Kirkpatrick's most recent experience was with Broadcast Video Inc., heading its boutique division, Deep Blue Sea for six years. His role as creative director and senior designer at the visual effects and broadcast design unit became a challenging experience, although Kirkpatrick's desire was to become more focused on individual projects, hence the move to open Lava.

"I really want to focus on one project at a time," says Kirkpatrick. "That was the difficult thing about being a creative director at a larger facility, because I had several other people to worry about. Now I have more control over what projects I'm pursuing and I'm also able to sink my teeth into each one as it comes with no distractions."

An 18-year broadcast design veteran, Kirkpatrick has worked on four Super Bowls as well as conceiving and creating national image spots, openings and network packages for NBC, CBS Sports, Discovery and ESPN.

Based in Miami, Kirkpatrick has additionally focused on the US Hispanic and Latin American markets, including Univision, Telemundo and Nickelodeon. Lava will continue the Latin American focus, devoting 50 percent of its projects to this market. "The biggest projects will be for Mexico and Colombia," explains Kirkpatrick, who has just returned from San Juan after finishing effects work on a Pepsi spot.

"I think it will be a nice mix," comments Kirkpatrick on the design, animation and effects work that Lava will encompass. "It's good to have as much variety as possible, just to keep your own sanity and to keep things interesting."