We are busy at Fyfe Design. See some of our project updates below.
U R 2 Cool
We’re passionate about what we do. We love designing for such a wide variety of projects and we love working with you, our community of clients and collaborators. Whether you are new to the crew or a longtime associate, this valentine is 4 U.
We’re passionate about what we do. We love designing for such a wide variety of projects and we love working with you, our community of clients and collaborators. Whether you are new to the crew or a longtime associate, this valentine is 4 U.
Robin + Erin
Take a look at some of our faves.
Winter Solstice: short days, bright nights
Celebrate solstice with an evening of light, sound, and color at Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light. Take a short walk through the cemetery’s historic landscape to encounter a series of immersive, site-specific installations.
Celebrate solstice with an evening of light, sound, and color at Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light. Take a short walk through the cemetery’s historic landscape to encounter a series of immersive, site-specific installations.
Fyfe is pleased to be part of this creative collaboration. We designed the logo, signage, and website, working in partnership with the cemetery and Masary Studios, the artist collective behind the meditative experience.
Hoping your holiday is bright. See you in 2023.
A Year Like No Other
Thank you to our clients, printers, vendors, friends and associates who have kept us spinning and twirling throughout the year.
Thank you to our clients, printers, vendors, friends and associates who have kept us spinning and twirling throughout the year. For keeping us on our toes and looking ahead. We are ready for 2021 and all the unexpected opportunities it will bring. Happy New Year.
Design for Small Businesses
We are pleased as punch to announce that Fyfe Design has once again been awarded a two-year contract with the City of Boston’s ReStore and Design Program.
We are pleased as punch to announce that Fyfe Design has once again been awarded a two-year contract with the City of Boston’s ReStore and Design Program. This initiative pairs designers like us with small businesses to improve the visual identity of the city’s neighborhoods. We help these entrepreneurs with their logo, materials, signage, color palette, and other expressions of their brand.
As a small business ourselves, this project is close to our heart. We respect and admire the dedication of these business owners. They inspire us. We’re looking forward to getting to know a new group of businesses in 2020.
A sample of our past projects for the ReStore and Design Program:
We are enjoying the holidays with family and friends, resting up for our 2020 projects. Please note our office will be closed December 23 – January 1.
Attention to Details
Being advocates for our clients means sweating the small stuff while keeping the big picture in mind.
Being advocates for our clients means sweating the small stuff while keeping the big picture in mind.
Made in the Shade
Whether we’re working in CMYK, RGB, PMS, Benjamin Moore, Sunbrella, or vinyl, choosing the right palette requires careful consideration.
The Material World
How will a design work with the texture, weight, and quality of a particular material?
Staying Present
The last step of a print project is a vital one: being on-press to check colors and quality before that catalog or annual report goes in the mail.
Hands-On Approach
We’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves to get the job done.
We enjoy the big details and small. We look forward to working together on your next project.
Creating a Stir at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
In October 2018, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) opened Stir, its new signature dining experience. The food is by the Constellation Culinary Group; the architecture by Frank Gehry; the name and logo by none other than Fyfe Design.
In Fine Company
In October 2018, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) opened Stir, its new signature dining experience. The food is by the Constellation Culinary Group; the architecture by Frank Gehry; the name and logo by none other than Fyfe Design.
We began exploring ideas eight months before, working as consultants for Constellation Culinary Group (previously Starr Catering). Whatever direction we chose needed to address several parameters. First, the logo had to complement the museum’s clean, modern logo, which was recently redesigned by Pentagram. The name had to reflect the museum’s core values of being vital, open, connected, and provocative. Finally, PMA requested that the name suggest action or activity, while still relating to food, art, and architecture.
We came up with hundreds of potential names that we then sorted and culled. We presented 10 options to the Constellation Culinary Group, which in turn selected three finalists to pitch to PMA:
Stir, Icon, The Aubergine.
To help PMA decide on the name, we developed a series of concept logos.
Why Stir?
PMA liked that Stir is both a verb and a noun, suggesting energy and movement. The concept was a good fit with PMA’s expansion project and Gehry’s style of architecture. “Stir” also evokes the creative process (stirring paint, the stirring of emotions), and, of course, the making and eating of food and drink.
Designing the Logo
A restaurant logo has many different applications. It must work as well on a sign as it does on menus, uniforms, promotional materials, a website, and more. For Stir, we had an additional consideration. The museum’s new identity system included a custom font that we had to incorporate. This font has a straightforward character. On its own, it does not reflect the energy and movement of the word “stir.” We decided to add an irregular composition of circles around the name to inject the logo with vitality and fluidity.
As for the color palette, we found inspiration in the materials that Frank Gehry used for the restaurant. The result: warm and inviting hues that also convey verve and momentum.
Watch Local News Report of Stir Opening
Designing for one of Boston’s top 25 new restaurants
Having worked with Ian Calhoun and Vincent Vela on their award-winning 80 Thoreau, we were glad to help with their new venture in Boston’s Park Square: a restaurant and separate bar in a completely renovated three-story building.
Having worked with Ian Calhoun and Vincent Vela on their award-winning 80 Thoreau, we were glad to help with their new venture in Boston’s Park Square: a restaurant and separate bar in a completely renovated three-story building. Two separate but related entities in one building = 2 logos, 2 signs, 2 business cards, etc.
We’ve designed countless logos, signs, and business cards, etc. but each project is unique—with its own criteria, issues, and problems to solve. This project was part style, part technology, part arithmetic, and part city approval. It all came together to express both the restaurant’s white-tablecloth elegance and the bar’s casual vibe.
Mooncusser Fish House
Photos by: Andy Ryan
Sign Fabrication: SRP Signs
Boston Magazine's Top New Restaurants 2017
Our Newest Project
A giant caffeine molecule fills the window, the menu boards are in place, and the 23 ft sign is lit outside.
A giant caffeine molecule fills the window, the menu boards are in place, and the 23 ft sign is lit outside. Months of design and coordination working on a logo, illustrations, signage, menu boards have come together for the opening of Catalyst Cafe later this week in Kendall Square. Special thanks to SRP Sign for working with our designs, providing quality fabrication and install. See you there for a coffee and lunch bowl.
A New Year
We have welcomed and embraced 2017 with several new projects underway while reflecting on 2016. Here is a summary of what we created last year while working with a great mix of clients.
We have welcomed and embraced 2017 with several new projects underway while reflecting on 2016. Here is a summary of what we created last year while working with a great mix of clients.
Reach out if you have a new project or idea. We are always happy to discuss upcoming work, offer advice, estimates and designs.
Good Cheer + Good Wishes
Whether it is a printed card, an e-news update, advertisement, invitation, a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine: we’ll design and communicate the cheer and good wishes for you.
Stay in touch with clients, co-workers, and friends
during the holidays and the new year.
Whether it is a printed card, an e-news update, advertisement,
invitation, a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine:
we’ll design and communicate
the cheer and good wishes for you.
Designing Logos
We love the challenge of designing logos, synthesizing an idea, vision or concept and bringing it to life. Today's increasingly complex world of business communications makes creating an effective logo even more of a challenge. It is not just about designing a single mark, logo type or imprint anymore.
We love the challenge of designing logos, synthesizing an idea, vision or concept and bringing it to life. Today's increasingly complex world of business communications makes creating an effective logo even more of a challenge. It is not just about designing a single mark, logo type or imprint anymore. Now a logo must meet many expectations, demands and applications. Think about it. The same logo must be equally clear and compelling on everything from Facebook, Instagram, or a website to a sign, a printed card or brochure, requiring multiple color and file formats.
To address these diverse needs, we focus on the process of discovery. We ask a lot of questions to get a deep understanding of the business—the story, mission, character, and goals—before we begin experimenting with permutations of the logo. We often explore multiple options before the logo ultimately reveals itself.
Three recent examples of logos
1. Avenue
Our logo for a brand-new restaurant in Medfield, Massachusetts incorporates several distinct elements. These elements can be used in different ways and configurations, either together or separately. This approach allowed for flexibility and variety when designing Avenue's signage, menus, check presenter, matches and website. As we worked, we were reminded that designing for a restaurant is almost like designing for theatre: a restaurant is a show that goes on every night. A good logo helps set the pace and the tone of the performance.
Avenue Logo variations, menu cover + check presenter
Exterior Signage: hanging lit sign, sign band and vinyl on glass
Avenue Website Design
2. Good Collective
This new online shopping site, still under development, needed a look that stays fresh in the curated online retail market. Once we settled on the type solution, we created a bright and lively color palette that conveys the stylish, savvy personality of the business. The different colors also allow for change, either seasonally or to announce sales.
While researching fonts, we fell in love with many type styles. Rather than give them up, we used them as graphic images for site highlights.
3. EVkids
After re-evaluating its organizational message and unifying its marketing strategy, this nonprofit realized it needed a new logo. The goal was a logo that was friendly, accessible, and emphasized kids while incorporating a new tagline to highlight their mission. The logo also needed to be simple enough for the staff to use and manage in-house. Having worked with many non-profits, we understood the challenges that EVkids faced and made the design process as easy as possible, and delivered appropriate logo files, Word templates and style guidelines.
More logos in the works. Stay tuned....
Small Businesses: A Sane and Simple Approach to Social Media
We get it. Updating social media can be overwhelming, especially when the basics of running a business are already time consuming. How do you prioritize creating blog posts and other website content?
We get it. Updating social media can be overwhelming, especially when the basics of running a business are already time consuming. How do you prioritize creating blog posts and other website content? Or devote resources to maintaining a social media presence across multiple platforms? We get it because we struggle with the same issues.
Take heart. There are new, better resources for creating website content with seamless social media integration, enabling you to engage your online audience with minimal effort.
Bow Street Flowers, our favorite local florist, improved their social media presence overnight by integrating their website content into multiple social media platforms. Shelley, owner of Bow Street, initially contacted Fyfe Design to discuss updating the website. As we talked, we realized that it could be advantageous to review all of Shelley's online needs.
Our initial questions:
How do you want to use your website and social media and who is your audience?
How much time do you want to invest in updating your website and social media accounts?
If you don’t have any time, would you consider hiring out the work?
We found that Shelley hadn’t been writing many blog entries or updating her website very frequently, but she was posting a lot of captioned photos on Instagram. Shelley liked the ease of working with Instagram, but none of her posts were showing up on her website or Facebook page.
We felt it was important to link Shelley’s Instagram updates with her website, Facebook and email list. That simple move amplified her impact without adding any extra work, allowing to showcase her current work with her local and online community.
How we made it happen:
First, we built a new website using a Squarespace template. This was a cost-effective solution and a time-saving one since Squarespace provides tools for seamless integration with most social media platforms. Now Shelley's Instagram photos automatically display on the home page of her website.
Second, we linked up Bow Street's email lis and other social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter so that everything seamlessly shared the information she was posting.
Here is how it works now:
1. Bow Street Flowers posts a photo to Instagram. Instagram automatically shares it with the Bow Street Facebook page and the Bow Street website's homepage.
2. Bow Street Flowers writes a blog post on the website. The website automatically shares the blog post with Facebook. MailChimp, an electronic mail delivery service, sees the new blog post and sends it to the Bow Street Flowers email list.
In the end, it is important to focus on what feels right (and feasible) for you. Automatic feeds between social media can make updating a website and sharing important information pain free.
If you find that your website or social media presence isn’t working for you, let us know. We are happy to help structure a system that makes sense for you and your business.
Donating Design Services to a Good Cause
In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Fyfe Design donated their time and services to a good cause: Hearth Shares.
Hearth Shares brochure for the check presenter at local restaurants.
In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Fyfe Design donated their time and services to a good cause: Hearth Shares.
Hearth Shares is a non-profit company that partners with participating restaurants in Greater Boston. Diners are invited to add a $1 donation to their table's bill, post-tax, during the month of December.
Money raised goes to local charities working to end homelessness in Greater Boston. And because sponsors cover all the administrative costs, every penny of every dollar goes directly to helping families and individuals move from the shelters and streets into permanent housing.
A simple action, donating $1, warranted one simple design solution that needed to appeal to multiple audiences — the restaurant owners and managers, the restaurant servers and ultimately the clientele and customers making the donation. While satisfying the needs of each user the printed piece also needed to be cost effective, flexible, clear, distinctive, but not compete with the restaurant experience. These are standard design considerations for what appears to be a simple, easy solution.
39 restaurants in the greater Boston area are participating in Hearth Shares program this year and already thousands and thousands of dollars have been raised. We look forward to hearing of the continued success of this program over the holidays and ultimately the people it will help. Best wishes for a healthy new year.
A Fresh New Look
OTA Wakefield contacted us and expressed their desire for an identity update. They provide occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapy to children.
OTA Wakefield contacted us and expressed their desire for an identity update. They provide occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapy to children. Their enthusiasm for what they do and the children they help is evident and inspiring. We set out to update their logo, stationery, website and waiting room area.
We provided them with a flexible color palette for both printed materials and their interior spaces, as well as multiple graphic images. We gave them a fresh look that still resembles their previous identity and ultimately offers a space that the children will enjoy and thrive in. We collaborated with Sign-A-Rama in Somerville on the fabrication and installation of the waiting room graphics.
Picture Perfect
Getting to collaborate with talented photographers and illustrators is one of our favorite things. Compelling imagery inspires us! There is no better example than the website we recently completed for Savoir Faire Home, a home décor store and interior design consultancy in Andover, Massachusetts.
Getting to collaborate with talented photographers and illustrators is one of our favorite things. Compelling imagery inspires us! There is no better example than the website we recently completed for Savoir Faire Home, a home décor store and interior design consultancy in Andover, Massachusetts. We were fortunate enough to work with photos that beautifully showcase the relaxed sophistication of Savoir Faire's approach to home decoration. We put these photos front and center. They're also big, occupying much of the screen and framed by a streamlined design. We wanted these gorgeous shots to speak for themselves.
Artful Financial Planning
Michael Staub offers financial planning services for restaurants, making sense (and cents) of the risks and expenditures within a competitive industry. When contemplating the design of his new website, we looked for ways to give warmth and life to the discussion of business plans, capital structure, and negotiations. As luck would have it, Michael's son, Will, is a gifted artist. His watercolors of restaurant vignettes provide an elegant, witty, and welcoming window on the industry that Staub serves. We incorporated the artwork into the design structure, each scene introducing a different segment of the site.
The Winter of Websites
While record snow fell around us, we were busy organizing, designing and launching websites.
While record snow fell around us, we were busy organizing, designing and launching websites. Some consisted of launching temporary sites and pages while the complete sites are being developed and finalized: Savoir Faire Home and Jackson | Schillaci. It is better to have a single page that is current and maintains a web presence rather than an outdated site that misrepresents your business.
All the sites are responsive when viewed on various devices, note the redesign of the Fyfe site, Alexandra Sheldon, Carlyn Marcus Ekstrom. We also have created brand new sites for Red Bird, Sarah P. Morris and OTA Wakefield. Check back for more updates as we continue to develop and work on more websites as well as logos, annual reports, promotional mailers and signage.
Final Signage
We are excited about the opening and success of Red Bird in Waltham MA. The final signage looks great and the restaurant has been hopping ever since they opened their doors.
We are excited about the opening and success of Red Bird in Waltham MA. The final signage looks great and the restaurant has been hopping ever since they opened their doors. Congratulations Red Bird!
Temporary Signage is a Must!
We are excited about the upcoming opening of Red Bird, a new restaurant located at 361 Moody Street Waltham, MA.
We are excited about the upcoming opening of Red Bird, a new restaurant located at 361 Moody Street Waltham, MA. Our temporary signage looks great and offers pedestrians a sneak peak of what is to come. Red Bird is scheduled to open June 2014.
We've been busy bees with many great projects and clients
Last year, within six months, we designed wine labels, a course catalog, annual reports, numerous logos, and a limited edition book to name a few.
Last year, within six months, we designed wine labels, a course catalog, annual reports, numerous logos, and a limited edition book to name a few.
Observatory Hill Photography Studio located in Cambridge did a great job of photographing our work and we look forward to working with them more.
Logo and Store Signage
Applying logos we have designed, as signage, is great fun for us. From awnings and light-boxes to basic window vinyl, it makes a difference for the visibility of your shop.
Applying logos we have designed, as signage, is great fun for us. From awnings and light-boxes to basic window vinyl, it makes a difference for the visibility of your shop. We were thrilled to get this photo from Fred boutique in Greenwich CT. We ordered the window vinyl and they did an amazing job with the installation. Well done to the Fred ladies for tackling that tricky task.