GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The redesign of the American Institute for Economic Research's "Research Reports" has scored an EXCEL Award for production designer Jonathan Sylbert.

He was one of 175 winners representing 91 associatons recently selected by Association Media & Publishing from 1,000 entrants. Winners were chosen for taking bold chances in a variety of categories. Other winners included AARP, National Education Association, The Conference Board and the American Cancer Society.

Sylbert worked at Rudolph de Harak & Associates, a graphic and industrial design firm in New York City, prior to moving to the Berkshires. He has worked at AIER since 1996. He is also chairman of the Monterey Select Board and president of the Monterey Preservation Land Trust.

AIER won the bronze award for the Most Improved Newsletter to Newsletter. Sylbert was the project leader for AIER's comprehensive redesign that was six months in the making and included input from many AIER staff members and selected outside experts. The redesign, which was for both Research Reports and Economic Bulletins, was introduced to readers in January 2009.

AIER is one of the oldest economic research organizations in the United States. Founded in 1933, it is an independent, non-profit organization; AIER's unbiased research and publications address a wide variety of economic issues including personal finance, monetary policy, business cycles and property rights.