Anabliss Creative Sketchbook

We hold this truth to be self-evident: YOU RULE!

Brittany — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:43:56 +0000

The National Conference for State Legislatures, among other duties, publishes materials that help motivate and educate people about the American governmental system. This piece is an extensive refresh of a publication they did several years ago called Your Ideas Count. Our assignment was to simplify, update and upgrade the publication, make it approachable, cool and fun (but still sneakily educational) for its diverse audience of 6th thru 12th grade students.

To do this, we bought some existing magazines that are aimed at that age group and analyzed what made them things kids WANTED to read. Some of the things we found were content-based (think quizzes, charts, short paragraphs and lots of “bite-sized” pieces), and others were design-based (think bright colors, varied and interesting typography, angles and engaging photography).

We are pretty happy with the result. Our staff even found themselves wanting to read the entire thing.

Pack Your Bags for the Expedition!

Scott — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:05:36 +0000

In order to generate excitement for the Xpedx Open House this June, we developed a memorable campaign based around vintage travel. At the event, 60 mills will come together to give demonstrations and show innovative new products. This “world tour” of vendors sparked the idea of creating a unique travel experience for attendees that we dubbed the “Expedition.”

Using retro travel posters and illustrations as inspiration, we began to develop the look and feel for the event. Above is the Expedition logo, and below are a few travel stickers that we created which inspired later designs.To peak people’s curiosity, Anabliss designed a travel journal that was delivered to potential attendees as a teaser for the event. The journal is something people will most likely use and not throw away, keeping the event top-of-mind. Below are the two concepts that were developed for the journal.A few days after getting the journal, people will receive a passport, which is the invitation to the event. People are encouraged to bring the passport to the open house, where it will be stamped at each major vendor booth. At the end of this “world tour” of vendors, attendees can turn in their fully-stamped passports to win fun prizes.

Giving Back

Jami — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:52:13 +0000

One of the main reasons why I, Jami, was drawn to work for Anabliss was the amount of work that the company does for non-profits. I was impressed that the company found giving back to the community so important and valuable. And now, I am glad to be a part of it.

Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver is a nonprofit program providing educational opportunities to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Each year they put on a fundraiser in the form of a comedy event called Girls Night Out. This is the 6th year we have donated our design services to help promote the event which is taking place on October 16, 2008.

The comedy headliner this year is Rita Rudner. Known for her witty humor and funny personality, we wanted the materials to carry this through. The client chose our retro direction that featured a halftone treatment of Rita with bright pink and green pops of color. We feel that this fun and colorful direction will grab the viewers attention and make the event a success. Here you see the Save the Date Postcard above and the Web Header below.

For more information about the event, visit www.girlsincdenver.org/ggnotix.

Superheroes have capes. I have my rope.

Scott — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:31:57 +0000

Anabliss was contracted to design a series of ads for the work and rescue division of PMI rope. This includes rope used for water, fire and high-angle rescue operations.

Working with a copywriter, we developed a bold, gritty aesthetic that appeals to the hero mentality of the rope’s users—namely firefighters, police and military personnel. Rough textures, witty copy, and real images of rescue operations using PMI rope were used. The resulting ads are a window into the world of adventure and extreme conditions that PMI customers experience.

The work and rescue ads were so well received that Anabliss was awarded the job of creating a separate, unique ad series for PMI’s dynamic rope division. This includes ropes used for recreational climbing and mountaineering.

“The line between tragedy and triumph” was the inspiration for this series, and the ropes themselves play a leading role visually. Full of color, these ropes are set against a backdrop of bleak, extreme conditions that climbers often find themselves in. This reinforces the idea that the type of rope you choose can be a life and death decision, and PMI has always been recognized for its dependability.

Different headlines and ropes were used for the other two ads in the series.

A Process for Sustainability

Brittany — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:19:41 +0000

“The National Trust provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize our communities,” www.nationaltrust.org.

The National Trust was chartered in 1949 to preserve and restore places in America that are part of our history. The Denver branch of the National Trust has worked with Anabliss for many years to create beautiful, motivating publications about historic sites in need of help.

One interesting movement the National Trust is involved in is the restoration and re-use of old barns. They came to us for help in telling the story of these icons of America’s farmlands. Many barns are torn down so that larger, less-sustainable ones can be built. New barns often use non-renewable resources and require much more power, machinery and maintenance than their ancestors. National Trust had provocative, intriguing photography of these sites, both before and after they were lovingly restored by small farmers. We used this great resource, as well as their compelling copy, to inspire the layout of the Sustainable Agriculture publication.

Integrating clean lines and elegant typography with farm-inspired textures and vintage elements, we created a publication that comfortably bridges the timeless traditions represented by the old barns and the progressive, “green” philosophy of the National Trust and the farm-owners featured.

Several interesting case studies helped to make the NTHP’s case. We set these off with texture and an interesting, western-clothing-inspired border. Later, NTHP reused this publication as a web-based PDF. We simplified the texture here to make it much easier for them to read the publication when it was being printed on a desktop black-and-white printer.

The call-to-action in the back of the book had a photorealistic postcard look. We found vintage elements such as the stamp and cancellation, and the postcard itself, to make this work. The piece really connects with farmers and those associated with them, motivating them to get involved in this exciting, cost-effective movement.

In addition, we worked with Tewell-Warren Printing, a local printer with FSC certification. This allowed us to get FSC certified paper and put the FSC logo on the back of the publication, which aligned well with the sustainable message of the whole piece.

A Process for Consistency

Jami — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:27:48 +0000

The Children’s Hospital came to us with the challenge to design the new look and feel for the 2008 Courage Classic, a 3-day bike race through the Rocky Mountains that serves as a fundraiser for the The Children’s Hospital. We would be designing a POP display, poster, rider and volunteer manuals, trail maps, web icons, t-shirts and water bottles.

We were presented with the following design goals:

Make the campaign stand out from the multitude of bike races in Colorado.
Have the materials relate more to The Children’s Hospital branded look. (In years past, there was little or no tie from a design standpoint between the two.)
Help them sell out 2,000 slots.
Help them raise $3 million.

We designed the POP display to establish the concept for the entire campaign. Originally, the client insisted on using a photo from last year’s event and the established event logo (which they agreed wasn’t very strong and said that it would be changed in the next couple of years, but for now we were stuck with it).

Approved Concept

With this direction, we pushed the envelope by using an illustration instead of the photos and a large type treatment rather than a large logo. The client absolutely fell in love with the bright colors, which complement the established Children’s Hospital brand, and the gender-unspecific appeal of the design.

But here are 3 other designs that we felt were pretty great, but didn’t make the final cut.

Concept B

Our designer/avid cyclist, Spencer, had a great time designing this direction. He went with a more realistic approach, using photos of all of the gear that one would need for the ride paired with copy and typography reminiscent of a boxing match to give it a unique twist.

Concept C

With this direction, we wanted to satisfy the client’s request for the large photo and logo, but gave it bright colors and halftone pattern for a pop-art look and a unique die cut to help it stand out from the other cycling POPs it would have to compete with.

Concept D

The vintage photo treatment here gave the otherwise unoriginal photo a distinct look and worn, rugged feeling that we felt our target audience would be drawn to. And again, we went away from the logo and instead focused on large typography to clearly communicate the event and its details.

Logo Design

Spencer — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:21:43 +0000

“A trade mark is a sign. The sender of a trademark uses his mark to identify himself to the world. This he may do in one of three ways: he may identify himself as an owner, as a manufacturer, or simply as the sender of a message.”
-Marks of Excellence by Per Mollerup

There is a lot of work that goes into a logo design. At Anabliss we try to give our clients more than one “right” design. We strive to pursue several creative directions.

The purpose of this blog entry is to share our “behind the scenes” process of a logo design.

Below are examples of logos recently presented to our client for an internal leadership program. This program was designed to teach selected employees the necessary skills to prepare them for advancement in the company into leadership positions. We were asked to create a logo and a name for this program.

Our first step is to research both visual and written verbiage. We share ideas, we work on rough sketches, and then we refine them into clear and presentable solutions. Once we have achieved multiple directions that we feel are strong, we refine them further and present a black and white version to our client. These solutions are what you see pictured here.

AVANT: an innovative group or movement; leadership.
NOTE: A spinnaker is a large triangular sail set on a spar that swings out opposite the mainsail, used on yachts when running before the wind. The spinnaker can provide stability and great speed.

XENITH: 1. the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer. 2. a highest point or state; culmination.

ASCENT: movement upward from a lower to a higher state, degree, grade, or status; advancement.

Easier Being Green

Matt — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:02:33 +0000

Denver Business Journal: January 2008

Did you know that “enough paper is thrown away every year to make a 12-foot wall from New York to California”? Hmm, someone alert Tom Tancredo to this wall idea. Other facts from the folks promoting the 2008 Sustainability Calendar produced by Denver’s Anabliss Design + Brand Strategy and several other firms:”The U.S. prints 17 billion catalogs annually — an average of 64 for each person in the country,” and “Altogether, every American is buried by almost 750 pounds of paper in one year.” Each month of the calendar offers factoids and tips to make green choices. The calendar was produced via green methods, such as using vegetable-based inks and 100 percent postconsumer paper.

“It’s really to educate; as designers and ultimately consumers, we have an obligation to educate our clients about how to make greener decisions throughout the year,” said Matt Coffman, founder and owner of Anabliss, which gave the calendars as holiday gifts to clients. “We’re trying to empower our customers to make responsible choices in the office. And we recycle our paper, aluminum and cardboard, and try to do as much as we can by PDF and electronic verification, cutting down on paper.” Anabliss convinced one client, a Wyoming grocery store, to switch to 100 percent biodegradable bags. “We did canvas totes for them, so they don’t have to use paper anymore,” Coffman says.

Anabliss teamed with Tewell Warren Printing, Mohawk, Foils + Dies Vintage Pressworks and Oxford West, plus Steve Hutchison of Written Words Inc. to produce the calendar. To obtain this free calendar, visit www.green08.org.

A Process for Success

Brittany — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:26:59 +0000

Before it was Rocky Mountain Fresh Foods, this IGA grocery store in a small Wyoming town had lofty goals and its heart in the right place. It sells specialty and organic foods in addition to the normal Wyoming fare. To become the only store in town worth going to, it needed an extra push.

We started with concept boards with imagery taken from stock photography, magazines and other sources, to get our general thoughts across to the client. Above is the board they chose: the “Ansel Adams” concept.

These three logo concepts were our presentation to the client. Each represented a different style board and train of thought; the top one goes with the Ansel Adams board above. This is the concept the client chose. We were very pleased, and developed three versions of the logo (one with a square, one with a triangle, and one with this circle stamp in the middle). The long skinny shape worked well with their existing exterior signage, while the secondary logo in the stamp was applied to more traditional logo-shaped spots.

The canvas tote was one of our favorite parts of this project. This illustration style is used on the exterior paint job of the building, the paper and plastic bags, and various other parts of the store’s design, unifying it and giving it a hand-made touch.

These product signs carry the friendly, customized look to the shelves. They needed to be printable in-house; thus their simple, templated design. We think you’ll agree, they’d catch your eye!

We had a little fashion show in the office when the uniform samples arrived. We’re pretty sure they are the sharpest-looking grocery store uniforms in the Rocky Mountain Region, if not the nation! The uniform consists of hats, sweatshirts, polo shirts, aprons, butchers’ aprons, and nametags—a pretty good outfit if you ask us.