21351 W. Silverbell Road
Marana, AZ 85653
520-616-6140
Dun and Bradstreet number, 04 687 8703
Federal contractor number, TPIN 55453335
Lawrence Ormsby was born in Arizona, and has spent his life exploring and enjoying the state's natural wonders. From an early age, drawing was important to him. After serving four years in the Air Force as an illustrator, he pursued an education in art and design from Colorado Institute of Art.
In 1979, he formed Ormsby and Thickstun, a partnership with Carole Thickstun, and began a career in interpretive design. He honed his skills in pen and ink, watercolor, cartography, diagram, and three-dimensional modeling as different challenges in the interpretive field presented themselves. The work that he and his partner have done for national parks and forests have earned many national awards, but most importantly, have sold well and been enjoyed by many visitors.
Carole Thickstun began designing at an early age, purchasing a small press in kindergarten and designing posters by third grade. While still in high school, she enrolled in Indiana University, and began taking classes in their just-emerging graphic design department. After completing all the design available at I.U. by her sophomore year, she transferred to University of Cincinnati, known for its strong program in graphic design. After three years there, she headed west and began freelancing in 1975. She met Lawrence in 1976 when they collaborated on The Pointe logo. In 1979, they formed their partnership, and began collaborating in earnest, pursuing projects from national parks, natural history associations, publishers and museums.
RE: A LAND IN MOTION: CALIFORNIA'S SAN ANDREAS FAULT
“should be considered for Director's Award....exquisite photos, layout, in-depth and thorough, masterful job.”
RE: GUIDEBOOK TO THE VERSION COLLECTION
"Very high quality publication. Well done! Awesome cover, it gets to the point and draws my attention to want to purchase the guide. Well organized content which makes it easy to obtain information quickly. Strong partnership."
RE: ORMSBY-THICKSTUN PRODUCT IDEAS
"Yes, I would love to see any of your product ideas. Your items have a great look and often do very well, so I do have interest."
In 2002, Larry and Carole built their studio in Ironwood Forest National Monument, northwest of Tucson. Their new space houses their etching, lithography and letter presses, and is surrounded by Sonoran desert. The new large space has allowed them to continue to expand the interest they share in art and design reflecting the natural world.
2014
APPL Media and Partnership Award, Winner for Best VISITOR GUIDES:
Guidebook to the David T. Vernon Collection of American Indian Ethnographic Objects
Grand Teton Association
2011
APPL Media and Partnership Award, Best Theme:
US Capitol Christmas Tree 2010 Logo
Grand Teton Association
2009
Children's Media Award by Association for Partners for Public Lands 2009 Media Award:
CONDOR, SPIRIT OF THE CANYON Children's Book
by Robert Mesta
Grand Canyon Association
2008
First Place Winner of Glyph Award from Arizona Book Publishers Association for Best Children's Fiction, and Finalist in "Embodying Arizona" category:
"CONDOR, SPIRIT OF THE CANYON"
by Robert Mesta
Grand Canyon Association
2007
First Place Winner of Western Regional Book Design & Production Award Winners For Guide/Travel Book Category:
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK GUIDE SERIES
by Charlie Craighead
Grand Teton Association
2005
First Place Winner of National Association for Interpretation 2005 Media Award for Large Book:
SCULPTED BY ICE--GLACIERS IN THE ALASKA LANDSCAPE
by Michael Collier, Author and Photographer; Susan Tasaki, Editor; Lisa Oakley, Alaska Natural History Association, Project Manager.
APPL Awards, +48 pages:
SCULPTED BY ICE--GLACIERS IN THE ALASKA LANDSCAPE
by Michael Collier, Alaska Natural History Association
APPL Awards, Trailguides:
GRAN QUIVIRA TRAILGUIDE
by NPS Staff, Western National Park Association
2004
Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association Regional Book Award:
CREATION OF THE TETON LANDSCAPE
by Love, Reed and Pierce, Grand Teton Natural History Association
2003
National Interpreters Association Award, Trailguide Category:
SITKA TRAILGUIDE
Alaska Natural History Association
2002
APPL Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, Large Books:
YOSEMITE FLORA
Yosemite Association
APPL Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, Guides:
CANYONLANDS SKY ISLAND ROADGUIDE
Canyonlands NHA. APPL Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 2002
NPS WINTER OLYMPICS NEWSPAPER
Canyonlands NHA, APPL Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 2002
APPL Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 2000
2001
CHILKOOT TRAILGUIDE
Klondike Gold Rush National Park, Alaska Natural History Association
2000
Cooperating Association Excellence in Interpretation Awards, Winner of The Director's Award and Joint Venture Publication category:
A LAND IN MOTION: CALIFORNIA'S SAN ANDREAS FAULT
by Michael Collier
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and US Geological Survey
2000 Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition:
WHO ATE BACKYARD?
Grand Teton Association
2000 Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition:
DENALI ROAD GUIDE
Alaska Geographic
2000 Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition:
WALKING AND EXPLORING SAN FRANCISCO'S PACIFIC SHORE
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
YOSEMITE FIELD SEMINAR CATALOGUE
Yosemite Association
American Association of Museums:
YOSEMITE FLORA SPONSORSHIP BROCHURE Yosemite Association, American Association of Museums, 2000
Other books and publications that have been awarded:
SURVIVORS IN THE SHADOWS
Northland Publishing, Western Book Award, 1994
RAVENSONG
Northland Publishing, First place Trade Book, Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Association, 1993
TRADITION AND INNOVATION
Yosemite Association, American Assoc. of Museums Award, 1992 NPS and from APPL Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
COMMON INSECTS
Colorado National Monument, NHA NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
ALCATRAZ, MUIR WOODS & FORT POINT ILLLUSTRATIONS
American Institute of Graphic Arts Certificate of Excellence, 1992 San Francisco Advertising
Club Silver Award, 1992 NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
PUEBLO BIRDS AND MYTHS
Northland Publishing, First place Trade Book, Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Association, 1991
BLACK BEARS
Great Smoky Mt. NHA PICA Award, 1991 NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
TRAILGUIDES COLTER BAY MAP AND GUIDE
Grand Teton NHA National Interpreters Assoc. Award, 1995
MUIR WOODS TRAILGUIDE
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
ROADGUIDE TO ARCHES
Canyonlands NHA NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE
Sequoia NHA NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition
1992 FIELD SEMINARS
Yosemite Association, NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
POSTERS TONTO PLATFORM
Grand Canyon Association, NPS Cooperating Assoc. Pub. Competition, 1992
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MONTEREY BAY
Monterey Bay Aquarium, First place, Travel book, Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Association, 1998
As a designer and illustrator team, we prepare illustrations, maps and diagrams for publications and exhibits. We create designs and products in an effort to create engaging content for the public.
Internally, we each focus on different parts of projects for an efficient and effective flow of work. Lawrence’s uses his skills and research to create illustrations, cartography and 3-D diagrams. I focus on planning and design in order to present visually accessible layouts. I serve as the project manager, including scheduling, organizational details, handling submittals and reviews, and creating production costs estimates. I do most of the design layout and typography work.
Our work is made "professional-looking" as a result of a network of talent--writers, editors, programmers, printers, and photographers--that I have established working relationships with, each with their own area of expertise. Our success is a result of their generous and gifted talents.
Carole Thickstun, cthickstun@aol.com
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Reprehenderit, amet, facilis molestiae blanditiis dolore nihil.
Our Graphic Design Services are available to Arizona Game and Fish Department projects with contract AGFD14-066574
Our Graphic Design Services are available to Arizona State agency projects with Statewide Marketing contract ADSPO12-036095. See work done for Arizona Historical Society.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. A, voluptates, tempore rem beatae porro quasi.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. A, voluptates, tempore rem beatae porro quasi.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Reprehenderit, amet, facilis molestiae blanditiis dolore nihil.
