SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., October 29th, 2007 -- Commemorating the start of its 40th year, Jack Frost Design today spotlighted how its digital agency has enabled its customers to change the world. Founded in 1968 by Oren "Jack" Frost, Jack found his first commercial graphic design position in 1944 with a studio called Ross Roy Advertising where he worked on the Chrysler Corporation account.
Oren (Jack) Frost spent 25 years solving graphic predicaments for Ford, Pan American, RCA, and Eastman Kodak. and other Fortune 500 companies. In 1970-71 Harry Trelivin, from JWT, asked Jack Frost to work on the new RNC Elephant. Noteworthy examples from the early years of Jack Frost Design include graphics for the Ford and Reagan campaigns.
For 25 years, the important work undertaken by our agency was all hand crafted by a few brave creative types. These designs had a unique ability to sell a product or idea through effective visual communications. Paste-ups were applied to products as well as elements of company identity like logos, colors, and text, together defined as branding.
The Last 15 Years Have Marked Dramatic Changes for the Agency
Things have changed so much in such a short time. Graphic arts in the late 80s and early 90s were filled with press type for headlines, typesetting for body copy and dark room after long photo shoots. When the IBM PC and Macintosh were introduced we learned we could actually set type ourselves and programs like PC Paintbrush along with PageMaker would allow us do graphics and page layout on the screen.
Today, it is a challenge to stay adept – of all the software needed to complete a single project. Every year we are challenged with the ongoing training of new software features and changes to user interfaces, web and multi media, and programming and design changes. Not to mention our most important role as the designer -- to stay current on design trends. The best an individual designer can do today, is specialize in a certain area of design, while being comfortable with the other project challenges so he or she can make educated decisions when working with other professionals to successfully complete a project.
Computer technology, graphic software, digital photography, video and the internet have truly changed the daily routine of a full service marketing agency and the life of the graphic designer. The emphasis on computers and technology actually has the potential to stifle visual communications.
Today, our customers are looking for a single source for their marketing strategy, graphic, advertising, collateral and online development needs.
The Next 40 Years
Our internet and intranet requirements will change how we communicate with our clients and how our clients communicate to employees, customers, investors and the rest of the world. The internet is an important part of most Americans' lives. Over 70 percent use the Internet at least once a month, and the average user is online for nearly 12 hours a week.
The so-called digital divide is closing: The fastest growing populations of users are Latinos and African-Americans. Only 4 percent more men than women use the Internet. For business and casual users, the Internet is now their most important source of information. The internet is the first place most Americans go for information, whether to do research, contemplate a purchase, or answer a question about a prospect they are trying to close. The "always on" function of broadband has greatly accelerated that trend by making the Internet easier to use than a telephone or the yellow pages.
In 2006, almost a quarter of web users (23.2%) said they were using printed materials less often and are instead seeking out that information on-line, frequently from the on-line versions of the same sources. The Yellow Pages has had to totally reinvent itself online in order to compete with Google, Yahoo, MSN and the like.
While we believe the impact of the web on the reading of books, newspapers and magazines will be pronounced over the long term, today web users are spending the same amount of time with printed materials, although the figure is shrinking slightly. However, within the next 2-3 years in online publication will make reading the Wall Street Journal, New York Times or San Francisco Chronicle online enjoyable and preferable. Hardware gadgets like the iPhone and video on demand will significantly impact what you will hold in your hands when you are researching or reading in the next 40 years.
Less clear, but just as important, is technology's longer range impact on creativity, individual interactions and the quality of personal relationships. Our technology core competencies will continue to stand side-by-side with our clear and passionate communication style, graphic/video influencers and our analytical understanding of the best practices used in our industry to build brands and market our client products and services.
About Jack Frost Design
Jack Frost Design, a Silicon Valley based company with a 40 year background in developing and marketing corporate identities. JFD is a U.S. based Microsoft Partner that provides internet and intranet business solutions for the digital age and delivers integrated marketing and IT solutions that achieve strategic, creative and business and marketing ROI objectives.
What makes Jack Frost Design unique is the team of experienced business, IT and marketing professionals they apply to their client's projects. Whether it is a web application, intranet, marketing plan or a new brand, Jack Frost Design makes it happen effectively, professionally and with personal accountability.
JFD is different than many other programming houses or web design studios. You can see it in the way we think. Our management team knows how to fuse functionality, purpose, design and ingenuity into technology-based tools that benefit our clients' businesses.