Save Darfur - Juan Roberts

Once in a while I get the chance to work on a project that makes a difference in the lives of people beyond the basic purchase exchange. This is one of those assignments.

I got a call from my friend and client, Yvonne White, to work with her on the launch of a new Signature Candle Line, CONNECTION, for a non-profit, Save Darfur Coalition.

We quickly had multiple conference calls to dispense with introductions with the clients in DC, outlining the scope of work and refining the concept that Save Darfur was seeking to propagate ... on the planet.

Yvonne, the brilliant designer and creative force that she is, was her usual whirlwind of activity -- she drew me into her process and I began designing brand materials, contributing to product naming, developing messaging for her exotic candle fragrances, designing jewelry, product packaging and photographing it all.

On the formal marcom side, I developed a 5 page microsite, a 36 scene slide show, an e-Save the Date and two separate e-invites + follow-up e-advertorials. The brand was launched on October 15, 2009 to a power-event with a purpose, at the JEXY showroom on Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA.

It was an evening full of sincerely concerned individuals that hung out and fellowshipped and purchased a ton of product. Save Darfur President, Jerry Fowler [and his team], warmly greeted and co-hosted everyone. Their special guest was Niemat Ahmadi, who told the story of how she escaped Darfur with her life and still fights for a resolution to the tragedies that the people of Darfur suffer everyday, especially women and children. I gotta tell you that I had a ball at the event, just watching people enjoy the purposeful creativity and engaging setting. It is hard to describe the feeling of knowing that actual lives are being uplifted as a result my work. 'Humbling' might begin to share what I feel about the Save Darfur movement.


Background: I admit, I have never heard of them specifically, but have passively been aware of a distant African area of tragedy called Darfur. I saw Don Cheadle and other celebs passionately talking about it, but had no idea that the region of Africa would impact my life as it has. I will never be the same.

Event Photo Credit: Teal Moss

SoHo Grand Hotel by Juan Roberts

Besides being one of my favorite hotels on the planet, Soho Grand is a great visual brand. I've stayed there many times and each time I find new little details that increase the cool of the spot.

This assignment came from a boutique firm that likes my work. They didn't give me much more information about the project, other than they wanted a unique perspective. I pulled the images from my personal photo library to create a quasi rustic motif of the ultra modern industrial tone of the hotel.

That's all about the project, but take a look at some of these tasty images of the hotel. SoHo Grand is located off of Canal Street, seconds from some fantastic restaurants, top fashion boutiques, Chinatown, an amazing Brazilian bistro a block away, one of the classic lower Mahattan subway entrances that has been seen in movies + is has a corner store deli directly across the street for almost any late night junk food 'need' you have -- Chinese, fried wings, Snickers, Baklava, etc.







Secret: the bar this is the spot is legendary and it's where puffy hid out while the jury was deliberating his case. I was there.

Homepage Design by Juan Roberts

I am doing more and more of the homepage designs for the clients these days. It's fun.

Yvonne White has been a client for a few years and I have watched her grow from balancing Hollywood premiers and a small product showroom to the stars. She worked her micro showroom inside of another business to now taking on a partner, Juliannah Richmond, and expanding into an Abbot Kinney location with online sales ... Bravo!

The home page is a reflection of perseverance and vision. We have completely revamped where she was online to this new design. Some have actually described it as "gorgeous" or "tasty" -- I like both. LOL.

The homepage design is only part of a complete brand overhaul. Elements of the brand reinvention are a 90 page deep website, including product and portrait photography, message development, copywriting, marketing and consulting on the retail location. Whew. The company now has a new name, JEXY™. It is the personification of ECO SEXY LIVING™. They focus on super high-quality, green friendly, exotic custom furniture, candles and unique entertainment & gift items. Their commitment to using American artisans and craftspeople as much as possible is amazing to watch.

This new home of The Yvonne E. White Collection is destined to explode in Venice California and around the world. She has innovated her world in 6 months ... in this economy! Yvonne's story is inspiring and I am happy to be a part of her enthusiasm for life.

Spoken Word eFlyer by Juan Roberts

These are a few pieces done for a local arts organization. You know the scenario -- limited to no funds and big needs. I have been contributing to Laity efforts for almost a year, but with not many results.

The SLAM promos were fun. I used a collection of borrowed images to create muted dramatic imagery. I took the photos, modified them with textures and color to provide a visual palette for very straight forward text. They wanted to convey a lot of information -- a lot, but I found a way to capture the tone of the event, give significant space to the title and the features of the event.

The image in the promo on the left was never approved by the talent, so it was never saw the light of day ... until now ... I like the piece. A series of 4 were completed in 1 day. When I have freedom to create what I want, things move rapidly.

The promos were used virally. Not sure of it really caught on. I went to a couple of the SLAM events. Turns out that the promos were actually better than the actual product -- it happens. Such is the life of a non-profit and volunteering. 

C'est la vie

THE STEPHENS GROUP - JUAN ROBERTS

Kimberly Stephens is a friend and a client. She is a veteran in the entertainment industry with anenviable Hollywood Rolodex.

I have consulted with her from time to time over the years and as we have both ventured into the Hollywood marketplace as independents, we have encouraged each other.

Recently, I got a call to develop some brand materials for her new company, The Stephens Group (TSG). She wanted a austere, elegant design that reflected classic professional etiquette. Thankfully, she came with a firm color selection, a temp layout from a local printer, a candid photo of herself and a peculiar square design direction ... hmmmm.

With those elements, I applied my creative direction of using vintage iconography against this dramatic TSG red. Her color sense is gorgeous + she supplied a series of written items about her company and the brand system was completed in a week or so.

I developed a logo, stationary system, brochure post card and poster. The latter two elements were for her new concierge service at the freshly opened luxury Bedford Group development in the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles.

I have not seen any of the printed pieces, but the reports have been in the RAVE category. (smile)

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Kimberly Y. Stephens

THE STEPHENS GROUP

Event Planning • Marketing • Consulting

KimStephensK@aol.com

323 376-9434

About Kimberly Stephens
Kimberly has spent over 18 years working in entertainment. Her long time experiences in music, film and television led her to merge her vast contacts and marketing skills with her passion to create smart lifestyle experiences. Some of her connections include: Releve Entertainment, Nickelodeon, EMI Records, Disney, Sony/Screen Gems, Rainforest Films, Interscope Records, KJLH 102.3 FM, Zomba, World of Wonder, BET, Radio One, Embrace The Change Tour (Senator Barack Obama), John Singleton, Bill Duke ,The City of Refuge Church, Queens Cover Girl Collection ,The City of Inglewood, Noel Jones Ministries, Black Enterprise Magazine, Moet and Henessy, Courvosier, Diann Valentin & Associates, IDesigns Productions, The YWCA GLA, The Los Angeles Unified School District, Culver City Parks and Recreations and more.

Brian Culbertson Event Poster

I got an IM from a special friend of mine in Chicago, Deidre McGraw. She is working on one of her boy's events, jazz great Brian Culbertson "Master Music Class." She asked me to hook her up with a little something to promote the event ... of course I did this design that was converted into a mini-poster and a eblast promo.

So, Brian does these classes around the country and involves the local high school students -- I love that. This event is being coordinated with a few socially aware groups in the Windy City and even the inimitable DuSable Museum is hosting.

We worked on it a couple of days and went through the traditional tweaks of names clarification and such. We were about to let it go, but then management hit us with a picture change. I have done this a thousand times over the years so no biggie. We had to use the image that is currently being used to promote Brain internationally, so we dropped in the new pic (to the left), made the necessary graphic adjustments and Bam! It was a wrap. (I preferred the original design above better)

I hope the event touches the kids and the adults attending get something they can use positively in their lives.

Deidre is my girl from the D, Detroit. She is as intelligent and talented as she is beautiful. I had the pleasure of directing her for numerous radio campaigns back in the day, so the everyone got to listen to her sultry sophisticated vocal stylings. Her heart is still big. As long as I have known her she has concerned herself with other people and how they are making it in the world. This project is just another example of how she rolls.

Love ya D.

YEWC - Green Initiative

Click on image to see larger size.

I just completed a set of materials for The Yvonne E. White Collection. She is the owner of an exotic furnishing company here in Los Angeles. One of her top product lines is candles. Not just any candles however, Yvonne has perfected a series of designer candles that celebrities, dignitaries and even corporate giants all seek out.

She is brilliant. Her perspective on style and design is unique and her candles speak to it. This document details the benefits of her SOY candles. Her American made, chemical free, longer burning candles are designed in amazing expressions of creativity.

As the planet's health declines, Yvonne continues to believe that every green effort should be engaged in business as well as personal living. Stop by her site or her showroom and you will see what I am talking about. Bamboo furniture, hand made fixtures, solid brass and non-toxic treated leathers, reusable glass containers and lots more. Yvonne is pioneering the convergence of style, quality and sustainability. The place is amazing. Her stuff is amazing. She is amazing. Meet her for yourself.


Backstory
I met Yvonne when doing the Red Carpet event for TD Jakes' "Woman Thou Art Loosed" at the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Subsequent to the event, we connected and I have consulted for her ever since. She transitioned into designing her extensive lines a couple of years ago and now fulfills orders globally and does custom orders for Hollywood's elite.