J H I Blog

A fantastic infographic from GOOD.is showing the dramatic increase in recent years in good-for-the-earth human-powered transport. Let’s keep it going! Click here for the full size graphic.

That bright orange scooter parked outside is the sign of a new addition here at J H I.

Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Meena Khalili, designer and illustrator and the newest addition to J H I. It is a sincere privilege to be working in this productive and successful creative think tank!

I’ve come to J H I just after receiving my MFA in Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to that, I studied Illustration at VCU where I earned my BFA in Communication Arts and Design. I have studied illustration in Florence Italy, and taught graphic design in Doha, Qatar. I get my good ideas by traveling, observing cultures, and drawing the world around me.

Just last month, Applied Arts Magazine recognized a series of my illustrations which were inspired by the charming and charismatic coffee shops I’ve observed here in Richmond, Virginia. This work will be featured in the September 2010 Student Awards Issue of Applied Arts Magazine as well as in the November Awards Exhibition in Toronto, Canada.

Richmond, Virginia. this historic and interesting city, is chock full of visual nourishment that continues to feed us those good ideas!

(Richmond Coffee Shop Series Award Winners)

J H I is featured in the January issue of Grid Magazine.  Grid is a new publication serving the Greater Richmond Region, and J H I is honored to be featured in the “Innovators” section of the publication – believe us when we tell you that we’re among excellent company.  Check out the article here. And remember, its always a good idea to share good news with a friend!

You’ve met our intern Stephanie here on our blog (if you haven’t met her in the office or spoken to her on the phone), and I’d like to take a moment to toot her horn just a bit.   Although we already know she is absolutely fabulous and a wonderful addition to JHI, Print Magazine has recognized her design star potential and selected her cover design as one of three finalists for the student cover competition. This year’s theme asked design students to address a global problem and show how good design could solve it.  Stephanie’s cover design oh so cleverly addressed the issue of public transportation.

We’re so proud of her, and to show it, we’ve all voted a million times in support (because clearly it is the best and we are showing no bias what-so-ever). We’d love it if you did the same!  Click to vote for Stephanie now!

There are 2 things in life that I love above all others: new people and accessories. A few weeks ago, J H I got one of each! Stephanie recently graduated from VCU in graphic design. She also spent a semester studying architecture in Copenhagen which means she speaks Danish. That adds one more language to the J H I repertoire, bringing the grand total to 4 different languages! She is also a great asset as a talented designer and a very hard worker.

The long-awaited RMCVB shopping bags arrived the very same week as Stephanie did and she jumped right in and helped us show off the fun Virginia-themed illustration. The bags are stylish and fun and a great way to promote the Richmond Region!

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….

In keeping with the longstanding J H I tradition of Great Office Dogs, for which a noble standard was set by the late, great Gilbert the Golden Hearted, Onyx has joined our staff. Onyx was a shelter dog in Brunswick County who participated in the Pen Pals program and received her AKC Good Canine Citizen certificate before joining us on Monday, March 24. Onyx is a lovely Lab mix; she is a glossy brownish black, about a year or so old, weighs around 50lbs and loves soft, squeaky toys: especially the one Aunt Danielle sent that looks just like a small dead squirrel. Onyx knows lots of tricks we are planning to try out in upcoming client meetings when things aren’t going so well. In return for her duties here, she has requested we encourage you to support SOS-PenPals, her alma mater. Onyx can be reached at onyx@jhigoodidea.com.

We have certainly struggled to find the right fit for our traffic and production manager position. At long last, we believe the search is over. On March 19 Betsy Sayre officially joined J H I and she is now busily getting up to speed on our clients, our projects, our systems and our many, many wonderfully charming personal idiosyncracies. Betsy previously worked at Genworth Financial, The Duboy Agency, Barber Martin Advertising and TECHEAD. We’re sure she’ll be telling us all what to do and when to do it really soon. And if she’s half as great as her references all say she is, we’ll love every minute of it. You can reach Betsy at betsy@jhigoodidea.com.

Yet another great woman has joined the staff here at J H I. (Aaron and John are beginning to feel seriously outnumbered). As of Monday, March 3 Christen Barber is our fearless Project Manager. Her role will be to lead both J H I and the client in our constant search for brilliant creative and strategic solutions. A Jersey Girl and Virginia Tech grad, Christen joins us from a large public relations firm in D.C. In search of a life featuring less time in traffic and more time with friends, she recently moved to Richmond and we were lucky enough to snare her before anyone else realized how great she is. An avid sports enthusiast, you’ll often find Christen at live sporting events (especially if the Hokies are playing), perusing the latest issue of ESPN Magazine, or trying new recipes in search of the perfect tailgating fare. In between games, she can be reached at christen@jhigoodidea.com.

In the beginning, there was green carpet, linoleum, and darkness…

And then there was demolition…

And it was good.

Check back soon for more updates on our renovation of the front space here at J H I.