swedish link

We've recently been doing some work with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK, publicising the events they run (for example their upcoming seminar Generation Zero: The Future of Youth Unemployment).

flight plan

We had a proud moment seeing our client Aerobility pull off a spectacular opening to the London Paralympics 2012.

Congratulations to the Aerobility operations team - and of course to disabled ex-serviceman David Rawlins who flew the mission.

See the footage on the aerobility home page. 

Aerobility is a UK charity that trains disabled people to become pilots. We started working for them in 2010, helping with the step change from a successful group of enthusiasts to a more professional organisation able to offer more to a wider audience.

Our creative team developed a new brand identity to match up to the ambitious fundraising strategies.  We're still closely involved with Aerobility and currently working on two new fundraising initiatives.

The upswing in interest coming from the participation London Paralympics 2012 has been phenomenal -  we saw more web traffic in one night than we saw for the 9 months leading up to August 29th!

UK charities are finding it tough going this year. But I feel the investment Aerobility made in branding will pay off this year with its successful fundraising initiatives.

Peter

staff meeting

As part of the identity and communications work that we are doing with a large London Healthcare NHS Trust, we have been out and about with the Communications Team at various locations served by the Trust to share some ideas with staff (writes Lawrence).

It has been a really interesting experience.

There are two main observations that I wanted to share. Firstly, just how interested staff were in what we were doing. Everyone we spoke to was not only constructive in their feedback but was very aware of the importance of having a single purpose and identity behind which they could all unite. Much of what we shared was of a visual nature. It’s easy and understandable to make subjective judgments about ‘pictures’. Some will often say they don’t like something but not really know why. The responses we got were well informed and objective – often with suggestions and feedback about how things could be improved.

Secondly, how passionate everyone was about their organisation and the NHS. We spoke to a broad cross section of staff - clinical through to administrative - yet the commitment was just as strong and united. And although many had some issues with how things were, everyone’s loyalty and belief in the Trust and the NHS was unmistakable. The NHS is going through some radical changes but it’s refreshing that with all the problems that are often faced, they are being confronted by staff hell bent on delivering fantastic healthcare.

This exercise reiterated to us that you ignore sharp end staff at your peril – they not only give you important direction but also their support is vital. And that NHS staff are totally engaged with their organisation and ready and willing to make things work in order to protect this great institution of ours.

flying colours

I've always wondered what would have happened if Paul Rand had chosen a different colour for his famous IBM logo (writes Peter). Maybe a bright orange, a lush green or a rich purple?

Or was 'corporate blue' already the default back in the late 1950s? {Must re-watch Mad Men to find out}

IBM even gained the nickname 'The Big Blue', and for as long as I can recall blue has been the safe colour of choice for corporations.

Move on 50 years from the design of IBM's logo, and surely the web has started to dilute corporate blue? No expensive multi-coloured inks to mix and print, plus access to may 1,000s of web safe colours - major corporates must be a riot of colour on the web?

Well, this chart from colourlovers.com suggests not - or at least not yet.

Skype, Twitter, AOL, PayPal, RealPlayer, WordPress, LinkedIn - all major brands born out of the web. And their corporate colour of choice? Paul Rand would be proud.

high fliers

We have recently been working with the BDFA (British Disabled Flying Association) on their identity, logo and website. While the latter is still a work in progress, the brand new logo and identity can be seen below and read about from their point of view in the new issue of their magazine (click here to download the Chief Executive's article).

bp birthday

BP is an amazing 100 years old this year, and to celebrate this momentous birthday the company published a commemorative volume last month. The book - written/edited by BP's Centenary Project team and designed/produced by us - tells BP's unique company history using images from a vast archive of over 259,000 photos and ephemera.

According to our director Peter Walker, "at times it felt like we were producing a storyboard for a feature documentary. The hardest part was editing down a selection from so many captivating images." The book has multinational distribution through BP's global organisation.

legally branded

In February we created an identity for the new Government legal regulator LSB, having picked up the brief last October. We created an authoritative marque, respectful of legal traditions whilst giving LSB a modern and distinctive edge.

Designer Catherine Barnett, who also designed the identity of the UK communications regulator Ofcom, explained, "Regulation plays an important part in our lives, meaning these organisations need an approachable and public face. Brand identity is vital to how regulators communicate successfully with consumers, businesses and stakeholders."