RIM BRANDING BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN In the midst of the proliferation of information we find ourselves living in today, the business case for a strong branding campaign couldn’t be more compelling. A brand is a psychological association that resides in each customer’s mind about a product, service or company. As individuals, we associate with certain brands – we trust them, we believe in their superiority, thus we buy into them. RIM understands the importance of having a refined identity and how such an identity is communicated to the public, to promote client loyalty and growth. We also understand the difficulty of standing out in an increasingly competitive, high density marketplace. As with every aspect of life, branding is all about design and finding creative solutions. In branding, a unique and identifiable look associated with a product is what makes its design and success in the world market. RIM’s branding department seeks to capture, distill, and solidify your organization’s unique personality and communicate that back to the marketplace. Our brand designers are equipped with a special understanding of the emotional, psychological, and visceral interpretations of the tools and methods needed to produce well-defined brand imagery that will result in significant dividends.
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS The purpose of this phase is to clarify vision, strategies, goals and values, to research the needs and perceptions of stakeholders, and to evaluate the existing brand and its architecture (identify what works and what does not). In large part, this phase is all about getting to know and understand your organization’s culture. To do this, the team will host a consensus workshop with identity stakeholders to define the Critical Success Factors of the brand to be established.
BRAND STRATEGY The second step of the branding process synthesizes learnings from Step 1 to clarify brand strategy. This can mean guiding a clearly defined, pre-existing brand strategy into the design phase; redefining a preexisting brand strategy; or creating an altogether new approach.
DESIGN CONCEPT This phase begins the creative design process. Here we will distill and graphically implement Step 2 information. This is where various prototypes of the brand identity - logo, logotype, color scheme, etc., will begin to take form and evolve toward a fleshed out concept. During this step we will also test the design concept. It is important to remember that this is an iterative process, and in testing the design concept we are seeking answers to questions such as: is there coherence and consistency? Does the signature work? Is it differentiated enough from other organizations? Will it work in different media? Will it be conducive to brand extensions? Will it work in other cultures?
RIM BRANDING PROCESS BRAND EXPRESSION Once the major decisions from the design concept step have been made, we will begin to express our design concept into marketable material. In this phase design elements are refined and finalized. Letterhead, business cards, brochure system, packaging, website, signage, etc., will all reach their permanent form.
WE EMPLOY A 4-STEP METHODOLOGY TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A BRAND IDENTITY. This methodology ensures that brand development represents the market strategy in international arena. Clearly identifies the required investment of time and resources Sets a precedent for navigating the complexity of solving brand identity problems Provides a road map to the ultimate goal
ANSEP BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) started at UAA in 1995 with a single student and later in 2002 at UAF. ANSEP is a longitudinal education model that provides a continuous string of components beginning with students in the sixth grade. This model continues through high school, then to the University, and finally to graduate school at the PhD level.
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Development of Effective corporate identity (CI) strategy for Alaska Native Engineering and Science program. Innovative design based on the image of Native Alaska canoe. As a result, we create a unique, sophisticated system for future implementation through all visual platforms.
ALASKA EXCEL BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN Alaska EXCEL is a key component in supplementing CTE curriculum in rural Alaska school districts. Provided with our unique educational opportunities, students are able to experience career exploration starting in the 7th grade and can continue until the summer following high school graduation.
ROLE Create Brand to help the Alaska Excel Program (EXCEL) to communicate effectively its identity and goals both within the Program and to the public. This manual will help promote continuity throughout the organization and give guidelines for presenting a cohesive image to the public through the unifiedvisual communication system it outlines. By presenting a consistently uniform identity to the public, the Program will cultivate and maintain a professional, stable, and favorable impression among Alaska Natives, students, alumni, faculty, donors, strategic partners, the general public, and others who come in contact with the Program.
UTILITY COPMANY GRAPHIC DESIGN New Electric Safety Training Center, the first de-energized substation training site in the U.S. Here, the focus is on safety training for electric substation operations and maintenance. The new training site, designed by RIM Architects, will provide a safe environment to train, validate, and assess substation employees in realistic simulated field conditions, complete with full-size training poles and mini-residential buildings. The centralized location provides seamless training from classroom laboratory to outdoor facilities. The training center accommodates an estimated 4,400 annual student training days for 775 crew leads/sub foreman, electricians, substation inspectors, and utility workers.
CHIEF TECH BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN Electronic company Chief Tech wanted an edge in the Chinese market. Wanting to differentiate itself as a modern and pioneering company, Chief Tech desired a new brand strategy in order to find the best talent and expand its business.
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Modern, innovative yet sentimentally Chinese – these were the words we wanted Chief Tech’s new brand strategy to communicate. A figure 88, a popular symbol representing good fortune in Chinese culture was used as a key part of the brand’s new image. Combined with a green and brown colour pallet resembling a mother board, Chief Tech’s new identity was tech savvy yet connected with the Chinese market.
BERGNER REBRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN, PACKAGING Bergner is a global houseware solution company with more than 10.000 active SKUs, covering popular items in kitchenware, tableware, home textiles and small appliances.
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Create stable, unique image for hi-end and medium hind brand with clear origination from Europe. In our rebranding effort we created a simplified version of the logotype, while at the same time developing new retail packaging. The eye-catching five-sided box immediately differentiates the Bergsner product line from competition.
PUREPAK BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN Purepak specialises in the packaging and labelling of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and other small edibles. A no nonsense brand with a straightforward and approachable service, their brand identity would benefit from a simple, dynamic and vibrant look.
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With Purepak, we wanted to go back to basics. Not wanting to overshadow the high quality content of the packages, we stuck to a sophisticated yet vibrant look which mimicked the laid back and effortlessly chic lifestyle of Los Angeles, California. The earthy green colour used in the logo was easy on the eyes and reflected the healthy foods they usually package for their clients.
www.purepackpro.com
PIROSHKY BAKERY REBRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN Piroshky Piroshky is a family-owned Bakery in Seattle's Historic Pike Place Market and local retail centers. In business since 1992, they make the highest quality hand-held pastries from scratch with each pastry hand-molded into unique shapes. Blending traditional recipes with local flavor, they offer a wide array of choices, both savory and sweet.
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The company is rapidly expanding into new retail areas and proactive rebranding for predicted growth. We created a greater sense of brand unity across its business, aligning the products and marketing into a consolidated brand for consistency and to save money over time.
PAULINE VIARDOT BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN Wanting to sell beauty with the beautiful, French cosmetics and toiletries brand Pauline Viardot wanted a poetic feel instilled in their branding. They wanted delicate attention to detail which would create 19th century nostalgia as well as celebrate the beauty and uniquess of the famed opera singer.
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There is something about the colour purple. Customarily regarded as the epitome of luxury, our team decided to evoke the charm of Pauline Viardot’s era by making the colour the base for all our designs. A line of products that chose the celebrated opera singer as their muse, soft florals, pastels and typography were used to match her elegance and grace. Wallpaper prints from the 19th century on the packaging helped us instill the products with the same sense of romanticism as the time when writing love letters and spraying it with one’s perfume was the norm.
VINTAGE-VODKA BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN Established in 2013, this boutique brand of handcrafted vodka wanted to provide the spirit lovers with a purer, clearer and all-in-all a more unique experience. Made in Belgium and inspired by the Art Deco movement, the brand desired a strikingly unique identity.
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Sleek, symmetrical and visually pleasing. When a vodka brand promises a uniquely precise standard of production, the aesthetics should match. Employing features from the highly artistic Art Deco movement, our design and packaging for Vintage Vodka incorporated a streamlined yet stylised look. We wanted something that would exude the allure of the artistic movement but also convey the exquisiteness of the vodka. With some custom-made black glass and some clean, striking illustrations, we ended up with was a bold yet beautiful finish – just like the vodka itself.
KING STREET BEER BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN Two beer lovers who made beer for themselves decided to share their passion with fellow fans of the popular beverage. They wanted to take their Alaskan variant of it across the state and came to us with a strong vigour and belief in their product. They had the product and the vision – all they needed was the right branding and packaging to get the beer flowing.
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The name “King Street” transcends borders and would sound familiar to residents of most cities. Just the way a fine glass of beer effortlessly fits into everyone’s lifestyles, we wanted to create a universal logo which would hit close to the homes of most beer enthusiasts. An easy-to-read and distinguishable street sign in a beaming shade of teal was chosen to create an inviting logo.
NS KING BRANDING & GRAPHIC DESIGN A shoe brand located in Estonia from the 90s, NS King wanted to increase sales and stand out from the market. A family oriented company, the shoe brand needed a new identity to make its mark in the crowd and attract new customers.
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The rebranding process involved in depth market research and brand analysis. A family-friendly yet funky and memorable brand image was created which would be enjoyed by parents and children alike. A vivid and eye-catching grey and yellow checkered pattern along with bright rainbow colours became a key part of the newly revived NS King look.
LE MAISON
BY VALENTIN YUDASHKIN BRANDING & INTERIOR DESIGN Valentin Yudashkin – Le Maison – это самодостаточная коллекция фарфоровых изделий с элегантными элементами высокой моды, для создания неповторимой атмосферы на вашей кухне. Теперь нетривиальный стиль русского дизайнера воплощен не только в костюмах. Премиальный бренд оригинальных дизайнерских товаров каждый предмет в котором создан по мотивам известных модных коллекций.
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La Maison By Yudashkin — это премиальная марка товаров для дома, в которых воплотился фирменный стиль Валентина Юдашкина. В этой акции вы найдете отражение самых ярких его дизайнерских решений. Восхитительные декоративные подушки, диффузоры, изысканная посуда и фоторамки сочетают изысканную дизайнерскую эстетику и европейское качество. Создайте в своем доме атмосферу pret-a-porter!
LEOPALACE RESORT BRANDING & INTERIOR DESIGN A resort catering to the needs of both business and leisure travelers, Leo Palace Resort is located in Yona, Guam. The resort wanted to upgrade and renovate its presence and desired a brand new identity and appearance.
ROLE RIM Architects, and our team worked closely together in making Leo Palace become fit for a king. In wanting to give the resort an understated luxurious feel, we worked on all aspects of the property from dinnerware designs to staff uniform buttons. An uncompromising use of gold in all facets of the design turned the resort into an urban palace where gold coins could be found in abundance.
Alexander (Sasha) Sagan Having lived and worked internationally within the design field in Hong Kong, Japan, Estonia, Russia, and the United States, he is a recognized expert in branding, visioning, and design strategy. In 1990, Sasha began his career by founding Art & International Production L.L.C. in USA, where he managed a staff of thirty four designers and developed more than 270 international brands. Sasha earned a master’s degree in fine art and graphic design from Vitebsk State University in Belarus and in Art Institute of Estonia is the recipient of many design awards including the 2013 Gold Medal in International Packing Label Award for Vintage Vodka. His clients have included Wal-Mart, Williams-Sonoma, Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Welbilt, Zojirushi, and dozens of other well-known brands. His artwork has been exhibited in more than 15 countries at various galleries, museums,and art shows. Sasha speaks English, Russian, German, and conversational Chinese and Japanese. He understands not only the language of communication, but the subtleties of cultures and how to intersperse these qualities into each client project for a strong brand image. Sasha’s expertise is most evident during the design process where he seamlessly injects the culture, business philosophy, lifestyle, and traditions of each locale into a client’s project. His ability to create a unified, upscale image enhances the desirability of each property, adding monetary value to the client’s bottom line. For example, Sasha’s rebranding of a luxury hotel in Guam, substantially increased occupancy rates by making the hotel a more desirable destination with a sophisticated, hip vibe. Sasha’s creative talents lend a refreshing perspective to each project. www.rimarchitects.com
Client List ssagan@rimarchitects.com
A & M Publishing. USA Aeroflot Airlines. Russia AKROS International. Russia Alaska Commerical Company. USA Alaska Native Heritage Center Alaska Kuspuk Company Alaska Lighting & Design Alaska Village Initiatives. USA Alaska Zoo. USA Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. American Embassy in Vladivostok.Russia American Chamber of Commerce HK ANSEP USA Angela’s Garden. USA Alaska Pacific University.USA Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Art of Diamond. Hong Kong Artique, Ltd. Arts Patron Magazine Asia Europe Americas Bank. ASRC Aerospace. USA ASRC Constructors. USA Auburn Dairy. USA Awers. USA Baader. USA Bergner, Ltd. Austria, China, Russia, Israel Bread Machine Industry Association. USA Business Properties of Alaska. Butterfield Club. Hong Kong Caviar House. Switzerland Carboimpex. Russia Caterpillar. Russia City Centre, Seattle. USA Chef Tech. China Chunil. Korea Coca Cola Bottling, Vladivostok, Colorprint International HK
Continental Mills. USA Cook Inlet Regional Corporation DV Bank. Russia Dalaero. Russia Dalribbank. Russia Diaco. China Drill Fashion. China Eagle Shore Press. USA E-Sanyo. Japan Far-East Magazine. US Fish Port of Nakhodka. Russia Fish Port of Vladivostok. Russia First Alaskans Institute. USA Flanders. Belgium FORREST. Japan Fuels-At-Sea. USA Gan-Bei, China G2 Technology, Inc. USA Global Food Source. USA Global Trading. USA Gold Medal Flour USA Harace. Japan. Harvest Fresh International HFI Foods, Inc. USA Habitat. USA Hitachi. Japan ICM. USA Ingersoll Rand. USA Innovative Cooking Enterprises/ Electric Bread. USA Inkombank. Russia Interface. Russia Invision Inc. USA Joel Durand Chocolatier. France Katokichi. Japan Kibun Foods Inc. Japan KIC Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation. USA King Arthur. USA King Street Beer. USA
Ketchum Food Center. USA Kits Publishing. USA Koniag Inc. USA Laskaridis Shipping Co., Ltd. Greece Leopalace Hotel. Guam Maracaibo. Spain MBK Information Agency. Russia Magadan Hotel. Russia Mavial Magadan Airlines. Russia Mephisto, Seattle. USA Miramar. Poland/USA Misty Mountain Publishing Moscow Kremlin. Russia Mount Blank Investment. Switzerland NANA Regional Corporation. NC Machinery. USA NS KING. Estonia Natchiq Corporation Native American Bank, NAB. Nordic Heritage Museum. Norwegian American Foundation Northway Foods Officer’s Spouse’s Club, Yokota. Pauline Viardot. France, Estonia Panasonic. Japan Pacific Trawlers. USA Petro Star Ltd. Pillsbury. USA Plasmetik. China Piroshky Piroshky. USA Pocket Picks. USA Polyglot Translation Services. Port of Tacoma. USA Port of Vladivostok, Russia Primtelefon. Russia Pure Pak. USA R & M Consulting. USA Red Star Travel. USA Redwood Retreat Press.
Regal Financial Bank, USA Royal Oak. Hong Kong/China. Rubenstein Law Offices Russian Jet Direct ST Group. Russia Sakhalin Business Center. Russia Sakhsvyaz. Russia Sala Thai. USA Sandhill Industries. USA Sanyo. Japan Seabreeze Trading. Switzerland Seanet. USA Sigma Mortgage. USA Six Suns Publishing Company Sunmar Shipping. USA Suquamish Seafood. USA Supreme Factory. France Surreal Studios. USA Svak Bank. Russia Tanaq. USA Teaports. USA Teraqua. China Time Station NEO. Japan Tora Productions. USA Train to Trade. USA Treeline Writers Group. USA University of Alaska, Anchorage Venroth. USA Vostok-1/North Pacific Corp. Vladivostok Avia. Russia Westmark Hotel. Russia William Sonoma. USA Zoozen ltd. Hong Kong Zojirushi. Japan Yes Foods. USA Yukon River Inter-Tribal. USA Watershed Council. USA Westmark Hotel. USA