Span is an American multidisciplinary studio in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in identity design, branding, exhibition design, environmental graphics, motion graphics, interactive design, and publications.Chicago Graphic Design Club January, 2022Span site It was founded in 2020 by Bud Rodecker and John Pobojewski who both worked at the design studio Thirst with Rick Valicenti.Thirst announcement, Dec. 2019 In 2023, Nick Adam became Associate Partner.Nick Adam Is Associate Partner/Design Director At Span Graphic Design USA May, 2023
Notable projects In 2024, Span led the rebranding of one of Chicago's oldest institutions, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The studio used the prairie as a key design inspiration
The rebrand of the invasive species of carps—which were widely referred to as Asian carp—as Copi,To Hook American Diners an Invasive Species of Carp Gets a New Name, The Economist, June, 2022 along with the tagline “Eat Well. Do Good.”America's Least Favourite Fish Gets a Rebrand, Creative Review, June 2022 The Copi renaming is a part of a Federal and state initiative to get the public to eat the invasive fish,Can rebranding invasive carp make it more appealing to eat, Smithsonian, June 2022" decrease its numbers in Midwestern waterways,From Carp to Copi, Unpopular fish gets a makeover, "U.S. News & World Report, June 2022" and prevent its introduction to the Great Lakes."From ‘carp’ to ‘copi’: unpopular fish getting a makeover", apnews.com, June 22, 2022.]
The identity and brand identity system for Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority (Illinois).New Logo and Identity for Chicago's RTA by Span, Brand New, December, 2022
The short 3D animation/motion graphics films called Urban Sequoia -- about buildings that absorb carbon--which premiered at the UN Climate Change Conferences in 2021 and 2022.Carbon neutral, Design Indaba, November, 2022
The exhibition graphics for Design and Healing: Creative Responses to Epidemics at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.CooperHewitt.orgEpidemics - A Force for Life-Changing Innovation, New York Times, December, 2021
The rebrand of and brand identity for New York state’s Nazareth University.The Invasive Branding of Nazareth University, The Daily Heller / Print Magazine, August, 2023
The identity for Bronzeville, Chicago’s new public park, the South Side Sanctuary.Custom Type Anchors a Vibrant Identity for Chicago’s Newest Public Park, Print magazine, August, 2024
Co-producing with Manual Cinema the puppetry + digital animation film, Countdown. Span studio website
Designing Slow & Low, a retrospective book of Chicago’s Lowrider community. A new book by Span pays homage to lowrider culture, April, 2024
Awards Anthem Awards for Sustainability, Environment & Climate, 2023.Anthem Awards site AIGA 365, 2022.AIGA 365 site Society of Typographic Arts, STA 100, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.STA 100 site AIGA 365, 2024.https://aiga-365-design-competition.secure-platform.com/a/gallery/rounds/343/details/68171
Identities designed
References
Further reading The Definitive Ranking of 2023s Best and Worst Branding, December, 2023, Fast Co Design To Hook American Diners an Invasive Species of Carp Gets a New Name, The Economist, June, 2022 Save the Planet by Eating this Big Ugly Fish, March, 2023 Merriam Webster Dictionary Copi Definition Asian carp rebranded as Copi to tackle US environmental crisis Design Week, December, 2022 Span Designs Two Exhibitions in Celebration of Trees, Design Week, May, 2023 Illinois Department of Natural Resources official launch with John Goss, Brian Jupiter and Span CooperHewitt.org Behind the Book Design How Good Design Promotes Good Health, Smithsonian Magazine, February, 2022 New Chicago park identity reflects the rich history and culture of the city’s South Side, Creative Boom, August, 2024 Right Before your Prairie Eyes, Brand New, May, 2024 Where should you travel this summer? Let these city logos decide for you – interview with Bud Rodecker, July, 2024 “Slow & Low Celebrates Chicago’s Vibrant Lowrider Culture, Print Magazine, May, 2024