Duffy & Partners

Duffy & Partners
Design
Industry Branding and Design
Founded 1984
Headquarters Minneapolis, Minnesota
Key people
 Joe Duffy (founder)
Website

www.duffy.com

www.duffypov.com

Duffy & Partners is a branding and design firm that was founded in 1984 by Creative Director, Joe Duffy. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Duffy & Partners’ work spans many media and design disciplines including corporate and brand identity, packaging design, marketing communications, digital experiences and branded environments.[1][2]

History

Joe Duffy founded the firm on the premise of collaboration and the power of creativity. Duffy was a pioneer in forging the integration of design and advertising when he partnered with creative advertising agency Fallon Worldwide.[2][3]

Duffy was one of the first design firms to work in partnership with an advertising agency, originally as a subsidiary of Fallon McElligott Rice.[1][2][3]

Package and Design Magazine wrote, “Duffy holds a strong belief that great people working in a great environment can do great things. They employ a business approach that is transparent and simple: look and listen with curiosity, be honest, work smart. With every project, they strive to do the right things the right way. And they believe the process of design should be fun and inspiring for everyone involved.” [4]

In 2004, Joe Duffy was recognized as a medalist by the American Institute of Graphic Arts which recognizes “exceptional achievements, services or other contributions to the field of design and visual communication.” [5] For the award, John C. Jay, Co-Executive Creative Director, Wieden + Kennedy, Tokyo, wrote: “Duffy Design has withstood the winds of fashion, the elitism of the design industry, the economic recession, the creative recession and the consolidation of what was an industry of individuality. Today, Duffy remains a premiere problem-solver for brands with a future.” [6]

In 2006, Joe Duffy was ranked 7th among the 50 most influential people in the future of business by Fast Company (magazine). In January, 2010, Joe Duffy was named one of 20 “People to Watch” in the design industry in 2010 by Graphic Design USA Magazine, described as “one of the most respected and sought after creative directors and thought leaders on branding and design.” [7][8][9]

In January 2011, Joe Duffy was interviewed by How Design Magazine which featured tips for bridging the communication gap between designers and clients. Duffy explains, “We have clients who are bold, brash and opinionated, while others are meek, mild and couldn’t be nicer – and everything in between. The best designers learn to communicate in that particular person’s language.” [10]

In April 2011, Joe Duffy was named a “Design Icon” by Computer Arts Magazine. In the feature article celebrating Duffy’s work, Duffy explains his push for the democratization of design, saying “We’ve reached a point in popular culture where everyone is a designer to a certain extent. People have the ability today to design their own stationary and their own logo and they can do what graphic designers do...But for me, I think if people are gaining a better understanding of design, they’re therefore gaining a greater appreciation for the people who do it at the highest level.” [11]

Over the years, Duffy & Partners has worked under various names including The Duffy Design Group (1984), Joe Duffy Design (1990), Duffy (1998) and Duffy & Partners (2004).[12]

Clients

Notable installations and showings

Notable work

Notable talent

Many talented people have worked at Duffy through the years. Among them are people such as: Charles S. Anderson, founder CSA Design; Brian Collins, designer and founder COLLINS; Genevieve Gorder, television host of TLC’s former Trading Spaces, Sharon Werner founder Werner Design Werks, INC and HGTV’s Dear Genevieve.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fast Company Magazine, Oct. 6, 2009. Joe Duffy: Forging a Creative Link With China, by Linda Tischler.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 New York Times, June 4, 2009. A Retreat Groomed to Sate a Need to Ski, by Stephen Regenold.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Adweek, Sept. 7, 1998. Duffy Design Imparts Style and Substance, by Eleftheria Parpis.
  4. ↑ Package and Design Magazine, April 2010. Design Works Abroad: Duffy & Partners from America.
  5. ↑ 2004 Medalists: American Institute of Graphic Arts.
  6. ↑ 2004 Medalists: American Institute of Graphic Arts.
  7. ↑ American Institute of Graphic Arts, March 26, 2010. AIGA Minnesota Fellow Award Reception Honoring Sue Crolick, Joe Duffy and Eric Madsen.
  8. ↑ Fast Company, Fast 50 (No. 7): Joe Duffy. By Linda Tischler.
  9. ↑ Graphic Design USA Magazine, January, 2010. People to Watch: Joe Duffy.
  10. ↑ How Design Magazine, January 2011. Common Ground, by Sunny Bonnell.
  11. ↑ Computer Arts: Joe Duffy.
  12. ↑ New York Times, May 22, 2000. Addenda column.

External links