System Application

This is my system application. I got a lot of really good advice on information that homeowners would like from a company like menno. I wasn't really sure what to do with all of it, and in order to follow through on a lot of it I would have had to do a lot of research to get accurate information. I ended up deciding on a webpage. I made a homepage that was simple and clean and has the same welcome information as in my welcome letter from my communication system. I also used most of the information I got form the homeowners to form a blog and news page with snippets of information that would link to other pages with the rest of the information. This is what I have.

~J

Standards Manual

This is what I have for my standards manual. Any comments would be good. Just tweaking will need to be done before turning in.

~J

System Application

So I have been struggling a little with my idea for my system application, and I finally think I have a strong concept of what I want to do, I just need to implement it.  So I am going to do a simple, easy homepage. The design of it would be similar to the design of other pages.  Then I want to create the blog and news link because I got a lot of information from homeowners on what they would want to know/learn about from a company like Menno.  

This is what I have for the simple homepage.  The blog page would be similar, but with less of the image showing and more text and information.

~J

Standards Manual

I have decided on a format for my standards manual and have worked on the images section of the manual. This is what I have.

Graphic Standards

I am not sure what shape/style my graphics standards manual will take yet but I have taken into consideration the things that will go into it.

Use of logo:
- always appears in logo type when not used in body copy
- appears in arial when with-in body copy
- appears in tan (C=18 M=25 Y=35 K=0) lt. tan (C=4 M=4 Y=27 K=0) or the blue-gray (C=25 M=8 Y=0 K=78)
- never appears smaller than 1/4" or larger than 3"

Typeface:
- Georgia
- tagline appears in: Georgia bold italic

Colors:
- Main 4 colors: tan, blue-gray, dark brown and light blue-gray
- secondary colors: red, light tan, dark tan, brown, and medium blue-gray
- the tans are more to represent the use of the colors of the papers that Menno materials are printed on
- the red is used as an accent color on menno materials
- the blue-grays are used as a compliment to add depth and tranquility to the brand message

Other than that I am not 100% sure what I need. I think I should define something for the use of my images, however since this was an element that I introduced towards the end of the last project I am not totally sure how I want these to be defined in a standard sense.

~J

Idea Gathering for System Application

So not really sure what types of information I should be supplying to customers I sought out some information from current home owners. The information I got in return was really helpful.

A lot of them seemed to really like the idea of a newsletter of some sort or another. They also gave me a lot of info on different types of information they would want to know. The best suggestion was to have an "ask the expert" kind of question. They also suggested have a rewards or discounted program. This idea was expressed in several ways - either a "AAA for your house" sort of plan that Menno could offer, a recommendation section of recommending local experts, or coupons and discounts on things that have to do with your home. I also got a good amount of recommendations on the types of things that a homeowner wants information on.

I am not entirely certain yet what I am going to produce but I am strongly leaning toward a newsletter or information booklet of sorts.

I also intend on refining my materials from my system application to address some of the issues borught us on critique

~J

Inspirational Standards Manual

I chose this manual because I thought it had a clean design that wasn't trying to be too spiffy or crazy. I liked its horizontal design and use of color to separate the sections of each page. It had a lot of information without seeming too overwhelming. Also it had a lot of specific information that would easily help someone implement their logo, colors and standards correctly. this is only a few of the pages cause it was 20 pages long.

~J

Letter

this is the development I've made on the letter:  three typeface options (that I would use throughout) implementing various stacked rock images - more options below the ones that I placed on the document - and I created columns for the information to seem less "standard business letter.

I also added a tag line.  There is a secondary option above the letter, any other suggestions if those don't work?

Just general comments and anything that could be improved would be appreciated!

~J

Postcard

I added a post card that someone who picked up this folder of information could mail back in to get more information.  This is what I came up with ...  two cover options ... any thoughts?

Updated business cards - need opinions

These are some of the options that I have for my business card.  I stuck with the shape (since people seemed to like it, just not in the brown) and I added some blues/greys to my color palette to get away from brown.  I also started implementing images as part of my system.  

The first row is the front part, with 2 or three typeface options, and layout options different on each.  Which is working best?  The second row is the back with various options.  Same color, different color, no image or image?  The third row are image options for the back of the business card.  Should it be with or without a boarder? with/without the logo?

Thanks for the input!

Update ... sort of

So I have been posting during what the if ... and I have been crazy busy with other classes and projects due. So I am just going to post some more info on what is posted below.

The front and back of the pamphlet are two different options, which is better? Do you like having some depth in the background or is it distracting? Should it be something else?

Also, the three things I have will be a welcome to menno letter, the pamphlet and a business card. These three things would be included in a folder when a person first visits menno, or at a home show where they would pick up some information.

Does the business card shape look too much like a bean? how would I make it look more like a rock?

Any other input would be great. The letterhead with the welcome to menno letter is pretty plain, just a bunch of text with the rock shape in the red on the top and bottom and menno in the upper left corner of the red block.

I plan on getting some textured paper to print everything on, so the color of the tan/background might change slightly.

Any other input would be appreciated. I hope to have some changes before monday, but I did not/ do not have the time before 8 pm tonight ... but things have changed since most people have last seen them.

Updates

After taking some time away from my identity and thinking about what changes I could make to better personalize a letter, business card and pamphlet could better suit and speak the language of my company I went back to work. I didn't change a lot, but I changed the shape of the business card and handout to hopefully fit the feel of my company more ...

Below is my pamphlet (front and back with different ideas/options) and some variability for business card colors (three background colors with two of the three accent colors)



~J

Identity System

After looking over my inspirational systems I looked at why each system works and what I was attracted to it.  The biggest things were a consistent theme and solid color scheme throughout the pieces of the design.  From that I started working on my own thing.  I had a logo (wordmark), the stacked rocks and the enlarged O as my starting point along with a brown toned color scheme.  I wanted to ad at least one more color to add to the palette that added some dimension with keeping it sophisticated.  

For my system I decided that the tradition

al Business card, envelope letterhead was a good place to start.  Through conversation with Ange I decided that these types of things would be best used after you already have clients, but how would I use this system to draw clients in?  I mentioned the idea of going to a trade show and that being a way to bring in clients.  The idea of having a folder as a giveaway that would have some informational materials and things to draw people in.  

This folder will have the logo on the front, simple and plain.  Inside the folder on the left side will be a welcome letter telling about Menno and what we can do for you.  On the right side will be a tall handout that ha tips for saving money in your home and the business card of the person working at the trade show (or handing out the folder in any situation).  

Below is the business card template and the colors that I am using throughout the identity.  Its a rough start, but it is what I am looking at as a direction.

Coffee awakens, Coffee Inspires

In my search for inspirational systems I was trying to think outside the box and find things that were hidden gems.  However, while looking for a third quality source I found myself in a pretty common place - a coffee shop.  Caribou Coffee's logo, store design and website design is cohesive and fun while still setting itself apart from the crowd.  The northwoods, rustic feel is different then most coffee shops where you'll either find something modern and urban or comfy and "green".  I personally prefer Caribou over Starbucks and I think some of its appeal is its warm and friendly atmosphere even amidst the even coldest and dreariest days.  Looking at their overall appeal and design I think it comes from their ability to feel like a slice of the northwoods without appealing only to hunters and fishers.  Their website to logo to store design all follow their brand identity, creating a unified system that has kept their company growing.

Final logo directions

I edited the typeface to make it more unique and tried to exagerate the forms to make it more similar to the stacked rocks of the logo. Is it working? does it need more or less? Also is the "^" better over the whole thing, or just at the end over the "o"? Is it better with 3 rocks, or the whole thing?

I really want this to be strong and I think I have looked at it so much that I am really in need of some other eyes and ideas. just what you prefer would be helpful. Thanks so much!

Inspirational Conspiracy

As I am thinking about inspirational systems I was thinking about what things I have come into contact with that moved me in some way.  This past Christmas my church used this video and I thought it was really well done and the concept of the company was really cool and edgy.  So I went to look at their website and see what other sorts of things they have.  To the left is their logo.  It is somewhat complicated but it gets to the heart and point of their company.   Below is a simplified word mark and a tag line that explains their company a little more.   Below that is the page on their website that you get when you click the "about section."  They have a pretty diverse system of symbols that they use in various ways.  Yet they stick with a consistent color palette and style throughout.  The Video on their home page (youtube link below) is how I first got introduced to this company and I think it is awesome.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

www.adventconspiracy.org

Typefaces ... can't figure it out!

I am working on defining my final logo and I have decided to go with the rock concept. I am not sure what direction I should go with the typeface and need some input. Is a more solid typeface better? serifs or no? script? I will end up stylizing the "o" and maybe the rest of the typeface but I need an idea of where to start.

I also would like some ideas on the best way to integrate the typeface into the logo. If a better typeface will help with it in the previous location that could work, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also, what would people think if I put the rocks into more of a greyscale then the browns?

Thanks for the input!!

2 Logos

There first one has iterations with blacks and greys as well as a few different numbers of rocks, but this is what I showed in class. 

The next logo just has 3 color variations.  Same type face.  I think I am going to work with the type face to get it to work more with the logo.

Sweet Treats Inspire Sweet Design

This company and website was brought to my attention from a group meeting for a different class. When I looked up the website during our meeting I was kind of geeking out at the logo, the concept and the overall identity. The website is designed really well and the logo is awesome. I also wish that this place existed anywhere near the Midwest!

http://www.yogurt-land.com/

Refined Logos

All of my logos are in various directions ... these are the 5 that I choose to refine and the many iterations that I did while working on them.   They are all still pretty rough, mostly just digitized of my sketches.