Camas, Wash. (May 6, 2008)—Rare is the work assignment that very nearly is pure creativity. But that is just what Camas-based Workshed Creative Agency stumbled onto when it won the opportunity to partner with Andy Harrison at MacTechHelp.com to execute the vision of New York-based retired financier and philanthropist to the photographic arts, Howard Stein.
Stein, regarded as a pioneer in mutual funds and a father of social investing, long has worked to democratize access to photography. His vision: a web-based portal that provides an experience akin to looking at photography in a museum.“This is the kind of project that agencies dream of doing because it has all the elements of great creative work,” says Bret Van Horn, president and creative director of Workshed Creative Agency.“We are thrilled Andy Harrison at MacTechHelp.com thought to approach us when he sought a creative agency partner for this project,” Van Horn says.Workshed presented the right combination of talent and skill necessary to bring highly creative vision into reality.“As we grow the museum, this project will continue to require innovative, creative solutions that we not only execute, but accomplish within very strict deadlines,” says Harrison. “The creative experience that we all bring to the table makes for a unique, very thoughtful and ‘forward thinking’ look at photographic, socioeconomic, scientific and political issues.”The result: A completely flash-based digital museum where visual perspective is different from most non-gaming websites. At the Forward Thinking Museum, http://www.jgsinc.com/ftm, a docent greets visitors and provides a Digital Navigation Device. The docent then directs traffic to an elevator that seems to rise ad infinitum, stopping at galleries along the way.Forward Thinking Museum is laced with humor, irreverence and a leaning toward the surreal. It currently features nine photo exhibits, each with artist biographies and background information on the display. As the elevator that seemingly climbs to the sky implies, innumerable exhibits can be added.
Workshed and MacTechHelp have built a content management system that will enable additional galleries to be added easily by the JGS staff. An offshoot of Stein’s foundation, The Joy of Giving Something, the Forward Thinking Museum is a vehicle to call attention to hot topics in the world of photographic arts. The possibilities are endless.“We don’t know what it all means,” says Stein, “but we do know that this is just the beginning.”Of all the projects Workshed completes month-in and month-out, the agency is highlighting Forward Thinking Museum because it raised the bar.“Forward Thinking Museum establishes a point of reference for companies and organizations that are seeking innovative web development. FTM provides an example for where we can take our imaginations and apply creativity in all our endeavors, not just museums and online games,” says Van Horn.In addition to web design, development and consulting, Workshed offers an extensive list of capabilities. Services include: innovative brand-focused advertising, marketing and creative services, complete motion media production for television and radio, corporate videos, music videos and other projects, as well as directing and editing.Workshed‘s roster of clients also includes: Subaru, C3MS, Camas Farmer’s Market, The Pixie Project, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Downtown Camas, Washougal Town Square, Camas Educational Foundation and Amy Sacks Eyewear. MacTechHelp.com, based in Portland, Oregon, but consulting to Mac-specific businesses and individuals throughout the U.S., works to “make Mac geeks out of everyone.”MacTechHelp provides technical consulting services to people who need a little handholding as the world of technology gains complexity. Technical consulting, paired with a rich design background allows MacTechHelp to provide a very focused, and informative range of web, print, hardware and software specific services. MacTechHelp’s roster of clients includes: Joy of Giving Something, Michael Kenna Photography, Nazraeli Press, Ron van Dongen Photography, ASID Oregon, IDC Oregon, The Firm Public Relations and Alpha & Omega Financial Services.For more information, go to: https://workshed.com or http://mactechhelp.com.
