See images from this event on Flickr.
Event Review by Kelly Friedl

As you entered the collaborative space of OhNo!Doom, preparing for the AIGA Small Talk evening with this design troupe, there was, if my ears did not deceive me, a Def Leopard track playing in the background. This set the tone for the collaborative venue, and you knew the creative team was going to be unique.

The OhNo!Doom design collective (they describe themselves as a collective set of superheroes)  consists of Andrew, Joe, Jordan, Max, Oscar, and the not-to-be overlooked female contingent, Lana. They work out of a venue on North Milwaukee Avenue which serves as a gallery, a retail store, a design studio, and an overall think tank for the heroes.

Clients come to them for branding, original illustration, conceptual event ideas, and even some good, old-fashioned print.  The team, different from traditional design forums, works in a 100% collaborative and organic manner. So each project, upon final execution, will contain elements of each of the 6 “Doomers” personalities.

“Chicago is my backyard,” claims the team during their presentation. This is an apparent fact as they reviewed their past, current, and future projects in Chicago.  They have working relationships with Nerd City, the promoters of a trendy comic book convention. They have affiliations with some retail stores like Flybird in Evanston. And they are discussing a potential event with the community around them, including Uprise Skate Shop. There work schedule and gallery calendar are booked a year out!

An additional funny fact to note, they also have an affiliation with Pabst Blue Ribbon, who is not only a client but also a sponsor. (You will have to phone them yourselves to get a further explanation on the sponsorship details entail!)  I simply noted that Oscar held a PBR can in his hand all evening.

Do not underestimate this team of retro-clothes-clad wacky illustrators, creative conceptual thinkers, and plush toy designers; most of them possess an MFA from top design schools around the country including SCAD. They have evolved from an original raw cove space in Logan Square - and have now branched out to Wicker Park. There is no doubt we are going to be seeing a lot more of OhNo!Doom.

Event Overview:
AIGA Chicago Small Talks are designed to be intimately scaled events that offer attendees the opportunity to learn about business practices, view work and experience environments to local studios and firms first-hand. Join us for Small Talk IV with a visit to OhNo!Doom.

OhNo!Doom is a Chicago artist collective made up of designers, illustrators and plush artists (who all work creative jobs during the week). The group operates an art gallery shop in Bucktown, that showcases its members work as well as other artists from around the world and is home to ON!D's designer toy and clothing line. This space also does triple duty as the collective's design studio headquarters. The OhNo!Doom Collective is: Oscar Alatorre, Max Bare, Joseph Call, Lana Crooks, Jordan Owen and Andrew Thompson.