See C. Wonder
January 30, 2012 Leave a Comment
There’s a little gem of a store at 72 Spring Street in Soho, Manhattan.
FRCH at National Retail Federation’s 2012 BIG Show
January 23, 2012 Leave a Comment
It was a busy few days for the FRCH team at the 101st NRF Annual Convention and Expo, held January 15 through 18 in New York. This year there were an estimated 24,000 attendees.
Signage Around Town: Covington Edition
August 10, 2011 Leave a Comment
Designed, laid out and fabricated by hand, old signage can be beautifully unique and playful. I feel really fortunate to have some amazing vintage signs right in my neighborhood. Here are just a few examples I encountered on a little bicycle tour over the weekend. Read more of this post
‘Made You Look’… street art delights
May 18, 2011 Leave a Comment
In London and Paris, a multitude of Museums and Galleries house some of the most influential and amazing art in the world– but I’ve found, in both cities, the street art has an awe-inspiring and raw quality that is even more magnetic. For me, these pieces and the creativity they inspire span a gap between graffiti, street art and installation art and allow the streetscape to act as gallery.
Great Boots AND Brand Personality… WHAT?!?
March 31, 2011 1 Comment
In my never-ending quest for great (and travel appropriate) boots and only having disappointing retail experiences trying to find them, I finally had to turn to online sources – and frankly, I will never go back! Piperlime.com has won me over! While I knew I would love the boots – I had no idea the Brand experience would be so delightful. Read more of this post
Did it make you laugh?… Or cry?
January 21, 2011 2 Comments
The new Comedy Central logo has elicited a vast range of responses from Boooooooooring to Kick A**! The network set out to update their look, which has gone nearly unchanged since the 90s, launching the new logo January 1. According to thelab, the designers for the project, the goal was to create an ‘irreverent wink’ and to have an inherent simplicity that works on all levels of media. Read more of this post
windy city food tour…
December 9, 2010 Leave a Comment
Chicago, one of America’s classic cities, has it all – from retail to incredible Architecture to most importantly RESTAURANTS… it is really a design paradise – even when the wind chill is -10 degrees.
Pur & Simple Retail Signage
October 12, 2010 1 Comment
Canadian furniture retailer Maison Corbeil implements stunningly simple signage elements that make the retail experience at moments feel like a day at the spa.
Utilizing internal lighting and simple typography—the integrated signage solutions are highly impactful without overwhelming the space—and remind me of what I love about the branding of another successful furniture retailer Crate & Barrel.
All images paprika.com
“Kentucky Welcomes the World”; Branding an Event
October 6, 2010 1 Comment
We live in a world where no one misses an opportunity to advertise their brand. From buses to billboards, stores to stadiums,we, as consumers, have started to become oblivious to the advertised goods constantly paraded before us. A recent trip to Lexington, KY, however, changed my perception of such blatant advertising, because the graphics not only captured the spirit of the event, but actually enhanced it.
From now through October 10, Lexington is host to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Held every four years, 2010 marks the first time this prestigious event has been held on U.S. soil. On the afternoon leading up to the opening ceremony at the Kentucky Horse Park, I spent time touring the education center and visiting the booths with their beautiful equestrian saddles, boots, apparel, and equipment.
Alltech, the primary presenting sponsor for the event, branded the wayfinding and informational signing with equestrian imagery to add character. This temporary signing was well executed, with Alltech taking subtle credit. Bold graphic statements by Rolex, Reem Acra, Makers Mark and Ariat converted simple structures into works of art and added an air of anticipation. Alltech wrapped the main grandstand bleachers in an equestrian scene and national flags that palpably stated “here’s where the excitement will happen.”
“Kentucky Welcomes the World” is the tagline for this exciting event. Visit the Kentucky Horsepark and Lexington to join in this historic celebration and take a glimpse into a world that most of us know little about.
Entry pavilion signing and walkway graphics were informational and inspiring.
The horse symbol for the games, executed in lights and crystals, inside the Alltech Pavilion.
Simple gestures from Rolex and Tarter helped create ambiance.
Hate the Label, Not the Wine…
September 30, 2010 2 Comments
First, let me apologize to the true wine connoisseurs out there for my less than scientific wine buying tactics…
Here’s the buying journey: To start, I check out the bottles flagged with ‘wine spectator’ or other reputable ratings, then if I‘m not satisfied, I’ll ask for a recommendation from the knowledgable staff. But that’s really where ‘reason’ ends and my design brain takes over. Even if the wine is great, could I possibly buy a bottle with a terrible or even mediocre label?!? I think not. And while I, begrudgingly, understand I cannot base my entire wine choice on the design of the label, there is part of me that hopes and waits for that day. Until then, I suggest Toast-Its! A site offering wine bottle labels for all occasions.
Cover up those nasty labels… Bottoms up! Na Zdrowie!
