will demonstrate some of the many ways small businesses can use creative resources to contribute to their bottom-line success. It will also introduce some of the creative designers in our region, showcase their services, and illustrate the ways in which these creative businesses collaborate."

Holland adds that "Conversations about Design" will also show Finlandia students and others some of the creative careers one might pursue.

In a display of lighting design and engineering, the Jutila Center building will be illuminated Wednesday evening.

The highlighted creative services include graphic design, photography, videography, voice-overs, editing, sign making, light engineering, architecture, and marketing.

The creative firms and professionals featured in the installation include The Upper Peninsula Marketing Department, Inc.; IG Graphics; Monte Consulting, Inc.; Opusweb.com; Brassard Media; Brockit.com; OHM, Inc.; On Air Voices; Gary Brown; and Lester Brent.

Finlandia International School of Art and Design graphic design seniors Cait Spera and Audrey Small, both of Iron Mountain, have conducted interviews with area designers, photographers, marketing firms, videographers, and other creative specialists. The results of these investigations, also part of "Conversations about Design," will illustrate how the overall creative design process works and present the interviewees’ ideas about the part creativity can play in driving strategic decisions.

Finlandia University associate professor of graphic design Robert Grame is coordinating the overall presentation of the "Conversations about Design" installation. Todd Brassard of Brassard Media, Hancock, is technical coordinator for the installation. Finlandia University Art and Design seniors Eric Hinsch (Hancock) and Erika Gerstner (Sagola) are involved in the overall installation design and ambiance.

For additional information, please contact Bonnie Holland at 906-487-7344.