Many see summer as a time to catch up on reading, spend more time with the family, or finally clean out the garage. But for the ambitious creative professional, AIGA offers its annual week of summer school in the picturesque town of Portland, Maine. DesignInquiry is a series of workshops, lectures, and roundtable conversations led by industry leaders including Peter Hall, Ellen Lupton, Rick Valicenti, and Lorraine Wild, to name a few. This year’s campfire chant: Motive, Method, Medium.
http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/designinquiryconference

For those who are socially active but don’t want to hand out corporate business cards (students, soccer moms, carpool dads), Annie Regnier of Portland, Ore. has the perfect alternative for you. Use Cocopink calling cards to introduce yourself to the new parents on the block, or to the cute co-ed down the hall. Choose from sexy ’70s pin-up girl silhouettes, stripes à la Paul Smith, and soft camouflage pastels. The only thing standard about these cards is their size (2 x 3.5 inches).
http://www.coco-pink.com

Former film director Judi Patson of Vancouver, Canada is trying to balance her life by designing a new line of jewelry, Even. The final takes are playful pieces of sterling silver necklaces, rings, and cufflinks featuring miniature levels one would use to hang a painting or shelf. Her compass pendant necklaces can come in handy too. Attaining individual balance and direction in life isn’t cheap, but the sense of style Even provides is priceless.
http://www.evendesigninc.com