June 7th, 2010

Junk Mail by the Numbers.

As designers, we must understand the impact of the marketing tactics we recommend to our clients.

via @LenKendall & @DR4WARD

Posted By: Jeff

June 6th, 2010

Lots of talk about Ideas.

I’ve noticed a lot of talk lately about the value of IDEAS. At Hero the value of ideas and the value of design is an on-going topic we believe is central to the services we provide our clients. I’ll use this post to catalog things I’ve been hearing lately and older references I’ve used to inform my thinking.

Add your comments and send me links to articles you’ve found helpful in framing this topic for you. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted By: Jeff

June 5th, 2010

Empathic Civilization.

More great stuff from the RSA.

First of all, the format of these RSA presentations is excellent. I love the animation.

Second, what role does design and we as designers play in bringing about a more empathic world? We now have the communication tools to reach around the globe instantly. How do we align our communications to the elevation of all people and not just the increase of commerce?

It’s easy to talk about—much harder to act upon.

Posted By: Jeff

June 4th, 2010

Hero, NetNewsdesk and ARCADIS win Gold at the AMA Peak Awards.

Last night Hero and our client ARCADIS won a gold at the AMA Colorado Peak Awards for our GRiP Direct Mail campaign. This is our third award for this work. Thanks to the Hero staff, our client Julie Bowden and our partner Steve Miller at NetNewsdesk.

Previous awards for the GRiP campaign include one for Direct Mail and on for Promotional Product from the Colorado Business Marketing Association.

Posted By: Jeff

May 25th, 2010

Prints found. Souls transformed into non-matter.

Found these on 18th between Grant and Lincoln. I dig the ballcap butcher.

From TheKwiatkowskiPress.com

The Kwiatkowski Press is an underground press involving a series of events.  It is a work in progress.  We rely on trickery, gimmicks and all the other magic that’s involved in art.  Yes, we are con artists.  The press is a reflection of the chaos and disaster of creation.  Its matter was taken from society, mutilated, transformed and returned in retribution.  Our mission is the transformation of all souls into non-matter.  It is matter that we are up against.

Posted By: Jeff

May 14th, 2010

Big ideas on whiteboard. Animated.

I came across this video today. It’s from a series of animated presentations produced by the RSA. This one, Drive, is based on a presentation by Dan Plink. I found it mentioned in a tweet from Modernista.

via @hellnoharms Most impressive thing I’ve seen in 2010: http://bit.ly/bHJnDz

This falls into the “I wish I’d done that category” for me. Here’s why I like it:

1. Big Insights – I’ve always been curious about what motives people to do great work. As a creative director I deal with this issue everyday. My approach has been to give people my thoughts, direction and guidance, then stay out of their way until they need me again. Based on Dan Plink’s findings, I’m getting somethings right.
2. Cool Whiteboard Design – I love information design and whiteboards. I love the immediacy of communication that comes from talking and drawing and writing while working out a problem with my team. This also reminds me of work Hero did for the Denver50 ad show. We created illustrations on whiteboards and used them through the campaign and show.
3. Great Production – What can I say? This is cool to watch, and so simple. Reminds my of the Post-It Note video created by Bang-yao Liu. This falls into the “I’m going to try that” category.

Check out the other five videos in the series here.

And check out the studio that created these videos, CognitiveMedia. Lots of great work.

Posted By: Jeff

April 2nd, 2010

Summer Internships at Hero

Design Internship

Hero Design Studio is in need of a summer design intern. We are a classic design studio focused on executing smart, strategic ideas. We’re interested in web designers and graphic designers who want to learn how to produce, print and build the ideas they dream up. We’ll teach you studio process, project management and all that goes into delivering great work. Along the way you’ll get plenty of opportunities to design and see your work come to life.

Term: June—August 2010
Position: Graphic Designer
Schedule: 24hrs minimum per week
Pay: None
Clothing: If your mom would approve of what you’re wearing, it’s good enough for us.
Location: 1824 Lincoln Street in beautiful downtown Denver.

Instructions:
Just like on the playground, picking the right people for your team is important. So in 100 words, or less, tell us about yourself. We want to know why you’d like to intern for Hero, what skills you have to offer and what you hope to get out of your internship. Points are awarded for creativity and candor. Deductions are made for empty platitudes and unsubstantiated claims of game changing greatness.

Send your 100 words, or less, along with a resumé and PDF portfolio or link to your site.
Email portfolios or questions to: internme@herodesignstudio.com

Marketing Internship

So you want to be in marketing? Well, here’s a chance. Put everything you learned from Professor Hefley to work at Hero Design Studio. We’re looking for a summer intern to handle our marketing and communications. You’ll be responsible for managing and creating outbound communications about our projects, clients and expertise. This will include social media, traditional media and networking events—updating our website, blog, fan page and twitter. You’ll work directly with the principals and graphic designers to strategize, write and produce engaging content. You’ll also be required to create a signature project for yourself by pitching your own marketing idea tothe studio principals. If approved you’ll be given the resources and budget to make it a success.

Term: June—August 2010
Position: Marketing Intern
Schedule: 24hrs minimum per week
Pay: None
Clothing: Restaurants require it and so do we.
Location: 1824 Lincoln Street in beautiful downtown Denver.

Instructions:
Just like on the playground, picking the right people for your team is important. So in 100 words, or less, tell us about yourself. We want to know why you’d like to intern for Hero, what skills you have to offer and what you hope to get out of your internship. Points are awarded for creativity and candor. Deductions are made for empty platitudes and unsubstantiated claims of game changing greatness.

Send your 100 words, or less, along with a resumé, writing samples, portfolio or link to your site. Email portfolios or questions to: internme@herodesignstudio.com

Posted By: Jeff

March 3rd, 2010

Wiegand Attorneys Logo

This logo for Wiegand Attorneys & Counselors is the latest part of a larger re-branding effort. We began the project by re-defining the firm’s market positioning and creating a new tag-line—Navigating Your Future Success. The form of the logo connects with the tag-line and our client’s love of sailing and the antique nautical maps which adorn his office. There’s more to come in a website, business stationary and environmental signage.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted By: Jeff

January 9th, 2010

XX Merge Poster. Letterpress. Hand-lettering. Craft.

Letterpress. Hand-lettering. Craft.
All the things we like best.

We found this great poster design profiled on the forPrintonly blog. It’s really beautiful work. What I like best is variety of hand craft that went into this piece. From the paper model that was photographed to the hand-lettering to the letterpress — this piece has everything we like best. Visit FPO to read more about it.

forPrintonly blog>>

Posted By: Jeff

January 8th, 2010

Tools we like. Jumpchart.

I’m always testing new design tools that can make our studio more efficient. In so many areas of our work, new software, websites and apps have emerged and made our old ways of doing things nearly obsolete. I say nearly because although new tools may offer great benefits they come at a price—change. That change means adopting new methods, techniques and workflows. As well as accepting some period of in-efficiency while you climb the learning curve.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted By: Jeff