Photodisc is based in the northwest, so there's a good chance of employee cross-pollination.
More likely, Microsoft tends to go out-of-house for many of their graphic design needs. For example, for years Landor did their packaging while a smaller Seattle outfit called The Leonhardt Group did lots of the Microsoft Press materials. If available images weren't suitable for the design, these outfits could easily acquire images elsewhere that supported the message that they were hired to convey.
Graphic designers rarely think that anyone besides graphic designers know how they do things. Asses, all.
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Photodisc is based in the northwest, so there's a good chance of employee cross-pollination. More likely, Microsoft tends to go out-of-house for many of their graphic design needs. For example, for years Landor did their packaging while a smaller Seattle outfit called The Leonhardt Group did lots of the Microsoft Press materials. If available images weren't suitable for the design, these outfits could easily acquire images elsewhere that supported the message that they were hired to convey. Graphic designers rarely think that anyone besides graphic designers know how they do things. Asses, all.