k2forma-blog - Tumblr blog

[k2forma-blog]

Celebrate Your Independence!

It's good to be independent.  Celebrate your independence this July 4th and thank the men and women of the military who defend it every day.  Happy Fourth of July from k2forma, an independent creative agency.

[k2forma-blog]

Hatch Show Print Has Moved!

I stopped by Hatch Show Print this morning to check out their new digs in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and to say 'hi' to some old friends.  The space is amazing!  If you get the chance, stop by and say Hello to Jim & Celene.  There are lots of fun activities going on this weekend, don't miss 'em!  http://countrymusichalloffame.org/hatch-show-print-is-moving/

So many photos of this sign, now it has a new backdrop.

Congratulations, Celene!  You made it!!  Let the good times roll.

Stop by and check out the exhibit of work on display by Hatch and Jim Sherraden.

Look at that lineup of old style C&Ps.  Lovely! 

And last, but not least...JAIL!  I'm sure you're thinking, yes...bars are necessary to protect the history of Hatch housed in the HOF.  But then there are others who know the truth...some of those printers are crazy!

Congratulations on the new space and wishing you continued success for many years to come!

[k2forma-blog]

Nashville Wedding Planners Invitation

This handmade custom invitation was created for the Nashville Wedding Planners Group October meeting. The concept for the invitation was developed around love letters. 

The invitation was wrapped in chinese rice paper with an illustration of the Wren’s Nest barn and the text “every great love has a story”.  On the inside, the invitation read “it all begins with pencil and paper’ and we included a twig pencil. 

We used rustic elements such as hand cut hickory wood slabs to convey the feel of the barn. We combined letterpress with 2-color silkscreen printing and tied it all together with rough-hewn twine.

[k2forma-blog]

2013 Nashville Print Crawl Recap

About a month or two ago, Jen Knowles (from Platetone and Brown Dog Bindery) and I got together with this idea.  We wanted to hold an event that brought all the amazing printers here in Nashville together.  We came up with the idea of doing a 'progressive' or scavenger hunt, where folks could print their own posters.  We sat down with our other printer friends and started really fleshing out this idea. 

After some fun chat and a few beers, we had all worked out the event.  The theme was cars/race cars.  We spent the next few weeks putting everything in place; building a web site, making a map, designing and printing the poster template, promoting it to our friends, and so on.

It all paid off.  Last Thursday night, several hundred eager printers came out to play with us.  Folks lined up at Sawtooth Printhouse to pick up their poster template and make their first print.

After that, it was a free-for-all.  There were stops to be made at Isle of Printing and Platetone Printmaking.  Goldsmith Press was also set up at Platetone, so people could hit 2 stops in 1!

From there, folks made their way over to our studio, another 2-for-1 stop, with Ryan Nole of Kangaroo Press for the event. 

keeping the screen clean so you can get a good print

Once they had hit us, then most people walked over to Fort Houston to pull their final print at Grand Palace with Drew & Bingham.

And after it was all over, we had a big group of happy friends who had made their very own poster...along with a group of happy (and tired) printers.  Thanks for everyone who helped make this happen!  It was so much fun.  Look for us to do it again next year!

finished poster

finished printers (L to R; Kelly Koeppel, Ryan Nole, Drew Binkly, Bryce McCloud)

A special 'Thanks' goes to the Metro Nashville Arts Commission. Our event was a "Pop Up" event and part of their Artober celebration.  If you have an idea for an event for Artober next year, there are several ways to make it happen.  Click here to learn how!

[k2forma-blog]

2013 Print Crawl tonight!

[k2forma-blog]

Inside The Studio

Take a peek inside the studio at k2forma in Nashville, Tennessee. Surrounded by computers and letter presses and cameras, Kelly Koeppel talks through the process of creating the Metro Nashville Arts Commission's 'Artober' brand identity.

[k2forma-blog]

New Brand Identity for Artober Nashville

Today it was revealed, the new brand identity that we created for Metro Nashville Arts Commission and Artober Nashville! 

Artober Nashville is a month-long celebration of arts and culture in Nashville, designed to inform and inspire the community’s awareness of and participation in the array of activities in the month of October. 

The goal of Artober Nashville is for every Nashvillian to experience the arts during this annual month-long celebration.

Individual artists and groups can develop “pop-up” events, a one-time event that will deliver a cultural experience within a neighborhood or school or church during October. To learn more, visit www.artobernashville.com

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats 07.25.13

Happy Friday!  We're pretty excited here at k2forma.  Lots of really fun stuff going on.  We have a new video that will be released next week.  And we're in the middle of launching a new brand identity designed for the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.  Check it out, each day a new little piece is revealed.  And it will all be revealed next week, so stay tuned! 

Ok, so with all this 'art' stuff going on, I got to thinking about bands that were formed during art school.  And then I started thinking about bands that I listened to while I was in art school.  It may not be a comprehensive list, but it's pretty fun.  Enjoy this week's list!

This playlist courtesy of Spotify. ~Thank you!

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats 07.19.13

Welcome to Friday!  Welcome to the dog days of summer. Yuk. Ask yourself, "Do I have a reason to be in San Francisco this week?"  Yes you do!  Find a reason!  Those lucky folks have to suffer through July with sunny weather and highs in 70's.  I don't know how they do it, poor souls. 

This week's playlist is a scrambled mess, like all those damn eggs that are fried on the sidewalk during the five o'clock news to make a point we already know - it's friggin' hot!

[k2forma-blog]

FridayBeats 07.12.13

What do The Rolling Stones, Topher Grace, and Bill Cosby have in common?  They all started today.  No need to rush home and tune in to Entertainment Tonight, because you already have all the important entertainment-related news you need for today.  (you're welcome).

On this day in 1962, The Rolling Stones perform their first ever concert.  51 years ago.  Fifty One!  Not many bands ever make it that long, or half as long.  Let's face it, we were white knuckling it there for a while, Keith.  But the guys have made it this far!  Congrats.  This week's playlist is pulled from their first ever set list.

And how great is it that That 70's Show and The Cosby Show are connected by birth.  Keep that one in your back pocket for trivia night.

It's Friday, let's go!!  ~Enjoy

This playlist courtesy of Spotify and The Rolling Stones.  Thanks!

[k2forma-blog]

Smitten & Hooked Tattoo

When we originally set out to create the brand identity for Smitten & Hooked Photography, co-owner Steven Randall said "It better be good because I'm gettin it tattooed".

He made good on that promise a few weeks ago.  I think it looks rad. 

Check out some of their work Smitten & Hooked

Check out some of ours k2forma.com

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats 06.28.13

This has been an intense news week and issues of equality, civil rights, race and diversity are all at the forefront.  I'm not here to use this blog as a political soapbox.  While the problems of our nation are complex and deeply rooted, this week has been a great reminder that we have a system that allows the voices of many to be heard. This week has reminded us that significant social change can grow from even the most humble voices.

In this spirit of protest and desire for social change, this week's FridayBeats playlist features all forms of protest song.  Some are about war, some are about race, and some are about poverty.  All are a reminder that if you want change to occur, you can't sit around waiting for change to come to you.  You must make it happen.

This playlist courtesy of Spotify.

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats 06.21.13

This week's #FridayBeats comes from my friend Armando Bellmas.  Armando hosts a fantastic radio show in Charlotte called Ecléctico, so you know this is going to be great!  Check out Ecléctico every Weds from 6-8! I'll let Armando set it up...

The older I get, the more grateful I am for my Cuban roots. And while there isn't a single Cuban song on this playlist, what *is* there is a collection of rhythms and grooves that are descendants of long and rich Latin American heritage. It's a heritage that's as varied as the people who make the music, dance to it, tap their feet to it, and smile when the groove slinks down their spine. These are the sounds of the next generations, of traditions made new, and of culture blending and bending like we've never heard before.

  This playlist courtesy of Spotify and Armando Bellmas.  ~Thanks!

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats_06.14.14

This week's Friday Beats comes courtesy of Ben Dungan, or as some know him...Benny D!  He's brought us a playlist fit for the public pool, circa 1985.  Thanks for the songs, Ben!

Poolside Jams - (1984-87)

As a kid, I was never a big fan of school. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t exactly love it either. I guess you can say I tolerated it.

But this thing called work - it’s far worse than school ever was. At least school had a definitive beginning and end to it. There was always a first day and last day of school. Work is, well....never-ending.

But the worst thing about work is the fact that there is no such thing as a summer vacation anymore. Where else are you going to get eight uninterrupted weeks off? What happened to the days of staying up late, sleeping in, week-long beach trips, and of course, spending all day at pool.

Man, we didn’t realize how good we actually had it. We rarely do. We were too busy trying to grow up, get our driver’s license and see the world.

That’s what these tunes are for. To take you back to a simpler time. To remind you what life felt like before relationships, kids, stress, bills and full-time jobs with no summer vacations.

Don’t listen to those girls from Bananarama. Those cruel summers weren't so cruel after all...

  #1 Summer songs in 1984

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker, Jr. When Doves Cry - Price The Reflex - Duran Duran

#1 Summer songs in 1985

Shout - Tears For Fears Sususudio - Phil Collins Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young

#1 Summer songs in 1986

Invisible Touch - Genesis Glory of Love - Peter Cetera Papa Don’t Preach - Madonna

#1 Summer songs in 1987

I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston Alone - Heart I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2

This playlist courtesy of Spotify and Ben Dungan.  ~Thanks!

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats 06.07.13

Happy Friday!  Here we are again.  This week's list is a little bluesy with some burlesque thrown in.  Its true that musical styles are often crossing over into areas we tend to forget about, and this week's list has some yummy old burlesque tunes for you to shake your tits to.  ~Enjoy!

This playlist courtesy of Spotify and k2forma.

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats 05.31.13

Happy Friday!  It's almost June...only hours away.  I have mixed emotions about summer, I don't really enjoy being hot all the time.  However there are many fun outdoor things to do, and the sun sets really late.  So, it's a tough call. 

This week's playlist is all about surf guitar.  I love it all - the old stuff, the rockabilly, and everything in between.  It's so fun to try to sing the guitar part; neener neener neeeeener!  You should give it a try.  Call us and show us your stuff.  Just leave it on the machine 615-528-3364.  Who knows, maybe your riff will make a playlist!

There are all kinds of goodies in this week's list, from some classic stuff to Reverend Horton Heat and The Cramps.  Grab some friends and hit the road or go to the lake, or whatever you do to keep cool this summer. 

I went surfing in Nicaragua once. * This is how I looked. (*Footnote: this is not how I looked) Photo credit: andrewmichaelroberts.blogspot.com

This playlist courtesy of Spotify and k2forma.

[k2forma-blog]

#FridayBeats 05.24.13

Happy Friday! Double happiness because it's a long weekend!

I'm making up for being a blog slacker these past weeks.  It has been really busy here, with lots of fun projects coming and going.   So this week's list is a Workin' Man's list.  Much of this is random stuff that happens to be spinning in the late hours while I'm printing. 

I've started off with the single from Daft Punk's new album.  Not sure how I feel about their new album.  I'm keeping an open mind because some of my all-time favorite albums took a little time to grow on me.  But I'm on the fence with this one right now.  What do you think of it so far?

Ray Manzarek passed away this week.  I'm not really a social media Grim Reaper, I don't go on Facebook and post those news stories.  However, The Doors were big in my household when I was growing up - even though it was like 20 years after they were done.  And my Brother seems especially broken up about it.  In homage, Strange Days caps off the list, and fittingly because this week has been full of several strange days.

 ~Enjoy!

I'm a hard, hard worker every day.  If I ever get some money put away, I'm gonna take it all out and celebrate!

This playlist courtesy of Spotify and k2forma.