Here at JHI we are big believers in supporting locally-owned businesses, which is one of the many reasons we are proud to have Ukrop’s as a long time client (since 1999). Interesting fact: Ukrop’s is the area’s largest retailer of locally grown produce. Local Route is a campaign we designed for Ukrop’s about two years ago, and it’s still going strong (in fact, a grocery chain in the Midwest liked it so much they asked if they could use it). On June 29, we’ll be reprising Local Route for a five week run of :10 TV and online ads that change weekly to feature local farmers and the summer produce item that’s at its peak.
Differentia is an oversized tabloid created on an irregular basis by J H I. Our purpose is two-fold: to produce a publication that reflects our unique sensibility as a design firm, and to connect with the local creative community. Previous issues have won numerous design awards (very gratifying). In the past, we’ve picked a theme and built differentia around that idea, basically creating all the content ourselves. For the next issue, we would like to design differentia around work submitted by local amateur and/or professional writers. We will let the submissions dictate the theme, and the writing will be the primary focus. We believe there are a lot of good writers skulking around this town. Got something you’d like to submit? We’d love to read it! Submission guidelines follow…
Ross Catrow of PharrOut.com sent us this link: a top 10 list for corporate website and social networking do’s and don’ts. There are some thoughts here that can save you a lot of heartache and money if you’re responsible (partly or fully) for this at your organization, or if you work with clients on these tools….
We have a saying here at J H I: sending creative ideas to a client without protection is like sending a toddler out to play in rush hour traffic. Because the fact is, an idea is just that: an idea. It needs the support of the person or people who came up with it, who understand all of the nuances and details that lead to its conception, who know why it’s strong and where it can go, or what can be altered without weakening its core value.
Clients frequently ask us to send initial concepts as pdfs because they are too busy to meet and go over the ideas in person. Of course, technology has made everyone’s workday an accelerated rush from punch-in to punch-out, with packed schedules making it difficult to find even a few minutes to meet. So, unfortunately, despite our deep misgivings, there are times when we are forced to send original, embryonic conceptual ideas alone over the internet. What happens? continue reading
This week Onyx had a play date with her BFF, Jackson. As you can see by the toy parts in the background, they had a great time. Jackson, who is much older and wiser, is very patient with Onyx’s rambunctious and demanding nature. Watching these two play is a great reminder that it’s important to have FUN!
Those guys in London must think we’re great because now we’re in their newest book: Signs and Symbols, Communicating with Pattern.This time, Mark Hampshire and Keith Stephenson look at “functional signs and symbols that convey information, taking in musical notation, wayfinding icons, sign language and health and safety”. Whoa. On page 196 you’ll find our work for the National Folk Festival, and on page 243 you’ll find the system of icons we created for Mini-Clik. We are thrilled and flattered to be included in another excellent industry reference book: now, about that tax-deductible trip to London…
As J H I’s official Toy Demolition Specialist, Onyx is an efficiency expert and particularly enjoys removing the squeaker. This cute little hedgehog sent by Aunt Danielle lasted about 10 minutes…
Onyx feels very strongly about animal rights and recently purchased this T-shirt online. If you would like to buy one just like it, visit www.all-lifeobama.com. Note: it’s organic cotton! If you or your dog don’t want to wear the message, your car can: it’s also available as a bumpersticker.
When we first met JS Technologies they were using a drowning man to promote their legal collections software. An interesting image, perhaps, but not in line with how they wanted to be perceived in the marketplace, which was getting more and more competitive. After conducting a series of internal interviews as well as discussions with clients and prospects to determine their true and compelling points of difference, JS Technologies has been transformed to JST (which is how the industry already refers to them, kind of like Fed Ex) with a clear and meaningful brand position based on simplicity and ease of use. Armed with a snappy new ad campaign and an elegant new website, www.jstsimple.com, JST is poised to take over the collections law world!
We also celebrated the launch of the new site with some appropriately blue JSTinis (Christen’s idea)!
It is with sadness and affection that we must let you know Aaron will be leaving J H I to work freelance from his home in South Hill. The daily 90 minute interstate commute each way finally got to him. Aaron has been a solid member of our team, and we wish him well in his new role as “self-employed”.
Which creates an immediate opportunity for someone else: if you know any cracker jack graphic designers with great skills, a few years of experience and the ability to come up with and execute brilliant ideas while juggling multiple projects and managing clients like a Hollywood press agent, tell him/her to send his/her portfolio to johnhoms@jhigoodidea.com. We’re looking for someone who can fit right in with the rest of us aesthetically obsessed, time challenged, perfectionistic overacheivers….
