Award-Winning Design

I've posted a lot about Chris's Air Force awards and realize I'm seriously past due on recognizing Dean's accomplishments. It wasn't that long ago that, after an arduous stint as a student, he was graduating from Art Center College of Design and trying to figure out what he was going to do with his BFA degree in graphic design.

After a lengthy time living in Vancouver, B.C., with his wonderful girlfriend Joyce and trying diligently to find work in Canada, he realized he was in the proverbial Catch-22: as an American, he couldn't get a job without a work permit; and without a work permit, he couldn't get a job offer. To everyone's dismay, it was clear he needed to find work south of the border.

Well, it couldn't have worked out better. The distinction associated with his Art Center degree, along with a strong portfolio of student, pro bono and paid professional work, earned him the attention of an outstanding company in Burlington, Wash. Dri-Eaz Corporation was the perfect fit: the one-person graphic design department needed to grow to accommodate the acquisition of new companies and products, and Dean had the chops to take them to the next level. (And Bellingham, where he lives, is only about an hour from Vancouver.)

While other companies across the country are struggling with layoffs and cutbacks, Legend Brands (the brand that now includes Dri-Eaz and other new products) is flourishing. And Dean is at the leading edge of the marketing of those brands. He designed the graphic at the top of this page (click on it to see the full-size version), along with the Sapphire Scientific logo that is part of it. (Notice the hexagonal gem that's inside the SS logo - great stuff!)

As he pointed out during his visit home last week, the company's demographic doesn't change very much from year to year, not does the marketing. As a result, his work isn't the kind of flashy stuff you'll see getting awards at graphic design competitions across the country. But he gets my award for creativity, consistency and for landing a great job with a great company with great benefits.

Family Additions

Meet the soon-to-be-additions to the Davidson household:


When the stray orange tabby cat our next-door neighbor Susie named Lemonade (below) began alternating between her back yard and ours, we asked, "Whose is it?" No one in the neighborhood claimed her and she was clearly expecting a litter, so we began to wonder which of our houses would become the maternity ward. Three weeks ago, the planter outside Susie's back door became home to momma and her five kits.


We've claimed the two pictured below. We haven't named them and don't know their gender yet, but if they're both male, I think we should call them Chris and Dean.



The others are going to homes of friends of Susie's. Her boyfriend Albert might be taking Lemonade to his home in Orange County, but we're hoping she'll continue to share quarters with our house and Susie's and remain close to her kits.

High Performance, Low Profile

Check this out: Some of Dean's most recent work for Dri-Eaz is on the web. While his work is primarily for print, he works in the same office with Dri-Eaz web dude (er...administrator) Marcus Purnell, who converted a recent piece Dean designed into a web page (click on images to view full size):


Note the source code (highlighted in yellow), where Marcus gave him credit. Very cool:


Dri-Eaz recently purchased two companies and has been marketing them together as Legend Brands. That's keeping Dean plenty busy these days. You could say he's living the CMC100 slogan: "High Performance, Low Profile."

Redlands Native Earns Air Force Honors

May 5, 2008

To: Editor, Redlands Daily Facts

Good morning,

I sent a message in February about my son Christopher being named by the Air Force as Airman of the Quarter for the fourth quarter 2007 and was disappointed you didn't run it. I hope you'll consider sharing with the community his most recent award (below). I have attached a photo.

Christopher (Chris) Davidson was named Enlisted Airman Space Systems Operator of the Year for 2007 for the Air Force Space Command, it was announced Monday, May 5, by Colonel Clinton E. Crosier, commander, USAF 50th Operations Group.

Davidson is a senior airman working as a member of the 3rd Space Operations Group at Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Previously, he was named Airman of the Quarter for the fourth quarter 2007 for the 3rd Space Operations Group, the 50th Operations Group, the 50th Space Wing and Team Schriever at Schriever Air Force Base. Davidson was also named to the High Frontier Honor Guard earlier this year, which represents the President of the U.S. at community events and Air Force ceremonies, including funeral services for women and men who served in the Air Force.

The son of Don and Deena Davidson of Redlands, he is a 1998 graduate of Redlands High School and studied astrophysics at U.C. Berkeley after graduation.

Regards,
Don

Don Davidson
Redlands

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February 14, 2008

To: Editor, Redlands Daily Facts

I don't know if you intend to run this story, which I sent last week, but Christopher learned today he has been honored with yet another level of recognition: Airman of the Quarter for the fourth quarter 2007 for the 14th Air Force, which comprises the five bases that make up the Strategic Space Command.

Regards,
Don Davidson

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February 6, 2008

To: Editor, Redlands Daily Facts

Good morning,

I'm pleased to share with you that my son, Christopher Davidson, recently earned the following honors:

He was named Airman of the Quarter for the fourth quarter 2007 for the 3rd Space Operations Group, the 50th Operations Group, the 50th Space Wing and Team Schriever at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He was also named to the High Frontier Honor Guard, which represents the President of the U.S. at community events and Air Force ceremonies, including funeral services for women and men who served in the Air Force.

Christopher is a 1998 graduate of Redlands High School and is an Airman First Class working in space (satellite) operations at Schriever AFB. He is the son of Don and Deena Davidson of Redlands.

I have attached a recent photo.

Regards,
Don

Don Davidson
Redlands

Davidson Communications

Dean and I have launched a new consulting enterprise Davidson Communications. We're currently working on a project for the Bicycle Commuter Coalition of the Inland Empire. Check out our website and if you need the help of a couple of communications pros, fill out the online request form.

High Frontier Honor Guard

Chris has been chosen to serve on the High Frontier Honor Guard, which serves portions of Colorado and Kansas. It's an amazing honor for him to be chosen and represent the president of the United States as a member of this elite team. He'll perform Honor Guard duty one week per month for a year. Way to go, Chris!

Kingpin

From the cartoon strip Kingpin by Dean Davidson

Launch!

On Thursday, Oct. 12, 2007, an Atlas 5 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral and carried the first Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft into orbit above earth. Shortly after launch, contact was made with the next-generation communications satellite, one of which is equivalent to the entire fleet of vehicles currently circling our globe. Guess who is working in the heart of the operation that manages these mission-critical space vehicles. Yep, none other than USAF Airman First Class Christopher Ross Davidson. Yep, his dad is proud.

Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now

Typographer

My son Dean Davidson is a graphic designer living in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and he has a penchant for typography. He likes to create it, use it in his design work and lay down metal versions to print with. He created Cambie while he was a student at Art Center College of Design. Check it out: It's a beautiful font. While you're at it, check out his portfolio, too. If you need a talented designer, give him a call!