Duffy & Partners
Encyclopedia
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.
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Duffy was one of the first design firms to work in partnership with an advertising agency, originally as a subsidiary of Fallon McElligott Rice.
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.”
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.” 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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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).
, television host of TLC’s former Trading Spaces, Sharon Werner founder Werner Design Werks, INC and HGTV’s Dear Genevieve.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, Duffy & Partners’ work spans many media and design disciplines including corporate and brand identity, packaging design, marketing communications, digital experiences and branded environments.
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 WorldwideFallon Worldwide
Fallon Worldwide is an international advertising agency headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota with affiliate offices in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, São Paulo and Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Publicis.-History:...
.
Duffy was one of the first design firms to work in partnership with an advertising agency, originally as a subsidiary of Fallon McElligott Rice.
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.”
In 2004, Joe Duffy was recognized as a medalist by the American Institute of Graphic Arts
American Institute of Graphic Arts
AIGA is an American professional organization for design. Organized in 1914, AIGA currently has more than 22,000 members throughout 66 chapters and more than 200 student groups nationwide...
which recognizes “exceptional achievements, services or other contributions to the field of design and visual communication.” 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.”
In 2006, Joe Duffy was ranked 7th among the 50 most influential people in the future of business by Fast Company (magazine)
Fast Company (magazine)
Fast Company is a full-color business magazine that releases 10 issues per year and reports on topics including innovation, digital media, technology, change management, leadership, design, and social responsibility...
. 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.”
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.”
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.”
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).
Clients
- American Eagle OutfittersAmerican Eagle OutfittersAmerican Eagle Outfitters is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by Mark and Jerry Silverman as a subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc., a company which also owned and operated Silverman's Menswear...
- Amore Pacific
- AvedaAvedaAveda Corporation is a company headquartered in Blaine, Minnesota, that manufactures skin care, cosmetics, perfume, hair care products, and trains students in cosmetology and esthiology at the Aveda Institutes in Minneapolis, New York City, Washington, DC, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and many other...
- Basin White
- BMWBMWBayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
- Brown-Forman
- Coca-ColaCoca-ColaCoca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
- FrescaFrescaFresca is a citrus diet soft drink made by The Coca-Cola Company. First introduced in the United States in 1966, the drink is now sold throughout the American continent...
- Gander Mountain Tall Tales
- InnisfreeInnisfreeInnisfree may refer to:* Innisfree, a fictional village in Ireland. The film The Quiet Man takes place here.* Isle of Innisfree , a song recorded many times since 1950, about an exile thinking on his Irish home...
- International Trucks
- Jack in the BoxJack in the BoxJack in the Box is an American fast-food restaurant founded by Robert O. Peterson in 1951 in San Diego, California, where it is still headquartered today. In total, the chain has 2,200 locations, primarily serving the West Coast of the United States...
- Jim Beam Brands
- McDonald’s
- Minute MaidMinute MaidMinute Maid is a product line of beverages, usually associated with lemonade or orange juice, but now extends to soft drinks of many kinds, including Hi-C...
- New French Bakery
- Shock Doctor
- SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
- StarbucksStarbucksStarbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
- Susan G. Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
- The Hershey CompanyThe Hershey CompanyThe Hershey Company, known until April 2005 as the Hershey Foods Corporation and commonly called Hershey's, is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America. Its headquarters are in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is also home to Hershey's Chocolate World. It was founded by Milton S...
- The Island of the Bahamas
- Thymes
- Tommy BahamaTommy BahamaTommy Bahama is the Seattle-based manufacturer of casual, men’s & women’s sportswear, denim, swimwear, accessories, footwear and a complete home furnishings collection. The brand is owned by Atlanta-based Oxford Industries. Tommy Bahama is available at Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue,...
- Toyota
- Web Restaurants
- Whole FoodsWhole foodsWhole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible, before being consumed. Whole foods typically do not contain added ingredients, such as salt, carbohydrates, or fat. Examples of whole foods include unpolished grains, beans, fruits, vegetables...
- Wolfgang PuckWolfgang PuckWolfgang Johannes Puck is an Austrian-American celebrity chef, restaurateur, businessman and occasional actor. Wolfgang Puck restaurants, catering services, cookbooks and licensed products are run by Wolfgang Puck Companies, with three divisions...
Notable installations and showings
- Gallery Von Oertzen, Frankfurt, Germany
- Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England
- New York Art Directors Club (1999)
- Uma Voz exhibition Panamericana School of Art and Design, Sao Paulo, Brazil (August, 2002)
- Library of Congress, Permanent Collection, Washington D.C., USA
- Cooper Hewitt, New York, USA
- Eisner Museum of Advertising & Design, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (2008)
- University of WI-Stevens Point (2010)
Notable Honors
- 1997 - Best Brewery Advertising & Design, recognizing First Reserve branding.
- 1997 - Effie Awards, Most Effective Fast Food Product Launch recognizing McDonald’s Arch Deluxe, Time Magazine, Top Ten Designs of 1997, McDonald’s.
- 2000 - DuPont Antron Grand Prize for Best Environmental Design, Hospitality & Retail, recognizing custom designed carpets for Webb Restaurants.
- 2000 - Ad Tech, Best Online Audience Community Building Campaign, recognizing efforts for EDS.
- 2004 - Medalist, American Institute of Graphic Arts Design Legend Award.
- 2006 - Winner: Communication Arts Design Annual 2006 for Thymes Home Bottles.
- 2007 - Susan G Komen was awarded highest honor of excellence award by Color Marketing.
- 2007- Winner: Communication Arts Design Annual 2007 for Thymes Fragrance Bottles in the Packaging category.
- 2007- Winner: Communication Arts Design Annual 2007 for Thymes Packaging in the Packaging category.
- 2008 – Winner: Zandi Award for Best of Show was given for The Bahamas Brand Book
- 2009 - Joe Duffy was presented with the Fellow Award by the AIGA Minnesota.
- 2010 - AIGA honors for work in branding and corporate identity, Coca-Cola and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Notable work
- "Brand Apart" by Joe Duffy, designed by Duffy & Partners, published by One Club Publishing in 2005. Features insights on the art of creating a distinctive brand voice, in eleven interview style marketing cases.
- "Art for the River" - 10 limited edition screen prints, created by Duffy & Partners’ designers sold to benefit The Mississippi River Fund
- Selected to showcase Thymes, Beauty of Bathing book and Thymes Integrated Branding Program in Design Annual 49, the November 2008 issue of Communication Arts.
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 GorderGenevieve Gorder
Genevieve Gorder is an American television host, is an interior decorator, and actress. She is currently the host of Dear Genevieve on the HGTV cable channel.-Early life:...
, television host of TLC’s former Trading Spaces, Sharon Werner founder Werner Design Werks, INC and HGTV’s Dear Genevieve.