KJA Mind Finds

Design: A Facilitator in Disguise

May 5, 2010

We live in a noisy world. Marketing contributes to this chatter in many ways, as competitors struggle to catch your attention. As a result, it is easy to overlook design’s true role – as a facilitator of communication.

The KJA team embraces every opportunity to both appreciate and reveal the nature of design. We find an appropriate example in the freshly revised $100 dollar bill. Which, as currency, carries a message that is completely innocent of agenda.

At a glance, you’ll notice the redesign is cleaner and less crowded, resulting from advancements in security technology. The design of the older bill relied on intricate patterns which have become relatively easy for counterfeiters to reproduce. The new design replaces these bulky patterns with a pair of slim ribbons, making counterfeit attempts a much greater challenge. Additionally, the newly freed space allows Franklin’s portrait to be larger. This treatment, along with the enormous golden 100 featured on the back, helps those with visual impairments easily identify the bill’s denomination.

The next time you step out into the blur of information, be reminded of what design provides. Not only is it a platform from which to address an audience, in a language that everyone understands – it also ensures information accessibility.

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Quality of life essentials

April 14, 2010

The list of components which greatly impact our quality of life normally look something like this:

Social Connections (family & friends)
Health
Education
Attitude
Opportunities

.
But there’s another well documented – but often overlooked – aspect.

The Arts (participation in and involvement with).

Yeah, that’s right. The VISUAL and the PERFORMING arts..

Why is it important?

Research indicates that people who have a background in the arts experience life at a very different level than those who lack that exposure. Things like . . .

more developed habits of critical and creative thinking
more perseverance and dedication to a given task
better psychological and physical health
greater self-discipline, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills
better performance on standardized tests
more likely to remain in school
enhanced healing and recovery from hospitalization.

Not to mention that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 BILLION in economic activity every year. Double WOW!!!

So, the old excuse “that’s just really not my thing” needs to be re-evaluated. The arts impact every single individual with a broad range of benefits.

Yes, you too.

Perhaps the words of acclaimed New York City acting teacher, Stella Adler sum it up best . . .

Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one.

This principle applies to corporate officers as well as entry level employees. To both teachers and students. Doctors and patients. Architects and common laborers. None are exempt from the struggles of life. Likewise, the benefits of developing an understanding and appreciation of the arts are equally universal.

ARTWalk – Friday, April 16

Held in Alexandria’s downtown arts district (on the newly revitalized 3rd street corridor) – ARTWalk provides a fantastic introduction to the arts in Central Louisiana. It offers one of the best opportunities for area residents to sample a smorgasbord of creativity here in our own community.

In short, it’s about: painting, sculpting, drawing, crafting, designing, coloring, woodworking, jewelry-making, pottery making, knitting, sewing, decoupaging, getting your mosaic on, dancing, singing, drama, cooking, eating, drinking, shopping, friends, families, neighbors, and rediscovering our community by getting out of our houses TOGETHER at . . . ARTwalk!

To learn more about ARTWalk visit the Arts Council of Central Louisiana.

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A new AT&T branding effort

April 13, 2010

Michelle Corley : KJA Designer & Thinker

If you tuned into coverage of the Master’s, you might have gotten a first look at the new “Rethink Possible” message from AT&T. The company kicked off their latest rebranding efforts here – hoping to convince you that they’re more than a mere telecommunications company – they’re an innovative, lifestyle company.

This makes me ~sigh~… as a consumer and as someone involved with advertising strategies. I recognize consumers are fed fat concepts and sugary ideals by corporations. We’re told what’s iCool. What’s not. And it’s ideally done in ways that make us feel better about ourselves, our choices – and by extension – better about the company.

But if you’re going to define your company – or redefine it as the case here may be – wouldn’t it be hugely innovative to do so in such a way that actually affects your customers’ lives?

Could improved customer service do that? Make it a brag-worthy aspect of the company. Go above and beyond to please the customer and, at the same time, reinforce that relationship.

Maybe your product line needs tweaking. You might need to provide more than one kind of this or the other.

Whatever the solution, the approach is clear: Listen to your customers, then meet their needs. Your reward? Brand loyalty. And brand loyalty brings new customers. Remember, advertising is only part of the branding story. As a business, your true brand is built across your counters, during customer calls, while folks wait in your lobby, in your product quality and with every service call.

Yes – well crafted campaigns impact your brand and the public’s perception of your company. No question. But they become empty words if you’re not living up to your own hype.

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Tasty team-building

March 24, 2010

David Crain, KJA Creative Director

Sure, it begins with a paycheck. (J. O. B.)

But if it ends there, it can be a miserable, uphill trudge. Counting the minutes to “quittin’ time” is a sign that something’s badly askew. Several dynamics can affect whether you find yourself in that trap — or not.

We credit the KJA founders, Ken & Suzan Juneau, for creating a rock-solid team-spirit foundation. But we also recognize that daily, each one of us has a vital role in maintaining that spirit as we march forward. Over the course of a year, our team embarks on a spectrum of unscripted and spontaneous efforts, each magically bonding a diverse collection of individuals into a passionate and committed TEAM.

The activities vary. Greatly. They can range from a Christmas party at one of our homes to a punkin’ carvin’ contest in the conference room.

Today’s installment – nothing less than genius. And while you’d expect that from a company that does award winning work, today’s creation came from one of our team members who’s not officially part of the “creative” core. (We’re all rethinking this right now!) Our receptionist, Janet Logsdon — the first face you see when you enter our front door, has an array of creative skills of her own. For our people celebrating birthdays in March, Janet crafted a stunning and scrumptious work of art.

Is it a basket of fruit? Is it a cake? Is it even edible?
The resounding “OMG!” responses answer all the above.

Yeah – being part of the KJA team has its perks. Today they were extremely high calorie.

Team-building usually takes a bit of effort – but the benefits always outweigh the investment.

Now you know the secret of our recipe for camaraderie. What’s yours?

–> Click here to see shots of the cake-making process.

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Make more from less

March 18, 2010

Less seems to be the focus. Less profit. Less customers. Less enthusiasm. Less money to spend on reversing the “less” trend.

Ok – so be it. On paper, maybe there’s less.

So are you getting MORE out of what’s at your disposal?

Your employees, more than ever, need to be on their best customer service toes. Above and beyond. Create more experiences for your customer to remember positively (and, ideally, tell their friends about).

Your products or services have to meet the changing needs of your customers. Different hours? New products? Expanded services? What problem can you solve for them?

Your customer relationships should keep you from guessing about what they need. (Shots in the dark waste precious resources.) Shore up those connections. Engage them and discover new ways to keep them coming back. Well-executed social media efforts can provide inexpensive ties to customers – both new and undiscovered.

Belt-tightening can tighten your focus, providing opportunities to learn and adjust. The more you do this – the less you’ll focus on “less”.

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Did you earn the sale?

February 23, 2010

Customer walks into your store, greeted with silence or maybe a look from the kid behind the register. She wanders around, mediocre piped-in music providing the soundtrack for her visit. She peruses the menu behind the counter, looks through some hangers on the rack, or inspects the interesting wares on the shelf. Your merchandise does the only selling on the ‘sales’ floor.

Customer walked onto YOUR sales floor.

Do you let her wander, without so much as a “Well, hello – thanks for coming in. What brings you by today?” (Skip the “Welcome to Generic Greeting” that zooms out of lips so fast no one understands it. That’s just noise.)

Do you actively engage her? Look her in the eye? Foster some type of relationship showing Customer just what a pleasant experience shopping would be with you?

You must let Customer know – without a doubt – you’re there to help. Not pester, pressure, tail, spy, or otherwise invade her space. Simply help solve her problem.

Sure, Customer might find the solution alone – choose the right item, make the purchase and walk away with little more than “Thank you.” When that happens, you’re forced to rely on your merchandise alone to bring her back. You did nothing to earn the sale OR Customer’s loyalty.

How long do you think that merchandise will sell itself in this competitive marketplace?

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What’s your type

February 18, 2010

Everyone likes an introspective test. Right?

Sha’nah, KJA’s web and interactive guru, shared a link to a ‘test’ developed by the design firm Pentagram. The goal of What Type are You is to determine what typeface best represents you. Is it Courier or Dot Matrix? Baskerville or Perpetua Titling? Answer a short, simple series of “this” or “that” choices and get a diagnosis of your type.

Fun stuff – no doubt. (Even if you’re not a type-geek. So don’t be afraid.)

But there’s a bigger point: Type speaks.

This clever test simply reverses what designers work to do every day – match the emotion and personality of a client’s message with a typeface. Fonts tell a story as important as the words on the page. They communicate distinct visual and emotional messages. We use “feelings words” like clean, friendly, grungy or professional to describe different typefaces. In order to make a statement and grab your attention – the fonts must say the right things.

So go have some fun. Visit What Type are You and discover the typeface that represents your personality (in a faux-scientific way of course). But when it comes to your advertising, make sure your type fits your message.

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