QCM and The Insane Asylum

by: Lu Velazquez, QCM
      copywriter/photographer

Bob and Nell Mitchell

Pueblo CO. October 3, 2015 -- Quantum Creative Media would like to introduce one of our favorite clients, the folks who run the Museum at the Colorado Mental Health Institution at Pueblo -- Bob and Nell Mitchell. The Mitchell's have made the up-keep of the museum at The Insane Asylum (formally known as) a mission of love. Each time they come in with their latest project, we are constantly amazed with their ideas for furthering the awareness and education about the artifacts and life of former patients.

Straight Jacket

One of the first projects they brought to us was developing a presentation where Nell wrote the narrative and we recorded both Bob and Nell doing the narration. There was also a map of the extensive tunnel system under the Asylum campus that they wanted to have made into a nice display. We developed a rather instructional graphic design, highlighting all the tunnels and adding old photos in the margins so the reader can capture the feel of these underground rivers of activity. Nell has also has written a book about the history of the Colorado Mental Health Institution at Pueblo (as it is now called).

Patrick Cottage

Miles of service tunnels under the campus

The Colorado Mental Health Institution at Pueblo was founded in 1879. This institution has been through many changes over the years and has seen the development of mental healthcare to the paradigm we know today. This facility first began as simple "housing" of the mentally ill to a more institutional setting. From the institutional setting it moved into a "cottage" paradigm. The cottage paradigm suffered from over crowing and necessitated a shift to a much more structured model as reflected by the architecture in the newer buildings. Food and goods were transported through the extensive tunnel system under the acreage where upon this institution sits.

This is just a taste of what you will find at the museum. We let Bob and Nell take you on a tour of a time long ago at the Insane Asylum.

If you ever find yourself in Pueblo, Colorado - stop by this fascinating museum and meet Bob and Nell. They will make the history of this institution come alive.

 You can download a copy of their brochure on their website for location and hours of operation

 http://www.cmhipmuseum.org/

Audio and Visual Media: A Word to Business Owners

Douglas Howard; On location photo shoot

Visual media is at the heart of all good advertising. It is a component to good story-telling.  It has been said that, "A picture is worth a thousand words." So it is that we see stories, we see messages. We are in the visual age.

QCM Sound Studio

Before visual media was as prominent as it is today (before the deluge of television and movies), the audio media and words were held as very powerful means to educate, promote or advertise a message. Words were used to paint pictures so another person hearing a story could more readily imagine the scene or feel the emotion that the other person was trying to convey. Language was, and still is, very important even though it seems in process of being a lost art. Words moved people to action, to laugh and to tears. There were great orators in our not so distant past such as Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, (and among our last great orators) John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King -- just to name a few.

Today, a massive billboard of a sneaker with a symbol of a swoosh speaks volumes to those who see it and each person is left to interpret the message to suit their need. To one, it may present itself as a status symbol. To another person, it may encourage them to think about getting fit and to some, it screams corporate culture. It needs to be remembered that we are in charge of what image we chose to be known by. Images do speak a thousand words. Images are about first impressions. A good first impression is a very good start when you are attempting to convey a message to someone because they are more likely to listen.  Powerful images coupled with powerful words yield powerful results. A few well chosen words still can move people to action. A simple, uncluttered picture can evoke feelings. So what feelings to you want your customers to have and what action to you wish them to take?

QCM Photography Studio with green screen

At Quantum Creative Media, we are committed to both the visual and audio media. Carefully crafted words along with meticulously chosen images is the key to best expressing a message or to share an idea. Whether we are constructing a brochure, website or blog, we prefer crisp, clear, original images coupled with concise, meaningful language to best get your message across to your audience. Our photography and recording studio allow our clients to make custom media presentations such as Powerpoint, CDs, YouTube videos, custom slideshows of special events and more!

What do your images say about you? Is your copy drawing in customers or making your ideas known and heard? As a business owner, go outside and take a look at your sign. Is the image faded or half the lights out at night? Is that image on your sign or logo really say what you want it to-- about you and your company or did you just settle? What condition is your sign in and are the words on that sign meaningful or are they some outmoded tag-line? Are you on YouTube, sharing your services and educating potential customers on your particular expertise? Do you have a story to tell, a point to get across, a message to be heard or services and products to sell? We at Quantum Creative Media are here to promote YOU.