Two design concepts were presented to the president for his 2018 holiday greeting card. The first was an accordion-folded silent movie film reel printed on translucent vellum. The second and more elaborate concept was a pop-up card that played music when opened.
The card’s design was a realistic, top-down view of an EMI RE 321 portable open-reel tape recorder. This tape recorder was part of IU’s collection of vintage media devices being photographed for posterity as well as used for the digitization and preservation of audio, video, and film objects in IU’s collections through the Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative (MDPI).
MDPI was the theme of 2018 holiday card. The card’s front view is the tape recorder in it’s closed configuration. I added a real grosgrain bow and gift tag to mimic a holiday package. As the card is opened, the viewer is treated to the inside view of the EMI tape recorder, a pop-up vellum reel of musical notes converting to binary data, and the song Chimes of Indiana sung by the IU All Campus Men’s Chorus (circa 1989).
The song choice was significant. Firstly, the Chimes of Indiana was written by IU’s own Hoagy Carmichael and remains a beloved part of IU tradition. Secondly, the audio track was one that was preserved as part of the MDP Initiative. And thirdly, it was festive for the holiday season without having religious leanings.
The client loved this card idea, but ultimately had to pass on it as it was a budget-buster. I have a knack for such designs.
Click here to hear the recording.