If you don't know this already, we like to have fun at FreshInk. We work in a creative environment and sometimes things get interesting around here. We have been known to have a chair race from time to time...
At last! The completion of the frshnk campus swept a lot of weight off our shoulders! Now we can get back to working with clients, designing, and making awkward hand gestures while on phone calls. As you can see, the new location houses co-working space for those who are tired of their wives, children and hypnotic-eyed chihuahua back at home. This is a productive escape. Then again, if your sole purpose it to rent a space next to Bryce, then that's being creepy. No creepsters, please. Each co-space is given a nice storage compartment and a mug filled with goodies. The fresh paint brings warm feelings and the strategically placed art gives a sense of meaning to one's life. Stop by frshnk sometime! It may be for business, but as soon as you step in, it's all pleasure. If by chance, you happen to be creepin' by and you have a spontaneous notion to get a picture of yourself and have it blown up to some ridiculous size to hang above your fireplace, right next to frshnk is our photography studio, injoy. Hence the word, "campus".
Absolute control is the most important part of your business. This whole "open source" nonsense will quickly fade into the sunset, and nobody in your organization is going to come up with ideas as good as yours. Employees don't think on their own, they need a strong leader to tell them when to be at work, when to take a smoke break, and how to iron their pants.
Many people all over the world have asked me how I accomplish such a tight reign on my staff and I always tell them the same thing, founder photo's. At frshnk we believe that if someone is watching over your shoulder at all times you wouldn't dare check your Facebook. Tweet on my time and "I'm a watchin". Since Chris and I can't be in every cubicle at the same time (I mean after all we do have four and I am not a super hero) we demand that everyone on staff either utilize our image as their desktop or have one framed (a minimum of 8x10) on their desk next to their monitor.
Like any design firm, we have had our fair share of "difficult" clientele. The uninformed that believe their logo must be three quarters of the page to obtain the maximum brain smack their company is looking for. The VP of something or other who argues that they absolutely must have everything you designed for them as a .doc for redesign purposes. Redesign? Isn't that why you hired us? Yes, we have been there but we also have clients with vision. C.E.O.'s who aren't afraid of a little edge in their ad campaign and who actually understand typography.
I love getting stuff in the mail. The most recent care package from Envirocon included Lemi Shine and Lemi Shine MC3 sample cartons along with some really cool shopping bags.
We are humbled at how awesome our clients are. We appreciate you more than you know and we wouldn't be the company we are without you. We wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a beautiful new year.
This is my first blog post here at frshnk! I suppose the best way to start it off would be an introduction of myself!
I am a recovering alcoholic and an ex-gang member. I picked up photography as an escape from the harsh world around me. I thought if I could take pretty pictures, I could some how move on up from the ghetto fabulous streets of Callaway and avoid getting stuck in the hip every morning. Ok, I’m joking…It all started when I bought myself a graduation gift.
Stop taking yourself so seriously. Wear a faux mustache to your next Monday morning meeting, if nobody notices it's time to step up your game. Don't be afraid to be different. You are you, and there isn't another you so rock it hard. If you aren't bringing much to the table, smash the table and create something new with the splinters.
The FreshInk studio has been a wreck as of late. It's not because we are a bunch of neanderthals, although some might say we are, it's because we have been undergoing a much needed renovation. We are exhited about the transformation our space has undergone while keeping it's charm and amazing natural light feel.
The build out was a necessary part of a new project we are starting called Injoy Studios. More on that in the near future.
If you are downtown you should stop on by and say "hi" and grab a cup of coffee. We haven't re-opened just yet, but it won't be long now that we are in the home stretch!
At FreshInk we are all about great design. That greatness might ooze from the minds and tablet pens of the F.I. crew or from a workshop in Nantucket. It might be a web based creative tour de force or a hand stamped leather riding saddle. Great design is the type of thing that when viewed is instantly appreciated. It's not unlike a beautiful woman or a handsome pair of sneakers.
For this reason we created Freakin Fantastic. It's not a big fancy award or large cash prize, and your Gram won't see you on the evening news. Think of Ftastic as a gentleman's tip of the hat and a long awaited pat on the back.
This weeks Ftastic award goes to Geekhouse Bikes, a custom bicycle company run by Marty Walsh, out of Boston. The craftsmanship that goes into each ride is evident and the personality of the company only adds to my desire to own one of these freakin fantastic bikes.
So good on ya Marty, thanks for not being boring & expect an order for a FreshInk Fixie soon!
Photo by FreshInk photographer Patrick Engman
We don't have much free time @ freshINK but when we get it we make it count.
