Two Twelve’s story in 40 + 1 objects

Last year, Two Twelve celebrated its 40th anniversary. We intended to celebrate and commemorate our history by sharing 40 objects with the world—objects that would express our history, values, and culture, and provide a small glimpse into the things we’ve seen or touched or held over the past 40 years.

Sadly, COVID-19 pulled us all apart from our shared objects and from one another, as we, like many other firms around the world, adjusted to a new work-from-home life.

Now, we’re slowly beginning to re-enter the office, reuniting with our coworkers in our physical studio space. We’re reflecting on what has changed in the past year, plus other milestones in our past (and future). So we decided to commemorate our 41st year in a series of Instagram posts.

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Reflections at the End of 2020

 

As the epic journey that has been 2020 draws to a close, we wanted to reach out to our friends and colleagues in the extended Two Twelve family.

Recently David has been reading War in Val D’Orcia, a remarkable war diary by Iris Origo, and he was struck by the parallels of her gripping narrative to the roller coaster that is our present day circumstance. This book is an account of the brutality of World War II in a tranquil Tuscan valley. In one passage from     February 13th, 1944, Origo captured feelings many of us might be having     right now at the close of 2020, living through this pandemic, managing with shortages of food and supplies, losing jobs and livelihood, staying home because it is not safe outside, wondering who might be struck next by the virus. “It is odd how used one can become to uncertainty for the future, to a complete planlessness, even in one’s most private mind. What we shall do     and be, and whether we shall, in a few months’ time, have any home or possessions, or indeed our lives, is so clearly dependent on events outside     our control as to be almost restful.”

This passage reminds us of our power to survive. New York City rebuilt itself after the 9/11 attacks. Likewise our firm survived and thrived after we lost everything on that day. As the COVID numbers have been climbing to scary highs this holiday season, we are also learning about the roll out of the vaccines. Through our lens as designers, we can see that fighting the pandemic and rebuilding the economy is the ultimate life and death design problem.

As we reflect on the end of this year, let’s cast a glance ahead to 2021.

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Two Twelve Works with the YMCA

Over the past 150 years, the YMCA of Greater New York has built a network of 24 locations serving nearly half a million people in neighborhoods across the 5 boroughs. Two Twelve is thrilled to be partnering with the YMCA to develop a comprehensive, adaptable wayfinding and signage system that will unify the experience at every branch. 

As New Yorkers, we recognize the invaluable resources and opportunities the YMCA provides. We believe that wayfinding and environmental graphics can improve the visitor experience, making hundreds of thousands of New York residents feel welcomed, empowered, and connected. 

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Two Twelve Celebrates 40 Years!

Friends of Two Twelve:

Today is a remarkable moment for this company. On Two Twelve Day 2020, we are thrilled to celebrate the start of our 40th anniversary year. Four decades ago, a trio of young designers in graduate school at 212 York Street, New Haven, Connecticut had a vision for a design company that could be a home for ideas and inspiration, a place where we could use design to make a difference. Since 1980, hundreds have joined us in executing this mission on behalf of thousands of extraordinary clients all over the globe. 

We want to say thank you to all who have been part of Two Twelve’s remarkable journey thus far. Though we love reflecting on our past accomplishments and partnerships, we are most excited to look ahead toward the future. We have to continue the work we started four decades ago.

To many more years of thoughtful collaboration and compelling design solutions, 

David Gibson and Ann Harakawa

Ann Harakawa Teaches Spring 2020 Columbia GSAPP Class

Two Twelve Principal and Columbia University Adjunct Professor Ann Harakawa is co-teaching a class with Adjunct Assistant Professor Agnes Chang this semester in the Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation (GSAPP). Entitled “User-Centered Design for Emerging Digital-Physical Environments,” the weekly class lives at the intersection of traditional user-centered design methods and the continually developing technologies of augmented reality.

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Holiday Nostalgia, In Neon Gingerbread

It is the holidays, and as is the tradition, we at Two Twelve celebrated with a friendly gingerbread decorating competition. This year’s theme: Vintage Neon. 

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Enhancing Navigation for Honolulu's Future Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods

Two Twelve is currently contracted in the development of the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Wayfinding Master Plan and Implementation Strategy, which will provide the overall system strategy for how people will navigate to, from, and around the City and County of Honolulu’s future transit-enhanced neighborhoods. The City is in the process of adopting and implementing neighborhood TOD plans around the twenty-one future rail stations on the island of Oʻahu. 

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NYC Votes!

This fall, residents can cast their vote on their own schedule! Early voting began Saturday, October 26 and continues through Sunday, November 3 ahead of Election Day on November 5. 

As public information designers, we are proud to have contributed to the creation of the 2019 Voter Guide, an invaluable resource for New York City voters. We are passionate about projects that reflect our values and support our local communities, and it is our goal that every one of our projects will empower the user to navigate an increasingly complicated world. 

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Dickies Arena Opens In Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas has historically been a city supported by the longhorn cattle trade. Today, it takes great pride in this past and still hosts a two-week stock show and rodeo each year. As the area continues to grow at a rapid pace, there was a recognizable need to develop a central hub that would enhance this tradition and attract year-round events via a modern and flexible addition to existing venues. Two Twelve had the honor of contributing to the design of this versatile new space as wayfinding and signage consultants, developing a navigational system that responds to its ever-changing needs. The result is a new multipurpose arena built on the site of the city’s notable Will Rogers Memorial Center campus.

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Columbia University and University of Hawai‘i Students Collect Urban Data

HONOLULU, HAWAII and NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Two Twelve Principal and Columbia University Adjunct Ann Harakawa and Columbia University Adjunct Professor Kaz Sakamoto recently led the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) and University of Hawaii Summer Workshop called Urban Data Collection: Parking in the Ala Moana Neighborhood and Its Impact on Mobility.

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