FEBRUARY 2013
REACTO-STOCK IMAGE CATALOGUE
NOW AVAILABLE
Find ZEN In The Office
2012 F.L.A.W.L.E.S.S.
AWARDS
The Top 4 Ways to
BRAINSTORM like a champion
QRCats Redefining “Cat Scan”
Awesome #3 Expanding our reach and capacity: We’re continuing to grow beyond our home town of Kansas City and beyond the size of our office. We landed several new out of town clients including Microsoft (UK), Town & Country Bank and Hownet. We also hired the fabulous Julie Sebby back in July as a designer and she is quickly earning her stripes
“We’re very excited to be celebrating 10 years of business in 2013.” My goals for 2013 I have two main goals for our studio in 2013. Growth and Outreach.
EDITOR’S NOTE
2012 In Review Clifton Alexander 2012.
Growth As already mentioned, we’ve experienced tremendous growth the past year and a half and I’d like to continue that trend. We will be growing our office space and our client base in 2013, which will lead to more capacity and more work.
The year of awesome. 2011 was the year of “firsts”, where we appeared on National TV, built sand castles and rebranded ourselves. We followed that up in 2012 with what can only be described as awesomeness. Simply put, 2012 was the best year in our history. Revenues were 200% better than 2011 and 160% better than any other year. And we don’t plan to slow down. We’ve been in business more than nine years now and feel we are just hitting our stride. We plan to grow even more in 2013.
Awesome #1 10th Anniversary: We’re very excited to be celebrating 10 years of business in 2013. We’ve come a long way since Clifton worked by himself from a small home office. We’re working on a retrospective book and would to love to include your stories and testimonials. Please send them to hello@yourreactor.com. Awesome #2 LA Road Trip: We worked very hard in 2012 so in October we decided to take a trip to LA. We spent some quality time in SoCal enjoying every minute and taking our mind off of our work, if only temporarily. We even got to go to a legit, Hollywood style Halloween party in a mansion.
Outreach Over the years, we have gained significant knowledge about branding (big and small) and print design. We’d like to share our expertise with entrepreneurs, established businesses and schools across the country. In the coming months, we will be actively looking for speaking engagements with business groups, schools, and creative clubs pretty much anywhere. AIGA Hawaii, I’m talking to you. Topics include: Selfpromotion, creating an EPIC brand, nichifying your brand, print design and techniques, and general portfolio speaking gigs and contest judging. 2013 will be even more awesome. I hope you will join us for the ride.
Awesomely, Clifton Alexander
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REACTO-STOCK IMAGE CATALOGUE
ON THE COVER Reactor Design Studio releases REACTO-STOCK: a collection new stock photography for your office-related marketing needs.
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7 Ways to
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Top 4 Ways To
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Maroney Meter
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F.L.A.W.L.E.S.S.
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QR Cats
Find Zen in the Office
Brainstorm
Awards
What’s Up With That? Clifton’s Rants
THE HERO SHOT
Commercial
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Editorial
Architectural
WHOA MAGAZINE 2013
www.randybraley.com
Adventure Lifestyle
For those afternoons when you find yourself with a bad case of the Mondays, try these simple techniques to
relax in the workplace.
Office Yoga Being Relaxed and Still Efficient
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Standing Half Forward Type Begin by placing your portable personal computer, or “laptop”, on the floor in front of you. Bend at the waist and reach for the keyboard with both hands. You will feel a stretching sensation your hamstrings - this is a good thing! Exercise is great for your body and your mind! Hold this pose for 30 seconds every day until you can type a whole report while stretching. Doesn’t it feel good to be healthy and accomplish things at the same time? SAFETY NOTE
If you feel yourself falling forward, stop yourself by standing straight again. Do not faceplant.
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Measured Warrior Lunge forward with your measuring tape, arching backwards and looking up towards the ceiling. This pose provides a gentle stretch and strengthens the core.
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Supply Lift Zen is all about inner peace, and nothing muddies the waters of personal tranquility like a cluttered office space. While defining the bagua of your space, turn the chore into a workout by trying this pose.
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Signal Pose Stress in the office can be caused by many different things. There is almost nothing more stressful than a slow cellular telephone service connection. This pose is designed to relieve the tension of “one bar syndrome� as well as encourage balance and flexibility. With cell phone in hand, stand with one leg firmly on the ground and the other bent, resting securely on the standing leg. Reach upwards with both arms, extending the phone towards the sky and keeping your balance while doing so.
A modification of the Standing Half Forward Type, the Supply Lift also focuses on a forward-leaning motion. The key to this pose is bending your knees and putting as little pressure on your arms and shoulders as possible. For a more advanced move, lift heavy items over your head a few times. SAFETY NOTE Do not perform this move if you are pregnant or if your doctor recommends that you not lift heavy things. If these do not apply to you and you still do not think you can perform this move, try lifting something smaller. Or just go home and eat cake because you are lazy.
More Ways to Find Zen Feng Shui
Take A Break
Meditation
In-Office Organization
Water Cooler Therapy
Inhaling and Exhaling
Many scientific studies show that productivity increases when a work space is clean and clear from other distractions. Your brain functions 87.34560% better when the area where you work is maintained properly.1
Sometimes we get bogged down by deadlines and other stressors and need the chance to step away from work to get a fresh perspective. Go out for an iced mocha, chat with a co-worker or do literally anything other than what is stressing you out.
When our minds are overworked, it is very important to remember to breathe and relax. According to actual research, having two or more tacos at lunchtime can significantly increase oxygen flow to the brain, allowing you to think more clearly.2
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Totally Legit Statistics, B.S. Technologies Inc., 2011
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Se Habla La Verdad, International Food Corp. Studies, 2009
FIND ZEN IN THE OFFICE
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THE TOP 4 WAYS To Brainstorm Like A Champion Increase your productivity by eating at one of these awesome establishments in the Kansas City area.
Burritos + Brainstorm
Burgers + Brainstorm
• El Camino Real
• Sol Cantina
• Beer Kitchen
• Big Bam’s
• Sabor y Sol
• Taco Bell
• Smoke Burger
• Fric & Frac
BBQ + Brainstorm
Breakfast + Brainstorm
• Oklahoma Joe’s
• Mildred’s Coffeehouse
• RJ’s Bob-Be-Que Shack
• Blackdog Coffeehouse
ally u t c a s ’ It od! o g y t t e pr
A Wickedly EPIC Substance Of MASS ENERGY Punch tiredness in the face with A.W.E.S.O.M.E, the newest concoction from the makers of Awesome Sauce®™ at the World Headquarters of Awesome. This high-powered energy blast will keep a pep in your step for HOURS and keep you feeling awesome for the rest of the day!
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it’s A.W.E.S.O.M.E.
Sugar
Sans Sugar
WHOA MAGAZINE 2013
*Not available in a store near you.
THE MARONEY METER McKayla’s Feelings on New Logo Changes of 2012 It’s not just a silver medal that’s got McKayla Maroney feeling underwhelmed this year.
THE MARONEY METER
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EXCLUSIVE
OFFER
Rea
Sto
cto-
ck
Stock Photos are In Hip, new photos for all of your marketing needs. The glory of the 90’s returns with Reacto-Stock’s new collection of workplace imagery. Ranging from casual Friday fun to heated boardroom discussions, these stock photos have just the right style for all of your corporate marketing materials. To view the whole set, check out www.worldheadquartersofawesome.com.
IMAGE #19403 : FEELIN’ THE GROOVE
IMAGE #18203 : GO MAKE SOMETHING
IMAGE #12020 : JUST PAY YOUR INVOICE
IMAGE #10804 : I’M GOING TO NEED YOU IMAGE #15042 : SASSY BUSINESS WOMAN
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WHOA MAGAZINE 2013
TO WORK ON SATURDAY
EXCLUSIVE
OFFER
IMAGE #10802 : BOARDROOM BATTLES
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY RANDY BRALEY - WWW.RANDYBRALEY.COM
IMAGE #14802 : JOVIAL BUSINESS MAN
IMAGE #10709 : LOL
IMAGE #12022 : WHERE ARE THE COOKIES
REACTO-STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
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Here’s How It Works These are the train wrecks that, for some reason or another, have become ultra famous. Whether they deserve it or not, we’ve picked the biggest losers of 2012 that rose to Super Stardom.
* Fancy Little Awards Where Losers Experience Super Stardom
MASTERPIECE AWARD Monkey Jesus “A for effort” said no one after Cecilia Jiménez decided to fix up a deteriorating century-old fresco titled Ecce Homo (“Behold The Man”). The new painting gained instant fame on the interwebs and people flocked to the church where the painting resides to see the masterpiece. Jiménez is now selling her work to the public on eBay.
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BIGGEST LET DOWN AWARD NFL Replacement Refs Labor disputes caused all kinds of problems in 2012, and fans of Twinkies and the NFL alike suffered the consequences of these disagreements. For the NFL, the temporary solution of bringing in low-level college referees seemed like a touchdown, but after weeks of poor judgement and harassment by fans, they knew they had made a huge fumble. The conflict escalated to a pivotal game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks that left everyone up in arms. These replacement referees had the opportunity of a lifetime, but unfortunately they were way out of their league.
YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD Honey Boo Boo What the heck is a Honey Boo Boo you ask? On the TLC hit reality show Toddlers & Tiaras, one star shone just a little bit brighter than the others. Honey Boo Boo is the self-appointed nickname of Alana Thompson, a six-yearold beauty pageant winner and “Go-Go Juice� advocate. This pint-sized pageant princess was adored by daytime talk shows and eventually earned a show of her own. Some criticized it for child exploitation, others just laughed.
F.L.A.W.L.E.S.S. AWARDS
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QR CATS Redefining “Cat Scan” Scientists at the Applied Scientific Feline Research Lab (ASFRL) in Kansas City, Mo. proudly announced Tuesday a discovery that could “redefine the way we consume media and information, get coupons and whatever else QR codes do,” PR Spokeswoman, Angie Sanders, said. The lab said their surgically altered cats of varying breeds have been enhanced with laser beam abilities, allowing them to scan and digest information much like modern technologies. “You know Lasik eye surgery?” asked Sanders, “It’s like, the opposite of that.” ASFRL researcher, Ambly Andberg, said the cats are virtually harmless. The lasers work much like those annoying little pointers you use to drive your house cat insane, and no the irony did not escape us. The impact on information consumption is far reaching, specifically in the nebulous and sometimes terrifying world of QR codes. QR is abbreviated from Quick Response, a term lending itself to speedy and thoughtless digestion of things that might be informative or might just be ads.
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WHOA MAGAZINE 2013
“The truth is, we’re really not sure what [QR codes] are good for,” Sanders said. “Maybe we’re one step closer to having any clue at all. So far as we’ve seen, they’re just ugly.”
“This could redefine the way we consume media and information, get coupons and whatever else QR codes do.” “These cats are pretty much the only thing worse than regular cats,” Andberg said, “but they could give us some real clues about what the hell is going on with QR codes.” “I mean, we sent animals into space first,” Andberg continued, “why not throw some cats at QR codes? I know I certainly don’t want to get near one.” Cats were most recently spotted in the alley using their new surgical enhancement to torment dogs with the ol’ red dot on the wall trick. Special Correspondent, Kristen Vermeire
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT? What’s bothering CEO, Clifton Alexander? CEO Clifton Alexander has some choice words to say about a few things. Whether they are fleeting youth trends or long-lasting cultural traditions, Alexander thinks that it is time for these ridiculous fads to end.
1. Hipsters and their fixie bikes A fixed-gear bike may sound like a harkening to a simpler era, but it’s really just inconvenient. Bike tech is so awesome and increasingly affordable and lightweight. Hipsters on fixies just look uncomfortable and out of breath. Or walking along side the bike.
2. Wearing Sambas to work Do you know someone who wears Adidas Sambas to work every day, possibly even with their nice khakis? If so, please tell them to stop. Sambas are soccer shoes, designed for playing soccer on fake turf. Unless you plan on a pick up game at lunch, drop-kick those soccer shoes out of the office environment. They don’t belong.
CONTRIBUTORS
Randy Braley
Clifton Alexander
Chase Wilson
Julie Sebby
Zacree Cobos
Traci Ketter
Jennifer Roe
Kristen Vermeire
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
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