Illumination Foundation

Pencilbox Studios was asked to create the materials for the Illumination Foundation's newest, soon to be annual, fundraising event. We were happy to create a look for the pieces that will be used in the coming years.

The Illumination Foundation (IF) is a grassroots organization that addresses the crisis of homelessness in Orange County through integrated services that provide appropriate solutions.

Breast Cancer Awareness Ad

The client, Allergan, came to LehmanMillet and said they needed an ad for Breast Cancer Awareness week, completed in 2 days (yes - concepted, shot and laid out in 2 days). The creative team, Pencilbox Studios' Joseph Banuelos and Lindsay Coluccio concepted the ad in one day. The sketch was client approved and a photographer was called to do the shot. Originally, the model was to be dressed in a pink leotard but that was abandoned in favor of a nude shot. The model was placed in at the exact position of the Breast Cancer pink ribbon, the shot was taken (and slightly manipulated). The ad was composed and sent out on time!

Postscript: The ad won a Print Magazine Award.

See What Happens When You Give Readers a Gift.

Pencilbox Studios’ Roxann Pope, working with Kia Motors, developed a publication survey program to track Kia associates’ reading habits and informational needs for Momentum magazine. To entice survey entries PBX commissioned a custom painted toolbox by hot rod artist Manuel Reyes as an incentive. A lucky survey entrant won the one-of-a-kind toolbox. The survey results? 96.7% of readers responded to the survey (not sure who that .7 person was) and overall responses were favorable. The ability to prove that good design works is always rewarding.

Survey Results: 89.5% responded that the design, imagery and layout of Momentum magazine is attractive; 94.2% agree the articles are written and presented clearly; 98.4% believe the information provided in Momentum is timely and relevant; 97.7% say Momentum is effective in fostering a sense of pride in being a member of the Kia family; 96.6% agree the publication inspired them to perform at a higher level of customer service and/or parts sales. All good.

What We Learn from our Kids

My daughter's science project and fellow artist/environmentalist, Amy Lee, lead us to Chris Jordan's Photographic Art website this morning (chrisjordan.com). His images are beautiful, motivational and guilt-ridden. Of course, we viewed his website right after returning from the grocery store - where I forgot my reusable bag and had a Starbucks in a paper cup with a plastic lid. Images such as Jordan's remind us to be more diligent and to keep trying to whittle away at the environmental issues we face in our daily lives.

Image depicts one million plastic cups, the number used on airline flights in the US every six hours. And then a close up.

The Influence of Good Design.

For the last year Pencilbox Studios has worked closely with Kia Motors to relaunch their national Parts and Service Publication —Momentum magazine.  Reader surveys were conducted prior to and after Momentum's redesign to ensure the publication was on mark regarding content and style.  Pencilbox’s Roxann Pope collaborated with Kia to set baseline reader expectations and to gain further insight into the reader's needs. The feedback obtained provided Kia direction for future publications, showed a desire for more issues, and confirmed that good design works— readership was up 54% following the redesign.