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WikiProject Biography: WikiProject Graphic Design: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Graphic_design

Carbone Smolan Associates

Overview
The Carbone Smolan Agency is a graphic design and branding firm started in 1980 by Ken Carbone and Leslie Smolan. It began in 1976 as a satellite office of Montreal-based Gottschalk + Ash International. In 1980 Carbone and Smolan bought out the interest of their Canadian partners and in 1985 the company was renamed Carbone Smolan Associates.

Ken Carbone is the agency’s creative director.

Leslie Smolan is the agency’s director of creative strategy.

Carbone Smolan Agency has been responsible for creating visual systems and branding programs for some of the most recognizable brand names in the public and private sector. Its work in this arts and sciences, in particular, embodies the CSA stated philosophy: “unity, simplicity and authenticity.”

In 2010 Paul Pierson became the agency’s third partner. Design credits for clients include Canon, Morgan Stanley, Mandarin Oriental, Christies, Tiffany & Company, Herman Miller, Mohawk Paper, Architectural Record Magazine, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Jewish Museum, Musée du Louvre, The Woodruff Arts Center, The Morgan Library & Museum, MoMA, and Hartford Stage. The company is located at 22 West 19th Street in New York.

1976-1980
Ken Carbone graduated from the Philadelphia College Art (now University of the Arts in Philadelphia) with the intention to becoming a professional musician but early advisors steered him towards the commercial arts, specifically graphic design. After graduating, Carbone set off for Europe, calling upon influential designers such as designers: Tomas Gonda, and Karl Gerstner Armin Hoffmann, and Wolfgang Weingart and professors at Basel School of Design in Switzerland affiliated with his professors at Philadelphia College of Art. After that European sojourn, Carbone returned to New York in 1973 and landed his first professional design job at the office of Chermayeff & Geismar Associates, now Chermayeff, Geismar & Haviv.

Carbone said in an interview on the podcast Design Matters that his early exposure to such graphic masters as Allan Fletcher, Ivan Chermayeff and Thomas Geismar helped him see the design profession through a “broad lens” — as a two-dimensional, three-dimensional, aural, verbal, visual field of interdisciplinary practice that could, when applied properly, be a force for positive change.

In 1976, Carbone was recruited from Chermayeff & Geismar by Montreal-based Gottschalk + Ash International to work on the design guidelines for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. “Dialog”: What Makes a Great Design Relationship, Pointed Leaf Press, 2012, LOC Control Number: 201242503, ISBN: 978-1-938461-02-1, http://www.amazon.com/Dialog-Makes-Great-Design-Partnership/dp/1938461029

When his Canadian visa expired in the fall of 1976, Fritz Gottschalk suggested to Carbone that he open a satellite office of Gottshalk + Ash in New York. Carbone, then 25, and no business start-up experience, accepted Gottshalk’s challenge and opened a small design office in Midtown Manhattan in fall 1976.

In 1977 a former professor at Philadelphia College of Art referred Ken to Leslie Smolan, a recent graduate of the school. (Dialog) Carbone hired her. This marked the beginning of a collaborative partnership that endures today. (Dialog) and Adweek: http://www.adweek.com/video/advertising-branding/six-questions-ken-carbone-145064 and http://www.adweek.com/video/advertising-branding/six-questions-ken-carbone-145064

In an interview with the podcast Design Matters, a service of Design Observer Media Group, Carbone recalls that he told Leslie Smolan, “I am hiring you because you have a great portfolio, plus you can type and you know accounting.” (https://soundcloud.com/designmatters/design-matters-with-debbie-125

In fact, Leslie Smolan’s business acumen have helped make Carbone Smolan Agency the enduring and respected design and branding enterprise it is today. (https://soundcloud.com/designmatters/design-matters-with-debbie-125 ).

Neither had experience running a creative service agency, start-up or otherwise. So, they learned through doing — and they grew by learning from mistakes, accumulating clients and experience along the way. (Dialog) and (CSA website)

Said Leslie Smolan of those early years, “Ken and I were educated as designers, not businesspeople, salespeople, or diplomats. We made mistakes — but none fatal. We faced demanding situations and we had to rise to the occasion.” (Dialog) Carbone and Smolan bought out Gottshalk’s interest in the New York office in 1980. They renamed the company Carbone Smolan Associates in 1985. (Dialog) Carbone told Tom Biederbeck, contributing editor at Felt+Wire, “In some ways the first seven years were the hardest. As the business grew, we moved more into management roles, which changes the relationship with your partner. At 50 people, we added a CFO, assistants, a person to do marketing. We changed our name to The Carbone Smolan Agency and adopted an ad agency model.” (http://www.mohawkconnects.com/feltandwire/2012/11/09/dialog-ken-carbone-leslie-smolans-35-years-of-design-collaboration/

History: 1986-2006
On December 19, 1985, Carbone Smolan received a telegram invitation to present CSA credentials for consideration as for the “Signalétique de Grande Louvre” (way-finding /signage program). (Dialog)

When he made his presentation to Louvre officials (#) months later, he delivered his presentation in French. His decision to do so impressed his French audience — and helped CSA land the job. (Dialog) On October 3, 1986, CSA was awarded the Musée du Louvre way-finding project. (Dialog) and CSA website

Working with architect I.M. Pei, designer of the Louvre Pyramid which was completed in 1989 and serves as the main entrance to the museum. The first phase of the way-finding project was unveiled in 1989. The CSA way-finding system for the Louvre is based upon the Parisian 14 arrondissement (neighborhood) plan and has been in place for more than quarter of a century. http://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/28/travel/5-pieces-europe-s-past-return-life-france-vast-new-exhibition-space-louvre.html (sourced from Wiki link on Louvre Pyramid) and (Dialog)

The Louvre project propelled Carbone Smolan into an internationally recognizable name for branding, graphic design and way-finding design. (Communication Arts Magazine profile 1989, need volume/issue # date and page numbers of this article).

CSA has created numerous assignments for other major cultural institutions since the Musée de Louvre project. They include: MoMA, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Jewish Museum (New York), Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, The High Museum (Atlanta) and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York. (Need appropriate chronological order and any references from outside sources about that work and/or CSA’s affiliation with these institutions.) (http://observermedia.designobserver.com/audio/ken-carbone/32438/ ) and (Dialog).

History: 2006 to Present
(Need brief factual highlight information on the 1990s and early 2000s and present time.)

Enduring Partnership/Core Principles
New York is regarded as the epicenter of American design. The New York design industry directly employs more than (#) people. (Citation needed) A leading indicator of New York’s design preeminence is the fact that New York’s AIGA Chapter boasts 3,387 members, more than the combined membership of both Los Angeles (1,337) and San Francisco (1,740) chapters. http://www.aiga.org/chapters/ Thus, while designers and design agencies may come and go in New York, less common are partnerships that endure for years.

Among the legendary partnerships in the city’s design history are: Vignelli Associates, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, Pentagram, Push-Pin Group, Lippincott, Landor, Anspach, Grossman & Portugal, Drentell Doyle Partners and No. 17. Some remain. Others have closed. But Carbone Smolan is one design agency that has endured. In interviews and talks, CSA’s founding partners credit shared values and complementary strengths as the key reasons for their long-running partnership. (http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-create-great-business-partnerships-carbone-smolan-2012-12 )

In an interview with Business Insider, Carbone and Smolan said keys to their lasting relationship centers on aligned ambition and trust, complementary (but not necessarily identical) interests and skills, respect for each other’s ideas and opinions and, finally, the forbearance to seek, test and choose the right partner in the first place. For 36 years, they have stood together and thrived. (http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-create-great-business-partnerships-carbone-smolan-2012-12 )

On core design principles, Carbone and Smolan are in agreement. (http://www.inc.com/ken-carbone-and-leslie-smolan/partnership-tips.html and http://www.mohawkconnects.com/feltandwire/2012/11/01/the-full-interview-ken-carbone-leslie-smolan-talk-about-dialog—what-makes-a-great-design-partnership/ and (http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671372/5-tips-for-forging-a-lasting-creative-partnership )

The two contend that only “unified, simplified and amplified” brand identities, products, and systems communicate principles and convictions that can be shared by others. Moreover, they believe, if individual trust and shares values of a product or institution, they can become “ambassadors” of that brand, encouraging others to engage it. (http://observermedia.designobserver.com/audio/ken-carbone/32438/) and (http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226070 ) and (http://www.mohawkconnects.com/feltandwire/2012/11/09/dialog-ken-carbone-leslie-smolans-35-years-of-design-collaboration/ ) and http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-design-a-brand-2012-10

Retrospective Book: Dialog from Pointed Leaf Press
“Dialog”: What Makes a Great Design Relationship In 2012, in collaboration with design journalist Raul Barreneche with essays by  Italian designer Massimo Vignelli and preface by design journalist, critic and author Steven Heller, “Dialog”: What Makes a Great Design Relationship published by Pointed Leaf Press (LOC Control Number: 201242503), a retrospective look at 35 years of collaborative experience featuring 35 representative projects that shaped the company’s history.

In his introduction to the book, designer Massimo Vignelli spoke to the value a true partner brings to the creative process, like the one he has shared with his wife and business partner, Lella, for decades. (http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.helleronline.com%2Fdesigners%2Flella-massimo-vignelli&date=2012-02-25 )

“Sometimes one of the two of us may take a certain approach that leads to a wrong turn, and the contribution of the partner consists in pointing out the mistakes and correcting the issue by indicating alternatives or a more appropriate solution to the problem. This is one of the blessings of a close partnership, which is based on common respect and trust. … The same is true of my friends Ken Carbone and Leslie Smolan. By now they are a brand, and I love that it makes them one entity in the eyes of the world.” Dialog

Of their long relationship as business partners and friends, design journalist Matt Porter (me) wrote in Communication Arts Magazine: “I did not know until reading this that Leslie’s knowledge of the arc of Ken’s life is applied judiciously to bring his lofty ideas and high expectations back to what is possible, what is appropriate and what is necessary. She is the ballast to his ship of dreams.” (Communication Arts Magazine, March/April 2013, Print Edition, Book Review, The World’s First Coffee Table Relationship Manual, by Matthew Porter, page 175)

Clients & Scope

(Need a two-sentence description from CSA on scope of capabilities/expertise and a short client list. No adjectives or adverbs. Just the facts. Use only examples that can be identified through online sources. Better if these examples exist beyond the CSA website such as links to design annual archives from CA, Print, How, Graphis and AIGA Archives)

For a select list of recent work, please visit the company website: http://www.carbonesmolan.com.

Communication Arts Magazine, Web Pick of the Day, Carbone Smolan Agency, http://www.commarts.com/web-sites/carbone-smolan-agency.html

Communication Arts Magazine, NIZUC was featured in Communication Arts: http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/nizuc-identity-marketing.html

Communication Arts Magazine, Greenmarket Co. was featured in Communication Arts: http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/greenmarket-identity.html

Communication Arts Magazine, 50 Years of Great Design, Nov/Dec 2009, http://www.commarts.com/curated/years-design.html

Sources, External Lengths & Bibliography

Adweek Video, Six Questions: Ken Carbone, November 7, 2012, http://www.adweek.com/video/advertising-branding/six-questions-ken-carbone-145064

Against the Grain, Neenah Paper, Matthew Porter, Same Old Story, Refreshingly Durable Carbone Smolan, (http://www.neenahpaperblog.com/2013/01/same-old-story-refreshingly-durable-carbone-smolan/

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Medalists, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, http://www.aiga.org/medalist-massimoandlellavignelli/

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), chapter information, http://www.aiga.org/chapters/

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), design archives, Carbone Smolan Agency, 4 case studies, http://designarchives.aiga.org/#/entries/Carbone%20Smolan%20Agency/_/grid/relevance/asc/0/48/90

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), design archives, Carbone Smolan Associates, 16 case studies, http://designarchives.aiga.org/#/entries/Carbone%20Smolan%20Associates/_/grid/relevance/asc/0/39/90

Business Insider, Three Words You Should Remember When Designing Your Brand, by Mellisa Stanger, October 23, 2012, http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-design-a-brand-2012-10

Communication Arts Magazine, March/April 2013, Print Edition, Book Review, The World’s First Coffee Table Relationship Manual, by Matthew Porter, page 175 (available online via iPod only) (no link)

Communication Arts, Web Pick of the Day, Carbone Smolan Agency, April 4, 2013, http://www.commarts.com/web-sites/carbone-smolan-agency.html

Communication Arts Magazine, 50 Years of Great Design, quote by Leslie Smolan, Nov/Dec 2009, http://www.commarts.com/curated/years-design.html

Design Observer Media, Design Matters with Debbie Millman, http://observermedia.designobserver.com/audio/ken-carbone/32438/

“Dialog”: What Makes a Great Design Relationship, Pointed Leaf Press, 2012, LOC Control Number: 201242503, ISBN: 978-1-938461-02-1, http://www.amazon.com/Dialog-Makes-Great-Design-Partnership/dp/1938461029

Entrepreneur, When to Hire a Design Firm to Get Your Logo Just Right, May 20, 2013, http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226070

Fast Company Magazine Online, Five Tips for Forging a Lasting Partnership, by Linda Tischler, December 5, 2012, http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671372/5-tips-for-forging-a-lasting-creative-partnership

Heller Online, Steven Heller, (http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.helleronline.com%2Fdesigners%2Flella-massimo-vignelli&date=2012-02-25 )

Inc. Magazine Online, 5 Tips for Great Partnerships, December 5, 2012, http://www.inc.com/ken-carbone-and-leslie-smolan/partnership-tips.html

Mohawk Connects, Felt+Wire, Interview with Tom Biederbeck, November 9, 2012 http://www.mohawkconnects.com/feltandwire/2012/11/09/dialog-ken-carbone-leslie-smolans-35-years-of-design-collaboration/

New York Times, 5 Pieces of Europe’s Past Return to Life, France: A vast new exhibition space as the Louvre renovates, by Marlise Simons, March 28, 1993, http://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/28/travel/5-pieces-europe-s-past-return-life-france-vast-new-exhibition-space-louvre.html