Design Rangers Camp Blog

How many people have been to an amusement park? Any one will do… From hometown favorites to the Six-Flags giants, these parks bring back memories of excitement and adventure (and perhaps a bit of queasiness). Young or old, everyone can recall their favorite ride or attraction and how it made them feel. The adrenaline rush that fuels the giddy laughter. The taste of cotton candy or an ice cream cone on a Summer day.

The rides, the rush, the ice cream, it’s all been crafted to take you to another world. Every detail has been thought through and any deviation from the theme can change the experience. Design plays a large role, from the art-deco signs at Lakeside Amusements in Denver to the alternate reality that is Disney, the look helps create the world you’ll be living in for that day.

It’s these images and memories that helped inspire the logo for the Cave of the Winds’ newest attraction, the Wind Walker Challenge Course. The Wind Walker, a ropes course that will let participants traverse and dangle precariously (but safely) out over the floor of  Williams Canyon is sure to attract thrill-seekers and cave-dwellers alike. Opening in Summer 2011, the Wind Walker needed a design that captured the experience while extending the sense discovery and exploration present in the rest of the property.

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A few months ago we attended an American Advertising Federation / Colorado Springs luncheon where Justin Ahrens, the Principal of Rule 29, spoke to a packed house about life kearning aka balancing a busy creative life. Justin told many touching stories and at one point had most of the room in tears.

One tip Justin presented was about service, quoting from his life kearning blog post…  “Serving: Do you want to change the way you run your life, your firm, and your perspective on the world? Then start to serve. Not just with your work, but with your time and your team. Even if you are a team of one. I guarantee your life will be better for it.”

We took Justin’s advice to heart and started to actively look for a non-profit who’s mission was close to our hearts and needed our creative help. (more…)

On October 19th, we had the pleasure of attending the AAF of Colorado Springs’ October luncheon featuring John Matejczyk of MUH•TAY•KIK|HOF*FER. John is “known as a rare advertising creative who understands how to unleash creativity on a business problem. He re-launched Boost Moblie, guided Snickers, Starburst and Skittles. He was also among the most highly awarded creatives while a part of Goodby, Sliverstein & Partners, producing work for HP, Netflix, Budweiser, and “got milk?”

John came to the Springs to talk to us about adverting – focusing on how everything has changed, and how nothing has changed. Old Media, New Media – the same rules still apply.

1. Great work can come from anywhere
2. On serious issues, rather than using scare tactics – make them giggle.
3. Give the viewer something that inspires them – makes them think, or laugh, or feel inspired. (more…)

On September 14th, we had the pleasure of attending the American Advertising Federation of Colorado Springs‘ first luncheon of the season featuring John Crilly of Brand Innovation Group (BIG). John came all the way from Fort Wayne, Indiana to talk to a room filled with AAF members and guests about Guerilla marketing.

John gave an entertaining, informative talk about guerilla marketing (GM) – which essentially means finding creative ways to tell a clients unique story. GM enhances traditional marketing and is a unique way to tell a message – most often an attention grabbing, emotion evoking, creative supplement to the standard client billboard, brochure, and advertisement. (more…)