Key Energy Services - Corporate Puzzle
Key Energy Services in Houston, TX contracted us to design a custom corporate puzzle. This puzzle was to be used in a corporate training exercise as well as an icon of team-building. They needed a large puzzle with fifteen pieces - one piece for each division manager. We designed a large 18” x 12” puzzle from 1/2” clear acrylic over a black acrylic substrate held together with stainless steel fasteners. Key Energy Services is a leader in the oil drilling services business so we designed the puzzle to reflect that. The background is black to represent oil; each puzzle piece has a piece of the corporate logo etched on it to represent each corporate division; the connectors between pieces are in the shape of oil drilling bits. At the end of the corporate training session, each manager signed their piece of the puzzle. The completed puzzle will be on display at corporate headquarters.
Return to the top
FastFilm.com - International Fashion & Lifestyle
FlashFilm.com is a new online magazine for international fashion and lifestyle originating in Japan but also with an english version. Their content includes the most current trends around the world. The editors interviewed me on the my background and what I thought about the current trends in design. We were honored to be a part of this new hip eMagazine. Click here to check out the interview and to go to their english site.
Return to the top
Casio Marketing Japan - Puzzle Contest
Casio Marketing in Japan has featured us for a second time on their web site. This time they offered one of our puzzles as a prize for a big contest. We have no idea what they wrote about our puzzles on their web site, but some lucky Japanese winner in is being puzzled right now.
Return to the top
Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing - Article
This month, Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing featured our puzzles in their “Update” section. They were primarily interested in the machinery we use to cut our stainless steel puzzles. We are now using the 5200-watt Bystronic Byspeed 4020 which is discussed below in another “What’s New” link. This publication goes out to firms across the world that use lasers in the manufacturing process. We solute them for honoring us in their publication.
Return to the top
Custom Corporate Designs
This is our newest custom corporate design. The Lexus puzzle is currently under production to be produced in stainless steel. It will be the same size as our thin-line puzzles and be held together with a stainless steel fastener. The puzzle has 33 pieces and comes in a custom carrying case. The artist is Gary Martin and the designed is Scott Fredrickson. The puzzle is not designed to be difficult but to be a promotional item. It is an example the custom puzzle designs that we can produce for private or corporate clients. If you are interested in a custom design, please contact us and we will make it happen for you. Since this is a custom design, it is currently not for sale.
Return to the top
Three New Puzzles Added
Three new Stainless Steel Mini-Puzzles have been added to our puzzle selection. These puzzles are cut from 316 stainless steel to a tolerance of .003” and are precision laser welded. They are the size of a credit card and come in a custom carrying case. They vary in level of difficulty. They feel amazing in your hand as you try to solve the puzzle. These puzzles are precision pieces of art with which you can play. Check them out. They would make a wonderful gift for the person who has everything.
Return to the top
New Laser Cutting Machine
Our stainless steel puzzles are now cut on a Bystronic Byspeed 4020. This machine is a 5200 watt laser with the capacity of cutting up to a 6'x12' sheet of material. The Byspeed is a highspeed laser cutting machine that produces higher productivity than conventional lasers. This laser has two interchangeable tables to keep workflow moving by off-loading one table while cutting on the other. Our puzzles now have a cleaner edge and require less hand finishing. This means the pieces feel better in your hand.
Return to the top
Prior Press
A month or so after the Hurricane Katrina hit the New Orleans region, we received some amazing press in numerous magazines and web sites. The press came at a time where we couldn't do anything about it. People were emailing us seeking more information and all we could do was tell them to be patient. We are doing our best.
Our puzzles were featured in such magazines as Popular Science, Samsung Electronics, Casio Japan web site, PlanetTV web cast, and six technology magazines from Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Greece. Check them out. We will be in more soon.
Return to the top
Puzzle Names
I was sent an email asking how I came up with the names for the puzzles. Well, it wasn’t that easy. I initially had them only numbered as: A-001, G-047, etc. It seemed rather boring but at the time, I had plenty of other things to worry about. I happened to watch a segment of the television show “60 Minutes” on Starbucks Coffee founder Howard Schultz. He explained the purpose of naming all of his company’s coffees unique names was because the names brought people in to the coffee process and made it more interesting to talk about the product. I thought, what a great idea.
I sent out an email to my most creative friends asking for their input. They came back with a string of creative names and ideas. After culling and combining various names, These are the names that were selected. Hope you find them interesting.
Return to the top
New Puzzle Designs
I have produced nine puzzle designs in various configurations plus three awards designs that will be coming soon.
There are also three mini-puzzles that have different names but are based on the original six designs plus three awards designs that will be coming soon.
 |
Synaptic Overload is an illustration of how nerve impulses are transmitted from an axon terminal to an adjacent structure in your brain. |
 |
Teotihuacan is based on the pyramid structures from the “City of the Gods” in Teotihuacan, Mexico. |
 |
Bubble Theory is a representation of a three-dimensional group of soap bubbles. |
 |
Macho Picchu mimics the masculine stone wall structures of Machu Picchu, Peru. |
 |
Queequeg is the name of the harpooner of Moby Dick fame. |
 |
Grid Lock represents driving home from work. |
Return to the top
|
