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I’m not a handy person.

I can barely drive a nail in straight, and have put countless holes in my home as a result. But, in all my shortcomings as a contractor, I’ve discovered that demolition is a powerful creative tool.

The walls crashed down unexpectedly on us all in the past year. At SPD, we’re a tight-knit community, and it’s been jarring to not see each other. Oddly, I miss getting up at the crack of dawn to make our monthly 8:30am board meetings in Union Square. I’m nostalgic for the smell of paper and bad coffee that permeated FIT while judging the competition. And those hazy galas at Cipriani’s– I guess the hangover wasn’t that bad after all. 

Demolition breaks us out of a creative rut by providing a blank canvas. And I’ll be the first to admit that SPD has been in a rut for longer than the past 12 months. 

But we now have a clean slab of virtual space, and the incredibly energetic SPD board is going at it hammer and tongs.

What’s in the works:

  • A series of workshops to build your skills in ideation, typography, and animation. They just opened– sign up!

  • A mentorship program with top professionals that is open to people everywhere, not just those here in New York. You’ll be able to sign up for the Summer session.

  • We’ve increased the cadence and type of content for our inspiring lectures. This month: The Atlantic redesign.

  • More podcasts. Tell us what you want to hear!

  • The popular annual illustration and photo portfolio reviews are returning. Dates to be announced soon.

  • Later this year, we will be launching our first-ever GIF design competition.

Oh, and we’re very proud that this year’s design and photo competition had the most diverse and global roster of judges in the history of SPD. The panel consisted of top creatives from London, Germany, and South Africa, just to name a few places. That reach wouldn’t have been possible in the past.

But we still have more to do.

We owe you some annuals. Five to be exact. You’ll have them later this year. Due to the high cost of printing and shipping them, we’re going digital.

Here’s the deal:

  • SPD 52-54, will be released in the Fall as pdfs, so you have them on hand for quick reference. 

  • SPD 55 and 56 will be the start of a new era– a searchable online digital archive, so you can access that inspiration from anywhere. 

This year, the gala will remain a virtual experience, but we’re making it more engaging for you and your team. And your physical awards will finally arrive in the Fall.

We’re rebuilding SPD. It won’t be the same as it was. But to be honest, this change is essential. It’s fun to gaze back at the past, but we’re fueled to create a better future– one that wouldn’t be possible without our members, so thank you for your continued support.

Alright, it’s time I go patch up a few walls in my own house.

All the best,

Mike