inspire guatemala
The Newbies
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This month we would like to welcome a new designer to the team – Casey. Along with his great fashion sense, Casey brings another creative + hardworking attitude to our company. A graduate of Full Sail University, his passion for graphic design made him a perfect new addition. We can’t wait to see some of his finished projects!
Welcome, Casey!
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Along with a new designer, we also found a new design intern – Gina. Looking to gain experience with a design agency while attending Florida Atlantic University, we knew Gina would bring a positive + fearless mentality to work everyday. She hasn’t disappointed and gets her paws on multiple projects while in the office.
Welcome, Gina!
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Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/the-newbies/
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let’s celebrate – save the date [1.24.13]
You must RSVP to attend this shindig. [ You know how it is... Gotta have enough food + booze for all!]
Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/lets-celebrate-save-the-date-1-24-13/
Beyond The Bubble
People tend to dwell in their own little bubble, getting caught up in routine + ritual + comfort. I say “people”, but really I mean me. If my self-projection applies to you, please continue to read. If not, please continue to read anyway. So we’ve got our little life bubble that contains the usual day-to-day blah: work, work relationships, home, family. We generally talk to the same sphere of people, go to the same places, eat at similar restaurants. Routine breeds stability breeds comfort breeds happy. That’s the norm. I like to be comfortable. Happy. Stable. When it actually happens, I tend to tread those waters and not rock the boat too much. I went through years of unconsciously dreading change because change was putting one foot in dark, unknown territory. The unknown can be uncomfortable. Scary. Unpredictable. All the things that make me wanna hide in a closet somewhere and long for the familiar. Whether it’s fear, laziness or just a complete lack of awareness, it is easy to go months – years, even – following the same trail of breadcrumbs.
So here’s an embarrassingly superficial example, but effective all the same. I’ll end up wearing the same outfit week after week because at one point I know it looked really good or made me feel like I’m the coolest guy this side of the tracks [and, no, I’m not necessarily referring to a certain pair of tan suede boots casually coordinated with black skinny jeans and simple navy pocket T from J. Crew]. Truth be told that outfit starts getting worn, old and loses its luster. It becomes a uniform of laziness. I’m no longer putting thought into what I wear, I’m just doing the same thing over and over because it was great 6 months ago and requires absolutely no thought whatsoever. That hypothetical, once kick-ass outfit is just as faded as my creativity.
Have I lost you? Wardrobe analogy got you down?
It is so important to not only change your clothes, but change your routine. Just as my outfit starts to stink, so does my daily life 
Do the unfamiliar. If it were up to me, I’d probably sit in my house watching Netflix for days. Literally I would be butt ass naked on the couch, gut deep in a few pints of Ben & Jerry’s strewn out on the coffee table within spoons reach, all while watching consecutive episodes of Breaking Bad back to back to back to back. But it’s not up to me. I was built with a nagging desire to keep learning. Keep growing. Out of the melted Ben & Jerry’s abyss will emerge a fearless new Ryan who can conquer the world.
So I have to put myself in situations that are not necessarily comfortable. We have been doing Inspirational Friday’s at the helium studio once a week, which has allowed me to meet new folks regularly. Something I otherwise would not be doing. Whether I’m meeting people, taking a different route to work in the morning, spontaneously driving to the Keys for a weekend or eating at a new restaurant, I’ve found it so important to break through my bubble. I’ve lived in Fort Lauderdale my whole life and my scope of What To Do has been less than narrow. Apps like Yelp, Foursquare or Groupon are awesome for suggesting new places to eat and things to do. I’m a Yelp nerd. Community activities, galleries, events, parks, classes, workshops – there is life beyond the bubble. Who knew?
I had an English teacher in High School who told me something very similar that just now clicked. I was probably depressed or complaining about the oh-so harrowing sorrows of life – some teen angst melodrama – and she told me that I needed to do something different. Nothing changes if nothing changes. She said to go take a walk around the block. Go to Barnes and Nobles to read a book. Write something. Whatever it is, break the routine and keep putting myself in a new situation or circumstance. At the time I remember thinking that she just didn’t understand me or my very serious 16 year-old life crises. But as I write this blog I realize she may have been on to something. And I hate to admit that because she once said I looked like a prairie dog and I still harbor some deep seeded resentment for it. Although upon further examination, prairie dogs are kind of cute [please see the photo below].
Ms. Rivard, proud member of MENSA by way of the great land of Canada, was basically telling me to change my outfit. Or at the very least, to mix it up. Wear the t-shirt with a different pair of pants. You gotta start somewhere.
Baby steps, right?
1/3 of my hypothetical outfit that needs a dose of change.
Inspirational Fridays
Join helium creative every Friday from 12pm – 1pm as we welcome a guest speaker for lunch to discuss what inspires them! We ‘d love to see you there – so just give a shout to say you’re coming! We’ve got some really awesome speakers lined up, check them out
wanna come? e-mail chuck@heliumcreative.com or call 954.333.8900
10.11.13
ashley huizenga
visual artist + display coordinator for Anthropologie
10.18.13
diana fleming-lorenzo
media buyer + co-owner of Blue Daisy Media
10.25.13
kim grijalva
creative director of The Guild Five Forty Five+ visual storyteller
11.01.13
rebecca bradley
co-owner of Cadence + community innovator
Big Thanks AMASoFL
We were really excited to have the South Florida American Marketing Association invade our studio this month to listen to Chris and Ryan talk about how to amp up Creativity + Strategy. We wanted to share an overview of the presentation with you, as well as a blog that sums up what we spoke about. Click here to read the what we went over!
Original Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/big-thanks-amasofl/
The Great Creative
There’s a common look of horror in many an eye when the talk of “being creative” enters the dialogue. People are quick to write themselves off as being entirely bound to their left brain, shuddering at the thought of utilizing their creative juices. Mainly because said folk feel that if they can’t paint, draw, sculpt or write the next great American novel then they are not “the creative type”.
That’s stupid.
helium recently took a trip to San Francisco for the HOW Design Conference. One of the main lectures that we sat in on really blew some minds by stating that “Creativity can be learned.” Chuckles whispered through the room while minds began to open to the possibility.
Simply put: Creativity is a muscle that needs workin’ while all the other stuff is skill. Creativity is how you get there. The solution, the problem solving, the crafty maneuvers taken to bypass obstacles or gain a new perspective.
So I’m guilty of DVRing countless episodes of Chopped on The Food Network. I realized I quickly formed a rather unhealthy addiction to the show, spending lost days watching back to back episodes. Mind you my cooking ability was mediocre, relying mainly on the same staple of ingredients or basic preparations. But something happened as I watched this show where chefs were given a select number of bizarre mystery ingredients, having to create all-star meals within a short duration of time. Ox Tail, Gummy Bears, Coke and Lima Beans could be paired together, challenging the chefs to create an out of the box, gourmet dish on the fly.
The constant repetition of Chopped got me to open my pantry and start seeing things a bit differently. Without realizing it, I began challenging myself to create meals by transforming ingredients from their inherent form. I started to understand layering flavors, balancing ingredients and presentation.
By no means did I begin my little culinary adventure with any skill or knowledge whatsoever. But by hearing experts talk about flavors and watch them alter ingredients, my culinary chops flexed their biceps. I grew creatively by watching and learning, then ultimately applying.
Whatever profession or passion you have, there is a level of creativity that applies to absolutely everything we do as human beings. We face challenges everyday, having to make decisions and accomplish goals based upon those obstacles. That problem solving, the thought process that gets you from point A to point B is the very foundation of creative ingenuity. Whether it is persuasion, manipulation, creation, organization, conversation…Any “ation” for that matter.
+ The nurse who tries to get a patient to laugh in a bleak situation.
+ The mom who makes dinner for her kids every night with only what’s in the pantry.
+ The cab driver who has to get a client to the airport using back roads so he’s not late.
+ The accountant who finds ways to shave money off your taxes. [Thanks, Elliot!]
+ The teacher who’s able to get her students excited about Calculus.
+ The hiker who figures out a way to save his life by drinking his own urine and sawing off his arm. [awesome movie btw]
helium is a creative agency at our core. We aim to set a higher creative standard. That’s what we say, right? But what does that mean? We are a studio that is passionate about finding solutions, changing the way we see things, the way you see things. We get off on exercising that muscle and letting it bleed into everything we do. It is the best way to learn, to grow and to remain inspired day to day. Creativity keeps life interesting and turns challenges into opportunities. A shift in perspective by finding a creative solution, goal or challenge in any circumstance flexes that muscle, allowing room for growth and inspiration.
Original Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/blog/the-great-creative/
A New Launch
The anticipated launch of the reimagined FATVillage brand has officially made it’s way to the light of day. We’ve taken a little extra pride in this brand + website + app project because it is near and dear to our design-y hearts. FATVillage is our hood. Our ye olde stomping grounds where we spend more time than our own homes. Our studio is located in the emerging FATVillage Arts District, also home to many artist studios and creative businesses. This project not only gave us the freedom to do some really cool work, but also embodies aspects of why we love what we do.
Helping others: FATVillage has been a budding creative community for many years and more recently began gaining momentum in its recognition. We saw an opportunity to really showcase The Village and the talent that makes up The Villagers. We created a responsive website around the objective to highlight all of the awesome creative studios, artists and events found in FATVillage. We gave everyone their own page on the website where they can upload images of their work, studio and events. Along with a custom blog that can be updated regularly using their own personal backend login, each Villager is also able to offer insight into their work or business. The website has become a venue to showcase + promote not only FATVillage, but also the people who make up our creative community. The interactive mobile app that helium created also speaks to that primary objective. We developed a matching game that requires the user to visit each studio in The Village in order to complete various levels [and of course there are super cool prizes donated by the various artists + businesses].
Art for Art: We had the opportunity to design for an Arts District. ‘Nuff said. The helium team has a foundation in fine arts – we’re all a bunch of creative nerds who probably doodle more than we should. Art is a passion and being able to utilize our personal work for something that we love is like a match made in designer heaven.
Community: We believe in putting out what you wanna get back and doing the right thing. Cliché, but it works. We love our community and are overly excited to do whatever we can to contribute. This reimagining effort of FATVillage has allowed us to really put a stamp on Fort Lauderdale. With the new logo, branding, print collateral, website, app and events that has gone into raising awareness + support for The Village, we know that only good can come to this community. Ultimately it is about making a difference, increasing the cultural + social + creative influence on our city.
Create a Voice: A community is nothing without a voice to bring it together. FATVillage was a lot of good ideas + separate entities that just needed a little “sauce” to tie it all together. The individual artists and studios create a stronger presence when highlighted together as a collective community, rather than individual units, which can appear disjointed to the public. We saw an opportunity to create a strong and unified voice for FATVillage, one that spoke to the public as a cool, urban creative community with assets far beyond graffiti walls and historical warehouse spaces. We have begun to highlight the history of Flagler Village [where FATVillage is centrally located within Fort Lauderdale], not only embracing the more recent evolution but also showcasing its roots with Henry Flagler who founded the area originally in the 1800′s. The more depth in voice, the more value FATVillage ultimately has.
This ongoing project will continue to develop as FATVillage emerges on the radar and gains more recognition. In the meantime, make sure to check out the reimagined FATVillage identity + website + app that helium created. And don’t miss ARTWALK in The Village on the last Saturday of every month!
Original Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/a-new-launch/
Love is in the Details
This particular helium blogger [who shall remain anonymous due to his sensitive nature] has acquired a reputation for being obnoxiously anal when it comes to kerning and leading in typography. For those normal people out there who have no need to know what kerning and leading is, please allow me to rock your world.
Courtesy of Wikipedia:
kerning (less commonly mortising) is the process of adjusting the spacing between characters in a proportional font, usually to achieve a visually pleasing result
leading /ˈlɛdɪŋ/ refers to the distance between the baselines of successive lines of type (the space between lines of body copy).
Dear God, you say, I am not going to read another design blog about kerning and leading. Designers are lame. I hate them and they should all burn on an island somewhere. Fear not my fair weathered friend, this blog has absolutely nothing to do with the intricacies of typography and designer neuroses. Well, kind of.
Take a moment and smile.
Now take another moment and apologize for the prejudged negative thoughts about my blog entry.
Thank you.
The point of bringing up leading and kerning is to illustrate the overall message that details are crucial in everything we do. Whether you are a designer, a chef, a real estate agent or a janitor it is essential to maintain an attention to even the most minute level of intricacies. I read somewhere [yes, in a real live book] that it takes a fraction of a second for the human mind to decide if it likes or dislikes something. Our complex gray matter makes the decision for us before we even realize it. Trust in a brand, a product, a message [whatever it is] is formed innately by our preconceived history of decision making — which [get ready for this] is based on a web of associations developed over our lifespan.
We are, by nature, visual beings. Our subconscious can sense if something is off without us being aware of it. Creating a solid foundation for whatever you are doing establishes an unspoken sense of trust with your audience. It can be very easy to get distracted by the big picture, the overall objective that is trying to be conveyed or accomplished. But the details set the tone for the delivery.
I will completely nerd out in order to defend my little blog by sharing a study by Dr. Alan Slater that, in short, examines how newborn babies have an innate inclination toward “beautiful” or “attractive” faces which led to further prove that anthropologically we gravitate toward things that are visually appealing across the board. There is the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However I am not talking about subjective beauty, but rather basic fundamentals that are considered aesthetically pleasing based on our societal and biological nature. Symmetry, order and shape, for example play a huge role in our subconscious definition of “beauty”. It has been proven that things considered more attractive are quickly trusted and accepted. And make more money 
Ok so how does all of this apply to the topic at hand? Or did I just totally go off on a tangent that left you wondering, yet again, why am I reading this?
And to that, my response is simple: It applies, I promise.
Slater’s study just backs the idea that despite personal taste…[hey, no judgement here]…there are those details that are so important to have a keen eye for. We are like hunting dogs. But people. And with our eyes, not our nose. Our little brains simply know when the details are missed. We’re just wired that way. And the decision to trust a brand or product is instantly made based on that fact.
helium creative is all about breaking the rules. Thinking out of the box and offering new solutions to everyday problems. However we are firm believers – current blogger included – in making sure that those details are never overlooked. It is one of the key factors that set us apart from other advertising, marketing and design studios. Now for the shameless, end-of-blog self promotion: Check out our awesome portfolio to see just how helium addresses the details for our current roster of lovely clients
The end.
Original Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/love-is-in-the-details/
HOW DESIGN LIVE
We came. We saw. We conquered. HOW Design Live 2013 in San Fancisco was amazing – 4 days of back to back lectures by some of the top designers in the country. Jessica Walsh, Johnny Cupcakes and Austin Kleon gave some notably awesome talks that made these design nerds giggle with excitement. That’s right. Jessica Walsh showed naked photos of herself and Stefan Sagmeister while urging us to never stop playing. Austin Kleon gave us the OK to steal ideas from anyone and everyone, while Johnny Cupcakes discussed how details are everything in design. Counting down days until HOW Design Live 2014 in Boston.
NewTimes – BEST advertising agency 2013
I was extremely honored, and honestly a little teary eyed to learn that we have been selected the BEST advertising agency by NewTimes in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Things have really come full circle over the past 14 years. Back then I was sitting in a coffee shop in Philadelphia, during a break from class looking for the start to my career. I got my big break with ZigZag and started prior to graduating. Ironically I found their job posting in a publication very similar to NewTimes.
Fast forward four years and I am living in Fort Lauderdale working for an agency and looking for a way to follow my dream. That dream, drive and passion to deliver something different, a [higher creative standard] brought us to where we are today. Although my name is mentioned in the article, my dream set the path, I cannot take all of the credit… Our success is a collective result of all of our hard work, amazing talent and determination to never settle. Not to mention those behind the scenes who support us. Preparing for our 10th year, I can say I am living my dream, doing what I love, surrounded by amazing talent and in the center of the best ARTS district. Looking forward to where we all takehelium from here.
Thanks everyone!
Chris Heller, [president] creative director
Chris Heller, [president] creative director
NewTimes Article -
Fort Lauderdale tends to get a bad rap for clinging to its old, sleepy boat-town mentality, despite being the largest city in Broward as well as one of the most promising waterfront metropolitan areas north of Miami Beach. That’s why when anyone decides to go against the norm and break the old mold a bit, we can’t help but get that warm, tingling feeling that makes us want to shout it to the whole world. Helium Creative in Fort Lauderdale’s rising FAT Village arts district is the kind of out-of-the-box company that helps raise the bar for a city by providing an example of just how much better different can be, when it’s done right. A boutique-style advertising agency with an edge for web development and graphic design, Helium Creative has created innovative campaigns for a diverse range of clients — everyone from the W South Beach and Levinson Jewelers to Burger King and Pollo Tropical — all from its cozy, alternative office nestled among some of the area’s most exciting and creatively focused new businesses. Founder and creative director Christopher Heller’s roots are in Philadelphia, where he graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia with a degree in graphic design, but since starting Helium Creative ten years ago, his heart and his thriving business belong to Fort Lauderdale. Helium Creative regularly opens its office space — an edgy, scaled-down version of something you might see in New York’s SoHo neighborhood — to the public during the monthly art walk; and Heller, an artist himself, continues to promotes the arts through his virtual/real-life gallery space, Project Fine Art.
View the Article on NewTimes: www.browardpalmbeach.com/bestof/2013/award/best-advertising-agency-2017272/
Tips for Creating Copy
So you’ve got the graphics. Photographs. Outlines. A killer vision for your website or campaign that is ready for execution. But what about the voice? Sure, a picture is worth a thousand words and a visual language can be well orchestrated. But your body copy, headlines, pull quotes and messaging are the threads that weave your brand language together.
The way to create an instant connection with your audience sans verbal communication is through the use of copy. Whether it is strategically placed on packaging or supporting graphics on a website, the purpose of the written word boils down to persuasion, trust. and information. You want to educate your audience on the product – build trust with your audience – and persuade them that your company/product is what they want right now and their life just won’t be the same without it. The success of this connection depends on the use of a specific language, tone or what we like to call a “voice”. Developing the voice of a brand is essential, while maintaining that voice consistently throughout all text is crucial.
Here are some helpful tips you can use when writing your own copy:
1. Follow the “3 C’s” : Express your thoughts clearly, convincingly and be as compelling as possible
2. ENTHUSIASM is the key! Who doesn’t like to be entertained? Engage your reader with interesting and energetic thoughts!
3. Paint them a vibrant picture. Use imagery, words and phrases to create a vivid mental story.
4. Build that trust! Make your reader feel comfortable by creating a conversation with them. You want to speak directly to them through your copy, making that connection.
5. Don’t be an extremist – stay away from using terms such as “best, fastest, cheapest”. You don’t want to make claims you cannot prove.
6. Have a heart. Show your readers that you are speaking from the heart, both honestly and sincerely.
2. ENTHUSIASM is the key! Who doesn’t like to be entertained? Engage your reader with interesting and energetic thoughts!
3. Paint them a vibrant picture. Use imagery, words and phrases to create a vivid mental story.
4. Build that trust! Make your reader feel comfortable by creating a conversation with them. You want to speak directly to them through your copy, making that connection.
5. Don’t be an extremist – stay away from using terms such as “best, fastest, cheapest”. You don’t want to make claims you cannot prove.
6. Have a heart. Show your readers that you are speaking from the heart, both honestly and sincerely.
Anyone can write copy – but not everyone can write effective copy that develops and maintains brand language. We are now at that point where a mention of helium creative’s copywriting skills and brand language expertise are appropriately and shamelessly plugged into this blog! Check out our website and Facebook page to get an idea of our “voice”. We’d love to hear yours
Original Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/tips-for-creating-copy/
inspiration abroad
Inspiration can come from anywhere. As artists we find travel to be essential to the creative process. Experiencing new environments, textures, color uses, patterns, architecture, foods, shapes and cultures all play an intricate role in growing as an artist. helium recently travelled abroad to Spain, France, Italy and Prague - snapping shots along the way to put in our reference folders for future use.
Here’s a list of some awesome creative highlights that are somehow going to make their way into our work:
Honest Advertising
David Ogilvy, also known as “The Father of Advertising”, said “Good products can be sold by honest advertising. If you don’t think the product is good, you have no business to be advertising it.”
We agree. You shouldn’t have to resort to gimmicks and trickery to convince someone that they need your product. Good advertising creates an emotional connection with consumers on a subconscious level and satisfies a need that they already had, even if they didn’t realize that they had it.
A great example of honest advertising can be seen in the humorous photo below.
You know you have tried this breakfast cereal at one point in your life, I know as a kid all I wanted to do was put my ear to the bowl and hear the “snap” “crackle” and “pop” sounds as I poured my milk. However, once the noises stopped I had absolutely no interest in what was left in my bowl, and would often just drink the milk and go on my way. When you pick the box up at the supermarket, nothing on the packaging prepares you for the lump of mush that gets left behind after you have had your fun snap, crackle and popping.
helium creative takes on projects that we believe in wholeheartedly and it is for this very reason why our efforts prove to be successful. We believe that honest advertising yields honest results; results that we are proud to share with our clients and colleagues. And most importantly, results that prove the success of our hard work..
Original Source: http://www.heliumcreative.com/honest-advertising/
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About Me
- helium creative
- helium creative is a branding + design studio. We create dynamic, personified brands for clientele who value an in-depth collaborative approach. With a fine-arts emphasis on design, synergistic client relationships, and a tailored branding process, helium creative offers unconventional solutions for impactful brand experiences.