Workplace Selfie Winners

EA Networks Selfie

EA Networks were so delighted to receive morning tea as their prize for the best ‘Workplace Selfie’ in our recent Facebook competition. They all commented on how much fun it was!

Roanna (second from the left ) was the brains behind their awesome selfie idea. The selfie, taken by Roanna in a hard hat, looks as though she’s floating several metres above her team on the ground who are  forming, with their bodies, the letters EA in the carpark!

We were so pleased to see team-building and even health and safety going on. Most of all, we’re about ideas so – that was the best part.

We received seven super-creative entries from businesses in Ashburton, ranging from cheeky staff, animals and babies in the workplace to the recreation of a movie poster and a team of heads stuck in a real estate sign! We loved every entry.

Selfies are way more fun to share with others don’t you think?

Farm Gate to Our Plate

Our client Chris Bristol from Alliance kindly invited us to the inaugural event in the Antipocurean Series tour at Chillingworth Road Restaurant in Redwood, Christchurch.

Well-known and highly skilled international and local chefs such as the UK’s Michael Wignall and NZ’s Josh Emmett are set to create dishes using a selection of premier beef, merino, lamb and venison.

The Antipocurean series was established to further the international awareness of the unique cuisine of New Zealand.

They’ve melded the words ‘antipodes’ (basically, New Zealand) with Epicurean (a person devoted to, skilled or knowledgeable) to create: Antipocurean (an-tipo-cure-ree-an)

To learn more visit https://www.antipocureanseries.co.nz

High Detail Vintage

The lavish vintage trend will remain strong throughout 2018. Though it may contradict the also trending minimalism, finely crafted logos/illustrations are timeless. Brands are looking to achieve that top-shelf look which can provide distinction and sophistication and this is the perfect style for that!

This isn’t for everyone, but the food and beverage industries have been showcasing this stylish trend for years with breathtaking results. Artisan, organic and natural product brands are loving this trend, using it to give products that hand crafted and wholesome feeling.

Check out the amazing design by Martis Lupus, Hive – Agency and MANTSA®.

Strong Headlines + Outstanding Logo Font

Mont is a geometric sans serif consisting of 10 weights ranging from Hairline to Black with matching italics. The balanced characteristic of Mont with unique details, such as the pointed “t” and the prominent x-height makes it perfect for strong headlines and outstanding logos, but also suitable for long text.

The typeface’s versatility and merits make it easy to confront any graphic design challenge – web, print, motion graphics etc.

Want to find out more? Click here!

Responsive Logos in Hot Demand

It’s been 10 years since responsive design began to revolutionise the web, and since then it has become the industry standard.

The rapid rise of mobile browsing has created critical usability issues for traditional websites. Designers began experimenting with ways to make designs adapt to the user’s device as a one-website-fits-all solution. This laid the groundwork for what would become known as “responsive design.”

The idea of altering logos to meet the same user demands has largely remained unthinkable… until now. Companies have been refreshing their logos into modern, simplified versions over the past few years and responsive logo design is the logical next step in meeting the demands of today.

Digital and interaction designer Joe Harrison created an experimental project called “Responsive Logos” to explore the creation of scalable logos for some of the world’s biggest brands.

Colour That Influences Our World

Pantone Present colour of 2018 – Ultra Violet Pantone® 18-3838!

A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.

Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolises experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.

The Art of Colour Forecasting

Although Pantone’s Colour of the Year is widely anticipated and supported by a number of industries (Sephora on makeup, JC Penney on a bed-and-bath collection, Lowes on paints, and Room Copenhagen with accessories), the science behind it is still obscure. As Pantone senior vice president Ron Potesky said, “The complexity of the logic behind Color of the Year is greater than interior design or fashion—it’s a forecast, a reflection of what’s happening in the world.”

The process of colour forecasting is not a simple one, although it’s highly subjective in nature. For months on end, the Pantone team gathers what they call “proof points” from all over the world. They go to car shows, runways, decorator showcases, and other important events that define culture and lifestyle. They try to make sense of meaningful overlaps so they can distill the mood and state of the times into a single colour.

Want to find to more about Pantone® Ultra Violet, click here!

4 Easy Steps to Facebook Engagement

How would you like to create Facebook posts that make your audience smile, nod, and take action?

When creating posts for social media, try to remember the AIDA acronym. This stands for Attention, Interest, Desire and Action.

Attention
Grab people’s attention with a catchy headline, cheeky statement or question.

Interest
Get them interested by telling them a wee yarn that relates to them or highlights a problem they may have. Entertain, inform, inspire.

Desire
Increase their desire by showing them that you can solve their problem, or highlighting benefits. You could provide them with an influential thought.

Action
Finally use a call to action. Now that you have called them up and given the reader some value – you can ask them to return the favour by taking part! Ask them to join in, share a thought, welcome someone, direct message or shoutout to a friend.

Stu Bell Construction: Van Gets a Makeover

JFM Marketing + Design - Stu Bell Construction | Van Signage

This van came to us feeling a little lacklustre about its looks. Van’s work hard – so they deserve to look and feel fabulous. This van is now full of life and energy, exceeding expectations and helping out where it can.

The van was an outcome of a full brand identity refresh for Stu Bell Construction.

The design team at JFM created a new logo concept with a stylised and knotted ‘S’ & ‘B’ creating a simple and memorable icon. A gradient of blue creates a sense of security and sophistication. The new logo is now being rolled out across vehicles, apparel, business cards and other marketing collateral.

When Nature Called: EcoRestroom

JFM Marketing + Design - Eco Restroom | Logo & Signage

Have you ever been to an event or special location and the unsightly restrooms forced you to rate the experience much lower?

Or maybe you’ve encountered some fabulous restrooms that made a great impression on you!?

That’s why Silk Estate created EcoRestrooms. Silk Estate offers luxurious wedding marquees with sophisticated furniture and finishing’s. Owner Toni May took on the challenge to create a restroom to add, not detract, from her client’s overall experience.

EcoRestrooms provides transportable restroom solutions as an alternative to the typical Portaloos. These restrooms are not only eco-friendly but the idea is to impress guests of sophisticated events such as weddings, parties, sports or corporate get-togethers.

As a team we coined the brand name. Then the creative treatment of overlaid soft green foliage and ferns visually communicate the eco friendly properties of the unit. If you look closely, the artwork blends fluidly between the external and internal walls. The tropical leaves give the restroom a feeling its surrounded by nature and allows it to blend in with the scenery. Our visual message was a back to nature focus and kiwi in style.

A Renewed Energy for Juice Signs

JFM Marketing + Design - Juice Signs & Design Logo

Our brief was to create a brand identity with renewed style and presence for Juice Signs, previously known as Plus Signs. With new owners, the business is entering the next phase of life and JFM believes the evolution is supported by the new name ‘Juice’ – Justin’s nickname.

The business is to be positioned as contemporary, scalable and a fresh thinker in the signage market. The identity needed to be eye catching and memorable while still being minimal readable and functional in a variety of applications.

Clients Emma and Justin particularly like classic black, simplicity and the style of renowned street artist Bansky. Bringing their personal preferences to the brand adds authenticity and personality.