Here, we’ll let you know what our clients are up to, and what we find that inspires us—in the world and down the street.
We are thrilled to see our friend and client Dan Greenspan featured in the Boston Globe. We enjoy working with clients on their new business ventures especially when we enjoy their product too. Dan’s bread is delicious and hearty. It disappears quickly around our house whether eaten plain, with butter, or cheese. Yum.
We are excited to say that our clients are the best at what they do. Congratulations to Ball Square Fine Wines, Moxie and Wish for receiving Best of Boston 2011. We always knew you were the best, but now Boston thinks so too!
Continuing with our restaurant logo theme this spring, we are very excited about Nubar, the newly renovated bar + restaurant at the Sheraton Commander in Cambridge. The project has included a logo, menu designs and covers, business cards, exterior and interior signage, as well as an initial website and even a flag. Nubar is gearing up for their big opening this evening. The interior design is fabulous and the food looks delicious. Nubar is sure to be the new neighborhood hot spot. (photograph by: Warren Jagger)
Designing logos is a challenging task, but we enjoy the process, working with our clients and seeing the style and personality of a logo develop or transform. The solution often appears simple, clean and “easy” however hours of work are spent refining, editing, and tweaking. A logo needs to work small on an ad or business card and at the same time large on an exterior sign or billboard. The color needs to be consistent for use on the web, for digital printing and in paint colors. And most important the logo needs to speak to an audience and be memorable, as it is often the first impression for a business.
At Fyfe we’ve designed hundreds of logos over the years. One of our most recent logo designs is for a new restaurant, 80 Thoreau, that is opening in Concord, Massachusetts this spring. 80 Thoreau’s menu will be a mix of New England ingredients and traditions embellished with French techniques. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a bite to eat this spring.
We have more logos in the works so watch for new updates to our portfolio.
Phase 2 of the Ball Square Fine Wine store signage was completed over Thanksgiving. These signs function as navigation allowing the customer to easily browse and shop. Aesthetically, the sign system blends with the wine rack displays while complementing the interior design of the store. A great place to shop for a truly extensive selection of merchandise.
Robin and Erin finished overseeing the first round of interior signage installation at Ball Square Fine Wine. Directional signage, even in a small space, is essential. It orients the customer and adds to the interior design.
Since we’ve completed the first round of signs for Ball Square we are excited to move onto the lower level of signage so that the shop will be “user friendly” to all of its customers. It is a great wine store that also has spirits, micro brews, good selection of cheeses and free wine and beer tastings on Friday. Check it out www.ballsquarefinewines.com
Erin just returned from a two week vacation to Japan. She was overcome with how beautiful the landscapes, buildings, temples and shrines were throughout the country and found many of the cultural differences fascinating.
From a design perspective she couldn’t help but notice how language effected the format of menu boards and books. Since Japanese characters are read vertically from right to left the design elements change to accommodate this structure. For example, the cover of the book is on the “back” of the book and the menu board slats are simple vertical slats instead of horizontal. It is often the subtle details when traveling that can make the experience so rewarding.
The days are getting shorter, school buses are back on the roads and local farms are harvesting the bounties of a hot summer. And it is time for Fyfe to design another annual report for The Food Project. An organization that creates social change through sustainable agriculture. We feel fortunate to work with The Food Project and be a part of their noble efforts. (photo by Greig Cranna www.crannaphoto.com)
On a recent visit to New York City Robin sought out Glassybaby. The color spectrum of the hand blown glass votive candle holders was overwhelmingly beautiful. We love color at Fyfe and spend hours selecting, adjusting and speculating about color. Glassybaby is eye candy for those who love color. The candle holders are beautiful in their simplicity and natural essence and definitely worth a visit and owning your own glassybaby.
Evoo and Za opened their new doors this spring on Third Street in Kendall Square. We were excited to work with them again, designing the signage for their new location utilizing logos we designed years ago.
We also enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with interior designer, Sandra Fairbank, of Fairbank Design, and sign fabricator Boston Sign. It’s worth a trip to the river to experience their new space and yummy food.
Za’s pizza combinations are surprising and always scrumptious. EVOO’s “Home Grown” menu is a seasonal delight. This summer, Chef Peter has been spotted at the Belmont Farmers’ Market gathering produce and working with The Food Project youth making summer lunch on the farm.