shakespeare under the stars
We’re proud to return for our seventh year as a partner of the The Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Celebrating its 36th season, ISF is one of the most anticipated and treasured events of the summer and has become a tradition for many Idaho residents. This poster we’ve created for the 2012 season captures the artful enthusiasm of the festival to produce great theater, entertain and educate. We hope to see you all this summer!
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
award-winning innovation
Our client, Lighting Science Group had quite an impressive week at this year’s LIGHTFAIR International conference, taking home the top LIGHTFAIR International 2012 Judge’s Citation Award for their Definity Motion Activated PAR 30 LED.
LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) is the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference. Over the years, LFI has established a record of joining the top Architecture, Design, Engineering and Lighting professionals with exhibitors from around the world.
If Lighting Science Group’s award-winning PAR 30 were a car, it would have controls for everything and could probably parallel park itself. This amazing LED light is 80% more efficient than the 65-watt halogen lamp it replaces. It integrates both motion and ambient light sensing directly into the lamp, eliminating the need for separate controls. The light also has user configuration options built directly into the bulb that include time delay, dimming range, and motion and distance sensitivity. Like we said, controls for everything.
The conference also held the 2012 Next Generation Luminaires competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Illuminating Engineering Society and the International Association of Lighting Designers. Lighting Science Group took home this award as well for their 4 inch 9.5-watt Glimpse LED downlight.
Lighting Science Group Chairman and CEO Jim Haworth expressed his excitement about receiving the awards and getting these innovative products in the hands of their customers.
“While other companies are struggling to develop performance LED lighting products, we are bringing to market some of the most advanced and exciting lighting products in the world. Demonstrating our speed to market, most of these new innovations that we are showing at LIGHTFAIR will be in the market by the end of this year or beginning of next year.”
We at Foerstel are honored for the opportunity to work with such distinguished leaders of the LED industry and wish them all the best in their continued innovation of environmentally responsible lighting products. Congratulations!
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
prized pickles
The wonderful folks over at Woodstock have received a 2012 Foodie Award nomination for their mouthwatering organic kosher dill pickles.
Head over to Vegetarian Times to vote for Woodstock’s delightful dills!
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
trending
I had the opportunity to attend the National Restaurant Association (NRA) food show for the first time this year and it was a little slice of heaven for a foodie like myself. One of the things I enjoy about shows like this is often they are a sneak peek into upcoming trends.
The popularity of the food truck seems to still be full-steam-ahead as there were many booths dedicated to mobile gastronomy. The gleaming steel surfaces beckoned so convincingly, I had to admit I caught myself daydreaming about all the delicious food that could possibly pass over those stainless counters.
Passing from new trend to more of a “I’m-here-to-stay” kind of status is the gluten-free movement. When this first came out, I fully expected it to go the way of low carb but with several of my friends being diagnosed as gluten intolerant and another handful opting for a gluten-light lifestyle, producers are finding a big market that is welcoming their products with open arms and hearty appetites.
The third trend that I saw coming into full blossom was the biodegradable/compostable cups, flatware, plates, and to-go container industry. I’m thrilled that so many companies are finally going down this path… my only question is what the heck took you so long? The products are durable, attractive and I can’t wait to see them more widely used!
What other trend did I see? Hopefully one where I get to return to the NRA show again and again!
linda whittigdirector, creative team + distracted by shiny things
spring is for pedals
The month of May is upon us, which means it’s time for the Ada County Highway District and Valley Regional Transit’s annual ‘May in Motion’ campaign that encourages our community to use alternative modes of transportation. The ACHD also presents awards to local businesses that log the most alternative miles throughout the month, making for some friendly competition around Boise. Last year, we took home the Bronze award but are back with a vengeance to log even miles this time around. That being said, we’ve decided to share just a few of the amazing benefits that come with dusting off that old cruiser and pedaling through your daily commute.
1. Save Money
You are no longer buying as much fuel for the car, and we don’t need to be reminded of rising gas prices.
Your car is not going to break down as often if you’re not driving it as much.
Free parking for bikes!
2. Any Bike Will Do
You don’t need a $5,000 bike to commute to work. Get a hybrid for a few hundred bucks. Or just drag that old bike out of your garage. That’ll work.
3. A Practical Workout
If you’re time crunched and juggling family, work and fitness, bike commuting is a way to kill two birds with one stone.
A flat, 5 mile commute will burn around 500 calories a day. Biking to work is an ideal way to get your daily physical activity without needing to set aside time solely for working out.
4. You Won’t Miss Traffic
Daily commutes are often bogged down by traffic jams, ask yourself how much you enjoy sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic twice a day.
Now, as a cyclist, would you enjoy that.
5. The Laws Are Catching Up
The increased popularity of biking across the country has caused states to pass laws accommodating the growing segment of bike commuters.
The 3-foot law has been passed in nearly half of the 50 states. Bicycle lanes are becoming more common. Even protected bike lanes with a buffer zone of some sort between the bike lane and vehicle traffic are starting to pop up.
Bottom line, bike commenting is becoming safer, and the more cyclists out there, the more drivers start to accept the need to share the road.
6. Protect Your Planet
Marinate on this: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for every one mile pedaled rather than driven, nearly one pound of CO2 is saved.
7. Be A Positive Influence
If you let a coworker know that you’re a bike commuter, they may be inspired to join you. If they join you then the planet gets double the protection, someone else gets in better shape and all of a sudden, your positive contribution to world wellness is even bigger.
8. Your Employer Can Help
In 2009, bicycle reimbursement was added among the qualified transportation fringe benefits allowed by the IRS.
9. Everyone’s Doing It
Well, kind of. While less than 1 percent of Americans are primarily bike commuters, the number of Americans who commute to work by bike in 2008 increased 14 percent over 2007, 36 percent over 2005 and 43 percent over 2000 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
10. It’s Addictive
The hardest thing about forsaking your car for a bike is the first ride. It won’t feel right. But the more you commute, the easier it gets. Before you know it, you’ll be contemplating riding to work in the cold, the rain, the snow…anything to stay away from driving. It’s addictive. Luckily, it’s the good kind of addictive.
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
the power of color
For more than a decade, global color authority Pantone has awarded one of their own hues as the Color of the Year. Over the past 12 years the prominence of each year’s color has grown to influence design, fashion, cosmetics and beyond.
A few short months ago, Pantone announced Tangerine Tango, a ’spirited reddish orange’ reminiscent of sunsets as the Color of the Year for 2012.
‘Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,’ says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Eisman went on to say, ‘Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, for a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.’
The announcement’s effect was visible almost overnight, as websites such as In Style, HGTV and others quickly embraced what was sure to be one of the most prominent fashion trends in the months that followed. Before we knew what hit us, Tangerine Tango was showing up on logos, purses, interior accents and shades of lipstick.
Adding to the heated popularity of this bright color, a feature in Pantone’s 2012 Color Spring Report has caused Tangerine Tango to start popping up in spring collections from notable designers such as Tommy Hilfiger and Nanette Lepore. Celebrating the color this spring, many fashion experts have predicted the color’s popularity will carry over and be apparent in Fall fashion trends as well.
An evolving symbol of boldness, Pantone’s Color of the Year made a colorful splash beyond fashion and design. Last month, cosmetic giant Sephora launched its inaugural collaboration with Pantone. The first release from the newly-formed partnership honored the 2012 color of the year with a limited-edition collection of Tangerine-colored blushes, polishes and glosses.
Gilbert Soliz, a lead artist for Sephora described the collection, saying, ‘The products allow for on-trend, uninhibited expression, while being exceptionally wearable,’.
Throughout Pantone’s growing role in establishing new fashion trends, its presence in the design industry remains omniscient. The color of the year quickly made its way into the hearts of many top design firms who began incorporating the bold color into their work.Tangerine Tango’s influence can even be seen in our Italian sister agency, Matitegiovanotte’s newly crafted logo and website.
Not long after their Color of the Year announcement, Pantone released 336 new colors to its PLUS Series. The new collection bolstered Pantone’s total number of colors to a whopping 1,677. Carefully taking note of areas between colors where splashes of subtle tones could be created, Pantone developed many hues both lighter and darker to their already existing shades.
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
the more you know…the more you grow
It’s no secret that we here at Foerstel have a passion for all things organic. As a design firm dedicated to sustainable practices for over two decades, we provide food companies with beautiful and effective packaging that complies with organic food industry standards. As such, we are honored to be asked to partner with CCOF and OES for a second consecutive year.
Founded in 1973, the California Certified Organic Farmers Association (CCOF) was one of the first organizations to perform organic certification in North America. In addition to being a full-service organic certification and trade association, the CCOF has been a leading provider of information, resources and advocacy for organic food and agriculture for more than 30 years.
With their latest Organic Labeling webinar around the corner, CCOF is preparing to give insight into the most common mistakes companies make with their organic labels. Because of our knowledge, experience and commitment to the industry, we were asked to provide a variety of packaging images, tailored specifically to enhance their presentation. This educational event will use our real-world examples as a resource in defining a step-by-step process for developing labels that comply with the USDA National Organic Program.
If you are planning to update your organic label or create a new product line, you won’t want to miss this informative event.
Webinar Dates:
Wednesday, May 9, 1:00-2:30 p.m. PST
Wednesday, May 16, 9:00-1:00 a.m. PST
For more information and to register, click here
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
lighting up the future
Lighting Science Group is an innovative company that provides commercial indoor and outdoor LED lighting solutions to architects, developers and building managers. The series of ads we created for them show the beautiful difference LED lighting can make, encouraging buyers to step into a brighter, more sustainable future.
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
Mother Nature’s Graffiti
Graffiti is an art that usually carries a negative connotation. It’s illegal in most areas and let’s face it, there aren’t many things worse than aerosol spray cans. However, there is an awesome way to become an eco-friendly graffiti artist. By following a simple recipe, you can create moss graffiti that looks really cool and is good for the planet!
While we don’t recommend tagging any structure without explicit permission of the owner, we do suggest trying this out on rocks, bricks, or concrete walls that you may find around the house.
The success of the recipe itself can be very hit and miss and is very much dependent upon choosing exactly the right location and weather conditions; moss thrives in the damp and can most often be found growing near a leaky drainpipe or rain-soaked wall.
Recipe for Moss Graffiti:
• 1 can of cheap beer OR 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• A few handfuls of moss
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• Blend until the mixture is smooth
You can use a paint brush or spray bottle to apply the moss to concrete walls, rocks or brick. Mist the moss once a day and before you know it, you’ll have a thriving work of green graffiti!
Photo by Anna Garforth
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
10 ways to get green on earth day
With April 22 fast approaching, we agree with our friends at Care2 that Earth Day is a holiday that deserves attention, and is worth celebrating.
We are a design firm deeply committed to all things organic and sustainable since 1985. We believe that Earth Day should be about giving back to the earth ~ appreciation for our environment and the small planet in which we all share.
The team at Foerstel is planning to get a little dirty and show the Earth some extra love while remembering that taking care of the only planet we have is something to be celebrated all year long!
What are you planning to do to celebrate Earth Day? Here are a few simple ideas from Care2 to help you get your Earth Day groove on!
1. Avoid running appliances – and keep the lights off turned off
2. Try to keep your car parked at home and opt to run, walk or pedal to your destination
3. Make a meal using only foods made with ingredients that have been sourced locally
4. Reap what you sow by planting a garden (even a simple container garden, or raised beds) will make you feel great and improve your carbon footprint
5. Make your yard look great by planting a tree and the fruit varieties will eventually provide you with healthy and delicious snacks
6. Try to indulge in meatless meals throughout the day
7. Do some exercises outside (yoga, cardio or weights)
8. If you already recycle, Sunday would be a great day to organize your containers. And, if you haven’t started, Earth Day would be a good day to learn about what items are recyclable and set up holding containers for the various items
9. Compost, compost, compost is nourishment for your garden and is a great way to dispose of food waste
10. Volunteer some of your time to your community. Find a mission that interests you and give back to help others.
andy mccutcheonmarketing support + high fives and stage dives
