Team !melk is one of 5 finalist teams to submit their proposed vision for the redesign of Navy Pier as part of its 2016 Centennial Vision. The great plan is called The Great Pier of the Great Lakes.

The MCA Theater was bursting at its seams last night as the crowds poured in to see the unveiling of the initial three plans.

Team !melk’s presentation included a holistic vision of the pier, developed within the context of Chicago’s rich topographic and cultural history, and the voices of the city’s residents. The team explored the pier’s potential through seven key touchpoints, beginning with the Gateway Park, and following the visitor experience through the entire landscape. Past the East end of the pier, Team !melk put an exclamation point on our vision with an impactful icon that will become known as The Glacier.

All of the work will be on display beginning this Friday at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 South Michigan Avenue.

When Team !melk is selected at the end of February, some of Thirst’s greatest typographic explorations will live on forever in Chicago.

Rick and Bud took a quick trip up to Poblocki Sign Co this week to tour their facility. Let there be no doubt in your mind that they can make your design a reality. I formally submit the above giant Gibson guitar replica as proof. Below are a few more pics from the tour. A teaser of more signage work to come.

Big letters

More letters

A room sized spray booth

Jakes Deli in Milwaukee. Try them you should.

Since 1998 we have enjoyed a lovely relationship with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. While a handful of designers bring Lyric’s marketing voice to their audiences, our designs set the annual brand personality. Our presence shows up at street level, on program covers, and the recent annual commemorative poster. Bravo!

20 N Wacker

Subscription Brochure typographic collage

The 2009-2010 Program Cover

Full page Chicago Tribune Advertisement

We are proud to announce our recently completed signage system for Columbia’s new Media Production Center (MPC). The MPC is Columbia’s first new construction building, and is a historic moment in the university’s long history.

We worked closely with Jeanne Gang and the architects at Studio Gang to develop a system of signage that would blend seamlessly with the MPC’s unique architecture and Columbia’s brand, yet stand on it’s own.

We reinterpreted, fractured and presented Columbia’s mark in the SMPTE colors.

When entering the MPC you are immediately greeted by our interpretation of classic TV test patterns cut out of steel and back lit.

We created a custom stencil version of Franklin Gothic, Columbia’s secondary font, which we used throughout the building.

Classrooms are identified with understated plaques that proportionally reference television media.

Self-explanatory functionality.

Black mill-cut letters on concrete identify the south end.