How we work
A place moves through (roughly) four stages. Not a rigid formula: some places need all of it, some need one part, this is how we think.
1 .
WE START BY UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE
Before anything gets designed, we work out what a place actually is: its story, who it's for, what already surrounds it, and what it makes people feel. This is where a point of view comes from. It's also the part that gets skipped most often. (We don't.).
WE BRING IT TO LIFE
A brand isn't a final layer to apply once everything else is decided: a logo on the door, a nice typeface, a coat of paint. It's the sum of the choices, starting on day 0, that make a place what it is. If it's treated as the last thing, it has already failed.
2.
WE BUILD THE BRAND
The name, the story, the voice, the identity, and the system that holds it all together; everything a place says about itself, and everything it makes you feel before it says a word.
3.
4.
WE BUILD THE CULTURE AROUND IT
This is the part most studios don't do. Gatherings, events, and editorial: podcast and/or magazine; the things that turn a location into somewhere people belong, and keep a place alive long after it opens.
Services
1 .
THE GROUNDING
Working out what a place is before anything gets designed.
Place research / Audience definition / Market & cultural landscape / Point of view identification
2 .
BUILDING THE BRAND
The name, the story, the identity, and the system that holds it together.
Narrative: Naming & tagline / Brand story & messaging /Tone of voice
Visual: Visual identity system / Brand guidelines / Application mockups / Experience & journey mapping
3 .
BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Every touchpoint a place has, designed.
Website & digital / Photography & art direction / Film & video / Brochures & sales collateral / Signage & wayfinding / On-site & physical branding / Press-ready creative assets / Client & guest experience
4 .
GOOD CULTURE™
Turning a location into somewhere people belong.
Cultural Programming & Events: Designing (and optionally producing) cultural programming and gatherings for clients at their own locations. Gatherings & events: concept, programming, identity /Activation Strategy
Editorial & Storytelling: Podcast Production / Print Magazine Creation
DESIGN REVIEW
Beyond the four stages, we offer a design review with a specialist architect. This is an addition step to catch what standard developer finishes tend to miss.
