News

New Manlab Website OMG

No… really… here it is!

After SIX LONG YEARS, here we are online!

Built and maintained using Manlab's miUpdate Content Management System, this website will allow Manlab to:

• Share news (in a timely way – we promise)
• Share work.
• Let you in on the creative process of the studio.
• Let you get to know the team.
• Share ideas on many aspects of our industry.

Check back often to see what we're up to and how we're doing it.

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Manlab Supports GDC Manitoba Blue Sky 09 Conference

World-class speakers gather in Winnipeg.

From October 16-18, GDC Manitoba presented Blue Sky 2009, the Manitoba design industry conference and awards show. Five distinguished professionals from around North America were on hand to speak on the topic "inspiration." And did they ever inspire — feedback was unanimous: an unabashed success. Manlab is proud to have been a supporter of Blue Sky 09.

Oliver Oike, Manlab's Senior Designer, is President of the Manitoba Chapter of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), the professional association for certified graphic designers in Canada. He has been actively involved in the GDC since 2003, when he joined the Manitoba Board in the role of Vice-President.

http://www.bluesky09.com
http://www.flickr.com/groups/gdcmanitoba/pool/

About the GDC:

The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) is a member-based organization of design professionals, educators, administrators,students and associates in communications, marketing, media and design related fields. Since 1956, the GDC has been an advocate, voice and resource for Canada's graphic design profession. We are a national certified body of graphic designers promoting high standards of visual design and ethical business practices for the benefit of Canadian industry, commerce, public service and education.

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Manlab team keeps getting bigger (and better)

Four new team members added

As we get busier, Manlab continues to grow. The team has brought three new team members on board in the past 12 months…

In January 2009, Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson was brought on board as Copywriter, a job previously held by, well, nobody. Ben has worked in corporate and non-profit communications positions, and writes the weekly wine column for the Winnipeg Free Press. He holds a BA and a MA in English (writing stream). Incidentally, he and Senior Designer Oliver Oike went to high school together and have worked together at Pizza Hut.

In May 2009, Web Developer Keith Otto joined Manlab, albeit at first in a temporary role – as a placement student. Keith was finishing the Web Design program at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon (a program that also produced Manlab Interactive Developer Curtis Wachs and former Manlab Programmer Ryan Trembath).

Keith attended the Skills Canada competition in Prince Edward Island in May 2009, and received a silver medal in Website Development. The Manlab overlords were so impressed that he was hired on after graduation.

June 2009 saw Bob Choy join the team as a Database Engineer. Bob's specialty is in infomatics, and if you're not sure what that means, you're probably not alone. Bob is an iPhone developer and has his hands in many things Mac-based. Manlab President Dan Choy says "he's [my] older, wiser, and geekier brother." His words, Bob - not mine.

Kevin Guenther is Manlab's newest addition, joining our team in early November as a Designer. His adventures in design started with his ambitions to become an illustrator. Since then, he caught the design bug and has been building a strong portfolio working on his own and with other organizations ever since.

He's already had to take some time away from the office, however, as his wife gave birth to Ava, their daughter, in November.

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Manlab Set To Launch “For Valour”

Honouring the Canadian Air Force’s Victoria Cross recipients

After 18 months of development, the For Valour project is nearing completion. The For Valour project honours the seven Canadian airmen who were awarded the Victoria Cross by recreating their stories in an interactive graphic novel style format in both French and English. more…

Rich with historical content, archival material and educational resources, the For Valour site brings the stories of Andrew Mynarski, William Barker, William Bishop, Ian Bazalgette, Robert Hampton Gray, David Hornell and Alan Arnett McLeod to life in a way that will engage young and old audiences alike.

The website was produced by the by the Office of Air Force Heritage and History in cooperation with Manlab Resources Inc. and the Virtual Museum of Canada (CHIN) to help bridge the gap between Canadians and those who have and continue to proudly serve our country.

The project was conceived by Manlab Producer John Jameson after attending his daughter's Remembrance Day ceremonies and wondering whether the message had really gotten through to the kids in attendance.

Watch the Manlab website for details in the near future.