Mayer/Reed, Author at Mayer Reed

Michael Reed Featured in ‘SEGD Voices of Experience’

The Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) Voices of Experience series celebrates the legacy of Mayer/Reed Founding Partner Emeritus Michael Reed, FSEGD.

In this inspiring short film, Michael reflects on his career, design philosophy and impact on the built environment. He joins a lineup of influential experiential designers including Bruce Mau, Chris Calori & David Vanden-Eynden, Donald Meeker, Richard Burns & John Barry, Wayne Hunt, and Lance Wyman.

“Across his career, Michael has adhered to one guiding principle: the privilege of designing information systems for the public comes with the responsibility to ‘do the right thing.’ His work demonstrates that great design is not an act of personal expression but of public service.”

Read more about Michael’s career and watch the video here.

Celebrating Summer in Mill Park

Summer is in full swing and Portland parks are buzzing with activity. To celebrate the season, Mayer/Reed gathered with friends and family for a picnic at one of our recently completed projects, Mill Park in Southeast Portland.

It was a delight to see the space in action — the play area and splash pad packed with neighborhood kids, the bounty of the lush community garden and pick-up soccer games taking shape on the lawn. We set up our picnic in the shelter and spread out blankets in the shade of the large canopy trees. It was a perfect summer evening to celebrate community, sunshine and the joy of a new park.

Mill Park is officially open to all and a celebration is planned for Thursday, September 25. See you in the park!

Celebrate the New St. Helens Riverwalk

You’re invited! Join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 26 to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of the St. Helens Waterfront Redevelopment Project — encompassing a riverwalk and street extensions into the new waterfront district.

Mayer/Reed’s riverwalk design revitalizes the former industrial site. The first phase improves public access to the Columbia River and creates places to gather and play.

Photo courtesy of the City of St. Helens

Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. at Columbia View Circle (Strand & Cowlitz Streets) with a ribbon cutting and remarks from city leaders. After the ceremony, explore the new stretch of ADA-accessible riverwalk as you head over to the revamped Columbia View Park for live music, food and craft vendors, games and a beer garden. The celebration continues every Thursday this summer with a weekly concert series, 13 Nights on the River.

Mayer/Reed Gallery Artist Profile: Sabrina Obeso

Our in-studio gallery recently exhibited the works of Mayer/Reed visual communications designer, Sabrina Obeso. The eight monochrome portraits represent her artistic journey into realism and the study of light, shadow, contrast and precision. Her subjects range from cultural icons to horror monsters, each selected for their expressive features.

Trained in fine art, Sabrina is obsessed with details and gravitates toward the challenges of realistic portraiture, a genre she describes as “one of the hardest things to get right, as there’s no room for error.” Working in pencil, charcoal, graphite and ink, she layers media to heighten contrast. Her devotion to working in black and white allows her to isolate and emphasize tonal depth without the distraction of color.

A process of spontaneity and reflection shapes each portrait. Sabrina doesn’t keep a sketchbook or follow a set routine. Inspiration hits when it hits. She begins pieces in bursts of inspiration, allowing the initial form to emerge quickly. Then she steps away, sometimes for days, before returning with fresh eyes. “When I come back to it, I immediately know what it needs and I focus in on the detail.”