STEPHANIE ORMA :: travel, arts, & design writer

Matthew Carter has a letter for web designers, typography geeks, and design buffs everywhere. Actually, he has a whole brand spankin’ new alphabet. On February 2nd, the iconic type designer unveiled his newest commercial typeface, Carter Sans, at the Book Club of California in San Francisco to the delight of more than 80 graphic design glitterati. In a fireside-like chat with Editor/Designer Patrick Coyne of Communication Arts Magazine, Carter shared the behind-the-scenes story of his new typeface, his bemused thoughts on Ikea “scandalously” switching their catalog design from Futura to Verdana, and how the John Coltrane Quartet rocked his typographic youth.

Read my full article on DWELL.

image courtesy Monotype Imaging/Pentagram

The whole world is crazy, happiness is but an illusion, life equals pain, and we’re all teetering on the brink of a psychotic break. Cue the show tunes!

image courtesy SHNSF

Next to Normal, now playing at the Curran Theatre, is just your average, everyday Tony Award-wining musical starring Bipolar Disorder — wait, what? Show tunes and psychological mood disorders? Exactly. Unlike such classic up-lifters as The Sound of Music where the songs transport you to magical, dreamy worlds of raindrops and roses, Next to Normal keeps you firmly planted in the harsh, realistic, Prozac state of the now. And just like manic-depression, the production suffers from extreme highs and lows.

Read my full review on SF STATION.

When the pre-show announcer states, “Please silence your cell phones now — if you don’t, it will annoy the sh*t out of us. .. so sit back, relax and enjoy the f***ing show,” you know you’re in for one heck of a musical ride. But nothing can prepare you for what follows next.

Conceived by a British writing team (with one crazy imagination) and originally produced in London, Jerry Springer, the Opera, is a jaw-to-the-floor shocking, raunchy, and at times hilarious operatic-style farce. That’s right — it’s Opera meets the trashiest of television shows, the Jerry Springer Show, and the combination of the two could not be more outlandish.

Read my full arts review on SF STATION.

Orma Design & Communications recently helped Tiburon, California kick-off the Shop Local campaign, ShopTiburon. Via branding, blog design and PR, we’re spreading the word that Tiburon is the BEST little town on the San Francisco Bay.

With charm reminiscent of quaint New England fishing villages and world-class views rivaling the most scenic European vistas, Tiburon is an oft-overlooked travel destination. Why visit? The rich, green rolling hills, the deep blues of the SF Bay, the breathtaking million dollar homes – all coupled with unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge, city skyline and Angel Island.

But don’t take it from us, follow ShopTiburon for the most buzz-worthy news, events, and happenings in town. Or better yet, come visit and see for yourself!

Orma Design & Communications was thrilled to promote the annual Tiburon Classic Car Show this year. Held on Saturday June 19, 2010, the cars were beyond amazing (LOVED the Packards and Jaguars!), the crowd was huge, and the town was hopping! A huge thank you to all the fantastic media that helped make the event such a great success: Pacific Sun, Bay Area on the Cheap, Blue and Gold Fleet, The San Francisco Chronicle, Marin Magazine, Marin Independent Journal, Tiburon Ark, Fun Cheap SF and more!

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

Besides drooling over beautiful typefaces, amazing graphic designers, and the creative work featured in Communication Arts Magazine, I LOVE classic cars. The design, innovation, history, craftsmanship – I’m fascinated by all of it thanks to my awesome Dad who introduced me to their timeless beauty as a young girl. So I couldn’t be more flippin’ excited to announce the annual Tiburon Classic Car Show on Saturday, June 19th, 2010!

For the price of…well, nothing…Dad’s get to drool over the most rare and beautiful classic cars ever built while taking in the beauty of the most picturesque waterfront community on the San Francisco Bay. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Tiburon Waterfront Park (with amazing views of San Francisco and Angel Island), the Tiburon Classic Car Show is a BEST BET for a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate Dad’s Day weekend.

After the daytime Tiburon Classic Car Show festivities, evening celebrations abound as the event moves a selection of their stellar cars to downtown Main Street. All attendees will receive fabulous budget-worthy coupons from local merchants (that will last throughout the night and into the following week!) Drink, eat, shop, celebrate, and ogle over the last remaining 1950’s factory team XK D race car – one of the most rare and extraordinary Jaguars ever built. Sure beats getting Dad a lame tie again, don’t you think? Oh, and did I mention – it’s totally FREE.

Details, Details:
Neighborhood: Tiburon, CA
Ticket Price: FREE!
Event Date: 6/19/10
Time: 11am-9pm
Street address: Shoreline Park/Tiburon Waterfront Park, Tiburon, CA (Paradise Drive – near ferry landing)
Phone number: 415-297-2615
Email: tomaoneill@comcast.net
Website: http://www.tiburonclassiccarshow.org

(originally appeared in SF Examiner 04/27/10)

The Tiburon Art Festival 2010 (Aug 28th & 29th) is now accepting artists for this fabulous art event-by-the-bay. Seeking painting, sculpture, glass, woodwork, jewelry, photography and mixed media. 64 juried artists will be selected to show their work on Historic Ark Row in downtown Tiburon, California. Live music, family entertainment and activities, wine, beer and champagne, all steps away from the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay. Application deadline June 14th. Judging weekend June 18 & 19

This years judges are Philip E. Linhares, Chief Curator of Art, Oakland Museum of California and Carrie Lederer, Curator of Exhibitions and Programs, Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts.

FOR MORE INFO & TO APPLY:  http://tiburonartfestival.homestead.com