Erin M. Harris

BOSTON, MA: Boston University School of Medicine graphic designer Erin Harris has received a 2007 GDUSA American Inhouse Design Award. GDUSA recognized Harris’ promotional piece for the Reach Out and Read National Conference. “Reach Out and Read’s conference is now in its 8th year. Our goal was to use the visual identity Reach Out and Read has built up in this promotional piece, to make it more easily recognizable to the target audience,” Harris said.

Reach Out and Read’s promotional materials and website use a checkerboard design, polka dot pattern and primary colors. Harris used the patterns to create headers on the brochure, and utilizing Reach Out and Read’s fonts to create consistency. Unlike past years, the 2007 brochure had the budget for full color printing, so Harris was able to use the primary colors to accent important information within the brochure text, such as conference workshops and registration fees.

Reach Out and Read is affiliated with Boston Medical Center, and works to promote literacy as a standard part of pediatric care. The group trains doctors and allied health professionals to advise parents on the importance of reading to their children, and how early literacy skills impact children’s success once they start school. Reach Out and Read also places special emphasis on children growing up in poverty.

Erin Harris is a founding member and contributing writer to NO!SPEC, a site devoted to educating designers and clients alike to the dangers of speculative work. She is also a member of the AIGA’s Boston chapter, a visiting author for Business of Design Online, and a member of Creative Latitude, a worldwide, web-based community that unites various creative disciplines for collective promotion, education, and ethical business practice. Erin holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College in Northampton, MA, and is currently completing coursework for her master’s degree in advertising at Boston University.

Graphic Design USA, a magazine for creative professionals, has been in print since 1963, and has a readership of approximately 100,000. The magazine holds two competitions annually, one for the entire design community, and the other specifically for in-house creatives. Approximately 500 entries received an Inhouse Award this year, out of more than 4,000 entries.