You Are Here Toledo wins International Design Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The Arts Commission is pleased to announce that the You Are Here Toledo public art project has been named for an international award
Designed by the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) Toledo chapter in partnership with the 1% for Art program administered by The Arts Commission, the You Are Here Toledo project saw 100 3-foot wide “dots” placed at historic and other significant locations throughout the city of Toledo. Playing with the idea of “you are here” arrows so commonly found on maps, the project aimed to influence art, place, and the daily walking experience. Each dot featured original artwork or design by a different local artist. The project was funded by the City of Toledo's 1% for Art Program.
In addition to the dots themselves, AIGA Toledo worked with Hanson, Inc. for the development of a website and mobile app that increased user experience and connection with the project. Users were encouraged to take part in a scavenger hunt to find the dots via the mobile app, which featured a map of the locations with information about the project. Additionally, each dot featured a unique QR code that could be scanned through the app. Upon doing so, users were treated with information about the artists and the artwork, as well as the significance of the location where the dot was placed. As an incentive, users competed for a limited edition run of high-quality silk-screened posters. The first 100 users to collect 25 scans would receive a poster.
The project was an acclaimed success in the city of Toledo. “We knew Toledoans would like the project, but we had no idea just how much,” Art Director Jenn Stucker says in the How article, hinting that a new iteration of the project is in the works. But too, it has been a hit among art fans and tech fans alike and has caught the attention of the international art, design, and technology communities.
This week, it was announced that the You Are Here Toledo Project has been featured in the March 2013 issue of HOW Magazine – International Design Awards Annual. Only 242 submissions out of more than 1,000 entries were accepted, and You Are Here Toledo received one of just 20 “outstanding” ratings for the website and mobile app component of the project. The award will be announced in the magazine, which will print and distribute more than 26,000 issues around the world.
The Arts Commission is proud to announce this international recognition, and pleased to work with exceptional community partners like AIGA Toledo and Hanson, Inc.
Special thanks to:
The Creative Team - Jenn Stucker, art director, Erik Porter, interactive director, Chaz Ryder, iOS developer, Richard Carhart, Android developer, Mike Sattler, lead app designer.
And to the Printers – Homewood Press, and CGS Imaging.
For more information about this project, visit www.TheArtsCommission.org, www.YouAreHereToledo.com, Toledo.AIGA.org, or www.HansonInc.com.
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Founded in 1959, The Arts Commission is the longest standing arts commission in the state of Ohio that develops and promotes the arts in the community, and has managed the City of Toledo’s 1% for Art program since 1977. 419-254-ARTS. www.TheArtsCommission.org.
The Arts Commission is proudly supported by the Ohio Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and many additional donors.
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Press Release Contact Name: Nathan Mattimoe
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-254-2787
Organization Name: The Arts Commission
Website or Link: www.theartscommission.org
Organization Address: 1838 Parkwood Ave. #120, Toledo, OH, 43620