Catapult Event – March 1st

Catapult presents Creó: The Official Trailer

“When Destiny Beckons…You Must Chase Your Dreams”

Written, Produced, and Performed by: Justin Kuhns

Directed and Edited by: Sanjiv Solanki

Director of Photography: Lance Kuhns

Original Score by: Jeff Kirchner

An 8:30 minute avant-garde short film by Graphic Designer, Justin Kuhns, where his design portfolio becomes an antagonist within the framework of a 3 piece narrative. All done with the intended purpose to inspire the viewer to search after and follow their own dreams, which is a visual expression of Catapult’s own brand promise;
“Launch Your Dreams.”


City City is a fab five from Los Angeles, playing music driven by catchy beats, guitar effects, synth sounds, pop sensibilities, and smiles. The band’s 2011 tour schedule included cities from the Pacific to the Midwest. In addition to two EPs (Lines, Adult People), the band also produced a series of short videos for “City City Interviews City City” and a music video for “the Network.” The band currently has new songs in the works for an upcoming LP.

Nicky Davey

Nicky Davey is a talented group of musicians that play an eclectic pop/soul sound. The Los Angeles based two-man crew Nicky Davey, consisting of front man Nick Green and Dave Rosser aren’t trying to play louder than anyone else, just work harder and write well crafted songs to prove it. With influences from all genres, these two produce music that has something for everyone.

Since 2008, Green a Los Angeles native and Rosser, originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, have been writing songs reminiscent of Steely Dan that are radio ready and made to cruise down California’s Pacific Coast Highway. Green’s intricate vocals and great ear highlight the funky grooves and melodies laid down by Rosser. Now fitted with a full band to complete the live music experience they are ready for great things in 2012.


Act As If is an indie/rock band from Los Angeles led by singer/songwriter Peter Verdell. The band released their first full-length album “There’s a Light” in May 2010, and have since garnered over 25 TV sync placements across shows including ABC’s Cougar Town, CBS’s Live to Dance, MTV’s Jersey Shore, MTV’s The Real World, and MTV’s The Buried Life. Additionally, their song “About Saying & Meaning Goodbye” was licensed by Apple for use in their OS X Lion promo video, featured on Apple.com.

“There’s a Light” was featured as “New & Noteworthy” on iTunes Music in June 2011, and the band has been named “LA Artist of the Month” [The Deli Magazine], and “Fuseworthy” by Fuse TV. Their new EP entitled “The Iron is Hot” is available February, 21st.

Bardot Hollywood

Bardot, is a tribute to the glamour of a bygone era. Best described as a classic club with a contemporary twist, Bardot evokes the mood and feeling of Old Hollywood while catering to the intelligent music lovers of today. The club sits on the second floor of the Avalon building at the corner of Hollywood and Vine, a spot that first opened in 1927.

Bardot was designed with a throwback to the classic Hollywood vibe, it is a place where people can socialize and be entertained. A large part of the environment is the stream of eclectic entertainment, which is unique and different from traditional nightclubs.

Summer Update: Design 4 Sale!

Below is a sampling of some work Catapult has been doing lately…

If you or somebody you know is in the market for “good to pretty good” design work or in need of help implementing a great idea Catapult would love to help “launch your dream.”

Loving Observation: Promotional Marketing & Packaging for Writer and Director Sanjiv Solanki

The Garden: Promotional Marketing for Writer and Director Mike Montgomery

To Beauty: Promotional Marketing & Packaging for Writer and Director Jess Wise

Wedding Invitations: Eilenberger & DeLong wedding at The Mermaid Mountain in Topanga, CA

Fred Segal: Apparel design for upscale LA based clothing company

City City: Apparel design for LA based electronic pop band

Ryan Thomas Music: Packaging and Web Design for Singer/Songwriter Ryan Thomas

The difference between Guerrilla and Gorilla is subtle

I recently saw the film “City of Industry” for the first time, which stars Harvey Keitel. The film, like most films take place in LA and on this one occasion for this particular scene it took place at the exact same place where we shot a scene for the Catapult film.

Pretty sweet.

And to be honest, I like our shot better!

Plus, we did it guerrilla style.
Although this gorilla style would have been amazing too!

Catapult Presents: Creo – the Official Trailer

Catapult presents Creó: The Official Trailer

“When Destiny Beckons…You Must Chase Your Dreams”

Written, Produced and Performed by: Justin Kuhns

Directed by: Sanjiv Solanki

Director of Photography: Lance Kuhns

Original Score by: Jeffrey Kirchner

What Is Going On Here?

The Catapult film trailer will be released in a couple of weeks but until then here are film stills from the trailer. Can anybody figure out what is going on? Did I kill somebody? What on earth am I running from…or towards? This doesn’t even make sense! …or does it? I don’t even know anymore.

I Have Created A Monster!

Catapult is making a short film. -

This film idea started off as a simple and very small idea but has quickly evolved into a living breathing creative monster that is about to come alive! Yes, it will be beneficial for my career and design portfolio and yes, originally solely based on my selfish career aspirations. BUT, ideas are just that, a starting point. 
From there you explore and dream until you have hit the deepest depths.
Like I said, it has evolved and with that came a more complex story. One that is based on my experiences but like any good narrative it is beneficial because it is something that each one of us can/should relate too.
The meaning and desire for the film as a whole has matured very quickly…to which I’m so excited to be a part of.

In the end I hope it inspires and ignites a calling in each and every viewer to seek out there dreams and find their destiny!

So many awesome people are involved with this, all together sharing our gifts and passions together to push us all into the future…

More to come.

Catapult: Portfolio 2010

The 2010 Catapult Portfolio Book features 7 of what we think are our best/most favorite projects of the year. Ranging from Personal Branding/Identity to Entrepreneurial Start-Ups. The 60 page book doubles as a Traditional Portfolio Book as well as a Brand Style Guide for each client. Featuring complete Primary and Secondary Color Palettes,  Primary Typography used for each Brand and examples of how to integrate each original Design Element throughout the Marketing and Collateral of the Brand.

Catapult: Siege New Castle

We have a new fortified space/studio/battlefield. It involves Mac’s, design books and enough artillery to sustain any and all attempts to overthrow our creativity. As well as a meeting space/execution table to form ideas and a battle strategy for each new project overthrow. This new stronghold features a lounge/medieval playground with enough wine and whiskey to relax even the strongest of Cavalry upon completion of appointed task.

Let the 2011 Design Blitzkrieg Begin!

Welcome to the future! In the future (present) we will learn how to do better with updates and awesome blog entries, I suppose that will qualify as a “Catapult New Years Resolution”

Below are snippets of a few of the current projects that we are working on. During the months of December and January we have been tinkering around with 7 different projects.  All of which have been at varying speeds and needs. Over the next month or two they should all be executed to completion and ready to make an impression in whatever industry/niche that the client had desired.

The projects range from Branding and Identity, Print and Marketing and Web Design.

Projects below represent the following clients: *Sanjiv Solanki (film) *The Spinning Owls (film) *Natalie Yuri (fashion stylist) *The M Group (business development)

Tonight’s Sacrifice

Sometimes you need to do something else to initiate a creative spark – especially when doing “commercial design”

For me, there is something very special and creatively engaging whenever I am around dimly lit spaces mixed with the aroma of candles. No matter how I am feeling, if I create a quiet and calm space a creative spark erupts out of the white noise that can completely consume our day to day lives. It is in this space that I create, what I think are the rare and beautiful moments that we so easily miss out on. Going from one activity to the other without ever S L O W I N G D O W N.

My paintings might not be the expression of an amazing fine artist but it is an expression of color and chaos and beauty and life.

These moments of quiet expression have become too little and far between – here is to slowing down and exploring what might lay beneath the surface…