Regardless of your politics the brand builders of America have spoken. Advertising Ad magazine has selected the Obama campaign as the savviest marketers of the year. If you look back at the last 20 months of campaigning, one thing is clear symbolism played a huge part in this election.

From the "O" logo to the "change" messaging the Obama campaign used the visual landscape to it's advantage. We give Illustrator Shepard Fairey high praise for his Hope and Progress posters that captured the essence of the campaign as well as created a visual face of a movement.

As brand builders we are often charged with re branding a product that has lost it's shine, or introducing a service to an industry that is cluttered with claims and promises. Where do you start with an unknown candidate with a funny name and little brand equity? The power of symbolism can never be underestimated.


Political campaigns will never be run the same. From the use of visual cues to graphically designed posters. This will serve as a new political niche for brand builders, putting the importance of what we do at the beginning of the process.

http://adage.com/moy2008/

Temp 60 degrees and windy.

A brisk October morning over looking Dallas as the city starts to whirl.

The last day of shooting and the photo team is early, ready to get after the last 14 shots. The shot list includes top model talent from NY, Miami,
LasVegas, Wyoming and Dallas. Drew Waters of Mad Money

arrives for two shots

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0951216/

Chance and Priscilla in chocolate and white tees...in a word....stunning. Great casting Amy Mintz.

we previewed the composite of the cover design via wireless network. Mitch and imaging dept really pushed the color to another level. What will the client think? Guess we will find out by lunch.

4:00

Martini shot

Jenson an John Coulter in Iris and Lime tees. In order to get the shot, Marlon makes a quick change of clothes to shoot this shot from inside the cold waters of the roof top pool. This what we like about Marlon, anything for the right shot.

The prevailing winds shifted and in a blink of an eye the conditions changed.

At twelve stories high and winds of 30+ mph. caught the Umbrella Scrim lifting a 148lbs man; a 50lbs stand; and three 25 lb sandbags into the air! Super Assistant Shane Boughton sprung into action grabbing David and stand as Jay jumped over the pool rail grabbing and anchoring Shane. We avoided what the National Weather Service said about Hurricane Ike hitting Galveston evacuate or face "Certain Death". We composed our selves steadied the scrim and continued to put the finishing touches on the last shot. This is going to be an award winng piece of work.

They say "Imitation is the best form of flattery"
Apple App TV ad uses The Vibe Refinery Logo for it's application store. See for yourself.

"Creativity requires self assurance and the ability to take risks. Creativity involves not only a passionate interest but self-confidence too. A person needs a healthy self-respect to pursue novel ideas, and to make mistakes, despite criticism from others. Self-doubt there may be, but it cannot always win the day. Breaking accepted rules, or even stretching them, takes confidence. Continuing to do so, in the face of scepticism and scorn, takes even more"
- The Creative Mind by Margret Boden

This is Space is the name of a working loft studio of artist Hal Samples. He was very gracious in letting use his studio. Today we are photographing with infants and toddlers. Although working with children brings an air of levity to the set it also holds many unknowns. Some children are easy some need toys, props and plenty of coaxing.

The crew always enjoys watching the stylist and make up artist rolling on the floor, tossing rubber balls, jumping up and down just to get that one smile or giggle out of the toddlers.

We come across models on a daily bases in this business. Go sees, fittings, shows, bookings, portfolio reviews, at the gyms, clubs, bars, etc. When a true star comes on the set it is an event to see. Amy Cook is a super model that lives up to the billing. She brought sexy back with a mini dress and leg warmers. Laura T, the styling was sizzling. Lana the smoky eyes really set the tone. The client loved the finished product. Needless to say today was a good day.

http://dallas.citysearch.com/profile/46309335/dallas_tx/the_girls_room_yoga_belly_dance_pole_dance_studio.html
The location had the texture along the walls that I was searching for as well as exposed brick and velvet curtains. Check back for photos.

Monday morning are known to be rough. This Monday was no different! Late starts, forgotten equipment-wrong lunch orders-edgy crew. It all makes for an energy that can either pull you up or push you down. This is why you build a team of battle tested veterans that continue to perform at a high production level regardless of the elements.

Location: Deep Ellum

The exposed brick loft interior and the original worn wood floors is a perfect place to shoot brand name merchandise photography. Super producer Amy Mintz worked her magic booking nothing but very best model talent came up with two great ones. Bekka and Nicole really got what we wanted and gave it all to the camera. Spot on!



Laura Tostenson fashion stylist selected specific themed wardrobe to put together the look and feel that matched exactly to the project. Lana Adams make up artist to the stars was her usual flawless self.


Photog Marlon Taylor brought the heat...Thanks Marlon you make the impossible possible.
The assist. Photog Shane Boughton & Jason Stoehr created stunning lighting for all.

Without control systematic improvements are impossible.

We had a soap star on the set today. Passions own Charles Divens (Chad Harris). Charles is a rare talent in the entertainment industry. He continues to be very humble in his approach. We wish him nothing but the best. But I have to ask "What happen to the flat twist Charles?"

We arrive on set and the crew and talent are in high spirits.
Lets make something beautiful today.

Ike made U.S. landfall at Galveston, Texas, on September 13 at 2:10am CDT (07:10 UTC), as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph (177 km/h) and a central pressure of 952 mbar (28.11 inHg). The 2:00 am NHC advisory cited tropical storm and hurricane force winds extending 275 miles (443 km) and 120 miles (190 km), respectively, from the center. The weather service warns "Certain Death" for those that do not evacuate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike

Seaons and Reasons, Purposes and times.
Lauren LH Jones

Is Brand Jordan an American Icon?

As I watched the USA Olympic boxing team get under pointed by the judges, I noticed that all the US boxing uniforms had the ubiquitous jump man logo. Of course the Jordan sneaker brand is one of the most sought after sneaker brand. The value actually appreciates with age. Go to ebay and do a search. As the world looks on do they view Brand Jordan as an American Icon?

http://www.nike.com/jumpman23/flightclub/

The Greening of marketing is pushing the industry to educate themselves and the client base we serve. Navigating through the many ways of environmental responsibility and doesn't happen overnight.

Trees saved; energy saved; Kilowatt hours saved; Greenhouse Gas emissions saved; Waste water reduction; solid waste reduction. Plant based inks vs Soy based inks. ___?Percentage of post consumer recovered fiber. Keeping up with the speed and sheer volume of green change can be taxing.

www.appletoncoated.com is leading in educating designers, printers, marketers and the end user, by establishing a Environmental Management System in strict compliant with The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC was established to provide standards for forest management globally. The FSC trademarked logo should be included in all printed marketing material that met it's standards.

We are in constant environmental learning mode. Sometime we must go back to the basics and plant a tree, so that's what we did. 3 Red Pine (The Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)trees given to us at a conference we attended in Baton Rogue, La. You can say the future is in the trees.

A successful professional fashion photo shoot depends on many elements. The location, which can pose many challenges. The quality level of the model talent that the producer(Amy Mintz) books. The hair and make up artist (Lana Adams) skill level. The photographer (Marlon Taylor) and his command of the technical aspects. Photo assistants(Shane Boughton & Jason Stoehr )that support the photographers every request. The wardrobe stylist (Barri Martin) that meticulously assembles the merchandise. The vision of the (J. Jerome Jones) Art director that can see the finish product before a single frame has been taken, and a client that has the trust in the crew. When all of these things come together you have a successful photo shoot.

Location: The Harbor Project
Temp: A sunny 95 degrees.
Project: Business to Business Catalog PhotoShoot.
Talent: Ford Models, NY

The goal: Create high impact covers for a catalog. The print run will be in the millions.

The crew was a capable one.

Reunited with one of the trail blazers of digital fashion photography, Marlon Taylor, highly sought after wardrobe stylist; Barri Martin, Make up artist to the stars; Lana Adams. The swiss army knife of photo assistants; Shane Boughton, Super producer; Amy Mintz, Digital processing photo assistant Jason Stoehr; and The Vibe Refinery own Creative Art Director J. Jerome Jones.

The location is very versatile. Our model Rhonda was stunning in a red tank top with the cool blue waters of an Italian water fountain. Look for the post of this cover. It is sure to please.

We have to go off topic for a second. Tiger Woods won the 2008 US Open today in spectacular fashion. Whether you are a golf fan or know nothing at all about the game of golf, one must appreciate this achievement.

We have witnessed a rare feat in sports history that will be talked about in sports lore for years and decades to come. Now, I know what your thinking 'but Tiger always wins.' Yes, he does but HOW he won is the amazing part. Set in California's Torrey Pines Golf course was special. Rocco Mediate was a true competitor he kept tiger at bay, playing a had fought round that kept Tiger from winning the championship in regulation. Tiger hobbled by pain in his knee from surgery months prior at times looked like he wouldn't even finish, could have folded and still keep his reputation intact. But unlike most he pressed on and on and on. Just when you thought he was out of it...he found a way to pull a tiger out of his hat.

Answering questions about the pain in his knee after every swing he replied "Its just pain"
The 2008 US open would be decided with by another round of 18 holes. The crowd learned something about two golfers today, even with Rocco playing his very best round he could not beat what we are coming to see is the best athlete in all sports. Class, grace and tremendous focus.

It would be interesting to see Nike ROI in Tiger. In the end, Tiger embodies what Nike has told us throughout the years. JUST DO IT.

The Jazz scence continues to be a source of inspiration. Jerome Jones looks to Graham Marsh the legendary Blue Note Records Art Director for inspiration when designing CD jackets for client Nichelson Entertainment. "Graham Marsh set an incredible design pace at times designing as many as 50 Album covers in a year. This is incredible because he often photographed the subjects in studio or were ever he could catch up with them. Marsh also didn't have the convenience of computers to help turn the product out!" _Jerome Jones.

Look for the latest release from Jazz drummer Sebastian Whittaker and the creators. "Moving on and upward" Read more about Sebastian Whittaker go to Record Company www.upfront-music.com


To see the design work of Graham Marsh http://lpcoverlover.com/category/blue-note/

The Vibe Refinery was invited by Kim Starr of Appleton coated (a premier paper mill) to judge the top printed sample in the region for The Utopia design award show titled "UB the Judge". Held at the very swank DALLAS DESIGN DISTRICT's "The Apartment." WWW.THEAPARTMENTDALLAS.COM
While munching on great food and sipping on sour green martini's and chatting up fellow design firm heads, other designers and CDs and we had the pleasure of reviewing impressive entries.

A few stood out immediately: The 50 year retrospect of the Hunt Oil company was extremely impressive. Not only did it have a blind embossed title and raised gold seal on the cover, but the black on shiney black printing technique has flawless. This should have been in unlimited budget catagory. However the one that really showed the best use of paper, high concept and design plus best printing practices , was the piece "The Magic of Ten" designed by Squire and Co. A slick capabilities piece for the Allen, Texas based printer Color Dynamics. "The Magic of Ten" revolved around the many uses of a 10 color press, The design theme focused on magic tricks, this may sound lame-however the execution was amazing. The use of dull varnish on a bright coated Utopia 1X green got our vote. And prevailed as the regional winner.

Happy Birthday to a visual artist Frank Frazier, a mentor, friend, business partner, a trail blazer.

Happy Birthday to Dominique Jones studying at Long Island U.
Stay Focused.

Happy Birthday to Mother Jones. You look better than ever. Keep doing what you do!

Happy Birthday Ayanna. Keep up the good work.

We have designed trade show booths and graphics before. This would be a first in directing the actual construction of an entire convention. Since there is no template or prefabricated modules to build out, the trade show contractors have to rely on the design team. We are confident that we worked every detail out in the design. What I do know is that union workers can be really difficult to work with when you are in effect bossing them around.

Working on a international trade show presents an opportunity to work with other languages. We enlisted the help of a international designer and translation specialist. Yuki is a great asset to the creative team.
This retractable banner was designed to meet the convention goes at the entrance to the international booth. Each country would have a custom designed banner in their native language a graphic shape of the country as well as the actual country flag.

The Plus booth graphics help to communicate the benefits of the product. Sarah the copywriter boiled down complex information to small nuggets of great copy

graphics The elements with in the convention will be varied. The great think that helps this fact is the support from Glenn the Director of creative services. Glen has shown a willingness to go to bat for us. All the environmental graphics that will hang above the booths almost didn't make the cut. These pieces will serve to give the viewers a variety of visual elements to enjoy.

One of the interactive elements of the booths will be a butterfly image that will be cut out and constructed on site. The final size will be 5 Ft.
The butterfly will attach to the wall just over a flower graphic.

With a project this large, it is possible to lose focus, you constantly have to look at all the elements to make sure that all parts need flow consistently. Jerome Jones makes sure that the design direction continues to flow.

The self learning area of the convention will be equipped with flat screen PCs. We moved toward a design that would focus on the use of the technology as well as serve as a backdrop for the PCs. Keeping the design simple and direct.

Here is the final approved registration banner design. It measures 19 Feet x 45 Feet. Sarah the copywritering whiz created a series of feel good statements that helped to set the tone. The color theory is set in tones of green-to keep the natural, healthy feeling.

The Indesign workflow really helps to organize the production. Christy and Matt kept the production of the files moving. To keep the file size managable, we created the designs 1/4 of final size output.

When your on a deadline this tight it helps to order in. Jason Deli for lunch hit the spot. OK team lets get back to it.

Blueprints of each design booth and lighting were ftp to Freeman.
The booth average size is 10FT X 60 FT.

The blueprints of each booth are due today. Each blueprint includes the lighting scheme, banner application and curved wall dimensions.

redesigning all of the booth graphic and elements. Looks like we will be working through the night. Pizza is on the way...

The budget is cut? WHAT?

A 2 hour starbucks meeting resulted in solutions. A suggestion of removing the booth carpeting and and reducing the height of booth walls by a foot resulted in a 6 figure saving. The interactive elements are safe...for now.

The trade show budget was trimmed today, so the design team has to go back and rework all the elements that were built in to make the booths interactive. The pressure has just been turned up.

The aggressive design schedule has every one pushing. However we had made substantial progress in getting the overall booth designs approved. Behind Jerome you can see the design direction hang on the "wall."

Out of the quest-to be bigger, bolder and better. We arrived at a MONSTER VISUAL EFFECT.
The MannnaFest 2008 branding system's "M" was rendered by Chris Hoover as a 30 ft. tall structure. The Big M placed at the main entrance could be seen from anywhere within the convention, serving as a landmark to the main entrance as well as provide a vibrant photo op for conference attendees.

Design direction feedback from Director of creative services "make a visual statement-Keep in mind we have to fill a large space-Make sure we THINK BIG".
We munch on lunch -Buffalo wild wings. As we absorb the feedback.

The brain storm session resulted in,Copywriter Sarah Angle pushing out, a tight creative brief. The rhythm of the creative brief gave the team a clear vision of the work ahead. Now can we sell it?

Chris Hoover Sr. Art Director used his amazing hand skills to create detailed renderings of each booth design direction. A rendering is a critical piece on a project of this size. Something that a designer loves to have and a tool to sell the big idea.

2008 copyright Mannatech Renderings
All rights reserved.
Do not copy without legal approval.

The first meeting takes place with Mannatech, Inc. Creative Director, Katherine Hitt, to discuss the design direction of an annual international trade show; MannaFest.

Our job was to guide the creative process, extending the new Mannatech brand into the tradeshow graphics. Making the convention bigger, bolder and better than in previous years.

The deadline of 36 days was impossible.

www.theviberefinery.com

The TVR website is a go for launch.

Here is a sample of our work. Comments welcome.

http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A26C632C516&cp=ems_shr_alb_pml&cb=PW

The Staton Wholesale Business Two Business Catalog was released this week. The photography is stunning. Surf the website below to review some of the images. Kudos to the photo team, we did it again!! Model: Priscila Represented by nextmodelsusa.com

http://www.statononline.com/cgi-bin/livew/site.w?location=http://www.statononline.com/cgi-bin/livew/olc/cobrand-product.w&product=7010&frames=no&target=main&sponsor=000009

google379379a70a5777d8.html

http://www.threethreethreefirstavenue.com/space1.htm
333 First Avenue is one of the best daylight studios in the southwest. A perfect place to create online fashion photography for a major fashion retailer. Working with Paul Morgan, a bleeding edge digital fashion shooter was the key to creating stunning photography. The client response was unbelieveable and we are looking to secure a long term relationship!

Staton WholeSale Trade show graphics. Clean photography transfered well from the catalog photoshoot.