The countdown is on and there are only 5 days until the AAFH ADDY’s!  As we collect our skinny ties and break out the liquid eyeliner, we thought we’d share another project with you that will be honored in this weekend’s show.  Our second award is in Category 13B, Specialty Advertising for our wonderful client, Dole Food Company .

Acumen has enjoyed our relationship with Dole and we have had the opportunity to work with many of their divisions over the last few years on projects ranging from packaging and product design, to branded-space installation, to participating in their internal innovation program.  As our relationship deepens, we are looking forward to an exciting 2012 and beyond with more exciting products and projects to share soon!

This particular project was an exceptionally exciting one that was born out of a very spirited innovation + ideation session we participated in on the Dole campus in early 2010.  And, this was our inaugural project with the Dole Nutrition Institute.

It began as a challenge to create and build unique products that would advance the Nutrition Institute’s mission “to cultivate the seeds of knowledge and provide the public with definitive, easily accessible, scientifically-validated information on nutrition and health.”

The Dole Garden Kit was born.  “Designed to teach kids how food goes from field to fork, the Dole Garden Kit is packed with everything you need to start your own vegetable garden.”

From forming a partnership with Ferry Morse Seed Company, to compiling and writing the garden journal complete with nutrition facts, recipes and gardening tips, to the design of the program itself and the packaging, Acumen and the Dole Nutrition Institute were on to something very special.  This comprehensive kit provides an opportunity for families to learn how and why it is healthy to grow and eatcertain fruits and veggies.  Focusing on their top 12 Superfoods from Carrots to Pineapples, the garden kit containseverything they would need to start and successfully grow their own healthygarden.  Fun, educational and of course, healthy.

We do love Dole.  We love their Nutrition Institute.  We share this award with them and every partner and friend that made this kit possible.  Now, back to creating.  There is much to complete for a few 2012 launches!  In the meantime, join the healthy conversation on Twitter!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the American Advertising Federation of Houston’s (AAFH) ADDY® Gala and Award Show and the team at Acumen Design couldn’t be more excited to be involved.  With four entries winning awards, we are counting down the days to the event. We want to give you all a little sneak peak of our winning work so, over the next couple of days leading up to the show, we will post a little bit about the designs we are so proud to have honored.

First up, Category 72 Logo for the Brasserie 19 Logo System.  Since joining forces with Clark Cooper Concepts in 2010, we have had the opportunity to develop a number of branding projects with their group. We couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve done for their Brasserie 19 concept that has been chosen for this award. Created by Associate Partner, Jim Miner, the entirety of the brand identity, marketing and communications strategies, menu design, business collateral, packaging design, signage development, specialty and promotional elements, etc. are all based on the strength of this mark.

“Working with Grant Cooper and Charles Clark is a joy.  They not only recognize, but insist on great design.  They know the value and want to see it come to life in every one of their restaurant concepts.  We are happy to oblige,” said Jim.  He added, “They embody everything we look for when choosing our clients.  And, we look forward to many more successful projects with them and their team.”

A nod to an international passport stamp, this mark is fresh yet timeless, playful yet sophisticated and has been described as “simple and gorgeous” and “evoking the spirit of a classic French eatery”.  Thank you @CultureMap and @HoustonChronicle for the mentions, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

So, if you have visited, we’d love to know what YOU thought.  And if you haven’t, you definitely should make a reservation.  Their food and service are equally amazing and it will surely be a night to remember.  Bon Appétit!

Anyone who has visited our offices, has undoubtedly spent some time in The Agave Lounge.  It has always been a part of our offices, it is part of our culture, it is where we occasionally find some liquid inspiration.  We love Tequila.  And now, Jerry is writing about it.  Check out his new blog at: http://jerryacumen.wordpress.com/ and learn about the origins of our Avage Lounge, the bottles in it and why you should love Tequila too.

Enjoy. Visit often.  And, of course, always comment responsibly.

Jim Miner, Associate Partner

Jim Miner leads with his near 30 years experience in branding, design and innovation.

Houston, TX August 3, 2011 – Acumen Design, a leading Houston design and branding firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jim Miner to Associate Partner. Miner will be responsible for creative leadership and production direction.

Founding Principals Dick Lew and Jerry Alexander were both thrilled to make the announcement of the new Partnership.  “Jim Miner is a tremendous asset to the Acumen team,” said Alexander. “His expertise in design and branding, fused with his passion for excellence is reflective of Acumen’s core values,” added Lew.

Miner has nearly 30 years of diversified design experience with an emphasis in product design, packaging, brand identity development, marketing & advertising, environmental design and architectural design. Clients ranging from the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium – Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Miller Lite, Coca Cola, Pennzoil, Jiffy Lube, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, Fina/Total, Quaker State, EZ Mart, Ford, Community Coffee, Dockers, Terex, Ninfa’s on Navigation-Houston, Antones-Houston and most recently, leading the design efforts for Houston’s very own Brasserie 19.

According to Miner, after weathering the recent economy woes the future here is very bright and exciting for Acumen.

Miner is a class of 1984 graduate of Long Beach State, California. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons and has had recent success with his passion for volleyball and his team recently took second in the nation in his age group in the National Senior Games.

Acumen is a design and brand innovation company that specializes in activating consumer behavior. From Branding and Identity, to Brand-to-Space Design, to Marketing and Communications, Acumen’s solutions inspire enthusiasm and drive game-changing results. Smart, strategic and integrated, Acumen looks at projects holistically and anchors creativity in sharp thinking to ensure success. For further information, contact Christine Stevens at 713.520.6685 or christine@acumendesign.com.

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Acumen is a design and brand innovation company.

We design all sorts of things. Products, packaging, signage, communications programs, advertising campaigns, marketing platforms, consumer spaces, corporate spaces, experiences, brands, logos, websites, retail connections… the list goes on.

We design in many ways and process is key. Deadlines and budgets are a fact; the amazing results that we promise and deliver each of our clients are born out of effort and process. If you love the design process and are comfortable in collaborative and chaotic environments, we want to talk to you.

Creative Suite – You should know it very well. We use all of the programs, everyday. You should have had several years tweaking your skills in each of these so that they are now seamless extensions of your thinking.

Drawing – We like to “think with our hands” and would like it if everyone we talk to could draw a few things.

Space – It can get loud and disruptive here. It adds to our work and it would need to add to yours too because the space is not going to change!

Digital – It is a digital world and we play in it all the time so you’ll need to feel good there.

Web – Once again, we play here often. You don’t need to program, just understand the how’s and why’s so that when you get in to it you can find your way.

Tequila – If you don’t like the taste that’s OK, maybe you will eventually. But, you should at least enjoy our collection.

Marketing – The entire world of design is interwoven with marketing. You cannot do one well without the other. I hope you agree.

Those are some basics. You will need to show much more. Hint: Attitude is everything. You will need to be comfortable talking, designing with words, sharing and collaborating. We love self starters.  And, we believe that all ideas get better with input and time from others so if you are a solo player, stay that way. We are not.

Want to play? Drop us an email with a resume and a link to your portfolio, or give us a call or mail us your stuff.  We want to see what you can do, understand how you do it and learn about who you are.

Acumen Design
2402 Dunlavy, no. 200
Houston, Texas 77006
713.520.6685
christine@acumendesign.com