Featured employee: Kurt Matthews

Since we created the JK Design blog last year, it has served as a great source of  information about our company and the work we do.

While it’s always exciting to spotlight our best projects, we recently realized we were overlooking something: the important role our incredible employees play in making every project a success.

At JK Design we have more than 45 employees in a variety of positions – and we also have plenty of stories to tell about them. This new blog series will highlight some of the most interesting ones.

We’re kicking this new series off with Kurt Matthews, one of our account executives. JK Design’s blogmaster, Omar Joseph, sat down with Kurt to discuss his unique experience at JK Design. (more…)

JK Design Honored with 2011 Gold Hermes Creative Award and Bronze Telly Award

Leading NJ/NYC print/web/video design firm wins two international creative competitions

Hillsborough, N.J., July 5, 2011 – Leading New Jersey/New York City creative services firm JK Design has been awarded a 2011 Gold Hermes Creative Award by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) out of over 5,000 entries. In a separate competition, the agency was selected from more than 11,000 competitors to receive a 2011 Bronze Telly Award.

JK Design’s winning Gold Hermes entry, the “Formula for Success” brochure, was created for GROM Associates, a global business consulting firm providing strategy consulting, SAP integration, and enterprise data management services. The brochure reflects the brand position, messaging, and creative platform developed by JK Design as part of comprehensive branding and marketing project, which also includes GROM’s website, trade show graphics, and other collateral. The winning brochure can be viewed at http://www.jkdesign.com/work/portfolio/grom-brand-identity.

JK Design’s creative team earned a Bronze Telly for their video entry, “Avaya ACE Overview,” which combined clever graphic animation and simple text and icons to bring the ACE story to life in a clear and entertaining way. The video was created for Avaya, a global provider of business collaboration and communications solutions. It can be viewed at http://www.jkdesign.com/work/portfolio/avaya-ace.

“These awards honor the talent of our creative team and the strength of our branding and marketing strategy,” said Jerry Kaulius, president of JK Design. “It’s extremely rewarding to be recognized for both the high quality of our work and the customized approach we take for each and every project – a combination that has enabled us to consistently deliver successful results for our clients for over 25 years.”

The annual Hermes Creative Awards honor excellence and recognize the creativity, hard work, and generosity of marketing and communication professionals.

Established in 1978, the annual Telly Awards honor the best television commercials and programs, video and film productions, and work created for the Web in the US and around the world.

About JK Design

In business for over 25 years, JK Design is a creative services agency specializing in strategy and branding, print, web, mobile, interactive, and video projects. Recent honors include two Telly awards, a Communicator award, a MarCom Platinum award, and a Gold Hermes Creative Award. The agency provides a wide range of innovative design, advertising, and marketing services, including: Web design and development, iPad and mobile app development, branding, logos, email marketing, multimedia and video animation and production, marketing strategies, advertising, corporate collateral design and production, exhibit graphics, packaging and Internet-based virtual tradeshows. For more information: 908-428-4700 (NJ), 646-794-4180 (NYC), or http://www.jkdesign.com.

For more information about the Hermes Creative Awards: http://www.hermesawards.com.

For more information about the Telly Awards: http://www.tellyawards.com.

JK Design Announces New On-site Solar Electric System
Creative services agency goes ‘off the grid’ with renewable energy installation

Hillsborough, N.J., June 29, 2011 – JK Design , a leading NJ/NYC creative services agency, has announced the installation of a solar power system at their historic headquarters location. The tilting, ground-mounted array of 87 solar panels now provides 20,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy each year – enough to meet much of the agency’s electrical needs and at times provide a surplus which flows back into the public grid.

The system was designed and built by Solar Connections , which provides solar-panel technology throughout New Jersey. It is already generating enough electricity to earn up to 20 Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) annually through the state’s Clean Energy Program. The credits will provide revenue for 15 years and help to offset the costs of the installation.

“This project is a fitting way to mark 25 years in business – and renew our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility,” said Jerry Kaulius, founder and president of JK Design. “We hope that this project will inspire others to seek out new ways to reduce their energy bills and support the use of sustainable energy sources.”

Planning for the 21,000-watt green energy system began in 2009. Because of the unique nature of the installation, involving a ground-mounted array rather than a more common roof-mounted system, JK Design owners Jerry and Barbara Kaulius obtained a waiver from the Hillsborough Township Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The project was completed with support from New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, which provides financial incentives and assistance for clean, renewable energy projects in the state. To date, the program has supported more than 7,500 solar electric installations generating over 234,000 kilowatts of energy.

“JK Design has recognized that solar is the right thing to do from both a financial and environmental perspective,” said Andrew M. Cozzi, president of Solar Connections. “Jerry and Barbara wanted to maximize the amount of electricity their system would produce while minimizing the impact on their historical property. The tilting, ground-mounted array accomplishes both goals.”

JK Design has also completed the conversion of an on-site carriage house into a full-service video studio. The new facility features a live vegetative roof, which provides natural insulation and reduces stormwater runoff; water-conserving low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilet; energy-efficient heating, cooling, and lighting systems; and renewable materials such as cork flooring and recycled grass fiber wall coverings.

The current green construction projects are the latest updates to JK Design’s headquarters in the Staats House, which dates to the 1800s. A 2006 restoration integrated vintage elements of the Grecian-style mansion with modern features such as a multimedia studio and conference rooms. The agency’s satellite office is located in midtown Manhattan, NY.

About JK Design
In business for over 25 years, JK Design is a creative services agency specializing in strategy and branding, print, Web, mobile, interactive, and video projects. Recent honors include two Telly awards, a Communicator award, a MarCom Platinum award, and a Gold Hermes Creative Award. The agency provides a wide range of innovative design, advertising, and marketing services, including: Web design and development, iPad and mobile app development, branding, logos, email marketing, multimedia and video animation and production, marketing strategies, advertising, corporate collateral design and production, exhibit graphics, packaging and Internet-based virtual tradeshows. For more information: 908-428-4700 (NJ), 646-794-4180 (NYC), or www.jkdesign.com .

About Solar Connections
Solar Connections LLC is an independently owned and operated commercial and residential solar installer located in Somerset, New Jersey. The company’s experienced solar specialists help customers lower their energy bills – and even earn money – with photovoltaic solar energy systems. Solar Connections handles each project from start to finish and works with leading industry vendors to ensure high quality every step of the way. For more information: 732-384-9506 or www.njsolarconnections.com .