Archive for July, 2012

Inspiring Inspiration

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Sometimes you get in a creative funk – the words won’t come to you and you just hit your innovative wall. Well, we all need a little inspiration in our lives because that is what makes our vision come alive!

It can come to us in a five-word quote or it can capture us unexpectedly in a breathtaking view.

Here are 10 places to get inspired:

  1. Flea Market – These eclectic shopping arenas have rows and rows of trinkets and treasures that may spark an idea for a DIY project or showcase that catchy color that puts a smile on your face.
  2. Farmers’ market – Visiting your local farmers’ market allows for a lot of taste-testing to get your mind and taste buds churning and fresh flower collecting that will brighten up any room!
  3. Library – Your local library is a free spot to pick up a few lines of copy for inspiration. Pick up an old favorite or a book whose title you can’t pronounce.
  4. Local Historic District – Perfect for walking around, historic districts sport a lot of old and unique architecture while allowing you to get some fresh air too.
  5. Picnic Alone – Sometimes all it takes is being by yourself with a pen and paper and the great outdoors.
  6. Coffee Shop – Here you are surrounded by all types of life. You’ll never get sick of people watching!
  7. Flower Shop – Going here is the most perfect me-time. You always feel a little bit better after you find that cheery-looking plant perfect for your creative space.
  8. Country Drive – Living in a busy place can create uptightness. Go for a drive to unwind, soak in your favorite tunes and relax!
  9. Shopping – We all love to do it. There’s no denying it. Being able to see new colors, textures and designs will always brighten your day.
  10. Bookstore – Sometimes you have to take your inspiration home. A stack of magazines or a new book will get you through your little funk.

All of these different places will give you that pop of inspiration that you need.

Take a look around you. We do live in a beautiful world! What inspires you?

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and “LIKE” us on Facebook.

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Picture Perfect

Friday, July 27th, 2012

Imagine pictures that look outstanding with just the touch of your finger – and being able to perfect them while you are on the go!

The lenses on mobile phones are now better than some hand-held cameras were a couple of years ago. Not only are the images crisp, but they can also be Photoshopped without ever having to use your computer.

And because we all love altering reality, here are 6 apps that will make your photos out of this world. Whether you are trying to remove red-eye, change the overall color scheme, add a funky frame or include some word bubbles, these apps are just what you need!

  1. Camera+
  2. PicsPlay Pro
  3. Pixlr-o-matic
  4. PicSay Pro
  5. Filterstorm
  6. Photoshop Express

After your photo creations are finished, these apps all offer easy sharing onto your social sites. Your friends will think you are the greatest mobile photographer ever!

So, now that you’ve tried them all – which is your favorite photo-editing app?

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and “LIKE” us on Facebook.

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Posted in Around the Office, Consider This, General Blogginess, New Media, Our Neck of the Woods, Social Media, Technology, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Smartphones: To Check or Not to Check

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

We all do it. And we can’t resist feeling like we need to at all times. The fact of the matter is – we love our smartphones more than anything – so much so that we can’t help but be on them constantly, even while watching TV.

Did you know that about half of all U.S. mobile phone owners use their devices while watching TV? Not only are cell phone users looking up information about whatever program they’re watching, but they are also keeping themselves occupied during commercials by talking with friends, catching up on Facebook or playing games.

Now most TV shows, like The Voice and American Idol, ask their viewers to vote for their favorite contestant, and the easiest way to do this is by sending a simple text message.

Have you ever been watching America’s Got Talent and texted your friend in Texas about a 13-year-old girl singing Bruno Mars? Well, you aren’t alone because 23% of mobile users do the same thing.

Our world has turned into a tech-land, with 81% of cell phone users falling between the ages of 18 to 24, according to a recent report by Pew Internet & American Life Project. And the findings also conclude that following in a close second are those between the ages of 25 to 34 years of age, who account for 72% of all mobile users.

Do you think that you can watch an entire TV show without touching your phone? Take the challenge and tell us how it went!

But hey, if something drastic happens during the Olympics and you just have to text your BFF about the winner’s smile, we’ll forgive you!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and “LIKE” us on Facebook.

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Posted in Around the Office, Consider This, General Blogginess, New Media, Our Neck of the Woods, Social Media, Technology, Uncategorized | No Comments »

And the Birthday Goes To…

Friday, July 20th, 2012

…Ken! Tomorrow is Ken’s birthday, and, in honor of his special day, we here in the office had a little celebration to get his birthday started–G|J style!

Around lunchtime, the Gunn|Jerkens team all got together and squeezed into the conference room, where we had a tasty feast from the Far East. Between spring rolls, Thai salads and fried rice, the conversation was flowing and the laughter was contagious. But the best part of the afternoon came when it was time to cut the cake–which may or may not have been baked for a wedding. It was a struggle without the proper serving utensils, but it all worked out in the end!

From all of us here at Gunn|Jerkens, we hope you have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ken!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and “LIKE” us on Facebook.

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Going for the Gold!

Friday, July 13th, 2012

If you grew up playing sports competitively, going to major league baseball games with your dad or cheering on your big brother or sister as they raced against the competition, then you know the Summer Olympics are coming because you can feel it in the air.

Some of us are so excited that we’ve even watched the trial events and qualifiers on the news. We already have it ready to be recorded on our Tivo and claimed the big screen TV to watch the Olympic games over the Bachelorette. Olympic watching parties have already been organized and apps created for live streaming!

So get ready because in about two weeks, the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony will be aired as people across the world come together to celebrate the sweat, blood and tears of the world’s greatest athletes.

Need an extra bit of excitement to get you pumped up?

Here’s the official music video for the 2012 Summer Olympics : Survival by Muse. Written specifically for the Olympics, this song is one that truly gets you inspired and awe-struck by these athletes.

Olympic fans, now is your time to show your country and your athletes, how proud you are and how much you want to see them take home the gold.

What is your favorite Olympic event to watch? Share your opinion in the comments below!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and LIKE us on Facebook.

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Social Celebrations Worldwide

Friday, July 6th, 2012

Saturday, June 30, 2012, was the third annual Social Media Day!

What was happening? Day-long conferences, nighttime soirées, candid pictures, quirky costumes, yummy treats and, of course, anything and everything social media!

Social meet-ups formed from all corners of the earth, making this day even more important because it was a truly global affair. Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the United States, including hubs in San Diego and Cincinnati, to name a few, all hosted well-attended events.

Here’s a mini-recap of our top five favorite events:

Costumed participants in Ireland were definitely ready to celebrate the day.

Guests in Manilla, Philippines, played a game of “human bingo” to get even more social.

Social media nuts in Kuwait!

Attendees learned new social skills in Suriname.

In Tunisia winners held up their social media awards.

Check out this link to see more happenings from around the world!

How did you celebrate Social Media Day? And don’t forget, you only have 359 days to start preparing for next year’s celebration!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and LIKE us on Facebook.

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Posted in Around the Office, Consider This, General Blogginess, New Media, Our Neck of the Woods, Social Media, Technology, Uncategorized | No Comments »