“You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

Steve Jobs
1955-2011

We are really excited to announce a new website for Squid and Beard. Honestly, we love it. And we think you will too. Please take some time and explore what we hope to be a comfortable and easily navigable site for everyone. The process of getting here has been a lot of fun for us as we explored what we wanted to say with our web presence and this public face of the company. Earlier this summer while looking to rebrand and redesign, we had a few immediate goals in mind:

1) Be honest about ourselves in both content and aesthetic
2) Convey our work and goals in a manner that is accessible to everyone
3) Be engaged in a way that will invite people to return for more

We believe that all three goals were hit right on the mark. We love the aesthetic and ability to learn about our content and services in an easy way. And with our blog being updated regularly and our Twitter stream running at the top of the site, we hope that everyone will keep coming back to check in on us (plus, we still have more to come with our portfolio!).

At the end of the day, a website can often be overlooked as to what all went into the design and process of creation. And in many ways, that is a good thing. A site should flow naturally and not require a lot of overthinking or examination. We hope that comfort remains the case with squidandbeard.com from here on out. But we also want to express that this is a site which we really believe captures an essence of who we are. JJ lead the charge along with some great design insight from our friend, Andrew Centofante (he made our new logo). We are proud of the work and of the whole team’s contributions towards this new online space. It is good to be home.

So without any further ado, take a look around and enjoy!

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Kickstarter video for Greg Kelly’s illustration project, Pigeon. Kickstarter is great resource for fundraising and outreach with a new project that we love helping people use. See more on this project here.

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One of the great things about building a business around relationships and community is that we get to be a part of so much more than just making a product. As we work with clients to help them understand what their needs are and how our vision and their vision can come together, we find that we grow to know and care about so much more than a singular project. And so often we leave with not only a product that really matters but with a great friendship too.

This is a model that we did not particularly strategize about but rather came naturally to us. We love working with friends. And so, we become friends with our clients. Of course, we strongly believe in a professional relationship that allows for proper communication and understanding about service. But we also cannot help finding a connection as we look to make a product that is driven to communicate honestly about the work our clients are pursuing. It just flows from what we do.

Art, business and community do not have to live in a state of disconnect. In fact, we believe these things are meant to exist together. Again and again, we see that the most vibrant models of success come when these three elements are all joined in harmony. And at Squid and Beard, our work exists as a tool for making those connections happen.

As said, this is a model that came naturally to us. But, it has also been found through the guidance of some insightful clients/friends/artists. High up on that list is our great friend, Greg Kelly. A mentor, a client, a friend, an artist, an activist, a patron…Greg covers the whole spectrum. He has served as a perfect example for us about how the new model looks for business today. Greg has been a great teacher and encouragement for us and we are very grateful.

For those who do not know, Greg Kelly is the executive director of The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative in Charlottesville, Virginia. He works as an advocate for artist of all types and works hard to see how art and community can shape each other for the good of humanity and the world around us. He has extraordinary vision with his work and is one of those amazing people who can help take a barely formed concept and turn it into reality. Any of his friends can tell you that he works tirelessly to see artists and communities realize their potential. And we can certainly testify to that.

So now, we have a chance to champion this man who has committed his life to champion others. Greg has created an illustration project called Pigeon. It is honest, challenging, charming, odd, beautiful, subtle, in your face and full of potential. And it is our belief that you should support Greg in this work. You will not regret it.

Go to his Kickstarter project and take a look at what he is doing. And consider donating to this cause. In fact, don’t even consider…just go ahead and donate blindly. You’re good faith will see reward.

See the project here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1067756127/pigeon

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Time-lapsed animation video used for marketing and educational purposes by the Center for a New American Dream. Illustrated by Anthony Maughan. Narrated by economist and best-selling author, Juliet Schor.

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This trailer for the series, Making Good, features just a few of the many people that have shared their stories with Squid and Beard. Make certain to check regularly for updates and new episodes.