SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS WEBSITE SELECTED FOR COMMUNICATIONS ARTS' WEBPICK OF THE DAY

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The Smithsonian Folkways Recordings website created by Visual Dialogue has been selected by Communication Arts as their WebPick of the day for Wednesday, January 6, 2010.

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Contact: Fritz Klaetke, Visual Dialogue  617.247.3659  fritz@visualdialogue.com


Boston, MA (January 6, 2010) - The website for Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the record label of the Smithsonian Institution, created by Boston-based design firm Visual Dialogue was selected by Communication Arts as it's WebPick of the day today. Reflecting their mission to preserve and document Americana and World culture, the Folkways site contains a wealth of information and important archival documentation for both cultural scholars and the general public. The comprehensive website redesign by Visual Dialogue clearly organizes the content allowing users to research, sample, and purchase tens of thousands of songs in the collection through an intuitive and engaging interface. The WebPick of the day features Communications Arts' selections for outstanding website examples from around the world.


About Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. The organization is dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. The mission of Smithsonian Folkways is the legacy of Moses Asch who founded Folkways Records in 1948 to document "people's music," spoken word, instruction, and sounds from around the world. The Smithsonian acquired Folkways from the Asch estate in 1987, and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has continued the Folkways commitment to cultural diversity, education, increased understanding, and lively engagement with the world of sound.


About Visual Dialogue
Since 1989, Visual Dialogue has provided design services including brand identity, print collateral, and websites for leading businesses and organizations. Clients include the Art Institute of Boston, Barbara Lynch restaurant group, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Harvard University, Himmel Hospitality Group, MIT, Moshe Safdie and Associates, and the Smithsonian Institution. Visual Dialogue's approach to design combines smarts (addressing key objectives to communicate effectively to the intended audience) and style (creating a visually intriguing form that stands out from the competition). Visual Dialogue has received every major award in the communications design industry from organizations including the American Institute of Graphic Arts, Art Directors Club, and the Type Directors Club. The firm's has been featured in publications such as Communication Arts, HOW, I.D., Dwell, and Sports Illustrated and is included in the permanent collection of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.