by Cheryl McIntosh, Principal + Brand Manager Studio Absolute
Big ideas on a paper napkin are our favorite concepts to bring to life. When we sat down with Dr. Julie Panchura, the vision was broad but the goal was clear: Connect businesses to customers, volunteers to non-profits, and create a social and economic win-win-win.
Dr. Panchura invited Studio Absolute to name and create a brand identity, propose a monetization plan, and design and build a website to serve as a hub for this philanthropic community. Out of Dr. Panchura’s vision for a streamlined “Pay It Forward” movement, came www.kahoot.org.
How it works:
1. Set up a volunteer profile and download vouchers.
2. Contact one of the affiliate businesses to establish details of the offer.
3. Volunteer with a participating nonprofit in exchange for a discounted rate with the business affiliate. The non-profit will validate the voucher.
As a business affiliate, Studio Absolute assigns a value of $20 to each volunteer hour and applies that towards the cost of website design, branding strategy and design services. The customer simply searches kahoot.org for design services in Bend, contacts us to confirm the details, then after donating their volunteer hours, Studio Absolute will redeem their vouchers.
We feel like this is a great opportunity to make our services more accessible to small businesses while encouraging a spirit of volunteerism within our community. We hope you’ll join us in setting up a profile for your business or non-profit, or search the growing database for affiliates offering significant discounts in exchange for your volunteer time.
When Studio Absolute was approached to redesign the AdFed of Central Oregon website, we were excited for the opportunity to create an online experience that we would enjoy using regularly as AdFed members ourselves. Our motivation for donating the design was admittedly selfish knowing it would make our lives easier in the long run.
Central Oregon boasts an impressive network of creative talent that has been recognized globally as having merit comparable to that of a much larger metropolitan area. We saw the AdFed website as an opportunity to showcase that talent while providing an easily navigated hub for creative resources.
Websites are increasingly the first interaction a potential new member or customer has with a company or organization. Grand assumptions about service and quality are made based on the design and ease of navigation throughout the site. If it’s a painful experience online, the visitor forms a subconscious impression that your service or product quality is equally lacking.
The crisp, clean, editorial approach to the new AdFed website delivers on the true value that AdFed of Central Oregon provides its members. It is professional, credible, and a worthwhile investment of time and membership dollars.
Thanks, AdFed for the opportunity to design the new website and for your on-going commitment to the advertising community! You can check out their new site at www.adfedco.org.
Lenity Group Brings a Fresh Approach to Senior Housing Planning & Design
2010 Marked a new beginning for Lenity Group, a Salem-based senior-housing planning and design firm. Principals, Kristin Newland, Marcus Hite, and Dan Roach, AIA took the helm after Cliff Curry, a long-time Salem and Bend resident, retired in December from his role as President of Curry Architecture.
Curry founded Curry Architecture nearly 30 years ago. Together with partners such as Holiday Retirement and Colson & Colson General Contractor, Inc., Curry and his team built a legacy in the senior living industry launching over 350 successful senior housing facilities during his career.
Lenity Group provides a simplified approach to senior housing development by offering planning, design, architecture, engineering and construction services under one roof. The firm employs 15 staff including architects, a professional engineer, draftspersons, land use and permit specialists, a senior title officer, construction administrators, and support staff.
Lenity Group provides a simplified approach to senior housing development by offering planning, architecture, design, and construction services under one roof. The firm currently employs 15 staff including architects, a professional engineer, draftspersons, land use and permit specialists, a senior title officer, construction administrators, and support staff. They also partner with the Tumalo-based branding and graphic design firm, Studio Absolute, to establish a competitive and unique brand for each new senior living facility. Seeing to these details sets Lenity Group apart as full service planning and design firm.
“The skill set, experience, and longevity of our team in the senior living industry allows us to move through the details with agility. From initial negations through construction, the process is completely streamlined. Our 30-year industry partnerships make it possible to offer comprehensive services with very competitive pricing for our clients.” Kristin Newland, Principal.
Lenity Group partnered with the Bend-based branding and graphic design firm, Studio Absolute, to launch their new name, brand identity, and website. You can visit the new Lenity Group website at, or contact Kristin Newland at Kristin@lenitygroup.com or 503-399-1090 for more information.
Kilns College School of Theology & Mission website!
The vision of Kilns College is an innovative school model that marries a classic educational approach with a missions and social justice focus. The school attracts Christian college students from around the nation who are passionate and committed to changing the world. In designing the website, we first took into consideration what the communication goals were for the intended audience. The audience in this case is two-fold: Primarily, students and donors. The design challenge this presented was to create a website that appealed to these demographics equally, and in a visual language they could relate to.
By marrying beautiful, clean type with high-end photography and some elements of Flash programming, the site communicates both relevancy and professionalism. Although many students of the college are in the 20-30 yr range, the site was designed with a timeless sensibility. The design gives credit to this age group for being discerning in their choice of education and how they spend their time & money.
Talk about a whirlwind! I know I will look back at this time of my life as the most insanely busy, but also some the most exciting years.
Yesterday:
1. The business cards were officially in my hand. THANK YOU Ryder Graphics – you guys are my favorite people right now! They did such a great job, and Kyle Hawkins has just been awesome to work with.
2. The website went live and looks fantastic! There are still a few updates to make, but I imagine it will evolve and morph a lot over the next year. THANK YOU Greg for doing an incredible job on the programming, and THANK YOU Russ for designing this gorgeous site, and THANK YOU Benjamin, Paula, and Jen for the freaking awesome photography. You guys are the cream of the crop. www.studioabsolute. com – check it out!!
3. The last two months of working with Let’s Make a Space on their marketing and creative culminated with an “absolutely” incredible VIP Party. We had about 160 special guests in their new retail location. The blue drinks were flowing, the music was pounding, and the gorgeous fem-bots put on a runway style furniture fashion show that was out of this world! Guests left saying they’d expect to attend a party like this in San Fransisco – not Bend, Oregon. Pictures and video forthcoming!!
After everyone left, we spent a few hours just hanging out with the Let’s Make a Space team and making sure that no open bottles of champagne went to waste. There was uncontrollable laughter, blue-drink-induced-dancing, and even an unexpected wrestling match that ended with one broken champagne flute and a fat lip. Not mine, as much as I probably deserved it! Sorry Joey – I love you.
{Sigh…}
So tomorrow morning was supposed to be the much anticipated grand opening, but alas, the city inspector couldn’t come to sign off on the new facility for reasons unknown. Today was a lesson in reverse publicity – how quickly can we get the word out that: NO, the store will NOT be open tomorrow. But at the same time – we’ve got to carry the existing momentum and excitement over to next Saturday. Our success depends on how that message is delivered – even the tone of the announcement must remain consistent with the Let’s Make a Space brand. It has to breathe excitement, drama, entertainment, and surprise! And you know what, Blog? It was simple because their brand speaks for itself. Their business model is built around suspense, surprise, and radical change, so the drama behind the grand opening is actually to our benefit. We’re going to take this extra week before next Saturday, and leverage the drama to create even more buzz and curiosity. It’ll be perfect. I’m excited.
