Are you looking to enhance the perception of your business?
In this eNewsletter I detail some of my recent projects and how I've used clever design to take their business to the next level.
1. Around the World in 80 Handbags - Book design & marketing
2. Rotron - New logo design
3. OakTree Joinery - Designing a catchy email marketing message
4. SKYCAR - creating a brand, a brochure and some banners.
All the best, Will
Idea Generation: Around the World in 80 Handbags PUBLISHED
"I'm rather suspicious that there are a lot of rather attractive women in this book." George Alagiah, BBC World News
“To my mind, the ‘look & feel’ of this travel diary is set to appeal to young people who may also be trying to find themselves. It looks like a cross between ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ and the iconic self-help book, ‘The Secret’.” Ed Pakenham, International Marketing Manager of a major PLC
Background: 80 days in the travelling, 2 years in the writing. The first editions of this book are now available to own. We usually do Idea Generation for other companies, but this is my own personal project, a travel diary entitled, ‘Around the World in 80 Handbags’ charts my trip around the world photographing the contents of strangers handbags, from the West of Materialism to the East of Minimalism.
Brief: After the 90,000 words had been written, my idea had to take on a visual identity of its own. After the name and tag line (The ultimate Travel diary to finding Yourself) had been finalised, we needed to develop a logo, a cover and a website that would be attractive, relevant and memorable.
Approach: I felt too close to the project to do it all alone so I commissioned one of my associates to brainstorm ideas and designs with me.
Results: Take a look for yourself on the website www.80handbags.com On the interactive website you can watch me being interviewed by George Alagiah on BBC World, read the first chapter, buy the book and even upload a photograph of the contents of your own handbag!
Background: Parajet, the manufacturer of paramotor aviation engines and long standing client, have launched a new division of their engines.
Brief: They asked us to develop a suitable brand identity.
Approach: We wanted the branding to be synonymous with the product. Therefore we looked at the design of the Rotary engine (also known as the Wankel engine). It is a type of internal combustion engine which uses a rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle takes place in a space between the inside of an oval-like epitrochoid-shaped housing and a rotor that is similar in shape to a Reuleaux triangle. We took the shape of this triangle as inspiration for the Rotron logo and mixed with shades of grey to represent the spinning motion of the engine.
Results: The logo has been cast into the aluminium air-inlet valve of all the Rotron production engines as well as appearing on all the sales and marketing literature. For the latest news on these engines (that have already powered Bear Grylls over the summit of Everest) please visit www.parajet.com
Marketing Communications: Oak Tree Joinery Email Marketing Campaign
Background: OakTree Joinery, were looking to attract new customers.
Brief: To write engaging copy for an email marketing campaign.
Approach: The email was styled in the Oaktree Joinery colours and the copy was written to be informative. Entitled, ‘The 5 Rules of Buying Timber Windows and Doors’ it picked up on five of Oaktree Joinery's USPs and positioned them as class leaders in their field.
Results: The email went out to 40,000 individuals and OakTree Joinery received a 1% click through rate. This has since converted thousands of pounds worth of orders.
“We expected a brochure and website, but we were given our own brand identity too.” Gilo Cardozo, Inventor of the Parajet SkyCar and Director of Parajet Automotive
Background: The SKYCAR was written about here, in eNewsletter10 and details my hand in the idea generation of the concept. The car has since returned from it’s maiden voyage from London to Timbuktu.
Brief: The inventors and entrepreneurs behind the SKYCAR wanted a brochure and website to capitalise on the huge amount of publicity generated, with the aim of attracting a buyer for the car and investment in the company.
Approach: For the colour palette we used blacks and greys with red highlights to reflect the extreme adventures that this machine is capable of taking you on. The ‘James Bond’ colour scheme was then applied across the brochure, website and promotional banners.
Results: The marketing collateral has been used at numerous events (the post expedition party at Charlie Boormans garage and at a recent talk at the Royal Geographic Society). Our work has helped to secure orders and investment. A Channel 4 documentary will be aired at the end of October/early November which will further support the business growth. (I’ll let you know the date as soon as I know). In the meantime, check out: www.parajetautomotive.com
2010 
