“OUR HEARTS ARE PASSIONATELY ENGAGED IN SERVICE TO THOSE DISCARDED SOULS DEPRIVED OF KINDNESS, HOPE AND BEAUTY. IT IS OUR MISSION AND OUR PRIVILEGE TO GUIDE THEM SO THAT THEY LEARN HOW PRICELESS AND CHERISHED THEY ARE; THAT THEY LAUGH IN JOY AND FELLOWSHIP DESPITE THE DECAY THAT SURROUNDS THEM; THAT THEY FEAR NO RISK OF LOVE, GIVEN OR RECEIVED.”

We introduced you folks to The 3L Foundation some time ago and wanted re-visit and share the amazing work Pam, Ashley, and Matt are doing across the globe. They have successfully completed the highly awaited Dining Sala, in their continued efforts of Learning, Laughing, and Loving in a small village Pattaya, Thailand. They had a wonderful dedication, for you can read more about the dedication and celebration here.

I personally admire their efforts! Their mission is simple, to learn, laugh, and love! The world can be a dark and muddled place of hopelessness and despair, people need love! A few months back, we (Kalos) helped 3L add some additional giving and donation functionality to their site. Now, you too can get involved and join them in their mission to make a difference in that special village across the globe. We are truly blessed here in our country, for the pictures tell the story of their living conditions and their plight. I urge everybody who reads this to go peruse their site and learn more of the work they do. Give in gifts or make a donation and come alongside them in their journey of love! I personally know Pam and Ashley and they doing A tremendous work over there in Pattaya. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Well, it has been nearly six-months since Starbuck’s Coffee Company implemented their re-branding and celebrated their fortieth-anniversary. Thus, as the changeover throughout their stores is underway, the stylish new Starbucks-Green-Siren makes it’s debut, by way of new signage, cups, print-collateral, and other marketing materials. Yes, after forty years of revolutionizing the coffee industry, and even creating their own vernacular and ethos, the Starbuck’s logo has reached new and epic status, lending to a stand-alone logo without the needed copy for name recognition. Pepsi, Apple, AT&T and Nike are some of the immediate brands that come-to-mind, that encompass this same quality.  While somewhat understated in it’s communication, the Starbuck’s Siren was originally borrowed from a well know literary piece you might of heard of, Moby Dick!

While some may find the re-brand or brand-update unnecessary, design geeks and branding folks like us, find it interesting and rather refreshing. Looking at the various iterations of their logo over the last forty-years, they have created a heritage of updating as trends change, along with the needs and vision of the company. Thus, from a design, marketing, and business perspective, it seems to make sense. You can read more about it here, if you did not see the initial online announcement from Starbucks!

So as you all wait in line in the morning at your local Starbucks, via drive-through or herd-like-cattle in their dining area in for your stylish cup-o-joe, what is the consensus regarding the new look? We would love to hear from you! Join in the conversation below and leave a comment.  It seems everybody has an opinion about Starbucks and we’re curious if you have found the new look as refreshing as we have.

“FOR COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS AND DESIGN NERDS LIKE ME, THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME. WATCHING THE REACTION TO ANY NEW LOGO IS FASCINATING, BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN HOLD SUCH PASSIONATE ATTACHMENTS TO THESE MARKS. THE COMMENTS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND BLOG POSTS WERE DECIDEDLY MIXED – SOME OF YOU DON’T LIKE THE NEW LOOK AT ALL, SOME OF YOU THINK YOU’LL LOVE IT ONCE YOU GET USED TO IT.”

—Thomas P. / Interactive Content Manager / Starbucks

I’m super-excited to get an early look the new Adobe Edge software, currently in public preview and is a complimenary download on Adobe Labs. Adobe Edge is a new motion and interactive design tool currently in production that renders content to HTM5, CSS3, and Java Script. With HTML5 as the newly approved web standard for your markup, Edge is a promising tool for us Flashers (NOTE: “Flashers” are Adobe flash users, not to be confused with other types of flashing).

Like Adobe Flash, designers will again be able to have an art-board and a timeline to produce stunning animation and dazzling effects to your website or interface. Thus, Edge will help provide the needed “bling” to add that needed element of professionalism and coolness that will separate you from your competition.  So go ahead, click the link below and check-it-out for yourself.  It will be interesting to see how this new tool evolves and will change the web.  HTML5, CSS3, and Java Script are a promising team and quickly emerging as the new industry standard.

“EDGE IS IDEAL FOR VISUAL, WEB AND INTERACTION DESIGNERS WHO WANT TO ENERGIZE THEIR CONTENT FOR THE WEB WITH MOVEMENT AND TRANSITIONS. EDGE PREVIEW ONE FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON ANIMATION AND MOTION, WITH UPCOMING PREVIEWS FEATURING ADDITIONAL CREATIVE CAPABILITIES AND FUNCTIONALITY.”

ACCORDING TO ADOBE THE SOFTWARE WILL DO THE FOLLOWING:

• Create new compositions with Edge’s drawing and text tools.
• Import popular web graphics such as SVG, PNG, JPG or GIF files.
• Easily choreograph animation with the timeline editor. Animate position, size, color, shape, rotation and more at the property level.
• Energize existing HTML files with motion, while preserving the integrity of CSS-based HTML layouts.
• Copy and paste transitions, invert them, and choose from over 25 built-in easing effects for added creativity.

THE PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT CUP!

Kalos Interactive Design is proud to announce the coming of a new site for the Press Coffee Company, right here in the heart of Belmar! The site will feature some nice bells & whistles, as well as all the useful information you would expect to find. To help communicate their story, the home-page will include an interactive collage, featuring some detail Hipstamatic shots from yours truly, here at Kalos Interactive. Below is a sampling of some of the imagery shot for the project. We expect to launch this project here in the late summer, so stay-tuned for more to come. Go-ahead, stop in and treat yourself to a cup-of-joe!

*All Images © Copyright 2011 Steve Trujillo.  All Rights Reserved.

We are very proud to announce our latest project launch for Styleworks, an award winning interior design practice located here in Denver, Colorado. Styleworks focuses on creating inviting interiors for the commercial, multi-housing, hospitality and residential markets. They are professional and very pleasant to work with and have a straight forward approach to interior design.

Utilizing typography, vivid color, full-screen imagery, and a very thoughtful minimalism, the new site carefully communicates their company ideals and attention to detail, where everything is well intentioned in just the right place. Design, vibrant colors and drawing are some reoccurring themes discussed throughout the project, and played a significant role in it’s realization, with the colorfully interesting line-drawing on the site landing illustrating just that. Throughout the design process, we collaborated with them to create a site that is true to their branding/identity and their ideals of design, professionalism and integrity.

The site embodies some very cool elements through the use of some slick coding and is simple to navigate and find your way around. Styleworks creatively utilizes one of their project blueprints to visually and effectively communicate their unique design process. Their portfolio is simple and easy to use, presenting their work in pictures, moreover suggesting their capabilities and kinds of projects they take on.  They are unique in that they also create useful and stunning marketing instruments for their industry.

This site was a fun collaboration and exemplifies our philosophy of coming along-side a client and translating their vision and company into a beautifully-crafted web experience. We invite you to peruse their site and learn more.

visit site : : styleworks.us

Kalos Interactive Design is proud to announce the launch of the new avenue:two design website. Avenue:two design is the remarkable handy-work of Jeff Faine, a talented furniture designer from Iowa, currently residing in Denver, Colorado. He is LEED certified and strives for the perfect balance of design and utility. Jeff’s stringent work philosophy promotes his strong work ethic. He says, “Many of my design and construction philosophies can be attributed to watching and working with my father for many years. Whether it be framing an addition to the house, landscaping the backyard, or plumbing a new sink, there was always a sense of pride and integrity instilled into every project. The ‘do it right, or don’t do it at all’ mentality my father portrayed is the foundation for each piece I create.”

I’ve structured my business around innovative designs that are focused on clean aesthetics and maximum functionality. Oftentimes products are designed in a manner in which one of these factors is sacrificed, or neither are present. I believe aesthetics and functionality are not mutually exclusive.

Jeff’s furniture designs are equally as impressive as his work ethic. His designs are “innovative designs that are focused on clean aesthetics and maximum functionality.” Each piece is intentionally unique and personally hand-crafted to the highest standards. His designs have been recognized and featured in the 2010 Parade of Homes (see the American Dream starting on page 26) this past August. Give his new site a visit and drop him a line on his blog, integrated into the new site.

The site is effectually consistent with the clean red avenue:two design branding and mantra of “Clean Aesthetics & Maximum Functionality”. Thus, utilizing a clean full-screen layout with the navigation, footer and logo properly anchored to their respective places in the browser, allowing for a maximum viewing area and a strong image presentation.  The site is another Kalos Interactive example of an HTML/CSS/Java Script site that is search-engine friendly and non Flash, however still utilizing some motion, full screen imagery and clean layout often only realized using Adobe Flash.  One of the objectives for the site was to create an appealing and sleek design-forward site utilizing clean navigation, thematic full-screen imagery, and some nice little Java Script extras, providing a clean and sophisticated user experience.

view site :: avenuetwo-design.com

Through XHTML, Java Script, Ajax, some fancy scripting, a little pixel pushing, and a magic wand, we patiently nurtured our concept into reality. The sexy one page design is deceptively complex, offering the user a simple interface with sleek movement to easily get where you need to go. We load some content dynamically in an orderly fashion that is well though-through, purposeful, and clean. This allows for maximum site content, that is organized and purposeful. Much planning and forethought went into the architecture and design of the site, allowing for everything to have a home and a purpose, and simply not allowing some features or elements to be an afterthought that is just out-of-place.

Here at Kalos Interactive, we believe that websites should be clean and clutter-free with simple navigation, so the user can have a positive experience, able to find just what they are looking for and hopefully, even enjoy the experience along the way. On this site, overtly obvious navigation and a sleek search feature is first and foremost always just where you want it, namely right in front of you. Luscious imagery is another value of ours and pictures are indeed worth a thousand words! On all our sites, we strive to use vivid imagery and photography.

We listened to you, the user, thus the site also includes a myriad of new features from social networking buttons, product brand icons & links, a job application, the unique store history (since 1955), press & awards, a new robust products section (in which you can zoom-in and almost feel the bike in your hands), fancy deep-linking, a JS share feature, a built-in blog, directions and a map, a slick active search feature, and some fancy motion. Spend some time perusing the new bike you are after, read their blog, learn about who they are, or just get directions, so you can go-ahead and give them a visit!

view site : : littletoncyclery.com  |  awarded : : coolhomepages.com

Kalos is so excited to launch some awesome new features to the Delicate Soles website. Delicate Soles is one of our coolest new clients, providing an adorable alternative to the high-heeled wearing community. It’s a one-stop shop for roll up ballet flats, where you’re one click away from toe relief.

We’ve created a much-improved, streamlined shopping experience for the Delicate Sole consumers. It literally takes just five clicks to enter the PayPal site to pay for your new footwear. It’s a no fuss checkout with four colors (Onyx, Pixie Dust, Lipstick Red, and Starlight Silver) and three sizes. At $19.99 a pair, including shipping, you might need to get one of each!

The imagery on the site is new and improved with a gallery to showcase the unique rollable flats. We also added a brand new “News” section for quick updates on what’s happening at Delicate Soles. The new social media buttons make it easy for fans to check out what’s happening online at Facebook and Twitter.

Last, but certainly not least, the site’s new jam is a Summer Mix, created by the resident DJ. So stop by and see all the new design changes, buy a pair of shoes, or just groove to the sound bytes.

view site : : delicatesoles.com

Endowed with the prestigious title of “Diplomat of the American Board of Endodontics,” Dr. Paul Anstey carefully cultivates his distinctive endodontic and implant specialty practice in Beverly Hills, California. This honor is afforded to only fifteen-percent of Endodontists in the United States. Dr. Anstey commissioned Kalos Interactive to design and develop a website which illustrates and personifies the particular ethos of their unique practice.

Sensitive to the needs of his patients, Dr. Anstey has created a peaceful environment, with a calming aesthetic appeal. According to Dr. Anstey, “The cornerstone of our practice is the surgical microscope. This tool is what sets the standard for excellence and it is the surgical microscope that enables us to achieve results never before seen in the field of endodontics,” which conveys his zeal and vigor regarding cutting-edge technological advances in his field, manifesting itself in the ability to treat previously untreatable conditions. In the initial planning of the project, words such as “spa-like”, “technology”, “medical”, “zen-like”, “clean”, and “subtle reflections of our office” were predominant and frequent expressions in our discussions. Thus, our undertaking is to provide a perfectly harmonious balance of these very expressions, representing the very essence of his practice, embodied in a website.

Synthesizing clean minimalistic typography, as illustrated in their logo and branding, against the rich color and texture revealed in the decor or their walls, furniture and dazzling South African Artifacts, strategically placed throughout their practice is the goal. From an art direction, we have two very distinct styles to to integrate into the site. Besides this particular juxtaposition, Dr. Anstey expressed intently that he wants to convey two aspects, which are namely the “spa & zen like environment they have to offer” and the “technological” aspects of his practice; two aspects you wouldn’t necessarily expect to go together. Thus, our objective is to realize an appropriate and creative design direction that fully utilizes the power of imagery, typography, color, texture and other design elements, given that these juxtaposed styles are seemingly opposed to one another.

On a more technical note, the site will have some very cool elements, including Papervision 3D Navigation, sensational imagery, sleek and functional JS/AJAX forms and more. The technologies & site architecture will provide a phenomenal user experience uniquely distinct from his field. Thus,we continually strive to achieve our objectives. One of Dr. Anstey’s most fond quotes by Edward Simmons is, “The difference between failure and success is doing a thing nearly right and doing a thing exactly right.” We will let you decide if we indeed attain our lofty goals of success, for the site is scheduled to launch late this Spring.

*below is a preview of the site imagery shot by Todd Langley.

Delicate Soles are the ultra-portable, ultra-fashionable solution to agonizing high heel shoes.  As the owner, Quinn Martinez, puts it, “Delicate Soles fit in your purse, and in your lifestyle.  You simply grab your favorite tote, roll your delicate soles, and go have some fun.”

Quinn is a repeat customer of Kalos Interactive Design [learn more here], so when he approached me with the Delicate Soles concept I was eager and excited to help him turn his vision into reality.  Over the last few months I helped Quinn create and exciting new branding identity,  organize a photo shoot, and create a captivating interactive site that uniquely suits his target market.

Some of the innovative goodies on the Delicate Soles site include: Papervision 3D effects, stunning imagery, and a cutting edge Adobe Flash audio visualizer.

For those of you that know me, you know that I want to leave the world a little better than I found it.  That’s why I want to point out that Quinn, and his wife Jessica, feel the same way.  Delicate Soles will donate a portion of all sales to Share Your Soles. This wonderful charity provides shoes to children in some of the worlds most impoverished countries.  So please walk responsibility and give your feet some love!  Delicate Soles will be available very soon, stay tuned for more!

HIGH HEELS + SORE TOES = DELICATE SOLES

It’s that time of year again!  Time to grab your camera, bundle up, head up the hill, build a handsome and corpulent snowman, and take pictures of him for the day.  What a fun project! I’m sure he must have been absolutely delightful to work with (and I must admit, i’m slightly jealous)!

Todd Langley and his photography have been an inspiration to me for a number of years now.  Langley and I have worked together on numerous projects including photography and motion over the past few years.  Poised with a notable balance of  sarcastic Langley humor and impeccable professionalism, Todd is exceptional to work with and very cordial. I believe one of the key elements to a good website and other design collateral is good imagery.  This principle has become a staple here at Kalos Interactive and Todd is able to help that become a reality.  He typically shoots lifestyle, fashion, and sport photography and has been shooting for over twenty years.  Check out the link to his website and some of my favorites shots below.

view site : : toddlangley.com

We believe in innovation. We believe that design and functionality are not mutually exclusive, especially when contextualized in the world of interactive design and the internet.  We believe that the internet should be a beautiful place.  We believe details are significant.  We believe in listening, trust, and honesty. After-all, Kalos means ‘good’, both in an aesthetic and a moral sense. ‘Kalos’ embraces our company philosophy, our aspirations for design, and how we do business. Kalos Interactive Design is a multi-disciplinary, creative and interactive studio, offering interactive design and art direction with an emphasis on aesthetics, creative ideas and communication goals with a high attention to detail. We are *Innovation.

We would love to listen to your vision and see what innovative possibilities we have to offer. Contact us today!

The groovy new Littleton Cyclery site is now in development.  If you have not seen their current site you can link and read about it in great detail here.  Our vision and objectives for this project are to create an innovative, highly functional and informative site, while preserving a longstanding tradition of creativity and motion, deviating from the typical bike-shop website you might expect. In addition, this objective will be achieved NOT utilizing Adobe Flash, with the exception of the fabulous and highly anticipated service staff bobble heads.  Who needs Flash to create a hip site anyway?  The site will also remain faithful to the cleanness and simplicity of the Littleton Cyclery brand, which we conceived and helped bring into fruition a few years back.

The technologies & site architecture will provide improved search engine optimization and usability, yet yielding motion and coolness that one might come to expect from a rich internet application and Littleton Cyclery. The site will feature a sleek Java Script/CSS slider interface with lots of new functionality and goodies!  In addition to the bobble heads, noteworthy items include an integrated blog, Google Map integration & store directions, extensive product information, store history, simple & sexy navigation, and some great imagery.  The site is scheduled to launch in the late Winter or early Spring of 2010.