Rick’s Blog

Klündt | Hosmer Sparks Creativity and Performance

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:17:56 -0700

Klündt | Hosmer competes in local and national design and marketing competitions on a regular basis. It's good to see how our work compares to that of other design firms around the country and it's always nice when our work is recognized and awarded by industry professionals.

Henry, Mastery, Diane and Ashley with our winning projects recongnized at the Spark Awards.

One competition that we always enter is the Spokane Regional MarCom Association Spark Awards, where participants submit samples of their work for judging, along with a write-up of the project goals, budget and how the project met the client's goals. So beyond merely judging the projects on how they look, they are also judged on how they perform - which is the ultimate measurement of our success in the eyes of our clients.

Last night we attended the 2012 Spark Award event, which was held at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, in Spokane. Klündt | Hosmer entered six projects in the competition and we received awards for the following projects. We are proud of our collaborative work with these great clients and congratulate them and our creative team on a job well done!

Excellence: 2010 Avista Annual Report

Excellence: Kalispel Tribe of Indians 2012 Calendar

Excellence: StepUp Spokane Logo Design

Merit: Klündt | Hosmer's "Mug Shot" Facebook Campaign*

*If you attended the event and found a KH mug in your goodie bag, don't forget to snap a pic of yourself with the mug and email it to ashleym@klundthosmer.com to be included in our Facebook "Mug Shot" gallery.

Q&A at GU

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:23:09 -0700

Rick conducting an interview at Gonzaga University.
Photo: © 2012 Dean Davis Photography

I had a great time last week working with Dean Davis Photography and Carie Weeks from Gonzaga University while interviewing students and a professor for a feature story I'll be writing for the upcoming Gonzaga University recruitment view book.

Our team is providing the graphic design for the publication, as well as developing a recruitment website design.

Since the book won't deliver for a couple of months, I can't share what the article will be about. But I sure enjoyed conducting the interviews and art directing some of Dean's photography.

Brilliant students. An insightful, passionate professor. All the makings of a great feature story.

2012 ADDY Awards

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:33:23 -0700

The 2012 Spokane Advertising Federation ADDY Awards were held last Friday evening at the Masonic Hall in downtown Spokane.

Advertising agencies, design firms and interactive development companies were well represented in the competition and at the event. The judges goal was to award the best advertising, graphic design and web design produced in the Spokane region in 2011.

Klündt | Hosmer was proud to win awards in multiple categories at the competition

• Gold ADDY and Best of Division for 2010 Davidson Companies annual report
• Gold ADDY for 2011 First Night Poster
• Silver ADDY for SmartTop/Leisure Concepts tradeshow exhibit
• Silver ADDY for Kalispel Tribe presentation folder
• Silver ADDY for J. Craig Sweat Photography website
• Silver ADDY for Megiddo game board design

We also were involved in the art direction of a Silver ADDY award-winning photograph for Avista shot by J. Craig Sweat. Congratulations, Craig!

The above projects will advance to the American Advertising Federation District XI judging, where they will compete against 2011marketing and design projects produced in Washington, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, Oregon and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

John Mujica: Intern Awesomeness

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:30:16 -0800

John Mujica is a talented, aspiring designer, soon to graduate from Eastern Washington University. He also happens to be interning and working part-time with us at Klündt | Hosmer.

John Mujica, design intern.

Prior to working toward his BFA degree at EWU, John graduated from the design program at Spokane Falls Community College. He's also making a name for himself by winning several ADDY design awards in student competition.

John's got an eye for typography and photography that we are already exploiting at Klündt | Hosmer.

When I asked John to send me his resume and other infomation to help write up this blog post, I loved the description he gave me about his work at Klündt | Hosmer,

"I get to do what I was trained for… to create awesomeness."

There is no better way to describe what we expect from John.

Planting Social Networking Seeds with Shepherd's Grain

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:19:41 -0800

I just got back from a quick trip to Moscow, ID to talk with a group of about 50 grain growers about social networking and the use of websites for in-bound marketing.

The big question is, why would 50 grain growers care about Facebook and websites?

Karl Kupers, co-founder of Shepherd's Grain follows Rick's presentation at the Best Western University Inn in Moscow, ID.

These growers are associated with a company called Shepherd's Grain. Shepherd's Grain works with growers that are local to the region who raise wheat, barley, oats and garbanzos using a sustainable, no-till technique that reduces erosion, conserves water and increases soil tilth.

Shepherd's Grain then takes the grain, oversees the milling and distribution of the flour to bakers, restaurants, pizzarias, bagel makers, baking mix producers and others throughout the Northwest.

A few months ago, Shepherd's Grain hired Klündt | Hosmer to develop a new website and social media strategy for the company. Today I presented our work at their grower's meeting and explained how a strong website and social media strategy will enhance the marketability of the product these farmers raise and harvest.

The new Shepherd's Grain website will launch in a couple of weeks.

Many of these growers are very astute regarding technology. They harvest using GPS-guided combines and use the Internet to research the best type of seed to plant. Having dirt under their fingernails doesn't mean they don't understand the importance of using technology to open new markets for the sustainable, local products that they grow. We're proud to be associated with these growers and with Shepherd's Grain.

Abominable Snowphone

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:54:02 -0800

A few weeks ago, Katie Kolahi and I were at Washington State University in Pullman, WA meeting with their College of Pharmacy. This was our first meeting with the team after being hired to develop key messaging and a new website for the College.

The meeting date happened to be a morning that a big snow storm hit the Inland Northwest. Katie and I drove the 80 miles to Pullman on icy roads and into about 8 inches of snow in the roads in Pullman. We found a parking space in an unplowed lot and headed to the meeting.

We had a great session with the the client and representatives from WSU's marketing team. After the meeting, we got into the truck to head back to Spokane. On the highway home, I asked Katie to find my iPhone in the back seat so that I could call my wife and let her know that in spite of the snowy roads, we were headed back to Spokane.

After looking around, Katie reported that she couldn't find my phone. I had her call it so we could hear it ringing, but no ringing came from the backseat, either.

That left one conclusion... my iPhone had fallen out of of the vehicle when we got out for our meeting and was currently buried under 8 (and deepening) inches of snow.

Not wanting to turn back in the storm, I'd have to find a way to get my iPhone out of the snowbank the next day.

The next morning, classes were cancelled at WSU. I emailed my brother-in-law, Brett, who works in Pullman at SEL to see if he could do search for my phone. It was a long shot, but it was my only shot.

That afternoon, Brett called and talked with Katie (I was in a meeting at a client's office). She told Brett where I may have dropped my phone. Brett hiked through the snow to the area that Katie had mentioned. Standing in over a foot of new snow, Brett called my number. In the distance, a dog quietly started barking. Wondering if the barking dog was my ringtone, Brett hung up his phone. The barking stopped. Calling again, the barking resumed. Brett turned his ear to the ground and reached down into the pristine snow. With snow up to his elbow, his fingers closed around my iPhone. The phone was working and Katie's directions had Brett standing 6 inches away from it when he called.

Brett dried out my iPhone and FedEX'd it to me the next day. The phone arrived safely, with 50% of the battery charge still remaining.

I've got to hand it to Apple for developing a phone that can survive being buried for over 24-hours in a cold and wet Pullman snowbank. But then again, maybe its survival had something to do with the iPhone case my wife had bought me for Father's Day last year.

Abominable Snowphone

I have seen the future, and it's name is Frank

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:34:03 -0800

Everytime I hang out with Frank Swoboda, I learn something.

Whether it's a great beer to order at Jones Radiator, how writing down your goals will help you achieve them, or how a video shot on an iPhone can out-perform one shot with a big budget, Frank and his crew at Corner Booth Media are an informative and inspiring group.

While looking through Frank's blog, videothatmoves.com I came across a YouTube 101 video from The Ant Farm explaining how to upload a video to YouTube.

I laughed, AND I learned something.

Typical Frank Swoboda. He gives me something I need to know, while entertaining me at the same time.

Now it's my turn. Take a look at this video and you won't be "an idiot" like Bob, ever again. You'll be "able to upload like a mofo, now!"

Ira Glass on Developing Creativity

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:02:54 -0800

Something I came across on Facebook that I thought would be good for everyone to read:

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.