Wei Yew

CELEBRATING THE OLYMPICS
Wei Yew arrived in Canada in the summer of 1976,
when Montréal hosted the XXI Olympic Summer
Games. Twelve years later, he became involved
with the Olympic movement through numerous
projects with the International Olympic Committee.
YEARS OF DESIGN FOR THE OLYMPIC TRUCE
CELEBRATING
20
Wei Yew was invited by the International Olympic Committee to
participate in a world-wide by-invitation-only logo competition
for the centennial year of the Olympics. More than 250 design
firms and individuals submitted entries.
On the short list were his design and two submissions from the
U.S., from which Bruce Blackburn’s design was chosen for the
centennial logo and Wei’s for the Olympic Truce initiative. The
Truce is a revival of the traditional moratorium on armed conflict
observed during the ancient Games. In 1993, a U.N. resolution
called for countries at war to declare a truce during a period
from one week before the opening of the Games until a week
after the closing. For the first time in modern Olympic history,
flags with this Olympic Truce symbol were flown during the 1994
Lillehammer Winter Games, and the warring factions in Sarajevo
paused to observe the Truce.
The Olympic Truce is symbolized by a dove of peace against
the traditional Olympic flame. The festive “effervescent”
confetti making up the flame suggest celebration of the human
spirit. For the past 20 years, the Olympic Truce has celebrated
humanity by bringing adversaries together, such as in the 2000
Sydney Games when South Korea and North Korea paraded into
the stadium together during the Opening Ceremony under a
single flag representing the Korean peninsula. The 2004 Athens
Games witnessed the participation of Afghanistan and Iraq,
two countries bloodied by conflict, demonstrating the unifying,
reconstructive power of sport.
YEARS OF DESIGN FOR THE 1988 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES ARTS FESTIVAL
Actual Polaroids of the photo shoot for
the official poster. In the days before the
introduction of Photoshop, these two
images had to be superimposed on the
large Scitex computer in Toronto.
CELEBRATING
25
Wei Yew competed to win a design contract for the 1988 Olympics Winter
Arts Festival. He was given a budget of $2.5 million to cover the design
and production of extensive print material, including posters, programs,
newspaper and magazine advertisements brochures, invitations, event
tickets, displays, certificates, banners billboards, press kits, way-finding
signage, and more. When the Festival was over, this enormous project
came in $250,000 under budget!
THE OLYMPIC IMAGE
In 1991, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch
commissioned Wei Yew to produce a
commemorative book celebrating the centenary
of the modern Olympic movement. This enormous
project entailed more than five years of research
in several countries and numerous trips to the
Olympic Archives in Lausanne, Switzerland. Wei’s
book The Olympic Image was launched in the
presence of members of the Olympic Congress
in Atlanta, just before the 1996 Olympic Games.
With additional material gleaned from the
archives, an interactive CD containing over 3,500
photos and illustrations, as well as an Olympics
quiz was produced.
Logo for the
Environmental Olympics
Wei Yew was invited to deliver a speech on Olympic
design in New York at the National Arts Club, the
oldest arts club in U.S.A. He was surprised by the
Proclamation he received that evening!
Logo for the
Millennium Olympics
CELEBRATING 33 YEARS OF
DESIGN PRACTICE IN CANADA
WEI YEW
Wei Yew practised graphic design in Singapore before emigrating to Canada in 1976 and opening his
own firm, Studio 3 Graphics, in 1980. A few years ago, the firm was re-branded to Wei Yew & Co. Among
the many projects which Wei has to his credit are the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, the
1988 Olympic Winter Games Arts Festival, the TriBach Festival, and numerous familiar logos such
as EPCOR, the Arts District, Syncrude Canada, The Citadel Theatre, Edmonton Valley Zoo, and the
Calgary Olympic Development Association. He was also responsible for the stunning multimedia
presentation to the IAAF selection committee in Monaco, an achievement that helped bring
the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Athletics to his hometown, Edmonton. Wei helped raise
the profile of Canadian book publishers with his branding of the Association for the Export of
Canadian Books, Ottawa. This identity has been implemented at book fairs in London, Frankfurt,
Bologna, Beijing and New York.
What separates Wei’s creativity from the work of other designers is his ability to adapt designs
to all kinds of media as well as to 3-dimensional formats. He studied architecture for 31/2 years
before deciding to become a graphic designer. His portfolio includes 3-dimensional works such
as the memorial donor wall and the Healing Garden monument at the Cross Cancer Institute,
the Robert Tegler Student Centre Recognition Tree and the Governor General’s Performing Arts
Award. He was instrumental in the planning and design of exhibits at the 44,000 sq.ft. Royal
Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology which opened in September 1985.
Wei won the competition to design the Provincial Police & Peace Officer Memorial Monument
located at the Alberta Legislature. This was a design-build undertaking managed on budget by
Wei. Recently he designed the 50-hectare Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park to be built at the
Armed Forces Garrison just north of Edmonton.
Wei’s extensive design experience is international in scope. High profile projects have included a
commission by IOC President Samaranch to produce a centennial publication entitled The Olympic
Image, which Wei spent over five years researching. He created logos for the Olympic Truce (after
an international design competition) and for the Environmental Olympics. In 2002, at the invitation
of the IOC, Wei addressed the 2008 Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG).
As an authority on Olympic design history, he was asked to share his knowledge with BOCOG and
some 800 design delegates at the International Design Conference. In June 2004, he addressed the
Design Conference organized by the 2010 Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Winter Games
(VANOC). Wei was also a jury member of the competition for the 2010 VANOC emblem. He also
designed the Olympic look for EPCOR which was the official supplier to the 2010 Games.
With a budget of $2.5 million, Wei project-managed and designed the entire Olympic Arts
Festival held in Calgary during the 1988 Winter Games. At the end of the 17-month-long project,
he was $250,000 under budget.
His works have won international design awards and have been published in various print media
such as the prestigious design magazine Communication Arts. Special citations include the 1994
Mayor’s Award for Business & the Arts, The City of Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence, and the City of
New York’s declaration of June 7, 1996 as The Olympic Image Day, in his honour. Mayor Bill Smith
presented Wei with the 2004 Waldo Ranson Spirit of Edmonton Award which recognizes his spirit,
integrity and leadership as one of the City’s finest citizens. Winner of the 1993 Mayor’s Award for
Sustained Supporter of the Arts, Wei was also nominated for the Mayor’s Award for the Arts 2005
and received the City of Edmonton Citation Award for the 2011 Salute to Excellence program.
Wei is the proud recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He has been
commissioned to design the prestigious Moriyama Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
International Prize Award to be presented in the fall of 2014.
Wei has served on the teaching staff at MacEwan University and DevStudios eMedia Design School
in Edmonton. He was also a sessional lecturer in the University of Alberta Visual Communications,
Guru Digital Arts College and Pixel Blue College. He has conducted lectures and workshops
throughout Western Canada, as well as in the Orient. Wei has adjudicated numerous design
competitions, including the first-ever graphic design show in Shenzhen, China.
Wei’s works can be viewed on his Web site: www.weiyew.ca
Designers who have worked
at Studio 3 Graphics and Wei Yew & Co.
Dwight Allot
Debra Bachman
Slavek Branicki
Sherry Brimacombe
Alex Chan
Brad Fischer
Christopher Heffley
Melissa Hicks
Steven Hoose
David Kilvert
Krista Kilvert
Katherine Knowlton
Shawn Kowalchuk
Elaine Laflamme
Samuel Lam
Mark Lang
Tim Lau
Dennis Lenarduzzi
Karen Litwinowich
Kyle Loranger
Doug Madill
James Mah
Dennis Malin
Rod Michalchuk
Kancie Mong
David Moore
Suzanne Oel
Shirley Phillips
Matthias Reinicke
Karl Steiner
Graham Stinson
Jeff Strangman
Gary Tam
Richard Warring
Helen Wong
Tony Yau
Robert Young
Consultants
Theo Crosby, Pentagram, London
Colin Forbes, Pentagram, NY
Ronnie Tan, Design Objectives, Singapore
Lance Wyman, Lance Wyman Ltd., NY
Exhibit Fabricator & Supplier
Display Design Systems
SABIC Polymershapes
HIGHLIGHTS OF 33 YEARS
1980 Studio 3 Graphics established
Became a citizen
1982 Began a tradition of annual issues of Business Cards designed
according to the Chinese Lunar Year (Year of the Dog)
Designed 10-year plan for the Meewasin Valley Authority Signage, Saskatoon
1984 Conducted design workshop in Whitehorse, Yukon
1985 First in City to acquire Lightspeed graphics computer
(1 of only 2 in Canada)
Designed Royal Tyrrell Museum brand and exhibits
Official designer for the TriBach Festival celebration of
J.S. Bach’s tricentenary
1986 Print material for Alberta Pavilion at Expo 86
Winter Games Wall design at Canmore Nordic Centre
1987 Designed the Fashion Alberta Exhibit in Toronto
(most eye-catching booth of the event said the Edmonton Journal)
1988 Calgary Olympic Winter Games Arts Festival
1990 Published first book Storks & Bonds under new company, Quon Editions
1991 Received commission from President Samaranch to produce book
on the centenary of the Olympic Image
1992 Invitation to jury China’s first Graphic Design Show, Shenzhen, China
Children’s Hospital Foundation Logo on T-shirt sold over 13,000 pieces!
1994 Personal invitation to IOC, Lausanne by President Samaranch to the launch of the Olympic Truce, the emblem which Wei designed
Received Mayor’s Award for Sustained Supporter of the Arts
1996 Invited to speak at the National Arts Club, NY
(oldest arts club in the United States)
Design articles published in Communication Arts magazine, largest design magazine distribution in the world
Invited to present The Olympic Image book to the IOC Session during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia
1998 Design print & multimedia Bid material for the
2001 World Track & Field Games
1999 Re-branding of EPCOR Group
2000 Commissioned to design the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award
2001 Started eMedia school, DevStudios
Participated in a month-long opera workshop in Siena, Italy
2002 Invitation by the Organizing Committee of the 2008 Beijing Games to address a design conference on the emblem design competition
2003 Designed Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award brand
and medallion
2004 Invitation by the VANOC to address a design conference on the emblem design competition
Lecture at Emily Carr College
2005 Invitation to jury the 2010 Winter Games emblem competition
Studio 3 Graphics re-branded to Wei Yew & Co.
2006 Won competition to design & build the Alberta Provincial Police & Peace Officers Memorial Monument
2007 Calgary Olympic Development Association re-branding
2008 EPCOR 2010 Olympic sponsor branding
Design of Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park at the 50-hectare Garrison
2009 Lectures at Nanyang Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore
Sobeys corporate office signage
2010 Celebrating 30 years as a Canadian citizen
University Hospital Foundation re-branding
EPCOR Tower Wayfinding & Signage
2011 Salute to Excellence Arts & Culture Citation Award
2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Design commission for the Moriyama Royal Architectural Institute of Canada International Prize. Raymond Moriyama is one of the most distinguished and decorated architects in Canada.
2013 Cross Cancer Institute Volunteer Association Healing Garden
Monument unveiled
University Hospital Foundation Champions of Care brand launched
AWARDS
1994 Mayor’s Award for Business & the Arts
1994 Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence
1996 Buroughs of New York & Brooklyn declared The Olympic Image Day
in honour of Wei’s visual presentation of 100 years of Olympic design
2004 Waldo Ranson Spirit of Edmonton Award (First winner)
2005 Nominated for the Mayor’s Award for the Arts
2011 Salute to Excellence Arts & Culture Citation Award
2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
PUBLICATIONS (Researched, compiled and written by Wei Yew)
The Olympic Image – The First 100 Years
The Pig: A Porkfolio
Storks & Bonds – Designer Wedding Invitations & Birth Announcements
GOTCHA! The Art of the Billboard
GOTCHA Twice! The Art of the Billboard 2
Noah’s Art – The Best of Zoo & Aquarium Graphics
Museum & Art Gallery Graphics
Pacific Rim Design – 15 Pacific Rim Graphic Designers
European Community Design
The OBIE Awards 1992 & The OBIE Awards 1993
PUBLICATIONS (News about Wei Yew published by respective news media)
Communication Arts, USA
Book of American Trademarks, New York
World of Logotypes, New York
Modern Publicity, England
Type Directors Club, USA
The New York Times
Design Exchange magazine, Hong Kong
Studio magazine, Toronto
Quill & Quire, Toronto
Bibliothèque publique d’information, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
The Standard, St. Catharines
Alberta Venture magazine
The Edmonton Journal
The Calgary Herald
Alberta Report magazine
Alberta Business magazine
Visual Arts newsletter
International Association of Business Communicators, IABC
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Washington, D.C
@Issue, Journal of Business & Design, Boston
Cross-Culture Design, Thames and Hudson, UK
Houston Post, Texas
World Today, USA
SPONSORSHIP
Alberta Baroque Ensemble
Alberta College of Art & Design
Canada Cup West Curling Championship*
Citadel Theatre
Concordia University
Edmonton Opera
Edmonton Public Library Celebrity Book Auction
Edmonton Valley Zoo
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Edmonton Young Writers’ Conference
Friends of the Edmonton Public Library Society
ITU World Triathlon
Little Aces, Tennis Alberta*
Lou Gehrig’s Society
Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival
Northern Light Theatre
Phoenix Theatre
University of Alberta Chancellor’s Cup*
The Works Society
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & VOLUNTARY WORK
Alberta Baroque Ensemble*
Alberta College of Art & Design (sang full concert in fundraising)
Arts in Medicine at the Cross Institute*
Book Publishers of Alberta (Board Member)
Calgary Olympic Development Association (advisor to the 2010 Games Bid)
Canada Cup West Curling Championship*
Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons*
CKUA
Cross Cancer Institute Volunteer Association*
Doctors Against Violence Everywhere (DOVE)*
Edmonton Business Council for the Visual Arts (committee member)
Edmonton Chamber Orchestra*
Edmonton Dragon Boat Racing Club (volunteer photographer 2 years)
Edmonton InterFaith Centre*
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (Board Member)
International Olympic Committee (volunteer speaker 2002, 2004)
ITU World Triathlon (race marshall & volunteer photographer 4 years)
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award Foundation*
Lou Gehrig’s Society (sang in fundraising concert)
MacEwan University Advisory Committee member
Military Cup
Provincial Police & Peace Officer Memorial Day
Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (sang full concert in fundraising)
South Alberta Light Horse Regiment Military Cup
University of Alberta Chancellor’s Cup*
Wellspring Edmonton (founding Board Member)*
The Works (sang full concert in fundraising)
LECTURES
Alberta College of Art & Design
Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Emily Carr College
Guru Digital Arts College
MacEwan University
Nanyang Polytechnic & Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore
NAIT
Pixel Blue Digital College
Red Deer College
SAIT
University of Aberta Visual Communications
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games
*denotes design services donated
IDENTITIES
Edmonton Valley Zoo
Edmonton Community Foundation
The Edmonton Valley Zoo symbol was selected in the first Flanders World Logo Design Biennial in Ostend, Belgium, September 1994
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
originally the Children’s Health Foundation
and now adopted by the Stollery Children’s Hospital
Golden Fleece Editions (publisher)
Plains Publishing
Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival
Contact North (distance learning centre in Ontario)
Hong Fok Land (Singapore’s largest real estate developer)
Canada Medical Ltd. (medical supplies distributor)
Golden Falcon Development Ltd.
tour operator
Queen City Meats
Alley Kat (specialty micro-brewery)
The StoryTellers Society
Chefs in the City
Dianne Irving Kipnes Foundation
Human Rights Commission
Arbitrators’ Institute of Canada Inc.
Davidson & Gregory (criminal lawyers)
Max Frank (communications consultant)
Miss Rodeo Canada
Canadian Culinary Fund High School Scholarship
IDENTITIES
chamber orchestra
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Edmonton Chamber Orchestra
7th Suzuki International Conference
Stuart Laughton’s
Sulyma Productions
music group
Citadel Theatre
musician, cellist
University Hospital Foundation
patient gratitude program
University Hospital Foundation
Caritas Hospitals Foundation
medical supplies manufacturer
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chinese
canadian
medical
society of
Chinese Canadianedmonton
Medical Society of Edmonton
Alberta College of Pharmacists
online party supplies source
group creating Compassionate Community Values
STATION LANDS
Chandos Construction
twinned multi-storey office towers in Singapore
Holland Hemingway Eldred Consortium Ltd. (architects)
Revcor Group (developer)
OJ Pipeline
Windermere South (development)
Calgary development
downtown development
CORP.
developer
investment company
centennial logo
IDENTITIES
Home for Healing
D.O.V.E. – Doctors Opposing Violence Everywhere
Lorraine Bray (psychologist)
florist
Immigration Services Calgary
Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Dutch Stems Unlimited Inc. (florist)
Red Willow Park in St. Albert
Alberta Pacific Forest Industries
25th anniversary of the Edmonton Heritage Festival
located at the Garrison
Jewelry by Sheila Laughton
Alberta Employment Standards Code
Carbon Engineering (Calgary)
Salutaris Centre for Lymphatic & Massage Therapy
Liberty
Chiropractic
Liberty Chiropractic
Calgary
Olympic
Development
Association
ITU Triathlon World Championship in 2001
Calgary Olympic Development Association
The Oil Barons of Fort McMurray
National Triathlon Championships
Triathlon Canada
Columbia Awards
University of Alberta – The Chancellor Cup
The Military Cup
Canada Cup West (curling)
Chef Simon Smotkowicz’s Team
IDENTITIES
Alberta Environment
Alberta Ingenuity Fund
Alberta Information Privacy
provincial network of municipal leaders
Alberta Oil Sands Technology Research Authority
Alberta Law Reform Institute
University of Alberta Faculty of Law
Justice and Attorney General
Metro Edmonton Region Transportation Coalition
Syncrude One Billion Barrel (commemorative logo)
for T-shirt
NXT Roaster (coffee)
Edmonton Chinese Citizen Lodge
Book Publishers Association of Alberta
The Arts District
The Alberta Quilt (festival of theatrical performances)
Gateway Mortgage
Investment Corp.
DISPLAY
DESIGN
Winter Cities Conference
Gateway Mortgage Investment Corp.
First Nation-operated golf course
Display Design Systems (exhibit fabricator)
information encryption software
Kromar Printing (Winnipeg)
Electric Singapura (electrical maintenance)
Browning Design (landscape architects)
solicitors
accountant
solicitors
Cross Cancer Institute Volunteer Association
DESIGN OF AWARDS, MONUMENTS & DONOR RECOGNITIONS
COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-1918
View from Northwest
View from Northeast
Existing Park from Satellite Photo
View from East (from the ingles bridge)
View from West
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View from Southeast
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B
C
D
E
F
G
H
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J
K
L
M109 Howitzer
M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier
C130 Hercules Aircraft
5“ Navy Gun HMCS Nonsuch
Amphitheatre
3-Nation Flags Station
Leopard I Tank
Churchill Memorial
Seven Arches of Remembrance
Fountain
Ingles Bridge
Military Truck
Unobstructed sight-line of Torch from HQ
View from South (from the pedestrian bridge)
Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park consists of
an open-air museum with the memorial in a
quiet setting at its heart. The museum features
vehicles, weapons and artifacts from the army,
navy and air force, set in historical dioramas.
A former runway bisecting the site diagonally
leads to a C130 Hercules.
The centre of the park is the intersection of
two axes, one providing direct access to the
headquarters entrance and the other a new
central walkway linking the officers’ mess
to a new parking area. It is at this nexus
that the Memorial Chamber, open to the
elements, guards replicas of the Seven Books
of Remembrance. High flanking hedges on one
side and interpretive walls on the other create a
serene conclave. Seven Arches of Remembrance,
to be commissioned to seven Canadian artists,
lead to the chamber. Adjacent stand a field of
poppies and a cenotaph, whose eternal flame is
visible from either end of a long avenue of trees.
Viewing of the park is facilitated by an Ingles
bridge and a viewing platform near the fountain,
which looks directly into the chamber.
Landscape architects: Carlyle & Associates
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. John McCrae 1915
Never in the field of
human conflict was
so much owed by
so many to so few.
Sir Winston Churchill
More than 118,000 Canadians have died in service to
Canada since 1884 in wars and conflicts around the world.
They are recognized in the Seven Books of
Remembrance located in the Memorial Chamber at the
Peace Tower in Ottawa
DESIGN OF AWARDS, MONUMENTS & DONOR RECOGNITIONS
The Provincial Police & Peace Officer
Memorial Monument
Those who grieve seek comfort and experience
the desire to reach out to the lost loved one.
The design concept builds on the metaphor of
something to touch and embrace. A column
poses a presence as a “pillar of strength” which
is powerful as well as approachable, even
“huggable”. The memorial offers participants a
strong symbolic connection with the fallen officers.
The bereaved can touch and feel the bronze
plaques set in warmed colour aluminium tiles, and
they can put their arms around the monument.
They can also take impressions through rubbings
of the embossed doves.
The memorial also reminds one of the candle
often seen at vigils – a powerful symbol to those
who grieve, and a comforting light to gather
around in times of need.
Peace dove shapes are pre-indented on the
surface of certain tiles to receive the bronze
pieces honouring each fallen officer. A total of
150 indentations were cast, leaving 60 available
(unfortunately) for future use.
The memorial sits on a 9.28m2 platform in the
shape of the Alberta Rose. Words such as “To
Love”, “To Remember”, “To Recognize”, “To
Respect”, and “To Honour”, are etched into the
surface. The podium also incorporates these words
in cast brass and in permanent flower vases for
the use of visitors.
At the Ceremony
The role of the memorial as a place of ceremony
to commemorate the fallen is integral to its
connection with the wider police community. The
Alberta Rose-shaped terrace serves as focal point
for the proceedings. As part of this ceremony, three
replicas of each bronze dove are presented: one for
the Pillar of Strength, one to the police station or
jurisdiction where the fallen officer last worked and
one to the family or loved ones. This will provide an
emotional and physical link from the memorial to
people and places all over Alberta.
PROJECT TEAM
Wei Yew, project designer
Chandos, main contractor
Earthscape Consultants, landscape architect
Aaron Bourgoin, Virtual North, architecture
Earth Tech, engineering
The Archeology Group, archeologist
Alberta Custom Metal Fabricators Ltd, fabricator
Pyramid Concrete, foundation and podium
Behrends Bronze, bronze casting
and ATCO Gas
DESIGN OF AWARDS, MONUMENTS & DONOR RECOGNITIONS
Cross Cancer Institute Donor Memorial Wall
Donor names are laser-engraved on light-gauge aluminum
birds of various sizes and colours according to the category
of donation. Each profile is individually contoured for
“flight” by bending the metal and is then mounted
with piano wire to the background of blue sky.
To get an idea of the value of donation on the wall, the smallest
dove represents a $30,000 contribution from 6 donors at $5,000
each. The largest dove represents donations of $1 million each.
Cross Cancer Institute Volunteer Association
The Association celebrated its 50th anniversary of enhancing
patient care and comfort at the Cross Cancer Institute. In its
half century, the Institute has raised $4.5 million and tallied an
astounding 1.4 million volunteer hours!
DESIGN OF AWARDS, MONUMENTS & DONOR RECOGNITIONS
In the fall of 2012, design work began for the Healing Garden
Monument to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cross
Cancer Institute Volunteer Association’s enhancement of
patient care and comfort.
The monument is made up of three curved steel panels
representing the donors. There are 50 hand images lasercut into the panels – 50 hands for 50 years. The monument
is topped with the Volunteer Association logo, which
was designed two years earlier. This is probably the only
monument that radiates positive energy. When you smile at
it, you receive a smile in return. Patients and visitors of the
Cross can find solace and comfort reflected in themselves.
When dusk falls, the hands and the flame glow like a beacon
of hope and strength in the healing process.
In the Healing Garden there are seven brass words inlaid on
the concrete – Hope, Belief, Family, Serenity, Courage, Strength
and Peace. The Garden and the monument were unveiled on
September 17, 2013.
CONSULTANTS
HFKS Architects Inc. (Prime Consultant)
Sergio Poles, Janet Koshuta, Tracy Johnson – Architects
David Brookes – Specifications
EDA Collaborative Inc.
Ted Muller, Kristin Grimard – Landscape Architects
BPTEC-DNW Engineering Group Ltd.
Brian Kennedy, P.Eng. – Principal
Hemisphere Engineering Inc.
Henry Doornberg, P.Eng. – Principal
Neil Glebe – Job Captain, Electrical
BTY Group (costing sub-consultant)
Graeme Alston – Partner
FABRICATOR
Alberta Custom Metal Fabricators Ltd.
LASER CUTTING
CSM
LASER ENGRAVING
Columbia Awards
DESIGN OF AWARDS, MONUMENTS & DONOR RECOGNITIONS
Established in 2003, the Lieutenant Governor of
Alberta Arts Awards Foundation presents two
awards, the Distinguished Artist and the Emerging
Artist, every two years. The medals, in gold and
silver are hand-crafted by Alberta jewelry designer
and goldsmith Wayne Mackenzie.
The Alberta Export
Achievement Awards were
given to Alberta firms for
success in various categories
of export trade. The Award is
made of solid, clear acrylic with
sand-blasted logo.
Michael Tabbitt of the National Arts Centre
commissioned Wei Yew to design the NAC
Award for the Governor General’s Performing
Arts Awards. Deciding that an applause
metaphor would be appropriate, Wei contacted
glass artist Leslie Rowe to cast a lead glass
sculpture. She used his hands for the model, a
process which required 24 minutes of absolute
stillness. On the finished sculpture the details are
uncanny – you can even feel the fingerprints.  
DESIGN OF AWARDS, MONUMENTS & DONOR RECOGNITIONS
Glenrose Hospital – The campaign slogan “I CAN”
was used to raise money for a unit equipped with
special technology to help paraplegics lead a fuller
life. To augment this slogan, Wei Yew came up
with the phrase “YOU DID, SO THAT I CAN” for use
on the donor recognition wall. Each element of this
serene wetland scene acknowledges an individual
or corporate donation.
The Strathcona Care Centre
for the elderly in Sherwood
Park was built where a
wheat field once stood,
which inspired the idea of
creating a fanciful donor
garden. Visible to passersby
as well as to residents,
the garden features 800
wheat stalks made of
weather-resistant steel and
silkscreened with 3,200
names of donors. The stalks
are angled so that the
grains sway in the wind.
Colour and height denote
levels of contribution. Toplevel donors were each
given a glass wheat sheaf
as a memento.
Donor recognition wall for the Pediatrics Unit at the
Glenrose Hospital. For the narrow entrance to the
children’s ward Wei wanted to create something
with child appeal, so he designed a landscape of
animated objects. The figures mounted on pivots
can be set in motion by a crank wheel next to the
scene. The activating mechanism (rubber ball, pulley
and levers) is out of sight behind the display case.
The sun and moon represent the largest donations
and the flowers the smallest.
Some of the elements from the landscape are also
used as signage along the corridors, identifying
rooms or facilities which have been endowed by
donors recognized on the wall.
EPCOR GROUP BRANDING
The utilities company EPCOR conducted extensive
market focus testing before launching a new logo.
After consultation with Dianne Allen from EPCOR’s
Communications Department, Wei Yew redesigned
their logo to emphasize EPCOR’s role as a provider
of water and energy.
EPCOR’s mascot derives its shape from the visual
elements of the logo. The energy/sun motif
becomes the mane of a lion, while the water
element is translated as a fishtail and wavy lines
on the mascot’s vest.
The EPCOR 2010 Olympic Sponsorship Look
BRANDS SIMILAR IN NATURE TO WORK REQUESTED
Way-finding Signage – EPCOR TOWER
Completed in the fall of 2011, the 28-storey office
building EPCOR Tower is the first high-rise office
tower built in Edmonton in over 22 years. The
way-finding signage was designed in collaboration
with Wei Yew’s designer friends Lance Wyman,
New York and Ronnie Tan, Singapore.
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
To be married to Sheila Laughton, associate
principal cellist of the Edmonton Symphony
Orchestra and to have the opportunity to design
the season brochures and promotional print
material for a number of years must surely be
Wei Yew’s greatest fortune!
On the occasion of the 60th
anniversary of the ESO and
the highly anticipated trip to
Carnegie Hall, New York, this
fabulous cake was designed
and created by chef Simon
Smotkowicz and his team from
the Shaw Conference Centre.
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•1•
SYNCRUDE
When Syncrude Canada Ltd. celebrated its
milestone production of one billion barrels of oil
from the oil sands in Fort McMurray, a logo was
commissioned to commemorate the event.
Science In The Sands was a project of Syncrude
Canada to promote understanding of oil sands
technology among school children. This exhibit at the
Edmonton Space & Science Centre included hands-on
experiments and talks on a variety of subjects.
Left – at the entrance to the exhibit is a full-size truck
wheel. The idea was to have students pass through
the wheel to give them an impression of its size.
CALGARY MUNICIPAL LAND CORPORATION
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation is
Calgary’s go-to placemaker for urban
redevelopment. Wei Yew is involved in the
design of the marketing material for the East
Village development.
Envelope Size: 7.5” x 5.5” (#1Booklet)
Rebuilding a neighbourhood
takes equal parts imagination and infrastructure.
Follow our progress at evexperience.com and calgarymlc.ca
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC)
429 – 8th Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta T2G 0L6
Golfs!
CMLC
2012 G
o
Invitat lf
io
Tourna nal
ment
MEMO
RIAL D
RIVE
DOWN
TOWN
CALGA
RY
DEERF
OOT T
RAIL
BOW R
IVER
E
NG 90
A
R D2
R
DUNBO
W RD
Buildin
g
talent, a neighbourh
sk
ood ta
kes
does s ill and ambit
ion, an
mackin
d so
g a cle
the mid
an d
d
your b le of the fairw rive down
es
a
your in t jacguard an y. Throw on
d chan
ner Ric
nel
kie Fow
unforg
ettable
ler for
a
day to
gether n
DATE:
.
Sept 2
4th, 20
TIME:
12
Regist
ration:
9
am
Shotgu
LOCAT
n start
ION: C
1
0 am
ottonw
ood Go
C
lf an
o
un
RSVP*
BY: Se try Club, Dew d
pt 10th
inton
to
info@c
algarym
lc
Please
include .ca
your ha
or aver
age go
n
lf score dicap
.
Cotton
wo
and Co od Golf
untry C
lub
* invita
tion is
non-tra
nsferab
le
YEARS OF INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY RADIO
Wei Yew came up with a simple and inexpensive
design approach for way-finding signage and a
donor recognition wall for the newly rebuilt CKUA
building, formerly Alberta Hotel. Using the shapes of
variously-sized music vinyls and CD’s, Wei developed
a classification linking donors to the six sizes seen
below. He also had the names of personnel and
rooms printed on blank CD’s. Directional signs were
printed on the 7" (45 rpm) shapes.
The image on the wall of the reception area is
actually a photograph (taken by Jim Dobie) of a sign
on the outside wall of the former CKUA building on
Jasper Avenue.
Way-finding Signage, Donor Recognition Wall & Interpretive Exhibit • CKUA CELEBRATING
20
It began in 1927 with a dream: to take the University
to the people via the new medium of radio. With
a couple of the University of Alberta’s engineering
students, two windmill towers, some old iron poles
and a little creative book-keeping, a $700 grant was
transformed into Canada’s first public broadcaster.
The CKUA Radio Network signed on November 21st,
1927, with a 500-watt signal.
On May 23rd, 1929, the first Canadian school
broadcast was made from CKUA, fulfilling the
original goal set two years prior, and starting
a tradition of excellence in distance education
that continues today through CKUA’s relationship
with Athabasca University and programs such as
Ragtime to Rolling Stone and From Bop to Rock.
In 1945 Alberta Government Telephones (AGT)
began operating CKUA and moved the station from
the University campus to downtown Edmonton.
ACCESS assumed ownership of CKUA in 1974, and
the construction of transmitters in Calgary and
Lethbridge soon followed. CKUA’s unique sound had
begun to resonate across Alberta’s airwaves.
CKUA was privatized in 1994, and since 1997 a
combination of commercials, corporate
sponsorships and listener donations have funded
the station’s day-to-day operating costs.
Today, CKUA is capable of reaching most Albertans
through 16 transmitters across the province. On
February 29, 1996, CKUA became the first Canadian
station to stream online, giving CKUA a global
presence via ckua.com. Over 40 programs are featured
on CKUA, spanning many music genres and topics.
CKUA helped launch such artists as k.d. lang, Jann
Arden, Joni Mitchell and Bruce Cockburn. Over the
past eight decades, CKUA has had the privilege
of offering music ranging from classical, jazz, and
folk, to blues and world beat. CKUA has shared
many firsts with the province of Alberta, including
the first Western Canada football play-by-play
in 1928, the first Edmonton outlet for a national
network broadcast in 1930, and the first station
in Alberta with FM Technology. It is with this
pioneering spirit that CKUA approach the years
and broadcasts yet to come.
An interpretive wall tracing CKUA’s illustrious history
is in the works. It will allow one to listen to famous
recordings from the CKUA archives, including the
original King’s Speech by George VI and Ernest
Hemingway reading from his books.
The donor recognition wall will acknowledge CKUA’s
generous donors. It will feature different-sized vinyls
and CD’s to represent the various levels of donation.
Above the wall will be a list of performers who have
recorded in the studios of CKUA.
Way-finding Signage – SOBEYS
With over 45,000 sq. ft., this labyrinth of offices
requires way-finding signage to direct employees
and visitors of the Sobeys Corporate Office on the
St. Albert Trail. The design captures the grocery-like
environment by using super graphics panels and
banners. The four quadrants are represented by fruits.
ASSOCIATION OF EXPORTATION OF CANADIAN BOOKS
A maple leaf of books becomes the logo for the
Association of Exportation of Canadian Books,
which assists publishers in marketing their
publications through international book fairs in
cities such as Frankfurt, London, Bologna, Beijing,
Chicago and New York.
Wei designed a modular display to establish a
Canadian brand and presence internationally.
 
3-DIMENSIONAL
EPCOR commissioned Wei Yew
to design the 37-metre section of
the wall surrounding its electrical
sub-station next to the soon-to-becompleted MacEwan LRT station.
Cast in five panels, the wall depicts a
cityscape with lights made of coloured
glass blocks.
A river motif runs below the buildings.
Budgets for exhibits are always
tight, especially when city coffers
are involved. Sometimes one must
get by with just a few spotlights
and two-by-fours, as in this display
of building lots offered for sale by
the City of Edmonton.
A logo for an insurance company turned into a
decorative façade for the office building.
Wei had immense fun coming up with visual
puns for the United Way fund-raising project.
He paid an artist to execute his ideas for the
three cows entitled respectively:
COWrousel
InCOWgnito
Vincent van COW (check out his left ear).
Not really a mooving experience!
DESIGN OF AWARDS, MONUMENTS & DONOR RECOGNITIONS
E
B
P
V
I
E
N
E
L
I
E
Bill Diepeveen, former Manager of Alberta
Municipal Dispute Resolution Services, retired
after 14 years of service. His colleagues wanted
to honour him with an award which Wei
designed. The visual metaphor of 14 rising pillars
represent his years of building the department.
D
quotation
L
Syncrude’s Award of Excellence in
Sustainable Development
To recognize the donors of the Robert Tegler
Student Centre at Concordia College, a Christian
Institution, Wei Yew played on the biblical
reference to the Tree of Life. The donor
recognition tree is made up of four foliage
shapes, each colour representing a designated
donation. The fluid lines of names were screened
onto thick mild steel, which was then powdercoated for the desired effect.
Sir Winston Churchill Square donor recognition
plaque and interpretive panel to celebrate the
Centennial of the City of Edmonton.
POSTERS
Robertson-Wesley United Church organized a
series of weekly lunch hour recitals, one of which
gave Wei Yew the opportunity to play his flute.
A series of posters to promote the Government of
Alberta’s new department, Innovation & Science.
Children of staff members were used in the
photo shoot.
Posters for the inaugural season of Metamorphosis,
a series of concerts conducted by Grzegorz Nowak.
POSTERS
The Edmonton Interfaith Centre commissioned Wei
Yew to design a poster to celebrate peace defined
by these 12 religious faiths.
A poster of the Japanese alphabet Hiraganá was
designed for a social studies series called Kanatakit.
The Works Society Presents
The Works Society Presents
An Exhibition
& Sale of Works by
December 7 – 22, 2001
Main Floor
Commerce Place
10150 Jasper Avenue
An Exhibition
& Sale of Works by
December 7 – 22, 2001
Main Floor
Commerce Place
10150 Jasper Avenue
Posters for PhotoEclectic, a collection of computerenhanced photographs from Wei’s travels and
graphic design works. He prepared this exhibition
as a fund-raiser for the Works Society.
The Works Society Presents
The Works Society Presents
An Exhibition
& Sale of Works by
December 7 – 22, 2001
Main Floor
Commerce Place
10150 Jasper Avenue
An Exhibition
& Sale of Works by
December 7 – 22, 2001
Main Floor
Commerce Place
10150 Jasper Avenue
Before the advent of Photoshop, illustrations for
characters in The Magic Flute had to be drawn and
carefully pasted onto the photograph of a flute to
create this poster for Edmonton Opera.
This poster has tear-off tabs with information on
how to apply for the Fine Arts Program at the
former Grant MacEwan College.
The Works International Visual Arts Society produces
an annual festival in Edmonton which attracts artists
and patrons from around the world with over 200
free exhibits and events.
Christmas party invitation for Eric Newell,
President & CEO of Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Christmas card for Chieftain International Inc.
Wedding invitation and announcement for Wei’s
sister. The initials M & M for Mary and Mel provided
the design idea.
Wedding invitation for Hogue and Harris. A pair
of die-cut H’s, serif and sans serif, linked by a gold
ring, create a unique cover which allows light to
filter through to the text inside.
Favourite C
Memory of hildhood
Erin:
by Megha
nn Darroch
My favour
ite memor
y of my lit
sister and
tle
I growing
up
any time
we were w is probably
aiting for
parents in
our
ca
“lock out” rs. Sometimes we’d
pl
where we’
d manage ay
convince
the
to
the car an other sister to get
out of
d th
would play en the sister in th
e car
w
infuriating ith the automatic
lo
th
cks,
car then qu e sister outside of
the
ickly lettin
g
when we
saw a pare them back in
nt coming
so we wou
back
ld
game was n’t get in trouble. A
no
to watch
people wal ther
the car an
ridiculous
ki
d make fu
bu
nny sounds ng by
pace of th
way of laug t it is hilarious, and
to the
eir walk...
we
hing so ha
probably
until it hu
rd her nost would laugh until
sounds
rt. Sisters!
w
rils would
!
flare which e cried. Erin had th
is
would mak
e me laug
h
Birth announcement cards are
always a delight to design.
These two are for Irene and
John, the lovely children of
Nan and Peter Poole of Banff.
Funniest C
memory withhildhood
Tyler
by Alexand
ra Kergen
Probably
to this
day, the fu
nn
Shannon M
story is “I iest
cMullan on
maginary
her weddi
ng da
Apples”. W
e were at
he
r father: Ju y with
Alexa
home with
ly 16, 1977
ndra
mom all
Meghann
day while
da
e
n
at work. I d was
e
t
Mis
had my
Kel
imaginary
ly
sh
cart, doin opping
ga
grocery sh little
op
decided to ping. I
buy some
ones of co
apples, im
urse, whe
agin
nm
he was go
ing to reac y big brother Tyler ary
decided
h into my
steal my ap
shopping
pl
cart
mom tried es! Well the fight
was on! Fo and
to convin
Date of bi
ce
r
hours
real, and
rth:
me that th
I co
by Kelly St
e apples w
Favorite co April 17 th, 2010
eward
them at al uld just pretend he
eren’t
lo
l
ha
an
green and ur: Blue and pink an
d never ha
d they wer
My favorit
tim
d
pu
d purple an
e
e. Unconvi
e
Favorite ac rple and blue and
d
nced of lo in my cart the who
of all time love song
m
pink and
le
gi
y
tiv
c, the poin
apples an
ity: Swingi
would ha
purple....
an
d
t
ng
I wanted
was he ha
d crafts.
ve
to be the
on
th
at
e
he
th
sw
particular
d
em back!
clas
r wits end.
ingset
ly
Favorite fo
M
Finally ou
Presley so sic Elvis
work, afte
od: Blackb
guess for the version by Ingr
r dad cam om was
ng, ‘Can’t
Interested
rm
id M
me it’s kind
erries and
icecream.
e home fr
in: Animal
at Tyler an om explained the
Bl
when you
om
of the quin ichaelson. I’ve alw help falling in love
ac
k
s,
Cherry
How she
situation,
d says;
find love
’,
knows Erin painting, reading,
dad looks
and somet tessential love so ays loved this song
colouring
& Tyler: Cl
old. She kn
ng and I lik
hing is mea
“Did you
–I
by Sheryl
aire
ows Aunty
take you si
e
nt to beKergen
What she
Erin becaus met Erin and Tyler
sters appl
there’s just the idea that
is most ex
when she
es?”
Tyler, “Yes
no avoidi
My first im
cited abou e she is Mommy’s
was 6 mon
ng it.
”
pres
best friend
t seeing in
ths w
.
Alberta: A
hen she is sion of Erin was EN
Craig, “W
unty Erin’s
ERGY! Ev
lo
ell, give th
energy with w key, you cannot
horsey.
en
em back!”
help but se
in her. Ty
Tyler pick
ler had be
friend Erin
s up the in
en talking nse the
for a long
visible ap
back into
ab
ples, throw
time, but
is not real
my
we all know out his
s them
ly effusive
Mom in sh cart, and off we bo
by Shanno
w
that he
his heart
th
oc
n McMulla
and feelin ith information. H
all you ha k and disbelief said go on our ways.
e guards
gs
n
to
an
d to do??
, “That’s it?
the vest, so
d keeps ev
Erin had pr
!!
”
away. Dad
erything cl
That’s
Shook he
when he
epared m
home, we
r head an
os
al
said he w
e
stylish an
were exci
d walked
as bringing e
kids...who ways had a knack
d a countr for meeting Tyler
by Sheryl
ted.
for unders
Erin
knew it w
by telling
y boy at he
drawn to
Ke
rg
It
ta
en
be
as
nd
m
ca
so
e
art who em
ad
ing
me cl
that he w
simple.
as smart,
tour arou mire Tyler’s talent
braced hi
Tyler, and ear that Erin was ve
nd
s in
an
arts
sh
ry importan
a huge bl Ottawa that first da d friendliness as he ner geek. I was qu y,
She is confi e has become very
t to
ue butterfly
ickly
shared his
y, especial
im
de
Craig and
ly the one
exhibit. H
photos of
also artistic nt, competent an portant to us.
It was soon
e was the
I met on M
his
of him po
d
,
scary smar
dreamy an
cu
se
th
ay
a
ve
d
te
w
ry
28
in
st
a
ed
t,
cl
bu
fr
to
d girly. So
ding in Fe
, 1982 at
ear
on
but
mboy, an
tterfly I ha
that this fin
rnie, BC.
d ever seen t of
e
odd, exce
woman. Th d the next momen metimes she is
This was
!
had a keen young man
pt for the
t, sexy bu
e most im
ly subtle se
fact that w n’t
bo
si
th
ne
po
th
at
ss
rt
fr
an
sh
om
of humou
e brought
t thing th
e were
Sa
r, projecte nse
at
Tyler out
a farm bo skatchewan. Craig
supportiv
d
confidenc
of his shel I noticed, is
y fr
e of
was
ew
l. She is ve
personally Tyler in all of his
was a city om Davidson, and
arrogance, ithout
en
I
an
girl
deavors, bo ry
comfortab
family perf d professionally.
distance da from Regina. We
adapting
She has fit th
ectly with
long
ted for ab
to any situ ly
ou
in to ou
lo
ou
ve
t
ha
any
t a year an
ation and
lf while Cr
her with al
its challeng
da
l of our he fuss at all, and we r
es
welcome
worked th aig worked his farm
arts. Erin
to be a ve . Tyler has proven
to
ou
e oil rigs,
an
r
Ky
ry diplom
family!
d
le Hannah,
whi
atic proble
a bank in
solver, crea
m
Regina. Cr le I worked in
tiv
aig would
resourcefu e, romantic,
into town
come
when ever
l, a strong
and so ve
team play
possible to
me, often
ry
er
bringing a
see
truly as m supportive of Erin…
gift or flo
uch the w
wers.
Th
e
se
co
ind beneat
nd Christm
wings, as
h
I kn
as that w
her
together,
e were
a love that ow she is for him
Crai
. This is
is destined
see me. H g came into Regina
so proud
to be and
e handed
to
and hono
I
am
m
and asked
e a small
ured
slight scen
Tyler as a
box
m
t of perfum
son-in-law to welcome
and it had e to wrap it. I shoo
e. I though
the family
.
k
a
it
little rattle
tree
t the obvi
, an
ou
work on th , where it sat for
the next th s. I wrapped it an d it had a
e
d put it un
ree weeks
and I took rigs. When he cam
de
whi
e ba
r
m
When we y car and went to M ck into town, it w le Craig went back
2
as Christm
parked in
to
idnight M
the
as Eve. Cr
ass. After
of My Ow
aig
mass, we
n Car, and driveway, Craig re
drove hom
ached into
pulled ou
When I op
e.
t the
the
en
marry him ed it, it was an enga package that I ha glove compartmen
d so carefu
t
. After I ha
gement rin
lly
d very enth
engagem
g,
w
an
rapped.
d he pr
ent ring ha
usiastical
ly accepted omptly asked me
d been sitt
I had wra
21
to
ing under
,
pped it! Ev
my own Ch I realized that my
March h
ery
Never dull
own
ristmas tr
c
and almos moment of our lif
a
.B
S
ee,
J.
e has pret
t always a
ty much fo and that
surprise!
Tyler & thdays
1
llowed th
Sheryl and
ir
b
June 2 .F. Bach
is
.
Craig Kerg
share
J.C
en on the
&
h
n
ri
E
wedding da
J.S.Bac
y
son of
The Bridema
Biography o ids
Flower Gir f a
l
Favorite
love song
The Cutest B
I Ever Saw utterfly
Meeting
Firecracker
Erin Kyle!
The Kergens
Engagement , a Christmas
from 1983 to Remember
ERIN &R
TYLE
TE
FAVOURERI
NUMB
9th
s
irthday
share b
3
Wedding invitation in the form of a tabloid
newsletter about the two families of the couple, Erin
and Tyler Kergen, who are about to be married.
Golfs!
CMLC
2012 Golf
Invitational
Tournament
DATE: Sept 24th, 2012
TIME: Registration: 9 am
Shotgun start 10 am
LOCATION: Cottonwood Golf and
Country Club, Dewinton
RSVP* BY: Sept 10th to
[email protected]
Please include your handicap
or average golf score.
MEMORIAL DRIVE
DEERFOOT TRAIL
DOWNTOWN
CALGARY
BOW RIVER
Invitation for EPCOR annual general meeting
Building a neighbourhood takes
talent, skill and ambition, and so
does smacking a clean drive down
the middle of the fairway. Throw on
your best jacguard and channel
your inner Rickie Fowler for an
unforgettable day together.
R
RD AN
G
29 E
0
EPHEMERA
The word “ephemera” comes from the Greek word
meaning things lasting no more than a day.
There is a growing fascination of collectors of
ephemera such as greeting cards, postcards,
posters, tickets, etc., all of which evoke an
irresistible nostalgia.
In an otherwise busy and business-oriented
existence, it is such a great pleasure to find
moments when a designer can indulge in a little
untrammeled creativity.
DUNBOW RD
Cottonwood Golf
and Country Club
* invitation is non-transferable
A 3-dimensional Christmas greeting card for
Stuart Olson Construction Ltd.
A golf invitation card from Calgary Municipal
Land Corporation. The East Village logo is used
as a visual pun.
BUSINESS CARDS & INVITES – EPHEMERA
In 1982, Year of the Dog, Wei Yew began a
tradition of celebrating the Chinese Lunar New
Year with a party. In the first two years of
business, Wei had about 60 clients, so he was able
to hand-craft the invitations from “dog bones”
provided by his client, Queen City Meats.
The following year, Year of the Pig, Wei began an
annual tradition of redesigning the office stationery
according to the animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac.
The invitation that year was very tongue-in-cheek:
a Campbell’s soup can! Wei and his partner Tim Lau
decided to produce a souvenir Pig book (far right)
to give clients at the party. The Porkfolio, illustrated
with visual puns by Helen Wong, was an instant hit
and was offered for sale in local bookstores.
A dog-tag made of metallic paper with
embossed name and (phone) number
for the Year of the Dog in 2006.
For the Year of the Pig 2007, Wei
turned his business card into a miniporkfolio of his recent works.
BUSINESS CARDS & INVITES – EPHEMERA
At 6mm thick, the 1990 Year
of the Horse business card
is a flip book animating a
horse jumping over Roman
numeral III.
The Chinese character for
“horse” replaces the letter
“E” in this Year of the Horse
greeting card.
The invitation for the Year of the Dragon party
was the largest ever – an 11” x 35” poster rolled
up and mailed in a tube. The poster represents
traditional Chinese fortune banners hung at
main entrances for good luck. The four Chinese
characters mean prosperity in business.
The 2014 Year of the Horse business
card becomes the Lone Ranger’s
mask when opened. The recipient can
don the mask and sing:
“To the dump, to the dump,
to the dump, dump, dump ....”
On the right, the 2012 Year of the Dragon card
The Chinese astrological cycle is 12 years
long. Here you can see stationery designed
for the Year of the Rabbit in 1987 (left)
and in 1999 (right). In 1987 Wei sent out
an invitation which, when removed
from the envelope, sprang open to
release a white rabbit from a top hat.
In 1999, our 20th year in business, Wei
posted on our website an animated Rabbit
invitation based on the popular commercial
for long-lasting Duracell. This batteryshaped postcard was mailed out to alert
clients to the online invitation.
The 2011 Year of the Rabbit card is magical.
When the flap is lifted the rabbit pops up.
BUSINESS CARDS & INVITES – EPHEMERA
In 1986, we were the first graphic
design firm in Western Canada to own
a Lightspeed computer, which was
capable of manipulating images such
as the ones on this 3-dimensional
invitation for the Year of the Tiger.
The 1998 Year of the Tiger invitation was
inspired by the Rabbit card. Both featured
surprise pop-up elements when opened.
Stationery for the 1998 Year of the Tiger – the
barcode forming the tiger’s stripes generates
the number for the office telephone!
In 2010 Wei celebrated the 30th anniversary of his
design practice in Canada. He thought “30 Years ...
still running on a full tank” (after the famous 1965
ESSO slogan) would be an appropriate slogan for
the Year of the Tiger.
For the Year of the Rooster party, the 12th
in our cycle, the invitation came in the
form of a dozen eggs. The business card
was expensive to produce, with 4-colour
printing, split-foil stamping, and die-cutting.
A flap could be lifted to reveal the roosters
emerging from the shell.
Twelve years later, the business card took on
the role of a portfolio of Photoshop exercises
in visual and literary puns.
BUSINESS CARDS & INVITES – EPHEMERA
Guests at the 1985 Year of the Ox party
had fun with a contest to pin the oxtail
invitation card to a bull hidden behind
a large Styrofoam board. Oxtail soup
was served, naturally.
The 2009 business card for the Year of the Ox
came with hugs and kisses.
Pine blocks were cut into wedges to make
cheesy invitations for the 1984 Year of the
Mouse. Wei Yew always likes to have fun with
his invitations, so the cheese label features a
mouse as the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
The Year of the Monkey 1992 was
also the quincentenary of Christopher
Columbus’ discovery of America. Wei
decided to have a little fun with the
facts of history, inventing a few of
his own and weaving in the monkey
theme to create a zany invitation card.
The stationery featured three monkeys
illustrating the precept “see no
evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”.
Wei had mon-key chains manufactured
to give away as souvenirs.
When Wei discovered that Mickey Mouse
turned 80 in 2008, he took advantage to
pay tribute to him with this card for the
’Ear of the Mouse.
BUSINESS CARDS & INVITES – EPHEMERA
For the Year of the Sheep 2003, Wei decided to
change the traditional business card into a mini
booklet. It was much in demand from clients,
who wanted several to give to their friends.
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We told Ewe so ...
This coiled invitation for the 1989 Year of the
Snake was a tricky exercise in die-cutting.
Clients loved its twirling movement when
hung above a heating vent.
ar so
a Ye
3 is
200
We spent Sheepless
nights thinking of
Ewe-nique ideas for
this year’s card.
We wondered what
kind of BullSheep
to use.
Should we feature
a Ewe-F-O and
a SpaceSheep ...
... or a dramatic
SheepWreck ...
... or perhaps,
a great LambScape ...
... followed by a
classy ad for an
environmentally
friendly S-ewe-V?
Ah, Wool is Me!
We ram out of ideas.
All we had was a
delicious recipe for
Chocolate Sheep
Cookies ... baaa..d
for Ewe ...
... and a Ewe-P-C
from the recipe
publication.
Holy Sheep! We had
to come up with
something quick,
as the Year of the
Sheep was fast
approaching.
ep
f She
full o
2003 Year of the Sheep
So when the Sheep
hit the fan, we
decided to print
only our name and
address and all the
Ewe-sual things.
Stationery for the 1989 Year of the Snake
displayed Wei’s new office address, as
he had just moved his business to a new
location. The business card is a miniature
Snakes and Ladders board.
The invitation also came with a Snake
(Sneek) Preview outlining the characteristics
of persons born in the Year of the Snake.
Twelve years later in 2001, the Year of the Snake
once again found Wei shedding his skin and
moving to new premises. He designed his changeof-address notice to look like the board game
Snakes and Ladders – the ladders showed the
location of the new premises.
The 2013 Year of the Snake was Wei’s 33rd year in
business. He formed the number 33 with 2 snakes
which were engraved in magnificent detail for the
business card.
Studio 3 Graphics
#420, 10104-103 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 0H8 Canada
1.780.428.3333 phone
1.780.428.3966 fax
[email protected]
PUBLICATIONS
Wei Yew had long been interested in book design,
but the difficulty of finding publishers willing to
assume the cost of producing high-end books
eventually led him to establish his own press. Quon
Editions has published over 30 titles, including a
number of quality design reference books, several
of which have been translated into Japanese.
The first book was a great success. Storks & Bonds
features the best of designer wedding invitations
and birth announcements, selected from hundreds
of submissions from around the world. Producing
this cover in 1990 without the aid of sophisticated
computer software was a challenge. Wei used
Valentine heart buttons, detaching them from
their backing and spray-painting them yellow.
Art Carlyle then photographed the “yolks” in a
pool of glycerin.
Another best seller was Noah’s Art, which
features examples of graphic design
used in some of the world’s finest zoos,
aquariums, aviaries, and wildlife parks.
Following the success of Noah’s Art, an
obvious next project was a book on
museum and art gallery graphics.
Outdoor Media, Toronto commissioned Posters
Against Violence Worldwide, a book
featuring entries from an international poster
competition. The submission of Pentagram Design
partner Mervyn Kurlansky won first prize.
PUBLICATIONS
During the course of Wei Yew’s career he has
been fortunate to meet some of the world’s finest
graphic designers, several of whom have become
mentors and friends. Wei published two volumes
which pay homage to their work.
European Community Design features the
works of 12 European graphic designers –
Per Arnoldi, Pierre Bernard, Pieter Brattinga,
Antero Ferreira, Gilles Fiszman, Alan
Fletcher, Michael Katzourakis, Italo Lupi,
Pierre Mendell, Tony O’Hanlon, Josep PlaNarbona, and Kamen Popov.
The Works of 15 Pacific Rim Graphic Designers
highlights designers Henry Steiner (Hong Kong),
Eiko Ishioka, Motoo Nakanishi and Takenobu
Igarashi (Japan) Koo Jung Soon (Korea), Ken
Cato, Barry Tucker, and Garry Emery (Australia),
Peter Haythornthwaite (New Zealand), Clarence
Lee and Ryo Urano (Hawaii), Michael Vanderbyl,
Douglas Wadden and Clement Mok (USA), and
Don Dickson (Canada).
Three little collections of visual puns on
the sheep, the cow and the pig.
Madison Daniels of Edmonton owns one of the top
20 collections of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia in
the world. He approached Wei to publish a book
on the most photographed woman in history.
Marilyn Monroe Uncovers features Marilyn on the
covers of an amazing array of publications.
A billboard is one of the most challenging design
projects, because its message must be seen and
understood in mere seconds. Wei worked with the
U.S. Outdoor Advertising Association, the Pattison
Group and hundreds of advertising agencies
around the world to assemble material for two
collections of winning billboards.
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and 37
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Num
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Stephen King’s
first novel under
his own name
a
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the perf
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rthday, w
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or your
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How long did Marco Polo
‘s
journey take?
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b
an
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t
s in
b
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r
r
be
m
u
N
precipitevolissimevolmente
(a 26-letter word meaning as fast as possible)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAURA
(celebrate it as slowly as possible)
Numb
er of b
to accu its a comp
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rately r
colour
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p
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16,777s (for a maxi true
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4!
S M L
XL
HAPPY 24 Katie!
Love,
Mom & Dad
Happy XL*th
Birthday M
AY!
umeral for
40
Pure Gold
*Roman N
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS – EPHEMERA
Wei Yew has not bought a greeting card since
he studied design. He preferred to custom
design cards for special events such as these
birthday greeting cards for his daughters May,
Ann, Laura and Katie.
THE ROMANS DID IT
HAPP
Y,
A
D
H
BIRT
R
,
U
S
O
E
L
Y
D
ON
AN
C
!
E
S
E
H
T
H
P
C
AT
SKI
M
8
E
S
U
T
JUS
Y BIRT
HDAY
TIM
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS – EPHEMERA
Birthday greeting cards for Tim Lau, former
designer partner who lives in San Francisco. Wei
and Tim have designed birthday cards for each
other for the past 10 years. They are both ardent
tennis fans.
THE V
E
ON Y RY BEST
OUR
fond
67 TH
w
ish
Sheila es from
& We
i
Birthday card for Wei’s sister Joyce
Happy
DEC
Joyce
Lots of Love from the YEWS
H
A
P
P
Y
Card for Marilyn’s 56th birthday
HAPPY
shelley
Sheila & Wei
Card for Shelley Younge, flutist
with the Edmonton Symphony
Birthday card for accountant Frank Phillet
HAPPY
(A=1, B=2, C=3, etc.)
FRANK
Birthday card for Sheila designed while Wei
was watching the 2009 BNP Paribas Open
Tennis Championship in Indian Wells.
SELF-INDULGENT PROJECTS
Wei Yew’s difficulty in making
putts during golf games
prompted him to design his own
putter, with adjustable weights
for different greens speeds and
adjustable inserts for personal
touch and feel. The long shaft
gives a smooth pendulum swing,
so vital to the putting stroke.
The design is patent pending,
and revisions are being made to
conform to USGA rules.
For a while Wei Yew was
involved in the sport of target
shooting, in particular the
Olympic Rapid Fire event. It was
frustrating not to be able to
shoot at the range during the
winter months, so he came up
with the idea of producing a
training video which would allow
him to practise his rhythmic
skills at home. Dr. Darius Young,
an Olympian shooter, was his
technical advisor for the video
production. The Rapid Fire
Training Method was launched at
the Munich World Cup in 1989.
HOW MANY WEI’S TO SPELL YEW?
In the course of 33 years in the business of being
creative, Wei Yew has sometimes wondered
whether his clients and suppliers were even more
creative. Their imaginative and varied spellings of
his name have never ceased to amaze him!