Graphic Communications Group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: Graphic Communications Group
152 Kent Street
Charlottetown, PE C1A 1N9
Tel: (902) 892-0029
Fax: (902) 629-1615
www.graphcom.pe.ca

ISLAND COMPANY, GOVERNMENTS TEAM FOR CARD SET


	Top: Premier Rober Ghiz Left: Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour Right: Gerard Greenan, Minister of Education

Island design and marketing firm Graphic Communications Group has teamed with the Province of PEI and, federally, Canada’s Heritage Places to develop a 33-piece collection of “PEI Historic Places” trading cards. The recently released card set features historically significant structures from across the island. Premiere Robert Ghiz and Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, unveiled the collection at the launch of Heritage Week 2008, held at Province House on Wednesday, February 13. They were joined by Grade 6 students from Central Queens Elementary and Spring Park Elementary schools, and Gerard Greenan, Minister of Education.

The cards were created to encourage young islanders to become informed about historic buildings throughout the province, while making them aware of each building’s significance. Graphic Communications Group developed the idea for the format from trading and gaming cards typically used to celebrate sports heroes and blockbuster movies, or as elements in games like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic. Says Graphic Communications Group president, Dean Johnstone, “We wanted the presentation of the information to be two things: educational and fun. Since young people are familiar with trading cards, adapting the heritage information to a card format seemed to go hand in hand. It makes the information accessible and the learning entertaining and effective.”

The “PEI Heritage Places” cards each feature an island structure, its photo, and information written from the building’s first person perspective. For example, Charlottetown’s Beaconsfield tells us, “I was designed in 1877 by William Critchlow Harris”, and Rustico’s Doucet House says, “My architecture is an example of the Acadian vernacular style.”

After viewing a preview set of the Heritage cards, Island Historian Catherine Hennessey voiced her approval by noting their value. “Buildings reflect the traditions, values and abilities of our people. They enrich our landscape visually and kindle our memories. Becoming more watchful of our buildings across the island helps us to appreciate our rich heritage.”
24 historic places from across the island are included in the set. Each card contains text in both French and English languages. An introductory card provides information about the collection, and 8 additional cards provide definitions and details about architectural terms, styles, design, etc. With a first print run of 2,000 sets, 200 will be available as complete 33-card packages, while individual cards will be handed out at historical sites across the island, encouraging people to experience other sites in order to collect every card.

Having worked with the collectable card concept for the past two years though its iCardz division, Graphic Communications Group approached the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Libraries with the idea for the “PEI Heritage Places” collection. The department was very receptive, with the cards being a compliment to its website located at www.peihistoricplaces.ca, also designed by Graphic Communications Group and featuring a searchable database. Says Heritage Places Registrar, Darin MacKinnon, “Our historic places help tell us what it means to be Canadian. They are the source of the many stories which define the diverse cultures of this great land. Our identity and all that is best about us can often be found in our historic places. They make us interesting not only to visitors, but even to ourselves!”

A division of Graphic Communications Group, the focus of iCardz is the development and production of trading cards and their support materials, including web components and additional print products. While the PEI Heritage Places cards are the first set of iCardz available to the public, iCardz is currently preparing a series of “Lest We Forget” cards focused on the significant Canadian contribution to the Second World War, and there is potential for a second set of PEI Historic Places cards showcasing more island architecture. In addition, a proposal has been submitted to the national office of Canada’s Heritage Places for a nation-wide set of cards highlighting structures from across the country. Samples of these iCardz can be viewed online at www.icardz.ca.

Adds Dean Johnstone, “These cards are very effective. They stimulate learning because they’re fun to use. People focus on each card’s specific information that is easily digested in short and to the point text. Their effectiveness is what makes them the ideal format to distribute information about anything from the upcoming Canada Games to the Anne 2008 celebration. And what’s great about the PEI Heritage Places cards in particular, is that islanders can easily visit the places profiled on each card to experience them first hand.”