Files uploaded, proofs approved, we’re good-to-go! I've compiled all the files, made low-res exports, and uploaded them to the gallery (view web PDF copies of the Souvenir Book and Pocket Program).

It is that time in the production schedule to make ads for everyone. Westercon69 needed a new full page ad to be used for a flyer and I had to create a half page version for the OryCon36 publications. Not exciting stuff but it needs to be done. /smile

I needed to make one last ad for our Westercon 69 bid (published in the Westercon 67 program book). I had been thinking about it for days, trying to think of something that would be striking in black and white, use images that we already have, and incorporates our logo. I came up with the idea of using keywords from the website and used one of those word cloud generators to pull text from the website text. I then pared the list down and started playing with the layout. It was a bit of random luck when I placed the logo into the document that it got tossed onto the text and I really liked the moon effect it created.

I've updated the Portland in 2016 bookmark with the new logo. Time to get another 5000 printed.

We needed a logo and I was given the following criteria to design with:
Use the font already selected; Portland; reaching; optimistic; no roses; bridges are ok if the photos are lit up at night; and the skyline is ok if it is lit up at night. Something that can work both really tiny (1/2 inch sticker) and really big (banners, t-shirts, and other advertising). Need to be able to resize it significantly.

I interpreted these instructions as a vector graphic that had a bridge and the Portland skyline. Another artist, Samuel Klein and I passed files back and forth, working out options for the logo. He had the fabulous idea of adding in a space ship flying through the foreground and adding a pop of red into the logo. Building this logo was a great collaborative experience.

Below is the example sheet of the logo with different background options as well as the 1/2 inch sticker version.

I've spent the last couple of days polishing up the content for the Westercon69 bid page. The webmaster should be updating the site content and design soon. I have learned a lot about Portland that I had no clue was out there. The Chinese Gardens were built after I had moved to Washington and it was a pleasant surprise to discover them. I hope to visit the gardens this summer. I also had no idea about Portland's craft distilleries. Breweries I knew about, but distilleries, I did not. On a sad note, I also learned that the Church of Elvis and the Clinton's Street Theater are closed. No more midnight performances of Rocky.

I volunteered for the publications role on the bid committee for bringing Westercon to Portland. The bid process runs two years in advance of the convention where we must convince the voting attendees of Westercon 67 (in Utah this year) to vote for us. We're running unopposed but we still need to have a polished and competent bid. The first jobs for my role are to create ads and bookmarks that will be distributed at other regional conventions. I'll do some volunteering for fan tables and room parties if I'm attending the other conventions to, but for the most part I will be creating a lot of paper things.