Just wanted to share some good news on our end.

Firstly, we got nominated as one of the Finalist in the Regional Design Awards organized by Design Edge Canada. Wasn’t really expecting it, so it was a really nice surprise.The project selected was the Identity Application for Bona Fide Bean Coffee Co. .  The owner, Anna P., will be happy roasting her coffee beans knowing that her company’s image is being recognized. Since the submission of this project, we have also extended her brand identity onto the web. See www.bonafidebeancoffee.com

Secondly, we got a phone call tonight from Yvonne, the owner Pistil Flowers, saying that our blog editorial for their mother’s day promo was a big hit. Google analytics reported more than 700 views. We would love to brag about how eloquent our content was, but the truth is probably really far from that. We believe that it is something that evolved from an “organic marketing” approach that brought together a print campaign (posters in this case), web-extension (the blog & homepage updates) & social media efforts. It shows that everything has to work together to gain a tangible result … in this case, numbers recorded by Google’s Robots.  Anyway, stay tuned for more of our blog editorials at www.PistilFlowers.com

“Red Bulb” signifies a passion. It is an internal fire that spurs us to do what we love doing; a silent alert that shows us the way to live better and make healthier choices; a reflection on the journey we have taken and the experiences we have encountered; and a warm torch guiding us into a future, vast and unknown.

Creating a new brand name is by no means a small feat, just as it is trying to set up a new cafe in small town Stouffville. From understanding the vision to the target audience to local competition and every other detail thereafter. We have given an initial drive to their blog so that the Red Bulb Movement can start rolling. The Red Bulb Cafe will soon come to fruition, but will always remain a journey of passion.

Wow…what a lot of changes. The original muucafe idea is now officially ordained as Muun design studio. Our business is finally registered and made existent on paper. 0808 … AUGUST 2008 will be the date to remember. Let’s hope we can still say the same in 0818.

{Muun} – pronounced m-o-o-n … is obviously a derivative of the root word MUU, which is also one the five elements (representing Wood) – Metal, Wood, Fire, Water and Earth. Representing our grounded nature and commitment to our environment.

It’s been pretty overwhelming so far. Not with work proper, but with all the set up and writing of business plan. I think other than giving birth to Kay and going through 6 years of Architecture School, this would rank as #3 in terms of difficulty. Was hoping to start slow and easy, but because of the government grant, I’m given the “whip” with deadlines and business coaches breathing down my neck. But i think it’ll all be worth it.

Well, project wise….it’s exciting. We are now working on Illustrations for a Book Cover and ten section titles for Ron Phipps. It’s a book about Money and connecting the individual with industry experts. The sweet thing is we’ll be getting credits at the back of the book.

Explore After 4 has also signed us on to help with their logo. They are an after school programs and event planner. Owner Melissa B. is the wife of Andrew B. whom we worked with on their party invitation for Andrew Richard Designs. Too bad we missed the awesome party with the hottest chefs and sponsors in town. (apparently Susur Lee was there to promote his new restaurant).

Quinceflowers has also signed off on the design for their main store front signage and that should be on the way to being constructed soon. We also worked on and Ad flyer for The Municipal Redbook, a reference guide about local governments in Alberta and British Columbia, published by Reed Construction Data. They liked the flyer so much that they may be getting us to do the cover for the Guide as well ! Sweet ! We are also hoping PDQ financials will engage us to do their new corporate re-branding.

So as you can see…we are having fun ! But right now… we need to get muun design studio some business cards of our own. We just got the placeholder webpage uploaded, www.muundesign.com is now in existent and not just an error page.
So watch out for our web launch in September.

Oh, just a note that my website is not up yet. So wait for my updates on that.

Today is wednesday and play-date day for my daughter Kay. We typically spend the day hanging out with her little friends in Stouffville and just chilling at home. Work will have to wait for her nap times today.

Just wanted to say that I’m excited to start working on my business plan and getting things going with the business. Let’s see what i did today : updating some information on my coroflot portfolio, adding photos to Muun Design’s profile on facebook and sending out some emails to connect with friends.

It’s a sunny day outside…so enjoy !

The new logo on the left of the wordmark is open to interpretation. It is derived from the shape of a keyhole. But could also be a magnifying device, a wrench, the top of a clown’s hat…or a symbol of a mother and child. In the spirit if vintage styling, it’s made to look like an old stamped image. I was inspired by the antique ephemera and vintage keys that were sold on an Etsy shop called Paper Perfect.

Well, it is just a collection of ideas and things that I love and treasure.

MUUN Design Studio based in Toronto.
It is an idea, a dream and a work in progress.
It is a place for exchanging ideas and creating new ones.

MUUN started as an idea for an actual coffee shop called muucafe somewhere in Toronto. Well we still don’t have the real cafe yet but it will definitely become a reality some day and ideas are still brewing. So meanwhile all you need to know is that behind every great design is a fantastic cuppa coffee. Mine is a grande non-fat mocha with whipped cream.

Creative solutions for :
Branding
Illustration
Print graphics
Art Direction

I will be posting my work, thoughts, processes and daily rants on this blog.

Today is the milestone where I can officially say that dreams are made on the MUUN.
Just signed the documentation for a government grant to help with the start of this new venture.

cheers to Lychee Martinis & a sleeping baby!