Friday, 28 August 2009
Monday, 24 August 2009
We love holidays, and we love brands...
Here's our journal from our holiday
We've just spent 10 days at the fabulous Sensatori Resort in Crete and we're bubbling over with enthusiasm to share it with you.
Sensatori is not just a hotel complex, but a whole holiday experience. From the swim up rooms, 5 different restaurants, spa treatments, kids' sporting activities and the high quality entertainment for adults and children alike, it really it is impossible to say a bad word about this fantastic place.
The hotel's architecture breaks with traditional hotel design: every block was different and looked as though they had been built at different times, rather than the more usual regimented linear 'stacked box' design that is the norm in resort hotels. The end result resembled a village, built around several swimming pools, with the added advantage that that many of the balconies and terraces offered a private space, as no one balcony seems to overlook the other.
Inside: Our room and bathroom were 5 star luxury which is not something you'd expect from a family resort. As a family with two small(ish) children, we had a two-room swim up suite. Each bedroom opened onto the decking terrace with its sun loungers and table and chairs. Both our children can swim, but there were cleverly designed safety gates that were an integral part of both doors.
Foodwise: We were spoilt for choice with 5 restuarants, all serving good quality food, from the main resturant buffet, to the excellent Thai, the Stonegrill and the A La Carte. We ate in every restaurant, and they were all very impressive, as was the service in all of them.
During the day, the kids could spend hours by the splash pool - with its slides, sprays and ever-filling buckets. Other activities included children's clubs, Reebok football, Razzamatazz drama as well as pool-based sea scooters and SCUBA trials.
Some evenings we'd go to what's called "The Boardwalk", which is an open air theatre where the Sensatori Show Cast would entertain the grown-ups. Other evenings were spent with the kids watching Playhouse Live - featuring Danny & Becky, the co-hosts, in a hilarious and frenetic kids show, that all the children watched and joined in.
Now, we couldn't talk about Sensatori without mentioning the spa, as mum and dad need a little pampering while they are away too. So we also took advantage of that, going for a massage and sauna, which left us both very relaxed. Julia's feet are still glowing from her pedicure!
If all of the above seems a bit full on, what's really incredible about Sensatori is you wouldn't know that it is going on around you. You can be as busy and involved or as laid back as you like - there are no pushy staff trying to get you involved in activities and no annoying announcements. And talking of the staff, everyone we had dealings with were warm, delightful and professional.
But that's enough about the holiday, what this blog is really for is to talk about is creative stuff and brand experience etc... which why we are talking about Sensatori. Thomson Holidays and Atlantica Hotels launched Sensatori in Crete about 18 months ago. We understand the huge undertaking of launching and sustaining a task of this size. The work and the effort that goes into creating a new 'brand' experience from scratch is phenomenal. Considering it was only launched in May 2008, to have established and perfected this 'brand' experience in under 18 months is an incredible achievement. The attention to details in every aspect of this place is brilliant. From the front entrance with its waterfall windows, to the decor of the hallways, the landscaping between the pools, the splash pools, the swim-up rooms, the comfortable furniture throughout, the excellent spa, the overall cleanliness of the resort and the clearly well trained and prepared staff. This is clearly a well oiled machine.
We've just spent 10 days at the fabulous Sensatori Resort in Crete and we're bubbling over with enthusiasm to share it with you.Sensatori is not just a hotel complex, but a whole holiday experience. From the swim up rooms, 5 different restaurants, spa treatments, kids' sporting activities and the high quality entertainment for adults and children alike, it really it is impossible to say a bad word about this fantastic place.
The hotel's architecture breaks with traditional hotel design: every block was different and looked as though they had been built at different times, rather than the more usual regimented linear 'stacked box' design that is the norm in resort hotels. The end result resembled a village, built around several swimming pools, with the added advantage that that many of the balconies and terraces offered a private space, as no one balcony seems to overlook the other.
Inside: Our room and bathroom were 5 star luxury which is not something you'd expect from a family resort. As a family with two small(ish) children, we had a two-room swim up suite. Each bedroom opened onto the decking terrace with its sun loungers and table and chairs. Both our children can swim, but there were cleverly designed safety gates that were an integral part of both doors.
Foodwise: We were spoilt for choice with 5 restuarants, all serving good quality food, from the main resturant buffet, to the excellent Thai, the Stonegrill and the A La Carte. We ate in every restaurant, and they were all very impressive, as was the service in all of them.
During the day, the kids could spend hours by the splash pool - with its slides, sprays and ever-filling buckets. Other activities included children's clubs, Reebok football, Razzamatazz drama as well as pool-based sea scooters and SCUBA trials.
Some evenings we'd go to what's called "The Boardwalk", which is an open air theatre where the Sensatori Show Cast would entertain the grown-ups. Other evenings were spent with the kids watching Playhouse Live - featuring Danny & Becky, the co-hosts, in a hilarious and frenetic kids show, that all the children watched and joined in.
Now, we couldn't talk about Sensatori without mentioning the spa, as mum and dad need a little pampering while they are away too. So we also took advantage of that, going for a massage and sauna, which left us both very relaxed. Julia's feet are still glowing from her pedicure!
If all of the above seems a bit full on, what's really incredible about Sensatori is you wouldn't know that it is going on around you. You can be as busy and involved or as laid back as you like - there are no pushy staff trying to get you involved in activities and no annoying announcements. And talking of the staff, everyone we had dealings with were warm, delightful and professional.
But that's enough about the holiday, what this blog is really for is to talk about is creative stuff and brand experience etc... which why we are talking about Sensatori. Thomson Holidays and Atlantica Hotels launched Sensatori in Crete about 18 months ago. We understand the huge undertaking of launching and sustaining a task of this size. The work and the effort that goes into creating a new 'brand' experience from scratch is phenomenal. Considering it was only launched in May 2008, to have established and perfected this 'brand' experience in under 18 months is an incredible achievement. The attention to details in every aspect of this place is brilliant. From the front entrance with its waterfall windows, to the decor of the hallways, the landscaping between the pools, the splash pools, the swim-up rooms, the comfortable furniture throughout, the excellent spa, the overall cleanliness of the resort and the clearly well trained and prepared staff. This is clearly a well oiled machine.
Finally a word on the logo. Mike thinks he read on the wall in the spa, next to an "arty" artwork print of the logo, that the artwork was either inspired by the logo or the inspiration for the logo - but he's not quite sure. However he can confidently state that the Sensatori logo is based on the stones used in a spa.
Thank you Sensatori for a fabulous few days.
Our "swim-up" room.
Our "swim-up" room. Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Friday, 7 August 2009
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
July Design
Permin Capital LLP
We recently produced this interim identity for a City of London based investment fund. Building on the theme of solidity we used a cubed block as the basis of the of the logo. The idea being that this, like the fund itself can be built upon.Shetlands Arts Biennial Report
In a lovely piece of symmetry, one year to the day that we agreed costs, Shetland Arts completed the their Biennial Report. Check out the link to free online publishing tool ISSUU. It's really simple to use. Simply upload your pdf document to their servers and they convert it into this online publication with animated pages. You can then embed the link in your own webpage, blog or post it facebook etc...
Monday, 29 June 2009
NEW WORKS LAST MONTH
Long standing client and good friend to HUGHES | DESIGN – Tim Hill – returned once again to us to assist with the packaging for the new Ferguson Hill FHOO9 Home Theatre System.
THE FHOO9 is A hi-quality sound system to complement your Hi-Def tv. The system comes in two boxes - so we took advantage of the extra surface area to demonstrate the various sets-ups you can have with FHOO9: floor standing, tabletop or wall mounted horn speakers.
We also produced a sales brochure and an instruction manual for FHOO9 – that included a location photoshoot in furniture store Chaplins in North West London. Thanks to them for the use of the location.
We also recently completed this website for Fiona Hurlock, a local Acupuncture and Shiatsu practitioner. Click through and and have look.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Ooops. Should really be blogging
Apologies visitors, but we've been rather lax on the old blogging front. But for good reasons really. We seem to be weathering the storm. Clients keeping us busy, so busy in fact, that finding time to write for the blog has been difficult.
Coming soon we'll be showcasing new packaging work we've produced for Ferguson Hill. Plus a new website for a highly regarded Acupuncture and Shiatsu practitioner based here in East Finchley.
June sees the East Finchley Festival spring up in Cherry Tree Wood. Once again we have been hard at work, along with all the other volunteers, in creating this year's festival handbook which is now at the printers. Posters will soon be going up all over East Finchley promoting it. Thanks to everyone who advertised in this year's book.
Talking of which, did anyone notice the similarities between our poster for last years festival and a certain coffee chains new promotion? We've checked the dates, and we're certain we did it first. And we must say it's very flattering to see our work being the possible inspiration for their campaign. And of course we're the first to admit that we'all prone to a bit of plagiarism – anyone spotted the similarities between the Milton Glazer's I LOVE NY with the I LOVE N2 that adorns many so many premises and vehicles around here? :)
As Paul Arden Says in his book Whatever you think Think the opposite: Chaper: Steal –
Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination Devour films, music, books, paintings, poems, photographs, conversations, dreams, trees, architecture, street signs, clouds, light and shadows.
Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.
Authenticity is invaluable. Originality is non existent. Don't bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it.
Remember what Jean-Luc Godard said "It's not where you take things from – it's where you take them to."
We stole this from Paul Arden – who stole it from Jim Jarmusch :)
Coming soon we'll be showcasing new packaging work we've produced for Ferguson Hill. Plus a new website for a highly regarded Acupuncture and Shiatsu practitioner based here in East Finchley.
June sees the East Finchley Festival spring up in Cherry Tree Wood. Once again we have been hard at work, along with all the other volunteers, in creating this year's festival handbook which is now at the printers. Posters will soon be going up all over East Finchley promoting it. Thanks to everyone who advertised in this year's book.
Talking of which, did anyone notice the similarities between our poster for last years festival and a certain coffee chains new promotion? We've checked the dates, and we're certain we did it first. And we must say it's very flattering to see our work being the possible inspiration for their campaign. And of course we're the first to admit that we'all prone to a bit of plagiarism – anyone spotted the similarities between the Milton Glazer's I LOVE NY with the I LOVE N2 that adorns many so many premises and vehicles around here? :)
As Paul Arden Says in his book Whatever you think Think the opposite: Chaper: Steal –
Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination Devour films, music, books, paintings, poems, photographs, conversations, dreams, trees, architecture, street signs, clouds, light and shadows.
Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.
Authenticity is invaluable. Originality is non existent. Don't bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it.
Remember what Jean-Luc Godard said "It's not where you take things from – it's where you take them to."
We stole this from Paul Arden – who stole it from Jim Jarmusch :)
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