Vossome 2.1: Speakin' in Lincoln

Monday, July 14, 2008

Speakin' in Lincoln

Yesterday I was invited to speak to a family-writing workshop of some 64 parents and kids about The Legend of Lil' Red at Walt Library in Lincoln, Nebraska. Read on for the story and a cool preview!

I'd never been to Walt Library before, it's in the newer, South-er part of town. I was always a Gear Library guy growing up. I showed up about a half-hour into the session as Paul Rea (the author) was winding down a reading of the story using what I supposed to be the final PDF of the book. I wasn't sure that the group would get to see the whole story (illustrations included) so the presentation I brought didn't include a lot from the second half of the book, because I didn't want to spoil anything. Too late!

There were lots of parents and children there, and after we were done talking they asked a lot of really great questions ranging from how the project got started, how many drafts the story took to complete, and a few questions on the process of illustration. Afterwards I got to talk to a few of the kids who really liked to draw; one girl beat out all the other first- and second-graders to win a local art contest — when she was still in Kindergarten!

This was the first group that ever got to see the book from start to finish, and they seemed to enjoy it. A few parts of my presentation elicited some laughs, including an "11-Nate" reference photo I'll post … someday. For now, here's a portion of what I was able to show; the complete coming together of one of the opening pages:

from Nate Voss to you.

STEPHANIE VOSS is a designer, marketing consultant and interior stylist. An Omaha native and Creighton University Alumni, she has been working in the marketing and design field since 2002. Stephanie teaches Creativity and Concept Development at Metropolitan Community College. A multidisciplined professional, her specialties range from experience design to media relations.

NATE VOSS is a designer, illustrator, talkshow host and design journalist. Working in Omaha since 2001, Nate served four years on the Board of Directors for AIGA Nebraska and currently teaches design for MCC. Nate has interviewed design luminaries such as Kit Hinrichs, Debbie Millman, Joe Duffy, Marian Bantjes, Chip Kidd, and many others. Currently, Nate's work can be seen here at Vossome.com, Huskerbooks.com, and at 36Point.com, where he maintains the thrice-weekly graphic design webcomic 1PT.Rule and hosts The Reflex Blue Show. In 2009, Nate became the only person to guest host Design Matters with Debbie Millman, a leading industry talkshow focusing on design and contemporary culture.

View Nate's complete resumé at
coroflot.com/natevoss

Head over to Huskerbooks.com for a special preview of The Legend of Lil' Red, Nate's first published children's book. Available now!