After months of keeping our holiday work under wraps, finally the magical moment is here: Introducing Hershey’s Kisses Gift Toppers and holiday card designs for Cambria Cove.

The innovation team at Hershey’s challenged us to create new ways for people to gift Hershey’s Kisses. So we designed a sweet way to top off gifts. Each gift topper comes with a to/from tag and a tie on the back for easy attachment to a package, bottle of wine or flower vase. They also tuck easily into a stocking or make a sweet little stand alone gift. When the Kisses are gone, the tube can be refilled or reused for something else. Available at Target nationwide.

If luxury paper goods get your heart all a flutter, a visit to the newly launched cambriacove.com is a must. We were honored when our design team was asked to work on the collection. Sparkles, foils and fun!

Over the past year, Willoughby has been working closely with our long-time clients and friends at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to develop and prototype a next generation learning environment for their latest brainchild, Kauffman Laboratories for Enterprise Creation.

This is still a work in progress, but we are pleased to report that this project has been one of the most exciting and fast-paced challenges we’ve taken on. The results to-date are the underpinnings of an amazing new brand experience. We worked with Steelcase and local dealer Scott Rice Office Works to transform 10,000 square feet of space within the Kauffman Foundation building into a flexible model that supports creativity, collaboration, mobile work and various learning styles. The space now houses a state-of-the-art learning lab, collaborative work areas and a lounge-cafe including custom built furniture by El Dorado Inc. Kauffman Labs will help reinforce the foundation’s unique position as an internationally renowned home for entrepreneurs. Find out more, www.kauffman.org.

Inspiration is everywhere. The rewards come when you make the decision to seek it out: like finding Andy Warhol at our own Union Station. A quick lesson in taking mainstream and making it marvelous. Then the Harvey House for lunch. If you haven’t stopped in, you should. Nicely done KC.

Enter to win a FREE set of our Willoughby-designed WilloBags and give a gift that can be used and re-used throughout the year (or just keep them for yourself). We will have a random drawing on December 21 and the winner will be contacted directly. To enter: send an email to info@willoughby
design.com with the subject “willobag contest.”

One crisp, perfectly beautiful November evening was the setting for the latest Willoughby soirée. And while we always love a good party, this one was not without purpose. We were honored to host a special reception for the Graphic Design Department at Johnson County Community College and our friend, Michael LaMonica, their newly hired program director. The gathering was attended by JCCC faculty and staff as well as many familiar faces from Kansas City’s design and communications community. We look forward to extending our partnership with JCCC as they continue to guide tomorrow’s design stars.

Animal Haven is now greater Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter committed to finding a lifelong, caring home for every pet. In honor of the many fuzzy friends in our Willoughby family, we decided to lend a hand. Our work is complete and now we get to share a sneak peak to help sell some tickets for this super fun party. The 2010 Martinis Gala has a rock ’n’ roll theme that promises to bring the crowd to their feet on February 6, 2010 when Animal Haven presents a “Rock ’N Roll Fantasy.” Mark your calendars and get down for the cause. Tickets on sale now, animalhavenkc.org.

In a newly released book by Collins Design and Suzanna MW Stephens called The Big Book of Green Design, Willoughby Design is featured for three examples of our sustainable design. Work featured includes a sustainable design portfolio for Mohawk Fine Papers, a personal stationery system designed for New Leaf Paper available exclusively at Target Stores and the Willobag line of reusable bags.

The book’s introduction by Eric Benson reads, “This book is itself a journey. It explains how aware designers create green, proactive solutions in order to improve the long-term environmental impact of design.” Since this is a true passion for us, inclusion in this particular book is a milestone for our firm. The book is available at Amazon.com.