Hmm… I wasn’t troubled with this cover, but maybe I should have been. My wife didn’t seem too offended either. I was thinking of it more in the lines of the movie, “The Truth About Cats and Dogs”. Women = Cats, Men = Dogs.

Well then again… I looked up “cat” on dictionary.com. “Informal. A woman who is regarded as spiteful.” I guess that isn’t very flattering.

Well, Bennett was correct, I wasn’t offended by the cover. I felt immediately that I “got it” and furthermore felt that it was clever. I am however offended by the title of your post.

I understand that you were trying to draw us in, and then to make us see why this cover (and concept) troubles you. I enjoyed reading your post, and I can see your why you feel the way that you do, but really you are doing yourself no favors by taking your title in a direction that gives off a sexist vibe that the STEP cover (in my opinion) didn’t even begin to touch. I realize that your intent was quite the opposite. I hate to say it, because you know I love you, but,“…the more I think about it, it feels a lot like shock value that undermines the message…..”

Suzanne, I’d say you hit the nail on the head. It’s always easy to shock someone into being interested for a moment, and then hope they’ll stick around long enough to hear what you really have to say. I certainly hope you and all readers will accept my apology for any offense that I caused.

A deeper question of my post however, centers around a suggestion you make that the STEP cover didn’t even begin to touch the sexist vibe of my post’s title. What I’m concerned about is that maybe the cover did just that, only in a much more surreptitious way. It’s difficult for me as a male to make a judgement as to whether or not the core of STEP’s cover is offensive to most women. And I can’t honestly tell you that I necessarily find it offensive personally. My intent is primarily to spark a dialogue on the matter, that we might all discuss it publicly.

Lastly, I have to make quick note on JonSel’s comment: Can it be argued that for design to be successful, one has to know who perpetrated it? Upon seeing this cover, most viewers will have to make an assuption about who designed it. Is it okay to be offended only until you find out that it was women making fun of themselves, rather than men making fun of women? Isn’t that a little like the double-standard of any minority group being able to self-depricate with terms that, when used by the general public, are patently offensive?

Drew, I considered your argument when I made that comment. I agree that when I hear the n-word used by African-Americans (or anyone, for that matter), I cringe, but I don’t in this case. Not really sure why. Maybe because I like kittens?

I don’t think it’s necessary to know the perpetrator behind the design to understand it, so I stand slightly corrected for my earlier comment. For me it made it all the more witty, but I think the joke is easily understandable otherwise. No self-respecting modern day magazine (of any field or topic) would blatantly depict successful women as cute, furry, harmless kittens without some sense of irony. It’s just not good business.

Emily’s rationale that she was tired of seeing women in suits really struck home a few days later when I saw the latest Fortune with Michelle Wie dressed in, yup, a power suit.

Suzanne and JonSel, you’ll forgive me as I play devil’s advocate with this topic. As I said, I’m still not even convinced that the cover’s sexist, but I’m highly curious about what we all perceive as appropriate or inappropriate.

I am all for the power of misconception. I know exactly the kind of “flip them on their heads” joy you got in High School, Suzanne. I was that kid who looked like a punk rock dropout, but was a National Honor Society member. And I reveled in the irony.

But is it fair to say that in this case, this cover is so obviously ironic that it’s okay? So blatant in it’s repossession of traditionally negative stereotypes, that it’s perfectly appropriate because no modern day magazine would run imagery like that and actually mean it?

Is the logic that follows that it would be perfectly appropriate for STEP’s next issue covering “African-Americans of Design” to show a blackface caricature on the cover, because it would be “so obvious” they meant it to be ironic?

I’m not suggesting either of you were even remotely going in that direction. I’m just wondering for the sake of lively debate where we draw the line on repurposing negative stereotypes and flipping misconceptions on their heads.

Suzanne, I appreciate your insight.

My first reaction to the cover was shock, but then I laughed; it’s funny. Kinda like when guests are honored at a dinner party/reception by showing a slideshow of their childhood photos. I think this kitten cover is less offensive than the Women Rock cover would have been. The kitten cover goes more in-depth (I’m assuming they matched photos to each designer’s style or personality). Placing all the names in the cleavage simply groups all the names together as being “women.” Still, I laughed out loud at the rock comp.

Drew, Seriously? Are we still talking about this?

Actually… wait… what are we talking about? We are now discussing what we “perceive” as appropriate in the large scheme of things? Wow. Well, you asked for my opinion… and as Bennett learned years ago… don’t ask me for it unless you really want to hear it.

I’m no expert on what is appropriate that is for sure, but we all have natural gut reactions to things. For instance… in my opinion - The STEP cover = appropriate. The title of your post = inappropriate. Your “logic” that it would be okay to show a blackface caricature on a STEP cover because it is obviously ironic = Drew has jumped the shark. Drew… come on! I realize that your just trying to get us all going (you don’t actually think that a blackface cover would be okay)… you want a lively discussion… I get that. But really, this kind of discussion goes down a road that is not only already obvious, but is also well on its way to being really old, really fast.

Drew, take a big breath… let it out… I’m done giving you a hard time.

Nate, batter up. It is funny that we both commented at the same time. There is me on the one hand saying that I felt Drew’s post title was inappropriate (and in his defense he has apologized for any offense that it may have caused). And then there is your comment calling the title the, “Best Headline Ever”. I’d love to know why you think so. As far as I know… controversial doesn’t necessarily mean “good”. Please tell me why you love it.

Geez everyone. The poster I was referring to was not the Cat Butt Gum, but rather their ultra-cute poster for a speaking engagement sponsored by Adobe.

Link to photo *stolen directly from the evil clutches of the modern dog website.

Although it’s insufferably cute, it contains tiny hidden images of things like Osama Bin Laden, President Bush, and p*nises. Ooooh, hidden images!

Also, Suzanne: Best Headline Ever does in fact mean “controversial.” The previous title holder was one of Adrian’s posts, which after spending the last 15 minutes searching our archives I have been unable to locate. This is my own special award for the most attention-getting headlines on BeADesignGroup, because I believe headlines should be attention-getters. And because I like giving awards that I invent.

Nate, “Burger King Design Starts a Jihad” I think that is what you were looking for. You wouldn’t even have to use BADG’s search feature to find it. Type in “Burger King Jihad” in google and our link is number seven on the list. Your award (besides The Most Censored Author) is the Guy That Forgot How To Spell Jihad Award. Sorry, had to jump on the “give Nate a hard time” band wagon.

Suzanne, I could not agree with you more. The best way to rid sexist and racist words or images of their negative meanings is by re-appropriating them and changing them from within. Especially when you are talking about images like this one, one of baby cats. That society or better said men have turned them into an image that is derrogative to women does not mean that you can not change that….they “are” still little cats. The same was done with the word “black” in America. What the cover does is bring attention to this fact, how an innocent image can be filled by society and the viewer with negative meanings, and it is us, by doing it, that are perpetrating this sexism.

Dear Suzanne, I completely agree with you. The use of random words and images to convey a sexist and racist meaning can best be reversed from within the targeted group. That is what happened to the word “black” in America. The cover is drawing attention to the fact that society and more specifically men have turned the image of a kitten, a baby cat, into a “sexist image”. The image per se is NOT sexist; it is us, the viewers, who are constantly perpetuating these negative and sexist meanings. This cover is a great and provocative way to draw attention to the matter and start cleaning up our minds.

I am just wondering why we still have special issues/features on designers/musicians/artists etc. focused on their gender. “Women in Design”…. “Women in Rock”….I’m kind of tired of it all.

And while I know we’re still underrepresented in many fields, bunching us all together into a little group by gender might not help the cause.

Still, as a female designer I would probably pick up the issue to see what other ladies are doing. I like the cats, I like women, I like men, I like designers. I don’t think the cover is saying that we’re pussies.

Thanks for the dialogue!

I love the cover. But the concept of having a “Women of Design” issue pisses me off. There are PLENTY of excellent women designers in their own rite, but I think to call them out like this is trivializing their work, and making it “female”, which is messed up. They don’t need to be singled out. They need to be treated FAIRLY.

The title of this thread, “Women Designers are Pussies,” is actually the most appropriate reading of the cover of Step by Step, with all of its attendent innuendos, metaphors and historical associations. There is nothing ironic or revolutionary on the cover to try to reimagine the metaphor of woman = kitten. There is nothing on the design of the cover to communicate that Step by Step considers the women they feature as doing anything professional, interesting, important, or valuable. The 50 women who are “redefining design” and “leading the way” are clearly doing so because the are cute, cuddly, playful and sometimes tired (as indicated by yawning).

If you think women designers are pussies, then this cover is for you. You will identify with them and surely hire one of them to solve your next design need or ask them to mentor you so you can be a kitten too.

I think the kittens could work. I have a problem finding any visual or verbal cue that suggests irony, though. The headline simply reads “Women of Design.” The typography is banal (awful) and suggests a home and gardening magazine, or a cooking magazine, or even, a pet magazine. The idea is fine. Ambiguous messages are great. I find the execution offensive.

The fact that it provoked discussion seems to suggest it was successful, at least among designers. I found the remark comparing this to a cover depicting African Americans an interesting one. To some it is easier to degrade women than it is to degrade African Americans. It’s a matter of degrees: our tolerance for what is acceptable irony and what is blatant shock value.

What would a grid of rabid, bloodthirsty dogs have suggested?

Nice guess JonSel, but clearly Sagmeister already has the design corner on rabid, bloodthirsty dogs.

I was neither shocked nor offended and agree the cover is, at best, weak. However, one must admit, despite it’s deficiencies, it is legions better than what they tanked.

http://www.stepinsidedesign.com/STEPMagazine/Article/28531

Great site! Cool!Respect you!This is my site: http://bestforyou.nm.ru/

Very, very disappointed in the cover. Thank you for saying exactly what was on my mind. Ridiculous.

I received the new issue of Step into Design yesterday. This issue is about women designers. The cover is a grid of kittens with women designer’s names on it, in ugly, bland type. The photos are low quality and inconsitent. The inside of the magazine does not include any photos of kittens and has articles and photos of successful women in design.

I was somewhat troubled by this cover. I like the unexpectedquality. It defiantly caught my attention, and made me giggle beause I love cats. I could not be more girly with my love for cats and horses! But, this cover also made me feel a bit uncomfortable…and maybe that is just what they were trying to do with the cover. But I thought it was a nonprofit pet magazine. My husband almost threw it out when he got the mail because he thought it was a pet supply catalogue at first.

For me, this cover does not work. If they followed through the magazine with the cat theme, it might have been better. Also, I think they could have done something to push it further, like maybe super hero cats, or REALLY cute cats with lots of pink and girly-swirly designs that are over the top, but designed well. Each designer could have designed their own cat self portrait. This cover lacks good design and makes me feel embarrassed for the women inside the magazine, who are amazing designers.

To me, having a special magazine issue about women only is silly and outdated. I get the feeling that women are the cute little design pussies that do not get enough attention and need their very own special edition. Look how cute they are, designing in the big world!

By now, magazines should be aware of women and all designers and incorporate them in all regular issues…not just the sweet special editions.

Also, on another note. I was very turned off by the text treatment within the magazine. I wanted to read the articles, but the large typeface with no colums and tight leading made it impossible to read. I put down the magazine, fed up and regretting I had subscribed.

I suggest maybe a request of redesigned covers for this issue. Maybe ask all the women in this issue submitt their own redesign concepts and publish them in an upcomming normal issue. Let those women regain their dignity! They deserve more than a last-minute lame design.

Courtney,

I mostly agree with you. Both of those covers are disappointing, shallow, amateurish and juvenile. The rocks thing looks like something a teenage boy or a 12-year old boy would come up with. While in Europe that would not raise an eyebrow, it’s still crude and very unimaginative. I can just imagine what the cover of the Men’s Issue would look like!

The cats cover looks like something from a teenage girl. I don’t think the cat theme could have ever worked for a women’s issue. There are just too many negative innuendoes and connotations lurking in the shadows, y’know like “catty” behavior, pussycats, etc. And besides, what’s the point? How do cats become a metaphor for successful female designers? By embracing a stereotype and flipping it around on its head? If there is irony here it is lost on me.

The justifications that the designers gave for the cat cover were in fact, horrible. What a stupid assumption that everyone likes any one thing in particular. I do not care for cats, personally. Give me a good, faithful dog any day. And “it’s not really a man’s world anymore”?? That is an incredibly divisive and inflammatory statement. This world should not be defined by which sex does or does not own it. I know that’s easy for me to say as I have not experienced the glass ceiling that a lot of women have, but that does not mean I condone it, or ever contributed to it in any way. A little friendly competition is always fine, as long as it’s on a level playing field for all involved. And “we can laugh at ourselves”?? I’m afraid to even try and figure that one out.

I don’t think that girly-swirly would work either. Why would you want to validate, especially in a business and professional context, what most men see as vulnerable, stereotypical attitudes and frivolous predispositions among some women? There is a big difference between celebrating different inclinations between the sexes, and putting idiosyncrasies under a spotlight.

I know I can never fully understand all the issues raised by these issues because I am not a woman, and that’s probably a good thing. If I was a woman, I would never get out of the shower! Having said that, I think the whole “Women’s Issue” was a mistake. If only men had been featured before, then why not just simply search for and include worthy women designers into the publication? Having an all-women issue implies that women are in some other category than the men, and must be considered separately. A good design doesn’t know who did it.

Steve

Eric, If you want to talk about your “real problems” then visit CNN.com or a political blog and don’t bother attacking things that you don’t feel are important. If you want to discuss issues that relate to graphic design, then welcome aboard. There is a world outside of the today’s headlines (which of course are important), but the danger is when we think that our professional issues aren’t important because people aren’t dying.

BREAKING MY SILENCE!!!!!!!!!!

I’m aware during the Kodak Rebrand I informed the on Public on Speak Up I was taking a Sabbatical from writing on Design Blogs for at least 6 months or an undetermined amount of time.

While catching up on some reading and perusing Be A Design Group website. The ill fated issue of Women Of Design.

Unfortunately, I have not been Blogging. Furthermore, I didn’t know this Editorial Discussion was covered by Be A Design Group and my HOME Speak Up. Shows just how OUT OF TOUCH I really am.

In the Beginning, when the issue was released, I looked through the Credits to see if I was Credited with Pitching this Idea to Emily Potts.

To my Dismay I was not credited. Emily Potts took Center Stage and mislead Step Inside Design Reading Public she gave Birth to the Idea of a Single Issue Dedicated to Women Designers. Which is Emphatically Not True. Evidence Revealed, YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!!!!

I had Dialog with two Editors, Julie Lasky and Emily Potts. I asked Julie Lasky to Publish an Issue Dedicated to Women Designer(s. And Ms. Lasky informed me she Dedicated a Single Issue on Women Designer(s) when she was the Editor of Interiors Magazine. This must been some time ago, because I don’t remember the issue. I had no reason to doubt the information she disseminated.

The next conversation I engaged was with Emily Potts when she contacted me when I posted commentary on Speak Up in reference to my All Time List of Great Design Publications.

My Commentary was Commenced during the Editorial Discussion of the Revitalization of Print and HOW Magazines by Pentagram Partners, J. Abbott Miller and DJ Stout.

Link Below:

Redesigning A Design Magazine.
Author Debbie Millman

Click Comments, for Editorial Commentary.

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/002343.html#002343

I explained to Ms Potts I was very familiar with Step and it was formerly named Step By Step Graphics. Reference was made in my email.

Within Women of Design Issue of Step Ms Potts take SOLE Responsibility for coming up with the Idea for Women in Design. Didn’t break my heart. Nevertheless her comments were False and Disingenuous. I sincerely wanted to write Ms Potts and inquire, why I was not Acknowledged as Inspiration for Step Inside Design, Women of Design Issue. Credit in this Respect should be Shared.

No Surprise, Emily Potts is a Credit Monger!!!!!

And has not learned to Share.

Other comments on subject matter can be found under.

Book Review, Cipe Pineless: Two Remembrances Reviewed by Bryrony Gomez-Palacio

Click Comments, for Editorial Commentary.

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/002348.html

My Reason for not contacting Emily Potts in reference to this discussion. I sincerely wasn’t interested in Raining on the Accomplishment of Women Designer(s). And turning this into a Bitch and Moan Session. A few of the Women Designers whom I know, I consider Genuine Friends.

After careful consideration and reading the Comments on Be A Design Group and Speak Up tonight.

I thought it PRIME TIME to Reveal the Truth. Most Important, inform the World Audience of said Design Blogs the Catalyst and Brains behind the Step Inside Design, Women Of Design Publication was none other than Mr. Wonderful…

DesignMaven!!!!!!!

Critique of the Issue

Everything has already been said about the Cover, I won’t exacerbate bullet points already iterated.

I thought the Publication Lacked Racial Diversity. It was too Cliquish. It was the usual Suspects.

A publication of that Magnitude must include Elinor Selame, The First Lady of American Corporate Identity. Whom Founded BrandEquity International Forty Two (42) years ago.

At the same time, A Publication of this Magnitude must include Margaret Youngblood of Landor Fame. Identity Designer Extraordinaire. Whom has Developed and Design more First Tier Corporate Identities in the 21st Century than any man Practicing to date. Margaret Youngblood is no longer employed at Landor.

Neither was Connie Birdsall included in Women of Design.

Connie Birdsall is a Senior Partner, as well, the Admiral of Identity Design at Lippincott & Margulies and has been the Intellectual Force behind the Success of L&M for over Twenty Years.

To my knowledge has never had an Article written about her extraordinary Identity Design Career.

Anne Reeves, Anne Reeves has silently steered the Ship at Shimokochi-Reeves making it a Force to be Reckoned for over twenty years. Anne Partners with her Husband Mamoru Shimokochi both former Design Associates at Bass Yager. It is impossible not to recognize the work of Shimokochi-Reeves. A trip to the supermarket Silk Soy Milk, Knott’s Berry Farm Foods, Lawry’s Foods, Inc. While at Bass Yager, United Airlines, Avery International, Inc. and United Way (many others).

Sylvia Harris one of the Foremost African American Designer(s) of the 20th and 21st Century. Sylvia Harris was Co Founder of Renowned New York Identity and Design Consultancy 212 Associates. Her Accomplishments to numerous to mention.

Fo Wilson, African American Design Trailblazer and Incredibly Gifted Print Designer that clearly has no Competition,(Bar None). Ms Wilson is now Concentrating a Career in Industrial Design, Funiture Development.

Carol Porter, African American Designer has had a Remarkeble Career in Senior Design Management at the Washington Post. Most important a Celebrated and Renowned Publication Designer of the Highest Honor.

First and Foremost is Rose Marie Tissi. Undeniably the Greatest Female Designer Practicing Today Bar None. To my knowledge has never been published in an American Design Magazine.

While I’m on the subject, there were no Women Designers of Color in this Issue.

I purposely did not recommend any African American Female Designers. Just to witness, what I knew to be already True. None would be named, I was Correct.

There was not one Asian, Middle Eastern, African, East Indian, American Indian, Latin, Hispanic Women Designers Selected to Celebrate this Landmark Issue.

There is no Reason, Bryrony Gomez-Palacio should not have been Prominently Featured in Step Inside Design, Women of Design Issue.

I Wonder Why???

Although, I never heard from Emily Potts in reference to the Women Of Design Issue after she Ran with my Idea. I learned from another Designer featured in Women Of Design, my Idea was brought into Fruition. Named Reference in Cipe Pineless Book Review.

Without hearing from Emily Potts. I wrote her again in September to give her my list. And she told me it was too late. The issue was in production. Rose Marie Tissi was on my list. She told me none of the women on my list made it into the publication. Although, there is no interview with Rose Marie Tissi and she is not featured in the Publication. She is mentioned within the Timeline of Women Designer(s) as noted accomplishment. Forming a Design Partnership with Siegfried Odermatt 1968. Either Emily Potts has Select Memory or didn’t have a Clue to what she was talking about.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

Original Correspondence from Emily Potts.

From: Emily Potts POTTS@DGUSA.COM
To: ‘themarksman@hotmail.com
themarksman@hotmail.com
Subject: STEP inside design magazine
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2005 15:14:37 -0500

Hi there,

I was reading the posts on Speak Up! re: design magazines redesigns, and I saw your post about Step-by-Step Graphics and that you don’t pick it up because it’s too elementary. Step-by-Step was completely redesigned/ relaunched in July 2002 with the new name STEP inside design. If you haven’t seen it, I’d be happy to send you a copy.

The new STEP is not at all like its predecessor—we don’t do step-by-step how-to articles. We look at the bigger picture of design in the world around us and talk to the people behind the projects to get a sense of why they did what they did.

Please send me your mailing address, and I’ll drop a copy in the mail to you.

Warm regards,

EMILY POTTS
editor, STEP inside design

6000 N. Forest Park Dr.
Peoria, IL 61614
potts@dgusa.com
www.stepinsidedesign.com

———————————————————————————————————————————-

My Correspondence to Emily Potts

——- Original Message ——-
From: DesignMaven
To: potts@dgusa.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 11:31 AM
Subject: DesignMaven

6-28-05

Emily Potts
Editor, STEP inside design
6000 N. Forest Park Dr.
Peoria, IL 61614

Dear Ms. Potts:

Many thanks for contacting me. I was delighted to hear from you. In receipt of your transmission June 22, 2005

The Hotmail account is not my primary account. Its use is for online communication within weblogs.

I am familiar with Step Inside Design. Actually purchased an issue last summer. The issue which featured AIGA Design Luminaries and Gala 2004. I have perused other issues. Fact of Matter in the big picture other than Idea Magazine. None of the Design Publications offer me the type of Journalism I’m interested. My expertise is Corporate Identity. None of the Design Publications abroad or in the United States offer a miniscule amount of feature articles devoted to this subject matter. If Identity Design is the Pinnacle of Visual Communication; why no feature articles devoted to the subject matter. At the same time, none of the publications other than Idea Magazine are cross cultural enough for me to attract my interest. I’m interested in reading success stories of all nationalities and ethnicity of Designer(s). This is what makes Idea Magazine Great. I cannot say the same for American Design Publications. Furthermore, I am not so interested in Design Luminaries of current day Design Practice. Realistically, now days, I’m more interested in reading the story about the Designer that actually did the work. Not the person that take credit for the work. I am also interested in Women Designer(s) This is something I can lend my considerable expertise, salaried of course. Why not feature within Step Inside Design a entire Global Issue Featuring Women Identity Designers. Which has never been done before in Design History. This is something that will break barriers and set a new precedent.

With this knowledge, I trust you will consider these recommendations to improve the journalistic quality and integrity of Step Inside Design.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Regards

DesignMaven

———————————————————————————————————————————-

For the Record, my correspondance was edited for Clarity, it did not stop at my Pitch for a Publication Dedicated to Women in Design. I went on to Pitch another Idea in Reference to Corporate Identity.

Thought is Pertinent to mention I edited my letter and only omitted my Real Name in Email and Closing.

Lesson Learned:

Never Pitch an Idea unless you are Commissioned. There are a lot of Brain Dead Decision Makers that have NO TALENT and are Opportunistic. They Engage in Skull Duggery because that’s their TRUE CALLING IN LIFE.

They are Vultures, Scavengers and Feed on the Bowel Remains of Intelligent Design Genius.

Taste Like Chicken??? I Bet!!!!!

DM

P.S. No Further Comments, See you Guys sometime after Ground Hog Day. Back to Hibernation.

This is in response to Design Maven’s ridiculous accusations: First of all, is this a joke?

I did not credit you for the Women of Design issue, because I did not get the idea for the issue from you. Editorial calendars are typically conceived the year before they are published—i.e. content for 2005 was planned in the summer of 2004 so we could publish and distribute our editorial calendar to advertisers in the fall of 2004. Furthermore, I met in person with several of my female editorial advisors in New York in March 2005 to discuss the issue—present were Bonnie Siegler, Ina Saltz, Alice Twemlow, and writer Helen Walters. Content was planned and the writing assignments were made well in advance to receiving Design Maven’s note in June 2005. Another point: I don’t recall ever seeing that note from Design Maven—I’m not saying I didn’t receive it, just don’t recall it.

Also, the fact that Design Maven published a personal letter that I wrote to him without my permission is unconscionable. I never publish people’s letters without asking their permission. I’m not ashamed of my correspondence with him, it just wasn’t intended for anyone other than him.

I’m sure I didn’t even need to respond to this as most people can figure out that magazine editors don’t just plan content on the fly—i.e. there’s no way I would have planned the entire Nov/Dec issue after reading a letter I received in June. This is the most ridiculous claim I’ve ever heard and I take offense to the name calling.

Amazing the snide comments people will come up with when they’re online.

I could debate the social merits of this cover forever. But it is damn cute, and there is nothing wrong with that. You can talk more smack after you’ve gone through the actual process of designing a cover for STEP. Or any magazine. My perspective tells me you have not had the experience.

Emily:

If you’re OFFENDED. I’m even MORE Offended that you TAKE Executive Privalidge and have no Recollection.

What did Reagan call it???

Plausible Deniability.

I stand behind my Record of being Forthright and Truthful.

There are TWO FRIENDS that have the actual Emails in their Possession.

One a Historically Significant Designer. The other an Friend I regularly engage in offline Dialog.

It has been my Experience, People that DENY or have no Recollection have something to HIDE!!!!!

Upon receipt of my Email, you should’ve wrote back to say Step does not Engage in Unsolicited Pitches That would’ve been Professional Protocol and Proper Etiquette.

I can Print Out and send you the Actual Email.

You cannot Fabricate Email.

Any Forensic Expert will attest my Email is not Fabricated.

I certainly don’t have an History of Lying.

Would you prefer I contact my ISP to retrieve a list of Emails I sent on that date.

I assume Speak Up is also Fabricating it’s date and Post for the month of July with my Exchange with one of the Designers Featured in Women of Design.

Any further Comments. Please contact my offline.

DM

“Leah Bobal said: I am just wondering why we still have special issues/features on designers/musicians/artists etc. focused on their gender. “Women in Design”…. “Women in Rock”….I’m kind of tired of it all.” - because women ARE different. And it is still ‘a men’s world’, but like cats, women have learnt to ‘have more than one life’ and fall always on their feet.

Margie, I appreciate the reference to the Venus of Willendorf. What a connection to the Woman Rock covers!

For anyone unfamiliar, here’s a picture. The date is c. 15,000 BC

Ok. I’m just a design student here… but I’ve read the article, and read a majority of the posts.

Why not adult cats of the wild? Female Lions, Tigers, Panthers, Cheetahs, etc, etc? I mean, they definitely show feline (and female) prowess and power in every sense, and they are powerful creatures, who should not to be trifled with. I don’t know what the budget exactly was on this project (as the photography might be expensive, if stock did not exist before hand), but could that have not been a possible solution?

Strong. Proud. Fierce creatures, that represent what these women are? Successful, graphic designers. Kittens… are soft and cuddly… but not fierce or even mature in their lives and careers. Should that not be reflected in the imagery?

Just my observation. Love the site by the way. Great podcast.