AKHIA BLOG - Candis

Sand Drawings

06 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT

It's always fun to draw in the sand. It's something both adults and children love to do. I've never seen a sand drawing quite like this. Jim Denevan creates these beautiful drawings on sand, earth and ice. The drawings are temporary and wash away by nature.

Wouldn't it be frustrating to spend so much time creating something like this and then watch it get washed away by waves?

Pantone

16 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Love this video from Pantone. Shows the thoughts and process behind the making of the Pantone Plus Series.

HELVETICArds

15 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

What a fun deck of cards. In my opinion these would make any card game more fun! Only $10/deck.

Fun Direct Mail from Anthropologie

02 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Whenever I receive something in the mail from Anthropologie I know it's going to be beautiful and I open it immediately. Today I got a card wishing me a happy birthday. The front of the card reads "Happy Birthday! Make a wish... and treat yourself to something special! Use this card for 15% off your total store purchase any day in March. Your candle necklace is for you to keep."

The back reads "This little gift is for you and only you and cannot be turned into chocolate, flowers or cash. It's a one time treat. Gladly accepted in our retail stores (not online). So bring this note, along with your anthro card and enjoy!" Attached to the front is a candle and when you flip the card over you see that it is a necklace. Anthropologie does a great job at sending out unique and creative mail pieces. It's one of the few stores I enjoy getting snail mail from. The printed pieces they send would never be the same over email.

The necklace also makes a good cat toy! =^..^=

Book Review

21 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

I recently finished reading a book called "How Starbucks Saved My Life". Initially I picked up this book at Barnes & Noble because I simply enjoy Starbucks. After quickly reading the description on the back of the book I became more interested in the story.

The author, Michael Gates Gill talks about his life at JWT (J. Walter Thompson) and how he was fired after twenty five years of employment. Unintentionally Gates finds himself working at a local Starbucks. What he wasn't expecting was the positive impact his co-workers and his job at Starbucks would have on his life.

I've always heard Starbucks was a great place to work but I honestly look at the company differently after reading this book. I have the impression that it might be one of the most respectful corporate companies around.

The story is very emotional and inspirational. Anyone working in the advertising agency can relate to the this story.

From Publishers Weekly

The son of New Yorker writer Brendan Gill grew up meeting the likes of Ezra Pound and Ernest Hemingway. A Yale education led to a job at prestigious J. Walter Thompson Advertising. But at 63, the younger Gill's sweet life has gone sour. Long fired from JWT, his own business is collapsing and an ill-advised affair has resulted in a new son and a divorce. At this low point, and in need of health insurance for a just diagnosed brain tumor, Gill fills out an application for Starbucks and is assigned to the store on 93rd and Broadway in New York City, staffed primarily by African-Americans. Working as a barista, Gill, who is white, gets an education in race relations and the life of a working class Joe . Gill certainly has a story to tell, but his narrative is flooded with saccharine flashbacks, when it could have detailed how his very different, much younger colleagues, especially his endearing 28-year-old manager, Crystal Thompson, came to accept him. The book reads too much like an employee handbook, as Gill details his duties or explains how the company chooses its coffee. Gill's devotion to the superchain has obviously changed his life for the better, but that same devotion makes for a repetitive, unsatisfying read. Photos not seen by PW. (Sept.)

Gorgeous Typography

26 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT

This is what creative talent looks like. I love finding creative typography projects on the web. The designer behind this piece is Cris Wick. I thought it was beautiful. You can see some of his other designs online.

Concerts of 2009

13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT

I was going to write about my top beers of 2009 but I basically agree with Ben's list. However I would replace the Yeungling with anything from Great Lakes Brewery. Instead I decided to post my top concerts of 2009.

I wanted to get this post up sooner but of course my time seems to vanish into thin air everyday. This past year I spent many hours attending concerts. Here are my top 5 shows:

1. The Killers – Not sure any concert will ever compare to The Killers for me. Brandon Flowers and his band put on an incredible performance. This was the third time I saw them live and hopefully not the last. The show was at the Tower City Ampitheater in Cleveland.

2. Snow Patrol – This band was number one on my list of shows to see. The day before the show I flew back from Greece and then made the 2 hour drive down to Columbus to see them. As tired as I was it was definitely worth it. They are one of my favorite bands.

3. The Fray – I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this show. The feeling I got at this concert was unexpected. I've been a fan of the band but I actually think they sound better live than they do on the radio.

4. Jay-Z – Not much can compare to this show. Of course the music was awesome but so was the set. I definitely won't forget this show and if you were there then you understand.

5. OK Go – One of the reasons why I enjoyed this show was because of the venue. The show was at The Grog Shop and I was able to get very close to the stage. I've missed OK Go a few times when they were in Cleveland so I was glad to catch them this time.

It was hard to pick just five of my favorite shows from 2009. Here are a few others I enjoyed seeing: Incubus, Ray Montagne, Pete Yorn, Better Than Ezra, Sara Bereilles, Keane and Kings of Leon.

Concerts I would like to see in 2010 are: Phoenix, Bell X1, Imogen Heap, The Killers (again), Lilly Allen, Regina Spektor, My Morning Jacket, The Arcade Fire, O+S, Rogue Wave, Delta Spirit, Iron and Wine, The Shins and many others.

Holiday Gift Guide for Graphic Designers

14 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

You only have a few more days left to finish up your holiday shopping. There are some great gift guides available online this year. Design*Sponge has been my go to site for gift ideas.

Here is a quick gift guide I put together for graphic designers.

1. Desktop calendar by SusyJack* — SusyJack* creates beautiful stationery products with bright modern colors. Perfect to brighten up anyone's office space.

2. "How to be a graphic designer, without loosing your soul" – I have not read this book yet but I'd really like to get my hands on a copy.

3. Come in, Go Away door mat – Creative typography at your doorstep.

4. "Folding Ideas" – There are so many books that would make great gifts. I thought this one looked very useful.

5. Pantone Mug – I have one that I purchased at Room Service in Cleveland

6. Ampersand t-shirt – Simple and cool

7. Pencil holder – Perfect to help keep a work space clean and organized.

8. Laptop Skins – So many to choose from or create your own. Could be a very personalized gift idea.

The Tradition of the AKHIA Holiday Card Design

15 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Every year before Thanksgiving we have our AKHIA holiday card contest. Each employee has the opportunity to enter an idea for this year's card. All ideas must be sketched out by hand and submitted on paper. Employees then vote for their favorite card. The winner gets their card executed and a cash prize.

We have four graphic designers at AKHIA. You would think we have an advantage and one of us always wins this contest but that's not the case. We never win. AKHIA has to much creative talent. The creative team is responsible for executing the chosen card though. That's not always an easy thing to do.

The holidays are a fun time at AKHIA and I'm looking forward to sending out this year's card.

Support Local Designers This Holiday Season

10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

You have 44 days, 13 hours and 11 minutes to finish your holiday shopping. As a designer I welcome the opportunity support local artists this time of year. Room Service is a great place to find gifts created by artists living in the Cleveland area. The shop is located on Detroit Avenue in Cleveland. Every time I stop by Room Service they have something new on display. You might even find some great gifts for yourself at Room Service.