College of Visual Arts Exhibit — Ideas Made Visible — to Showcase 30 Years of Work by Larsen Design + Interactive

St. Paul | October 13, 2005

The College of Visual Arts (CVA) in St. Paul will exhibit a retrospective of work by Larsen Design + Interactive, one of the Midwest's largest and longest-established design agencies, beginning Oct. 21 and running through Nov. 12. Among the work to be showcased will be branding, print, environmental design, and interactive media that the agency has created for leading companies — including Target Corporation, Piper Jaffray, and St. Jude Medical. The firm also has notable clients in the non-profit sector including The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Guthrie Theatre, and the new Minneapolis Central Library.

"Anyone interested in the creative process or the evolution of design trends during the past three decades should find the Ideas Made Visible exhibit intriguing and informative," said CVA President Joe Culligan. "Tim Larsen is a pioneer and a leader in the Twin Cities design community. CVA is pleased to be the venue for this impressive exhibit."

Tim Larsen founded Larsen Design in 1975 and has been a significant figure in building Minneapolis' reputation as a strong design community. In 1976, he founded the Minnesota Graphic Designers Association (MGDA), which later became the Minnesota chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Larsen also served on the organization's national board of directors from 1985-1988.

In 1980, Larsen was the founding chairman of "Design Camp," an annual conference in Northern Minnesota that for 25 years has attracted hundreds of nationally known speakers. In the early 1990s, working with other Twin Cities designers, Larsen helped secure a National Endowment for the Arts grant to organize the "Core of Understanding" conference. The national gathering of design professionals, teachers, and students explored the contributions design excellence could make toward a greater society. The conference findings and recommendations were captured in an award-winning book designed by Larsen.

In 1993, Larsen once again chartered new territory in the Twin Cities design community by establishing an interactive design group and holding informational seminars for clients that helped explain the benefits of design for the Internet. In 1996, the firm further strengthened its presence by establishing an office in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Today Larsen Design + Interactive (www.larsen.com) is known nationally for its award-winning work for clients in the financial, healthcare, medical technology, retail, and technology industries. The firm's work has been honored by the profession's most prestigious publications and organizations including Communication Arts (CA), Graphis, and AIGA.

Larsen has been a consistent advocate for design education — both to produce skilled, well-rounded designers and to increase the public's understanding of how good design contributes to commerce, learning, and quality of life. The firm's principals have taught, published, and held leadership roles in professional organizations. Larsen funds numerous design scholarships and contributes significantly to the community through its pro bono work. The agency is a member of the Minnesota Keystone Program, donating more than five percent of pre-tax revenues annually.

Larsen founder and president Tim Larsen and CVA Chair of Visual Communications John DuFresne will host a roundtable discussion with CVA students on Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m in the CVA Gallery. The discussion, which will focus on future design trends, is free and open to the public as is the exhibit Ideas Made Visible.

Ideas Made Visible is located in the CVA Gallery at 173 Western Avenue in St. Paul, at the corner of Western and Selby Avenues. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday. For more information, call CVA at 651-224-3416 or visit www.cva.edu.