The 1185 Design records consist of initial creative books and both text and software product samples. The initial creative books make up roughly two-thirds of the collection. These books are created in the first stages of the design process, often with feedback from clients that are expressed in handwritten notes within the books. The books primarily explore different areas designated by 1185 Design, including logos, corporate identity, and website design. However, some books are simply preliminary ideas sketched out for clients, and others focus on a single product or package. The books are then reviewed by the client, notes and changes are made, and if the client decides to go forward, a design direction is selected or developed over a series of revisions.
The remaining third of the collection consists of product samples, which are end products of the design process. These materials are divided into two subseries. Text product samples are made up strictly of text and graphical materials, such as annual reports, invitations, brochures, pamphlets, and other advertising material. The software subseries consists mainly of packaged software by such companies as Adobe and Cisco, but there is also a number of print materials with supplemental software included in this series.
The collection does not contain files or notes from the meetings with clients that take place any time within the design process. 1185 Design signs a non-disclosure agreement with clients, so the only materials retained from projects are the initial creative books and end products.
Biographical/Historical Note
1185 Design is a digital brand agency located in Palo Alto, California that was founded by Peggy Burke. Burke, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and 1980 graduate (BS, Graphic Design) of the Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning department at the University of Cincinnati moved to California in 1983 to take a job with Boole and Babbage. Burke worked as Creative Director for their in-house design group which lead to her decision to begin her own startup with the launching of 1185 Design in November 1985 (hence the company’s name). Initially consisting of Burke as the lone staff member and serving clients mostly located in and around Silicon Valley, previous hit 1185 next hit ’s initial emphasis was on technology startups and venture capital firms. Among the company’s early clients were Motorola, Adobe, Sun Systems, and Cisco.
As 1185 Design entered the 1990’s, it expanded its client base to biotech, nonprofit, and consumer markets with a specialization in areas such as corporate identity, brand strategy and narratives, and digital experience and execution. The company had grown to 60 employees with offices in Palo Alto, California and Portland, Maine, but the dot-com downturn forced 1185 to cut its workforce down to 30 employees and close its east coast office in 2001. With the second boom in Silicon Valley, 1185 further expanded its client base and came into the digital age with fewer products such as printed publications and packaging and more emphasis on digital advertising, user experience evaluations, corporate branding, and web and mobile design. As of 2019, 1185 Design is still in business.
User guide; Getting started guide; Technical support options booklet; End-user license agreement; Product registration card; Program start instructions; Special offer. Software is missing.
3 1/2 inch floppy disk (5); User manual; Reference manual; Getting started booklet; Installation guide booklet; Color extension installation instruction sheet; License agreement; Service and support pamphlet; Demonstration disc order information; Product catalog; Special offer
