the space between the notes

The Space Between the Notes

Design is more than simply the things we make; it’s also the moments and spaces in between.


Whether it’s an interface, identity, or product, design should strike a balance between human desires and achievable possibilities defined by their inherent constraints ––– with just enough space between them for a bit of magic.

 


Summary

Ron Alikpala is a Chicago-based design director with over 25 years of experience. His understanding of clients’ needs is paramount when leading creative teams to solve complex challenges and develop impactful brand and identity systems. Ron’s user-centered approach ensures meaningful, innovative strategies and solutions tailored to business objectives, driving success.

 

Selected Projects

––– Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58

––– Rebranding and identity and system for an organization whose mission is to develop new funding opportunities for educational activities that support academic and skill development

––– Diamond Produce Trading

––– Branding, packing, and product interface design for a technology-enabled produce trading company.

–––

––– Takito

      Branding and beverage product packaging for a restaurant group focused on contemporary Latin American/Mexican-inspired cuisine.

––– Danny Way Foundation

––– Identity program for skate culture focused foundation that serves underprivileged communities by creating safe and inclusive public skateparks for youth.

–––

––– JGME / Journal of Graduate Medical Education

      Brand identity program for the peer-reviewed quarterly journal of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

––– Grove Express 5K

––– Identity and branding for an annual 5K run/walk for a local organization that focuses on education and youth development programs.


––– Nancy's Pizza

      Brand campaign for new flagship location of an iconic Chicago brand that invented the stuffed pizza.

––– KOHA

––– Brand identity program and interface design for a fundraising app that connects local businesses and services to schools and nonprofits.

  

––– Peters Applications  

––– Brand Identity for web development and information technology firm.

––– Corey Wilks

––– Product packaging and album artwork for renowned jazz trumpeter, composer, and producer.

––– IRMA / Illinois Retail Merchants Association

––– Identity program for an organization that provides advocacy and representation for retailers in front of state, county, and municipal policy makers.


––– Fridays

      Brand Identity and Packaging for a premiere cannabis-infused products. 

Before we can use design for social change, consider first changing design for social use.


Et cetera

––– Selected Clients & Collaborators


Ron has had the pleasure of working for and collaborating with some inspiring clients and talented firms, including: Abbott Laboratories / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, JGME / American Dietetic Association / American Medical Association, JAMA / Big Brothers Big Sisters / The Danny Way Foundation / Delicious Vinyl / The Happy Planner / Hartford Design / IGT / Illinois Lottery / Illinois Retail Merchants Association / Lincoln Park Zoo / OfficeMax / Genzyme / gravitytank / Microsoft / The NFL Alumni Association / Samsung / Society of Typographic Arts / TOCA / Underwriters Laboratories and others.




––– Awards & Published Work


IGT Building Excellence, Gold Award 

NASPL Batchy Award: Corporate Communications

GD USA Awards, American Graphic Design Awards: Editorial Design

Society of Typographic Arts, Archive: Permanent Collection

Graphis Awards, Design Annual: Posters, Gold

Graphis Awards, Poster Annual: Competitions, Gold

ARC Awards, Annual Report Cover Photo/Design, Gold

Society of Typographic Arts, Archive: Permanent Collection

How Magazine Awards, Annual: Posters

GD USA Awards, Annual: Self Promotion, Posters, Logos

Print Magazine Awards, Annual: Posters

1000 Retail Graphics, Rockport Publishing

1000 Type Treatments, Rockport Publishing

Graphic Simplicity, Pie Books

Business Graphics, Rockport Publishing

All New American Logo, Madison Square Press

How Magazine: Maximize the Message



Contact