Just finished reading this amazing book called “The Brand Gap” by Marty Neumeier. Must say that it has been inspiring and great for consolidating my thoughts for the design studio. It is a must read for all business owners. If I could send along a copy to all my clients before the project starts I would. It would definitely bring them into focus on what’s important to their business and what good design can do for them. Instead of just looking at how much the postcards/brochures would cost them, with the economy being in the downturn, people need to spend wisely and look at what is worth spending to expand their business.
The Brand Gap
Stampin’ it
This might sound crazy, but I just got a die-cut machine and a whole set of rubber stamps to make some promotional materials for muun design. Holiday cards, thank you notes and give aways are in the “plan”. It’s going to be fun ! My first project, just to test out the white ink pad and the flourish stamps…was my notepad / receipt file. Love how it turned out, but the ink is still wet after 2 hours, so we have to figure that out.
Quinceflower’s new website
Congratulations to Quince Flowers on the launch of their new online presence.
They are truly THE BEST florist in Toronto, and now they have a website to match.
www.Quinceflowers.com
The Money Club
We have been working on Ron’s book cover illustration for a few months now. It has finally been nailed down. There are still 10 other illustrations for the inside sections to be completed…watch out for that soon.
Ron’s book is about Money and how to spend wisely, while linking us to the industry experts for advice. Especially with these economic times, this topic is surely relevant. Cannot wait to be able to put a “Bestseller” sticker on the cover.
Branding at home downtown
We have completed this project months ago, and Kat Tsoi has been enjoying her newly branded business cards and letterheads. There has been so much chemistry working with a young, energetic entrepreneur like Kat. Her positive attitude and quest for “only the best” is definitely something that rubbed off on us. Visit www.athomedowntown.ca if you need a free home evaluation or advice on pre-sale procedures.
Fat Lip Clothing
Our dear dear friend Mike Wolfe, has finally launched their new Winter 08/09 collection for Fat Lip Clothing. And we just wanna say how we love the new website and art direction. The logo is a timeless representation of their brand and will bring it to ride a 50-footer at Mavericks. Best of luck at the tradeshow in Atlantic city! Hopefully he’ll be back energized with bag loads of orders, or at least some great stories to tell.
Our own business cards !
Finally we have something to give out to our clients.
Digital propaganda did a great job with the print and I have been getting nothing but good comments about it so far. We even tied a little string at the end to make it more “tactile”. We want our own graphics to become more ‘real’ and ‘down to earth’ by getting in tuned with hand-made elements. That is the direction we took for our business cards.
Revamping Construction News…
Who would think Construction newsletters could look so hip?
We just completed our first 2 projects with the leading Construction News Publisher : Reed Construction Data. Working closely with their marketing manager, Sonia, we freshened up a series of 3 email blast for their CONSTRUCT CANADA pre-show guide and planner. Clean, bold imagery and a brand new Construct Canada “stamp” was created to give it a crisp new design direction.
We also create a completely new look for Flyers, Order forms and sell sheets that promote another one of their publications, the MUNICIPAL REDBOOK for Alberta and B.C.. There was much debate about whether the red bird should stay in the final layout. But with some persuasion, they agreed that it added that extra “something” to the flyer and tied in with the “Early Bird special”.
In the following weeks we are also working on a 2 page Ad for The Journal of Commerce and Daily Commercial news. Check in for updates.
Other projects currently brewing are our own website, as well as a business card and web update for Shift Studio – a yoga/pilates studio owned by Sheila Cameron. We did their branding, logo and environmental design when they first started in 2006. Now the dynamics of the studio has changed and they require a change of their image as well.