About

We are a design consultancy recognized worldwide for excellence in the planning and design of signage, wayfinding, and user navigation systems.

Led by Ms. Chris Calori and Mr. David Vanden-Eynden our firm is made up of energetic designers and dedicated administrators who enjoy their work and our studio environment. Our work is distinguished by its stylistic diversity with each designer encouraged to have creative input. Our sensitivity to context—together with our client’s involvement and team approach to design—produces innovative solutions that successfully speak to the needs of each and every project. We have always maintained a broad mix of large and small projects and have designed graphics programs for cultural, civic, commercial, educational, hospitality, retail and transportation facilities.

Our team is unique, comprised of designers with varied experiences working together in a single, small studio. We are located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, a center of New York City’s cultural and creative life, which provides a ready source of artistic inspiration, stylish people, and great restaurants.

We have terrific clients that include many of the world’s foremost architects, institutions, and developers. And because relationships are such an integral part of our work process we think it is important to note that many of our clients have also become our close friends.

Our principals, Chris and David, have been honored as Fellows of the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) as pioneers in the field of Environmental Graphic Design (EGD). With over 30 years of experience, we have gained a reputation as leaders in the field. And we literally wrote the book on EGD: Chris Calori’s highly acclaimed Signage and Wayfinding Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Environmental Graphic Design Systems has become a permanent volume on the bookshelves of EGD professionals and educators around the globe.

Meet Our Team

Chris Calori /
Principal

Chris originated C&VE‘s proprietary “Signage Pyramid” methodology for signage program design and management, and pioneered C&VE‘s service of master planning signage programs for large-scale, phased-implementation sites. She leads the firm’s efforts on transportation-related projects and commercial and mixed-use developments. Chris has been recognized as one of the 25 most influential designers in the field of Environmental Graphic Design (EGD).

Chris authored the acclaimed book Signage and Wayfinding Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Environmental Graphic Design Systems, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Her writing has also appeared in numerous other publications.

Chris’ work has received awards from the SEGD, AIA, IDSA, AIGA, and the City of New York, and has been featured in national and international books and periodicals. Additionally, she has served as critic and juror for numerous design programs and competitions.

Chris is a Fellow of the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) and a Professional Affiliate of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), New York Chapter. She has taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and at The Ohio State University, from which she received the first Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design. She has spoken at numerous colleges and universities, and at SEGD and AIA conferences and events.

Chris received a MA, Design Planning, and a BS in Industrial Design majoring in Visual Communications, both from The Ohio State University.

David Vanden-Eynden / Principal

For over 30 years, David has been involved in the design of signage, wayfinding, place making, and graphics systems for hundreds of buildings and spaces. His projects include graphic systems for commercial, institutional, transportation, civic, cultural, and retail environments. He continues to focus his efforts on enhancing user experiences in public spaces.

As an early practitioner of Environmental Graphic Design (EGD), David, together with partner Chris Calori, helped establish the field of EGD as an integral component of built environments the world over. He is recognized as one of the 25 most influential designers in the field of EGD.

David is a Fellow of the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) and a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). He served for 16 years on the Board of Directors of the SEGD, served as president of the SEGD’s Education Foundation, and was instrumental in helping establish segdDESIGN magazine. His work has been honored by the SEGD, AIA, IDSA, the AIGA, and the City of New York, and has been published in numerous national and international books and periodicals worldwide.

David has taught at Yale University and the University of Cincinnati and is a former Adjunct Instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. He continues to be a speaker, lecturer, and juror for events sponsored by many professional and educational design organizations.

David received a BS in Industrial Design from The Ohio State University, where he majored in Visual Communications and met Chris Calori. They have been sharing life, love, and design ever since.

Harriet Spear

Harriet brings over 30 years experience to C&VE. Harriet received a BFA in Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design. Her career has focused on information planning and design, environmental graphic design, wayfinding, and interpretive graphics for numerous facility types, parks, and public places.

Harriet’s work ranges from exhibition graphics for the Smithsonian Institution, to signage and wayfinding for U.S. National Parks, to research, analysis and design for Clearview, a highly legible typeface developed for optimal visibilty on America’s highway road signage.

Harriet’s award-winning work has been featured in many design publications, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times Magazine. She is a longstanding member of the Society for Experiential Graphic Design.

Harriet previously held positions as Director of Environmental Graphic Design with Russell Design, Associate with Whitehouse & Company, and Senior Designer with Meeker & Associates.

Jessica Schrader

Jessica is an experienced team leader with tremendous skills in design and critical thinking. As a Senior Environmental Graphic Designer at the nationally recognized SBLM Architects in New York City, her work was focused on developing complex signage and wayfinding programs for national and international clients. She has performed design and leadership roles in a variety of projects and has been involved in every aspect of environmental graphic design, from concept to close-out. Additionally, she has an extensive background in user experience, web design, print and identity design, photography, marketing, and branding. Previous clients include New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA), Related Retail Corporation, and Martha Stewart Living, among others.

Jessica has a unique ability to problem-solve on the fly, developing quick, creative, innovative solutions to complex design challenges. She is also a strategic thinker, with a demonstrated ability to efficiently produce, budget, and control quality for large-scale projects. She develops powerful client relationships, as well as leading and communicating efficiently and effectively with teams of designers, writers, and coders.

Jessica holds a BFA in Communication Design from Pratt Institute, where she was named a Presidential Scholar, and a certificate from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is a member of the AIGA, where she participates in the AIGA Mentorship Program, and the SEGD.

Greg Riestenberg

Greg is a multidisciplinary designer, educator and occasional writer, with a broad background in two- and three-dimensional design. He spent several years with architectural firms, including the internationally recognized RTKL, as a part of the environmental graphics team, and TPG Architecture in New York. He has worked on regional, national and international projects ranging from printed publications, packaging, websites, branding and identity, wayfinding, and branded architectural spaces. Previous clients include Procter & Gamble and the Architect of the U.S. Capitol, along with a wide swath of smaller, local, and non-profit organizations.

His design aesthetic is focused on the challenge of creating spaces, systems, and artifacts that employ an optimal balance of emotional expressiveness and communicative clarity. He brings a powerful ability to create pleasant and useful experiences for those who might be using a particular product, service, or space.

Greg holds an MFA in Communication Design from Pratt Institute, and a BS in Graphic Design from the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. For several years he has served as a full-time Lecturer and Foundations Coordinator for Kean University in Union, NJ. His volunteer work includes the AIGA Mentorship Program, Pratt Free School, Architecture for Humanity, and Greater DC Cares. He is a member of the AIGA, SEGD, College Art Association (CAA), and Foundations in Art: Theory and Education (FATE).

Linda Jones

Linda Jones wears many hats. As the Studio Manager, she keeps C&VE’s day-to-day operations well-oiled and tuned and humming along at an even clip. With years spent at Square Peg Design, Louis Nelson Associates, and Oh Boy, A Design Company, she knows well the needs and quirks of a dynamic design consultancy.

Her many hats include Studio Manager, Scheduler, HR Professional, Bookkeeper, IT Person, Systems Developer, Proofreader, Marketing Assistant, and Event Planner. She is highly efficient and ruthlessly organized, and her BFA from Ithaca College means she brings creativity, perseverance, and focus to all facets of the company’s operations. In her spare time she is an award-winning performer and sometime-marathon runner.