Posts tagged ‘Gil Shuler Graphic Design’
My Blue Ion pals asked me to play along on a branding exercise and new website for WorkSpaces. In essence, WorkSpaces is total furniture, technology, product, and service provider helping businesses, institutions, and organizations achieve the highest quality furniture installations. But what makes them truly unique is their revolutionary approach to their work. I had the pleasure of articulating that approach for them, and it’s served both as a rallying cry internally and a key difference that set them apart from the competition.
Here’s one for the books: together with Blue Ion, Brennan Wesley and the good folks of the Charming Inns, we put together five, count ‘em five, websites for their amazing family of Charleston properties. They are: Charming Inns, The John Rutledge House Inn, The Wentworth Mansion, Kings Courtyard Inn and Fulton Lane Inn. The copywriting covered everything from the brand manifestos and photo captions to staff recommendations and tips for pet-loving guests.
Click to read larger version.
Click to read larger version.
Crossing the bridge to Mount Pleasant, you’ll find The Boulevard, a mixed-use apartment and retail community on Coleman Boulevard. The Boulevard is going to be amazing for lots of reasons. It’s one of the first big projects for the Coleman Boulevard Revitalization Project; it’s close to downtown, the beach, shopping, and restaurants, and it’s an fill development, so it makes use of existing space rather than clearing new land. Take a peek. Big ups to the Blue Ion team for this one.
Photo by Blue Ion.
A few months back, my pal Gil Shuler asked me to help out with copy for Ms. Rose’s Fine Food & Cocktails. Located in the space that was previously Sunfire Grill & Bistro, Ms. Rose’s is owned by the Zucker family. In fact, the restaurant is named for and inspired by Anita Zucker’s Mom, Rose. I had the opportunity to interview Jonathan and Anita for the project and so enjoyed getting to know them and hearing them thoughts on and memories of Rose, who is, by their accounts, still cooking and still a character.
Gil and his team created an incredible logo, identity system, menus, cocktail napkins, uniforms, merch, you name it. Everything is beautiful, playful, slightly vintage and slightly modern and, as always, full of good vibes. Reggie Gibson and his team designed the space and turned what was a boring stretch of Sam Rittenberg Boulevard into one eye-catching, must-see venue.
Special thanks to Gil for this one. It was a sheer joy from start to finish. I loved meeting everyone and felt honored to help an amazing family share their love for one great lady. As you might imagine, the food and drinks are incredible. I don’t think Ms. Rose would have it any other way. Get there soon.
Bad@ass identity system and photo courtesy of the mighty Gil Shuler Graphic Design.
It’s been fast and furious in the life of this writer lately, and I’m grateful to my clients for sharing their projects and energy with me. However, I’ve been a bit remiss with the blogging. To get back into the groove, I offer a few glimpses from my most recent adventures for your enjoyment/amusement.
Team building and bowling in Columbia:
We're bowlers. We bowl.
Sunlit morning
Tree in morning light.
Courtney hosts and is guest of honor at the most elegant birthday dinner party ever.
Aaron Draplin takes over Charleston…well, Blue Ion at least…and offers some sage advice, laughs, and pure inspiration.
Aaron Draplin and a rabid fan (read: me)
The galactically talented Gil Shuler called me recently to help tell the story of the Steel City Pizza Co. Check out the killer identity he created for this delicious establishment that’s committed to handcrafting some seriously delicious food.
It’s always a pleasure to help people tell their story, and this one’s got it all: heart, Pittsburgh, and PIZZA.
Here’s their story:
We come from The Steel City – that’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We come from cold winters, hard-working families and loyal friends who’ve got your back no matter what. We come from a place where your reputation means something – so whatever it is you choose to make in the world, make it the very best.
That’s our approach. We’re builders of good food – and our name is riding on every slice and every sandwich. That’s the way we like it. We love the challenge of making the best every single time – and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Now I’m starving.
Congratulations to my clients and dear friends who won awards and praises from AIGA at last week’s InShow for some wonderful work in which I was honored to play a part.
Photo courtesy of AIGASC.
Porto Cupecoy brochures/envelopes by Gil Shuler Graphic Design
Client: Orient Express
Art Director: Gil Shuler
Designer: Gil Shuler
Photography: Squire Fox
Printer: Geographics
Copywriter: Jenny Badman
Photo courtesy of AIGASC.
Steven’s Towing brochure by Gil Shuler Graphic Design
Client: Stevens Towing
Art Director: Gil Shuler
Designer: Gil Shuler
Copywriter: Jenny Badman
Photography: Brennan Wesley
Printer: Wentworth Printing
Photo courtesy of AIGASC.
Moody International website by Blue Ion
Client: Moody International
Art Director: David Wood
Designers: Katie Kosma; Josh Campbell
Illustrator: Shannon Wood
Copywriters: Jenny Badman
Producers: Nicola Walker, Robert Prioleau
Programmer: Craig Anthony
Photo courtesy of AIGASC.
Pearlstine website by Blue Ion
Client: Pearlstine Distributors
Creative Director: David Wood
Art Director: Josh Campbell
Copywriter: Jenny Badman
Producers: Mike Henry, Robert Prioleau
Programmers: Rich Yessian, Craig Anthony
It’s Pride Week, folks. And though it celebrates and carries the LGBTQQI acronym along with it, pride in the name of love is meant for all of us. Let me explain.
Last night, I listened Mandy Carter speak at an Alliance For Full Acceptance meeting. A self-described “out, southern, black, lesbian, social justice activist, ” she’s been working in multi-issue and multi-racial grassroots organizing for 43 years.
This lady is the real deal.
One of the many things she articulated so beautifully last night is that equality is an evolutionary process. How easy it is to forget how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time, how much the face and definition of the community itself has changed.
In the beginning of the gay rights movement, the community acronym was a single letter: “G”— the descriptor for the whole gay community. After much conversation/struggle within the community, the “L” word (that’s lesbian) was added. In the early 1980s, Bisexuality, “B” joined the acronym, and in the early 1990s, the “T” for Transgender joined the band. Two “Qs” were also identified – for Queer and Questioning – in acknowledgement of the youth population. And around 1999, “I” for Intersex was brought into the fold. (Forgive me if my dates are slightly off.)
I’d say that was an evolution.
Wait. There’s more.
Mandy shared that she is working for the fair treatment of North Carolina Latinos laboring in harsh conditions in pickle factories. When she reached out to a fellow activist to join her in support, she was met with skepticism – “Pickle workers are not my fight.”
“Wait,” Mandy said to us. “Doesn’t equality mean everyone?” Gay couples seeking to marry. Latinos who deserve safe and fair working conditions. Poor elderly who need medical care.
Everyone.
Well, yes.
In essence, Mandy said if you forget that equality means everyone, that if you say, “THEY aren’t US.” Or, “Well, now I’ve got my rights, and I’m done working.”
Well. Honey. You’re missing the point.
Thanks, Mandy. We needed that.
Then, there’s my friend Gil Shuler, who honored AFFA with an amazing t-shirt design to kick off Pride. Gil and I bantered over email about what form the shirt should take and what the messaging should be. And, as usual, Gil made something simple, beautiful and powerful. A true coming together. Thanks, Gil.
Photo courtesy of Gil Shuler Graphic Design.
And even as a frightening immigration bill looms, the Presbyterian Church is now allowing gays and lesbians to be ordained. There are victories. There are losses. There are compromises. And there are people like Mandy and Gil, who fight the good fight, each in their own way. For everyone.
I’m happy to share that, a few weeks ago, my Blue Ion pals launched an incredible new website for Pearlstine Distributors. Kids, you must be 21 to enter the site. After all, it’s alky-hawl.
I had the opportunity to write copy for the site, which meant I had the supreme pleasure of getting to know the Pearlstine family, seeing and learning about their history and touring their amazing facilities.
Dig into the website for the awesome beer finder tool, way cool beer and food pairings and timeline of the family/company history. Serious respect to the Blue Ion team on this one…a huge and beautiful effort by all. And, thanks to Gil Shuler who handcrafted an identity that speaks to everything that’s great about this company and family.
Gil Shuler did this.
Finally, a big thanks to the Pearlstine family as well as their wonderful family of employees for the inspiration, a most lovely story for me to tell.
Well, kids, 2010 turned out to be chock full o’ great work and fun. I’m nearly giddy to share that 16 projects (4 golds, 8 silvers and 4 bronzes) I wrote for brought home awards at last Friday’s ADDY Awards celebration at The Charleston Rifle Club.
Many, many thanks and congratulations to all of my favorite people and clients. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to help you all tell such amazing stories.
Gold
- Stevens Towing: print with Gil Shuler Graphic Design
- Kapstone: print with Gil Shuler
- Winterhaven Hotel: direct mail brochure with Stitch
- Blue Moon Hotel: direct mail brochure with Stitch
Silver
- Christophe Harbour Cardinal Point: print with Gil Shuler
- Christophe Harbour Harbourside: print with Gil Shuler
- Christophe Harbour Windswept Villas: print with Gil Shuler
- Christophe Harbour Harbourside: direct mail with Gil Shuler
- Easton Events: website with Blue Ion
- Homestead Preserve: website with Blue Ion
- Blue Ion: website with Blue Ion
- Epic Development: print with Gil Shuler
Bronze
- Maverick Southern Kitchens: print campaign with Blue Ion
- Alliance For Full Acceptance: billboard public service campaign with Gil Shuler
- Kit Active Apparel: website with KMK Web
- Hubee D’s: print/signage with Gil Shuler
I cannot let this post end without thanking the Charleston Ad Fed crew who put together a fantastic evening. Where else can “best of” winners bring home a stuffed deer head, I ask you? And really, any opportunity for Gil Shuler to get in a bear suit is a win-win for me. (Yes, even when he attacks.) See tomfoolery below.
When Gil attacks.
They’re very tame when they’re stuffed and mounted.
I just love it when a plan comes together. Here then is the final piece of the Alliance For Full Acceptance’s media campaign. Billboard design by Gil Shuler. The video below comes courtesy of Liz Oakley and Ed Bates of IVS Video and the sassy, unstoppable Jessica Mickey. Copy/script by me. If you like what you see, please share it. Thanks.
Part 2 of the Alliance For Full Acceptance’s media campaign. Billboard design by the one and only Gil Shuler. And the video below comes courtesy of Liz Oakley and Ed Bates of IVS Video and the seriously awesome talents of one Jessica Mickey. Copy/script by yours truly.
Building off the momentum of the AFFA billboard we created with Gil Shuler Graphic Design, I’m proud to launch the video below. Extra special thanks to Liz Oakley and Ed Bates at IVS Video, Jessica Mickey and Channing Proctor for their time and talents.
