The Happy Atom Creative

Some love from my go-to printer for my business card design for Adrian Kinney- Denver's Mid-Century Real Estate Expert!

YellowDog News June | Work We Love Featuring recent projects from our shop including work for Beastfingers, RedCup Beverage, Krispy Kreme and more.

A few months ago, I took on an important new client. It was a somewhat small commitment, about a day a week, and it was something I had not talked a lot about to anyone, because I am employed on an on-call basis by one of their competitors . . . I didn’t want there to be any perceived conflicts of interest. The work I had been doing (and hope to be able to continue to do) for BOX Studios was not architectural, but rather to provide them the kind of marketing support that I do for many of my other clients.

I love doing this kind of work, because I get to put my wide variety of talents to work, digging deep to discover and then tell the stories, through various mediums, of all of the small businesses that I work with. This means having a lot of great, meaningful conversations with the leadership of these businesses, and getting to know them on a personal level.

In the case of BOX Studios, I was building this same one-on-one relationship with the company’s founder and managing principal, Jim Graczyk, which was abruptly cut short a few weeks ago by his untimely and highly unexpected passing. Although Jim and I had not worked together previously, he and I have had many common friends in the industry through the years, both of us having worked in Chicago and Denver. He always carried with him an excellent reputation for being both a great person, and running a great firm. During the few weeks that I got to spend with him, I learned that all of the rumors were true . . . he was a great guy, and although our relationship was short, I will miss him.

Losing a client relationship in this way is something I never thought I might have to deal with. It is eye opening that life could end unexpectedly for any of us. During his service, the priest noted that although losing Jim is a painful loss for everyone who knew him, the changes that will happen in our lives as a result are all part of a plan. Laura and Ted, who will now be tasked with filling Jim’s big shoes will be taking on a much greater responsibility, and will likely grow personally and professionally as a result. Should my relationship with BOX continue, I will also be tasked with carrying forward and growing the BOX brand, something that I was originally looking to merely support Jim in doing. Should I be asked to lead this effort, it will mean growth for me too.

I am honored that I was asked to join this photo, in light of my very short time with them, and I am happy to serve whatever needs BOX Studios has moving forward.

Thank you for your support: a special message from our Denver office. BOX Studios Denver thanks all of you for your support, following the untimely death of our founder Jim Graczyk. Jim’s wife Nina, their children, and the extended BOX Studios Denver family are grateful to everyone who attended the services, expressed

Here's a fun juxtaposition! The sign on the right is your classic RE/Max sign, and the sign on the left is my design for client Adrian Kinney- Denver's Mid-Century Real Estate Expert. In terms of legibility, the RE/Max sign is a tried-and-true winner, with its heavy Helvetica typefaces and bold, contrasty (and patriotic) primary colors.

That functionalism aside, though, RE/Max is such a huge and old brand, that it suffers from being too common! It is the brand of "every-man's" Realtor . . . which is fine for matching everyday people with everyday houses. But there is a growing population of home buyers who are tired of the "everyday," and they are finding the exceptional in mid-century modern houses.

The power of branding and design is that something as simple as a sign can send a message: in this case, an exceptional sign represents an exceptional Realtor offering an exceptional house.

On a side note, this sign is in front of 2510 S Lowell Blvd.

CVS doesn’t value good design.

CVS is throwing their money away at Target.

For my clients, design is not a burden; it’s an opportunity!

Die cut business cards for client Adrian Kinney- Denver's Mid-Century Real Estate Expert. Printed and cut by the always excellent YellowDog Printing & Graphics.