Rick’s Blog

Boss, Friend or Partner. How to work with your design firm.

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:43:53 -0800

Today Jean Klündt passed on a great article link from the AIGA (the American Institute of Graphic Artists) website. The article is titled, "The True Partnership: How to Get Great Design Solutions".

The article explains the three types of client/designer relationships:

• Boss/Worker
• Friend
• Partner

In very clear language, the author also explains how from a client's standpoint, the ONLY way to get great concepts and design from the design firm is to engage them as a Partner.

I encourage every designer, design student or corporate client to read this article and take its recommendations to heart. I think even art directors can learn how to more effectively work with their designers by following the guidelines in this article.

A Win at Nike

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:38:27 -0800

Earlier this week I took a trip with Carie Weeks, Dean Davis and Mark Forman to Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, OR to shoot photos and conduct video interviews of Gonzaga alumni for use in the University's recruitment view book and microsite that Klündt | Hosmer is developing.

Nike's DNA branding exhibit.

Nike has an incredible facility in Beaverton. It is set up on nearly 200 acres, much like a college campus, with well-designed buildings, beautiful water features, inspiring artwork... truly an amazing place to work.

We shot images of people and places around the campus along with video interviews of several alumni telling their career stories for potential Gonzaga undergrads. I will use the images and interviews as source material for writing a feature story for the view book and microsite.

The people at Nike were very accommodating and the passion they have for their work and products is clearly seen and felt. We captured some great images and very insightful interviews that are sure to inspire potential Gonzaga students.

I shot some photos on my iPhone while we were there and posted them to a Facebook album. Check them out.

As a bonus, after our work on Nike's campus we did a little shopping at the Nike Employee Store (nice shoes) and enjoyed a Thai meal together with a wonderful crew of people.

Thanks to Nike, Gonzaga University, Dean Davis Photography and Forman & Company for making the trip so successful.

Happy 2012

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:35:46 -0800

Happy 2012, Everyone! It has been a month since my last blog post, which just shows how busy we have been at Klündt | Hosmer... and the fact that I took a vacation week between Christmas and New Years to spend time with my family.

It's good to be back in the office and cranking away on some exciting, new projects. Just to keep you up-to-date on a few things we're working on, we're about to launch a new website for MotoConcepts, we're deep into the editorial section design of the Avista 2011 annual report, we're finalizing the script for Wagstaff's corporate video, and just starting the design and writing of Gonzaga University's next recruitment view book.

Carie Weeks reviewing the content layout for the next Gonzaga view book.

Carie Weeks from Gonzaga and I just worked out the content organization for the view book project, and discussed communication goals for our upcoming trip to Portland, OR where we'll interview and photograph/film Gonzaga alumni who work at Nike.

2012 is shaping up to be a great year!

Creativity Defined by Steve Jobs

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:25:47 -0800

Darin just emailed all of us a list of the "Top 10 New Business Articles from 2011". In the list is an article titled, "The 10 Best Quotes for Advertising Agencies". Several of the quotes were from Steve Jobs, the late CEO of Apple.

Here's what Steve had to say about creativity in Wired Magazine:

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people." Wired

There is a reason why I liked Steve Jobs so much and why I am proud to have used Apple products in my business and my home daily since 1986.

Conncecting experiences and seeing the world from various perspectives is what separates creative people from the masses. I have been a "creative" person my entire life (and still have teacher comments from elementary school to back that up.) I think creative people are special and am surrounded by them at Klündt | Hosmer. It's why I like coming to work everyday.

I will always appreciate Steve Jobs' philosophy and insight on making a difference and thinking differently. And I am happy to have an iPhone in my pocket, an iPod in my car and a MacBook Pro and iPad on my desk.

Think differently.

Rick Hits Goal

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:41:14 -0700

For those following my Total Shape for Life/Medifast journey, here's a recap. I started on a weight-loss program on September 7 after being inspired while working on the design of Larry Shook's book, "A Renaissance of One".

On my weekly weigh-in yesterday, the scale read 164.0. I hit my goal, plus one more pound lost. That's 33 pounds lost in less than 8 weeks. Now I just need to keep it off. But with TSFL's transition and Ultimate Health program, I will have the tools to eat "right" and maintain a healthy weight for the rest of my life.

For anyone interested in looking into the TSFL program (and you don't need to lose 30 pounds or more to get started!), I encourage you to contact Kathryn Leslie at 206.604.6557 or visit her website. Kathryn will explain the program to you and get you set up on the plan. That's how Larry and I both lost over 30 pounds in a matter of weeks.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, "There may be less of me to see in the future"... well, that definitely has come to pass. There are 33 pounds "less of me" than there was less than eight weeks ago.

Engineering a Fun Halloween

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:36:28 -0700

Yesterday, Ashley Martin and I served as judges for the annual Halloween Costume Contest at Coffman Engineers' Spokane office.

Some of the Coffman Engineers team dressed up for Halloween, along with Ashley and Rick (dressed as judges.)

Klündt | Hosmer is currently developing a new website for the firm and has gotten to know many of Coffman's team members from their five offices. It was fun seeing the Spokane crew show their enthusiasm and spirit at this competition. Who knew engineers could be so much fun?

Each department put together a theme (complete with music) and dressed up to impress each other and the judges.

Ashley and I judged sleepy managers (complete with pajamas) counting "sheep", a safari hunter (kidnapping a baby gorilla) being attacked by jungle animals, a group of early '80s aerobics instructors, the cast of "Toy Story" and a strange threesome representing the result of an exploding microwave, the grim reaper and germs.

The Coffman Spokane team put a lot of effort into their costumes and the development of their themes.

In the end, the 2011 winner was the Structural Department whose sleepless managers (stressed out by projects, clients and the demands of their general manager) "counted sheep" in order to fall asleep.

Thanks for the food and festivities, Coffman Engineers! We had a great time judging the competition.

Practically Perfect Printing

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:36:42 -0700

Henry Ortega holds awards for print materials he designed.

We were pleasantly surprised this afternoon when Kelly Walker, our sales rep from Lawton Printing dropped by.

Kelly presented us with three beautiful plaques from the 2011 PPI “Print ROCKS!” Awards. PPI stands for the Pacific Printing Industries Association. This year, three industry judges reviewed over 240 submitted print design projects from all over the Pacific Northwest and selected the best quality pieces to receive awards.

Projects we designed–including print pieces for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians 2011 Calendar, Second Nature Wilderness Programs 360º Directory and the 2010 Avista Annual Report–were awarded special recognition in the competition.

Nice printing, Lawton! It was a pleasure to work with you on these projects. The quality of your work is appreciated (not only by us) but by the commercial printing industry as well.

Tale of the Scale

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:52:27 -0700

Four weeks have passed since I started following the Total Shape for Life (TSFL) Medifast diet program. Four weeks of eating six small meals a day and not having any milk, cheese, sugar, bread, chips, M&Ms, ice cream, alcohol, french fries or Whammys from Dick's Drive-in.

Have I kept true to the program? Have I cheated? Have I given up? Have I lost weight? Do I feel any better? Has it been difficult? Do I crave any of the items in the previous paragraph?

Yes. No. No. Yes. Yes. No. No.

As of this morning, I have lost a total 22 pounds in the past four weeks. The scale read 175 pounds this morning, down from the 197 it displayed just after Labor Day. I expect that in less than three more weeks, I'll be seeing 165 blinking on that bathroom scale.

For me, the TSLF program has been simple, easy and effective. If you actually FOLLOW the program, you WILL lose weight. And what I really like is the sense of power I have gained to affect my own life.

I mentioned in an earlier blog post that you might be seeing less of me in the future. Well, the future is already here. And there's more than 10% less of me to see now than there was a month ago.

Oh, and to make this blog post have a least a little associated with Klündt | Hosmer work, we made a website design presentation to a new client a couple of days ago. See learn how the presentation went, take a look at our "Grand Slam Homerun" Facebook post.

(The above image is NOT my actual feet... or weight.)

What's Up With ü?

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:02:50 -0700

Many of you have seen the Klündt | Hosmer "mug shot" campaign that we have been running for the past month or so. If you haven't seen the photos, get on Facebook, go to the Klündt Hosmer page and take a look at our photo album. You'll see dozens of Klündt | Hosmer's friends and clients, promoting their relationship with us through the proud display of our latest coffee mug.

The umlauted U featured on one side of the mug has recently become a super-graphic on the wall of our lobby. It graces the space above Katie's head and welcomes everyone into our office.

If you have worked with Klündt | Hosmer in the past, are a current (or even potential) client and haven't received your mug yet, send us an email request and we'll send you a mug. Or come into our office and pick yours up. All we ask is that you allow us a photo of you holding the mug that we can post to our Facebook page.

We also encourage you to "like" the Klündt | Hosmer Facebook page. Join the club and get your "mug shot" on Facebook.

Book 'em, Dano

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:42:53 -0700

I belong to a Masterminds group that meets every first and third Thursday morning at the Spokane Club.

The group consists of about a dozen business owners, from a baker to an attorney to retired accounting professor. Part of the format of our group is that we select books to read that will have meaning for helping us run our businesses better, promote what we do, improve our time management, etc. Sort of an "Oprah's Book Club" for business owners. We read the books then discuss what we learned and how we can incorporate what we learned into our businesses and lives.

One of the members sent out a list of book reviews for us to consider for the upcoming season of meetings.

Now, I read a lot. Probably 150 books a year. But I was amazed as I looked through the book list of over 120 books that I have only read a couple of these titles.

The list was compiled by Derek Sivers who writes a blog at http://sivers.org.

To take a list of the book titles yourself, just click on Derek's name, above. If you have read any of these, let me know if you liked them or not and why. My Masterminds group is making selections and I would appreciate your insight.

There are some very interesting books in Derek's list. Coincidentally, my group is leaning toward starting with The Personal MBA, which is the first book on the list. But is that good insight on their part, or just laziness in not wanting to scroll any farther down the page? ;-)

I am intrigued by What Got You Here Won't Get You There, How We Decide, and Ignore Everybody.

Mostly, I wonder how Derek Sivers found the time to read over 120 book and write up a review on each.

I am also impressed with how strongly I am affected by the design of the each book's cover. I either had an immediate interest in the book, or an immediate disinterest in it... all based soley on the look of the cover design.

Maybe there's a book in there that I should write...

A Gain and a Loss

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:47:46 -0700

Klündt | Hosmer wraps up the week with some gains and a loss.

On the gain-side, we just landed two new accounts. We'll be handling branding, marketing and tradeshow exhibit design for Leisure Concepts-a spa accessory manufacturer, and 323 Technology Solutions-a software development company. We are super excited for this new business and especially that we really like the people we will be working with.

On the loss-side, I posted last week that I am attempting to lose about 30 pounds in the next couple of months following Total Shape for Life's (TSFL) Medifast plan.

My coach, Kathryn Leslie got me set up and in the first seven days, I have lost 9 pounds!

So looking back on the week, I am very pleased at what we gained AND lost!

Just to put an image into this post, a couple of months ago I shot this photo at a special Leonardo DaVinci event at the Northwest Museum Museum of Arts and Culture hosted by two of our clients: David Green, CPA and Etesian Wealth Advisors. I shot the photo of the entry sign because all three of the logos associated with the event were designed by the talented team at Klündt | Hosmer.

A Renaissance of Rick

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:41:53 -0700

It's not often that a design project becomes a life-changing experience.

But recently, we worked with author, Larry Shook, to design his new booklet, A Renaissance of One: A joyful pilgrimage from the cultural wilderness of obesity to a beautiful life of your own creation.

In this 28-page booklet, Larry shares how he got involved in a revolutionary health program called Take Shape for Life™ (TSFL) and watched over 30 pounds melt off of his 6-foot frame in a matter of weeks by following their Medifast 5 & 1 plan. And his weight loss was just the beginning.

Larry’s renaissance (or rebirth as he puts it), started him on a quest to learn more about the epidemic of obesity in this country, how it came about and why it is so prevalent. That and more is covered in his book.

Working on this project caused me to take a look at my own weight/health balance. I haven't grown any taller since college, but here I sit, over 30 pounds heavier than I was then. Why? Well, Larry's investigation into the processed food industry and our hectic American lifestyle showed me why. It also showed that people don't have to feel helpless when it comes to getting off the obesigenic (google it) track and onto the path to ultimate health.

So I made a committment to myself to give the Medifast plan a try. Yesterday was my first day and I expect it will take 6-8 weeks to drop those 30+ pounds that I gained over the years.

TSFL is not just about weight loss, however. The real power in the program is that it reprograms your brain to crave foods that are good for you, instead of the high-fat, high-sugar "food" that is being pushed on us by the processed food industry. This enables us to significantly reduce our chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and cancer, all of which are practically epidemic in our culture.

I am very interested in seeing how this goes for me and I hope you are too.

I know it won't be easy. I already had to say "no" to lunch at "Thai On First" with a client, yesterday (one of my FAVORITE restaurants)... but I am determined to give this a go. If you're interested, keep an eye on me. There may be less of me to see in the future.

Cluttered Desk. Cluttered Mind?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:54:44 -0700

Today finds me having a conference call with a potential new client from Alabama, writing copy for a health clinic brochure, figuring out website navigation for a manufacturing company, and planning launch strategy for a new website... and it's not even 1PM.

As I looked around my desk for my glasses, this photo shows the scene I faced.

What's the old saying, "A cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind"?

While I am loath to admit that about myself, I think there is truth to that statement.

My mind is continually filled with details on dozens of different projects–both creative design ideas and management needs. Keeping track of a thousand tasks, deadlines, budgets and emails is all part of a normal day at Klündt | Hosmer.

And while YOU may think that my desk is cluttered, I knew exactly where to find those glasses.

Step Up ith Klündt | Hosmer

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:23:49 -0700

Last month, Step Up Spokane launched a new website that we designed for them. Today we received an email from Julie Humphreys, Director of Step Up Spokane. In her email she told us that she did a webcast about the program and website on KHQ-TV. Toward the end of the 5-minute video she gives a "shout out" to Klündt | Hosmer for the logo and website design.

Here's a link to the video on KHQ.com:

http://www.khq.com/category/195686/video-landing-page?clipId=6189463&autostart=true

If you are interested in "stepping up" your personal workout program, or are interested in starting one, check out Step UP Spokane's website. It's a community support program for getting healthy and fit. The site is stocked with sensible health information and provides an opportunity to connect with others who are "stepping up" to better health and fitness. Users can track their physical activity, gain encouragement to start or keep with their program, and find local fitness and nutrition events.

Thanks for plugging us in your webcast, Julie!

Help Step Up Spokane reach their goal of 5,000 partipants to their free website by joining today (just click this Step Up Spokane link.)

Branding Insurance

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:39:30 -0700

Yesterday I facilitated a branding discussion at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. A multi-state group of eight insurance firms were considering a naming and branding initiative and asked me to make a presentation and facilitate a branding discussion with their members.

I love talking about the power of branding and how it influences people. Each of us are deluged with over 3,000 marketing messages each day. We all have to sort through the clutter to determine which of these messages may have meaning and benefit to us.

Good branding is like a lighthouse on a foggy night. It cuts through the darkness, attracting attention and guiding a viewer/customer/client through the hazardous clutter of marketing messages into the safe harbor of a brand they will love. Wow... that was quite an analogy.

We'll see if this insurance group decides to hire Klündt | Hosmer to direct the naming and visual image of their organization. I hope they do.

Regardless, it was fun facilitating their meeting and sharing a bit of the passion I have for effective visual branding.

KK@KH

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:36:12 -0700

It's summertime at Klündt | Hosmer and that means INTERN time.

The current intern addition to our team is Katie Kolahi. Katie is a recent grad from Washington State University. She's packing a Bachelor's in Communication with an emphasis in Advertising and a minor in International Studies.

Katie hails from the wet (West) side of the state, but (shhhh.... don't tell anyone) she prefers Spokane to Seattle.

Katie is interested in pursuing a career in advertising. She likes to think of herself as a creative person and hopes to use these abilities in her advertising career.

Besides agreeably doing any and all of the tasks we are asking of her at Klündt | Hosmer, Katie likes traveling, wakeboarding and bothering Henry. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Katie has already participated in several client meetings and she is honing her InDesign skills even as I write this blog post. She's got a great attitude (it's only been a week, but still...) and we expect to enjoy her presence at our front desk for the next couple of months.

If you've got a meeting with us or are in the neighborhood, stop in to say "hello" to Katie Kolahi.

A Genius Visits Spokane

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:18:17 -0700

Once is a while something comes to Spokane that shouldn't be missed.

No, I am not talking about Ted Nugent playing the Knitting Factory tomorrow night. I am talking about the current exhibit at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture.

Leonardo Da Vinci: Man - Inventor - Genius runs through September 5, 2011 at the MAC.

In this well-designed exhibit, you will see renderings and scale models (many of them hands-on) of Da Vinci's greatest inventions. From instruments of warfare and manned flight to mechanical devices to lift the heaviest weights by human power alone, you will experience the inventive genius of Leonardo Da Vinci. It's incredible to consider that he created these devices when most people still thought the world was flat.

In addtion to his incredible understanding of physics and motion, beautiful reproductions of many of Da Vinci's most famous paintings are also on display. You'd have to go to Paris to see The Mona Lisa in person. But this summer you can see reproductions and learn the history of the painting right here in Spokane. There is even a wall-sized depiction of The Last Supper. Did you know that in Da Vinci's orginal fresco, he didn't finish the portrait of Christ because he didn't think himself worthy of painting the Son of God? You'll learn that and more at the MAC exhibit.

As I walked through the halls, I was glad to see that several Klündt | Hosmer clients sponsored the exhibit. From major sponsors, The Kalispel Tribe of Indians and MacKay Manufacturing, to the participating sponsorship of Etesian Wealth Advisors; David Green, CPA; Lawton; Wagstaff and Rockwood Retirement Communities, our clients stepped up to bring this amazing exhibit to Spokane.

Klündt | Hosmer designed and developed the above hyperlinked websites for these sponsor organizations.

Take a Seat, Charles

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:35:21 -0700

The other day I needed to do some things with my children (they are on summer break) so I decided to work from home.

That's not something that I do regularly, but I was amazed at the quality of the work that I was able to produce while I was away from the office.

Something that really contributed to my productivity is the fact that I was sitting in my favorite piece of furniture: A Charles Eames chair with ottoman (see photo).

I haven't figured out how to get a chair like that into my Commission Building office, but I am certain that working in a piece of furniture that well-designed, injects dimensions of creative juice that can't be gained in an Aeron or any other standard office chair.

Charles Eames, I salute your furniture design talents and the insiration you bring to my work.

(Uncredited photo courtesy of ProductAppeal.com)

Design Highlights Two Centuries of History

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:29:58 -0700

This Sunday, I took the family for a Father's Day excursion to the Spokane House Interpretive Center at Riverside State Park.

Spokane House is located at the confluence of the Little Spokane River and the Spokane River, northwest of Spokane. The site was founded in 1810 as a fur trading center. It was the first permanent European settlement in the Pacific Northwest and was in business for 15 years until it was moved to a location closer to the Columbia River in Kettle Falls.

Riverside State Park hired us to design interpretive signage that shares the background, artwork and archaeology of his historic site.

On Saturday and Sunday, the site hosted an encampment event commemorating the rich trapping and Native American influence in the region. Re-inactors in period clothing and gear talked with visitors and made demonstrations of primitive flint and steel firestarting, flintlock firearms, beaver trapping and rope making.

Adjacent to the parking area and along the trail to the encampment are interpretive kiosks containing the sign panels that we designed.

It was fun touring the encampment, experiencing the history and seeing the installation of the signage.

This region has an interesting and influential history and we are pleased to use design to educate residents and visitors of the historic aspects of the Spokane House site.

LogoLounge Features Our Work

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:45:49 -0700

LogoLounge is the world's largest database of logo designs, where in real-time, members can post their logo design work, study the work of others, search a database of more than 109,000 logo designs, and keep up on design trends and visual communication news.

The organization also publishes two lines of bestselling books about logo design, published by Rockport Publishers and edited by Catharine Fishel and Bill Gardner.

Their latest book, "LogoLounge Master Library Volume 3" recently hit the shelves of booksellers, nationwide.

In the book are two examples of logo designs that Klündt | Hosmer has created. Logos for the Northeast Community Center and Surgical Specialists of Spokane are featured.

You can get your copy of the book at Amazon.com. In it, you can see Klündt | Hosmer's work along with great examples of 2,998 other brand images.