David Etzen is founder and principal of design studio redbar,
directing ink and pixels to communicate ideas.
David has a broad range of experience in graphic design with a specialty in brand management and design for print production. He has managed projects for clients such as The Walt Disney Company, Los Angeles Unified School District, Universal Studios, PBS (Public Broadcasting System) and the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Creating from-the-ground-up brand identity development, David guides his clients through the process to create and implement strong brand management systems, crucial in building customer confidence, loyalty and brand equity. He develops brand standards manuals to assist them in consistently communicating the personality of their brand to a defined audience. Subsequent services include concepts and designs of coordinated brand conscious collateral such as, brochures, catalogs, advertising, publications, signage, packaging, business stationery suites, web sites and electronic communications.
The identity system he created for redbar received the Selections Special Judges Award from Fox River Paper and was published in their Letterhead Awards book.
The stationery suite and wine packaging for silver lake wine were included in the Gilbert Paper CustomMark and Luxury Packaging Selection. The world-renowned designer and Art Center educator Doyald Young wrote, "Your logo looks great," regarding a new logo created for a high-end luxury services client.
David makes complex information easy to understand, as he did with the Los Angeles Unified School District benefits and enrollment package, by reorganizing content and creating easy to use charts and an appealing design.
A former co-owner of a commercial printing company, David has real world experience and expertise in sustainable print production. He crafts bid specifications to determine best production methods and materials. His ability to create production artwork based on manufacturing methods, schedules and budgets allow him to oversee the entire process resulting in the highest quality and on-time delivery for the project.
As creative director for the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce, David served on the board for ten years. He was responsible for chamber-to-member communications including the website, silverlakechamber.com, online member directory, weekly silver e-news communication, The Silver Planet Newsletter, event collateral, signage and banners as well as print and electronic format advertising materials for all chamber events including mixers, speaker series, holiday promotions and advertising campaigns. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti wrote, "The Chamber work you have been doing is truly beautiful."
David was also responsible for production of the SLCC member directory. This included art direction, design, photography coordination and print production for the directory. Under his direction, the SLCC was the first chamber to consistently produce a 10,000 print run, FSC certified directory using 100% recycled paper.
Also during his tenure for the SLCC, David participated as a panel presenter for the speaker series Voice, Image, Action: From Business to Brand. This presentation of how messaging, design, brand management and PR come together to put a business, organization or project in the spotlight was one of the most successful for the chamber.
As one of the founding directors of the SLCC Green Committee, he was a co-creator for the Sustainability Summit. This event, for residents and businesses, provided practical solutions for the community on how to create a more earth friendly and healthy environment, in addition to providing ongoing resources.
Pacem Productions, a long-time client, has used David's graphic design in many productions, including their documentaries Yeltsin, a.k.a.Creek: educating a big city school boy and their American Masters film I.M. Pei: Building China Modern, all screening internationally and on PBS.
For the 30th Annual People's Choice Awards the producers asked David to create a special invitation package for invited guests.
David's photography has been seen in LA Design Magazine,
C Magazine and numerous publications for the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce, Pilates Metro, Yoss & Allen and the Committee to Save Silver Lake Reservoirs.
