214 East Roosevelt

214 West Roosevelt is more than an address. Inspired by the Bauhaus movement, it’s a place where new things start – new companies, new events, new ideas. Making your own rules is a powerful way to live. When you make the rules, you enjoy the exhilaration of running in the lead and breathing rarefied air. Some people know that 214 and the MonOrchid Gallery were ground zero for First Fridays and the downtown Phoenix art revival. But few know that 214 was an incubator for blockbuster television programs, including ‘Lost’, and boasts client portfolios that include Dreamworks, Procter & Gamble, and Coca-Cola. No matter what the address, the philosophy is the same – two minds are better than one, and infinitely better when you’re writing your own rules. Whatever the address, collaboration is always ground zero.

Heaven was used in acclaimed skate film Fully Flared directed by Spike Jonze and Ty Evans. The collaboration inspired the directors to take footage and re-edit a sequence of shots that shows the Lakai skateboarding team demonstrating their considerable skills as they navigate through and around various exploding obstacles. With "Heaven" as the musical backdrop, the resulting marriage of sound to picture is quite extroaordinary. Dig It!

New Logo for Starbucks

To continue today’s topic of company branding, take a look at Starbucks new logo. Not only did they remove the “Starbucks Coffee” text, but they also reduced the mark to one color.

“Starbucks says the changes amount to more than nips and tucks to its favorite lady. The fresh look goes with a new direction for the company as it makes its way back from its toughest times in its 40-year history.” - MSNBC

As we continue moving forward in this new year, it is no secret that many resolutions involve spending less and saving more, which might include cutting out a $5 cup of coffee each morning.

 
Do you think a fresh look will help Starbucks pull through?

Brand Positioning Workshops

In the best of economies, new initiatives require smart planning and sharp execution. Overcoming stagnant markets, anemic budgets, and desperate competition demands something bigger: You must rewrite the rules.

While airlines contemplate charging you to use restrooms, Southwest Airlines still checks bags for free. Harley Davidson took a stalled counter-culture brand and repackaged it for doctors and lawyers. Both companies write their own rules.

Workshops help you focus your assets, build a game plan, get noticed, and dig out. Here’s where we excel:

• New initiatives – making them customer-optimized and market-ready.
• New brands – doing it right from the start.
• New campaigns – advertising is more complicated and important than ever.
• Positioning – making sure you’re meaningful, credible and different.
• Creating alignment – getting everyone to pull together.
• Customer research – few companies actually take this one critical step.
• Testing – dig into the hearts and minds of your customers, they can tell you how to win.

Digital Design Tournament 2009

Cut&Paste's Digital Design Tournament 2009 kicks off in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 21. The competition formats are 2D Design, 3D Design, and Motion Design. Although the call for entries for North American cities is now closed, you can still buy tickets to attend the event. Click here for a list of cities and dates.

Sedona Landscapes

I wanted to share some beautiful photos recently taken in the magnificent landscape of Sedona.

Along with incredible scenery they have one of a kind art galleries to visit. This is a perfect day trip.

The Friendliest 4-Letter Word

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I'm digging the love notes that Night Owl Paper Goods is making. The cards are keepers long after the holiday is over.

A few pics of Brian and the new mural on our studio at the MonOrchid. If you are looking to lease  space in our studio take a look at the following link for a floor plan. 

Studio Tour

Lending an Extra Hand

This photo by James Koepnick symbolizes a very basic human act we all could stand to benefit from. "lending an extra hand" is a great act of kindness no matter how big or small it is. The outcome is always a positive step in the right direction helping people pull together.

Flock

It has been over two years since the MonOrchid gallery has been opened to the public.  I remember back in 2001 when we started the blenderHaüs concept and the collective artist talent that blessed and enriched this great community. The efforts that fueled this environment sparked from an economy very similar to that of today. At this moment it was the crash of the .com bubble and the tragedy of 9/11 that brought so many of us together. All of us were looking for something different.... a concept that allowed us to think freely and join talents to create the perfect synergy. Many of us had lost jobs and survival was the inspiration for our togetherness.

The gallery thrived, artists came from all over the country, SHADE magazine emerged, and people worked together unified with a common goal. Collaboration and the connection of people working together was achieved and it was tremendous.

The doors will open again this March after 2 years of quit and we will work to restore these ideals once again. I'm so excited and it is ironic to me that I find this happening again in a similar economic time. 

It is an honor and a privilege to have local artist and painter Brian Boner paint the mural on our building (MonOrchid) that will set the stage for the next phase of our studio. The painting that you see on the blog is one of his works and the inspiration. 

I ask Brian to speak a little about the birds and what this meant to him as an artist. Brian responded , "It is something about the instinctual way they rely on each other, working together making constant progress. The migration of the flock and the unison, not of one bird but the entire group." It reminds him of the growing community of artists in downtown Phoenix who have been working together. You can see the progress and it is not based on one individual, but the collection of many. 

To see more of Brian's paintings go to his website at:

www.brianboner.com