High-End Architecture, High-End Design

The style and exuberance of high-end architecture informed the sophisticated, high-end design of these promotional mailers. The designs themselves were architectural in nature — with dynamic angles, dimensional folds, and interesting die-cuts.

Through good design and a cohesive brand look and feel that matched the quality of the product, Architectural Record’s marketing achieved a new level of impact. Yes, direct mail can be elegant!

From metallic inks to vellum envelopes to interesting folds that slowly revealed new surprises at every turn, exquisite production values were also employed to ensure the overall effect was lasting and memorable — and sure to garner attention and get the desired response from Architectural Record’s advertisers! Special design influences special outcomes.

Good Logo Design Brings Business to Life

While a brand identity is more than just a logo, the importance of a good logo cannot be overstated. Done well, a logo not only identifies but helps define who you are and what you’re about. Appearing on the simplest communication or in the smallest possible space, in both print and digital, the logo speaks volumes.

A good logo should be simple and unique, setting you apart and bringing uniformity throughout the vast array of marketing and communications materials. It should work in all shapes, sizes, shapes, formats — encapsulating the very essence of who you are as a business. Indeed, a good logo may even form the foundation of your entire brand image. But remember, design is a process and a good logo is never produced in a vacuum but in collaboration to arrive at the most effective solution. Your business deserves no less.

Restaurant Branding Dares To Be Bold

Good logo design makes a mark in more ways than one. Indeed, it can inspire the graphic energy of an entire business — in this case, one of the hottest new restaurants on Long Island, NY. This place exudes energy, style, and creativity!

The hip, minimal, modernist logo works beautifully with the sophisticated architecture outside and the chic decor inside. It also provides a counterpoint to the loose graffiti-style art that graces its walls. Designed to work as effectively online as it does in print, the logo takes on a whole new power when seen at a massive scale in the large illuminated windows at the entrance and the mirrored wall inside.

Most people don’t appreciate all that a good logo can do when it comes to setting a business apart from the rest. From branding to marketing to interior design, large and small — a good logo can provide that special “something” and the buzz that helps get people in the door.

In this age when you never know where your...

Creative Spark for Arts Organization

With an admirable 55 year history, the Huntington Arts Council’s brand identity had grown stale — lacking the creativity, good design, and style one would expect from an arts organization. For a group that had been around so long, few people knew who they were and what they did.

Their communications lacked consistency and served to confuse rather than clarify. This happens to a lot of organizations, but seems especially prevalent in the nonprofit sector where they try to fire on all cylinders with limited resources. The arts council not only needed a reinvigorated visual presence, but a design and communications strategy that would bring clarity to their organization.

Through good design and a cohesive visual program — from web to social media, from print to signage — a dynamic new brand identity was put in place to excite the community and reintroduce them to the public. Just as important, it would re-energize and re-engage staff as the arts council propelled itself forward — an invaluable secondary benefit.

Through a combination of good...

Expressing a Brand New Emocean

The world’s largest scuba retailer needed to brand its new diving adventures division. The objective was to develop a strong, trusted brand identity through good design that connotes action, adventure, energy and excitement — and of course, water! AND it had to speak to its audience.

With the target consumer being young, fun, upscale, and active, the logo needed to capture that same dynamism. It also had to be simple, unique, and impactful — and work in all sizes, contexts, and media. This encompassed everything from retail to kiosks to promotions to the adventures themselves. The logo and branding would be applied to signage, boats, apparel, flags, websites, flyers, posters, and a host of other advertising materials.

Additional challenges included ensuring that the name “Emocean” would read quickly and seamlessly — a bit tricky when there are different ways one may read the name. The symbol and type needed to work together as well as separately. Sub-branding also needed to be thought out for the many other offerings falling under the Emocean umbrella. A slogan...