As 2009 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the many things that have transpired over the last 12 months and thank those who helped us maintain during trying times for our industry.

2009 was a year of great challenge for many of us in the design field.  As the recession hit full force in the early part of the year, we saw budgets slashed, projects cancelled, and many, many talented friends and colleagues losing their jobs and struggling to find employment.  Some of our favorite clients became distant memories while others were turning to us to help them do more with less as they attempted to stay afloat.  We, like many other firms made sacrifices as we undertook exercises in fat trimming and re-organization and I had to make some extremely difficult decisions.  That being said, we at Richardson Design decided that rather than sit around and dwell on a few setbacks, we would do the smart thing and work toward positioning ourselves in the best possible light to take advantage of the eminent recovery.  I am happy to report that for as bad as the first half of 2009 was, the second half of the year found us back on track and doing some of our most creative work ever.

I would like to say "Thank You" to the numerous new clients that came to Richardson over the past year including; the Michael Symon Restaurant Group (especially Michael and Liz Symon and Doug Petkovic), our friends at  KraftMaid, ChuteGerdeman, Hilferty and Associates, Aramark, Barrie Projects, and others.  We are grateful for their confidence and look forward to continuing to work together to create relevant, difference making design solutions in the coming year. 

I also want to give a huge shout out to everyone who worked as part of the Richardson creative team in some way or other during this past year including Kristie, Jill, Kat, Teri, Amanda, Karen, Lawrence, GT and Kate.

Thanks again and here's to a healthy, prosperous 2010.

Scott Richardson, Design Principal