Marketing and Design Blog

Atomicdust Named a ‘Top 10 Social-Savvy Agency’

Atomicdust was named one of the Top 10 Social-Savvy Agencies in the country by online marketing publication, The Agency Post.

In a nationwide call for entries, our ‘Face Off Against Hunger’ campaign for St. Louis Food Outreach was recognized as one of the ten most compelling social stories.

We’re honored to be named alongside some of the most creative and respected agencies in the business, and even more proud to be one of the few Midwest agencies featured.

The Agency Post wasn’t just looking for increases in followers or likes or views, but for campaigns that "motivated users to engage, connect and care." That’s exactly what happened with ‘Face Off’, and we have the community, the team at Food Outreach and, of course, the incredible creative and social media team at Atomicdust to thank for that.  

Valentine’s Desktop Wallpaper from Atomicdust

We just got back from Colorado, and we know the month is half over. Still, we wanted to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day with this single, special desktop. So go ahead and download it for your phone, tablet or desktop and spread the love today!

Steven Brien Gets Creative with Atomicdust

As the newest member of the Atomicdust creative team, Steven Brien will be lending us his problem-solving skills and passion for design.

Steven is a New Orleans native and graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a fine arts degree in printmaking and drawing.

Prior to joining Atomicdust, Steven got his hands dirty (literally) at local printmaking studio All Along Press, where he designed and printed posters, books, t-shirts and more. In fact, we first met Steven on a field trip to the studio back in April 2010.

We are excited to have Steven join us, and we wish him luck as he tries to resist the candy bowl and fight off the "Atomicdust 75."  

Midwest Pride, and       a T-shirt Giveaway.

This summer, I got an email from a design student wondering if I could answer some questions about our Midwest-based marketing agency.

Most of the questions were common - size of staff, types of services, etc. But one of the questions stood out to me. In summary...

“What bests describes your agency:”

A: A large coastal agency working with large consumer brands.
B: A midwest agency working with B2B brands and healthcare.

The question really stuck with me. We proudly do a lot of work for local clients, including B2B brands and healthcare marketing. But is that alone what defines us? And not just our agency, but the thousands of creatives in the Midwest? Are Midwest creative firms just a stereotype?

I believe that the internet dissolved any geographic barriers that might have challenged Midwest agencies decades ago. Many client rosters now include global brands as well as local and regional ones. And the talent pool is growing and changing in response. There are more great designers, writers, developers, and strategists in the Midwest than ever before. Clients don’t have to travel to the coast to find world class creatives.

I never responded to the student's survey. Instead we took the time to make some Midwest T-shirts to give away on Facebook as a thank you to the creatives in St. Louis and throughout the Midwest who inspire us every day. We’re giving away five a week, or you’re welcome to come by our office and grab one.

And if you're ever curious about the endless creative talent in the Midwest, consider attending the Weapons of Mass Creation Festival in Cleveland.

Mike Spakowski is Principal / Creative Director of Atomicdust and is involved with the day-to-day design strategy, art direction and studio management.

Atomicdust Holiday Gift Guide: Style

On any given day at Atomicdust, half the staff may be sporting stripes, gray T-shirts or a trusty pair of Chuck's. Our closets are in need of some new material and these bold T-shirts, cool kicks and refined timepiece will be welcome additions for 2013. Here's to a Happy Holiday and a stylish New Year! 

Image above: 1. Kanye Wes T-shirt  | 2. Asics Gel-Lyte III Rings Pack  | 3. Cattitude T-Shirt  | 4. Murray Christmas | 5. Montacute Lord Boots | 6. Patagonia Men's Bivy Down Jacket | 7. Uniform Wares 203 Series Watch

See our other Holiday Gift Guides for tech, books, the home, office and style. 

Atomicdust Holiday Gift Guide: Office

At work, we like to be surrounded by design that inspires us (plus, it impresses our friends and clients and makes us look cool!). Here's hoping Santa stuffs our stockings with these office goodies this holiday season. 

Image above: 1. Delfonics Ballpoint Wood Pens | 2. Moleskine 2013 Daily Planner | 3. Stick-Up Weekly Calendar | 4. Goshen Coffee | 5. West Elm Perpetual Calendar

See our other Holiday Gift Guides for tech, books, the home, office and style. 

Atomicdust Holiday Gift Guide: Home

"Home is where the heart is." It's also where Ikea, West Elm and Crate & Barrel combine to make the perfect oasis to relax after a hard day's work. Spend your evenings and weekends enjoying these home decor items, hand-picked by the staff at Atomicdust. 

Image above 1. Need My Space Mug | 2. Flat Life Light | 3. Anthopologie Birch Paper Straws | 4. Kohler Moxie Speaker Showerhead | 5. Custom Instagram Photobook

See our other Holiday Gift Guides for tech, books, the home, office and style. 

Atomicdust Holiday Gift Guide: Books

If you've ever visited our office, you have probably noticed our handmade bookcase. We often turn to the collection for inspiration or just a leisurely downtime activity. Whether you're into exploring St. Louis, preparing for the end of the world or looking for an encyclopedia of beers, this gift guide has a little something for everyone.

Image above: 1. Doomsday Preppers Complete Survival Manual | 2. Finally, a Guidebook to St. Louis by and for St. Louisans, Neighborhood by Neighborhood | 3. Eames: Beautiful Details | 4. Branding of Polaroid  | 5. The World Atlas of Beer 6. 83 and Medical Professionals Smoking

See our other Holiday Gift Guides for tech, books, the home, office and style. 

Atomicdust Holiday Gift Guide: Tech

At Atomicdust, we're surrounded by technology all day - iPhones, cameras, desktops, tablets, and more - so we've come to appreciate a well-designed, useful gadget. Whether it's speakers, headphones, an alarm clock or a 3D printer, this year, Santa and his elves better be working hard to combine functionality and design.

Image above: 1. Alarm Dock | 2. Bowers & Wilkins P3 On-Ear Headphones  | 3. Braun AB1 Clock Blue | 4. Moog Moogerfooger MF-104Z Analog Delay | 5. Form 1 | 6. Bowers & Wilkins A7 AirPlay Wireless Music System | 7. Memoto Lifelogging Camera

See our other Holiday Gift Guides for tech, books, the home, office and style. 

Atomicdust designer Jason Stoff rules Shutterstock’s Pixels of Fury

Last Thursday, our own designer and photographer Jason Stoff took home the top prize at AIGA St. Louis’s first annual Pixels of Fury competition, sponsored by Shutterstock.

Several other cities have hosted Pixels of Fury competitions – but this was a first for St. Louis. It’s dubbed a “live design” competition, pitting eight artists against each other and challenging them to come up with original poster designs from scratch in just 20 minutes.

Which, as Jason experienced first-hand, isn’t much time.

The theme for the night was Design for Good. In round one, participants crafted posters with anti-bullying messages. In round two, they tackled the idea of diversity and inclusion. For the championship round, designers were charged with putting a fresh face on world hunger.

During each round, attendees watched as the artists’ vision unfolded on large screens.

Congratulations, Jason! Big thanks to Shutterstock for sponsoring the event, to AIGA St. Louis for pulling it all together, and to Jacquin Studio Photography for hosting this great event.

UPDATE: Check out the big winner and posters from the event on Shutterstock.