RSM principals Harry Mark and Martin Schwartz have just returned from a two week trip to China, having visited six cities and meeting on five exciting on going graphics projects.  The meetings consisted of project presentations, coordination meetings, signage mock-up reviews, and marketing meetings, along with a bit of free time to take in the exciting sites of China.

Nanjing Taiwan Trade Mart: Construction of the project is progressing at super sonic speeds, with opening scheduled for mid September 2010. Harry and Martin were on site to review signage mock-ups and coordinate with the local sign fabricator to ensure the design intent is carried through all of the details of this comprehensive identity and wayfinding program.

Yantai One: Concept design presentations of the branding, logo, and wayfinding family were enthusiastically received by the group of stakeholders in this dynamic growing city in northern China.  Coordination with a local sign fabricator at this early stage was arranged to facilitate a seamless integration of the graphics with the architecture and marketing initiatives.

One City: The city of Ma’an Shan in central China is the site for this family focused urban retail and entertainment center.  The RSM designed graphics family was carefully crafted to work well within tight budget constraints and unique cultural and language parameters.

Check back soon for more project updates from China….

The sign family has been designed for maximum flexibility and clarity.  The signage uses a system of custom pictograms and icons to identify the many uses and create a clear messaging system, with a dual language system complementing this simple approach.  The material palette adds clarity to the system as well with different complementary materials being used to enhance each of the district’s characterstics.

The graphics family of signs is rapidly moving forward into schematics and design development and the RSM team continues to hone and refine the designs, while coordinating with the US and China based consultant team.

Barrio Logan, a unique and diverse neighborhood located in southern San Diego at the foot of the Coronado Bay Bridge is under redevelopment to enhance the community’s cultural and ethnic qualities and the neighborhood’s distinctive character.

As part of the redevelopment, RSM is working closely with Shea Properties on Mercado del Barrio, a residential and commercial mixed-use development – one of the first in the area. The team at RSM is creating a culturally appropriate branding, identity, and wayfinding program. The Mercado, located within the “heart” of Barrio Logan, consists of the redevelopment of two vacant city blocks into a vibrant lifestyle district that will include a Latino-themed supermarket, retail shops, residential units, and restaurants.

Sally’s vision for Simply Delicious is explained directly in the name, baked goods that are simple and delicious. She focuses on quality of ingredients, freshness and perfection to concoct delectable baked treats. 

RSM created a logo and identity package that reflected this purist philosophy by using a clean, sans-serif font stacked and reversed out in a rich brown and soft cream palette. This formed a tidy and sophisticated look that could be applied in multiple situations and sizes.

The process was all too enjoyable for our team whose appetites were fueled by the edible rewards that Sally would drop off for us as inspiration during our design process. 

Cheers to the success of delightful Simply Delicious – smiles guaranteed!

The inspiration of airplane propellors, wings, and rutters, as well as the twists and turns of the wayfinding signage forms create a seamless sense of place and an experience for everyone who visits this exciting shopping destination. 

Congratulations to Sonae Sierra and the rest of the team on another successful project!

With the opening this month of the final stage of the site’s museum, the sign program nears completion after 10 years of development, testing, and implementation of the program.  Using local village craftsman and regional materials for the sign construction, the site signage uses multi-lingual information panels to introduce the history of the area and aid in the navigation through the city.

RSM Design was fortunate to also design and coordinate the display and exhibit panels for the on-site Aphrodisias Museum, housing and displaying artifacts of unsurpassed value found at the excavation as well as from the renowned school of marble sculpture that was also found on the site.  The amount of registered objects within the collection exceeds well over 12,000 pieces that date back to 5000 B.C. and continues to grow as each year passes.

Check out our previous blog post, “Harry Mark’s Drawings Featured in a Publication on Aphrodisias.”

Be sure to see all of the schemes and the City of Southlake’s unique vision at  www.southlake2030.com

A key factor in the image and architectural branding process for Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem was determining the use and implementation of the brand in order to create a cohesive identity that feels consistent with the industrial, contemporary and upscale personality of the project. RSM Design was involved with the naming, logo design and broad scaled project branding on a macro and micro level scale. Large scale architectural branding included not only the name and logo evolution and creation, but also the implementation of this in large scale signs such as the one placed on the historic ore crane. Micro level branding culminated in the Sands & Co. retail shop, the premier merchandise store for the Sands Corporation, where branding was concepted, designed and implemented by RSM. Sands brand collateral includes prototyping and packaging for items including hats, t-shirts, totes, luggage, candy mugs and other similar merchandise.

“Image and perception help drive value; without an image there is no perception.” – Scott M. Davis, Brand Asset Management

RSM Design worked closely with the Sands marketing and operations teams to develop the naming, branding, logos, environmental graphic design and signage for the food, beverage and entertainment venues within the casino and hotel areas of the complex…six very diverse venues ranging from an Irish pub to an urban gourmet market hall to a sophisticated evening martini lounge. Brand and logo standards were developed for each and then carried through to the built signage and interior design within the hotel and casino areas. The different venue branding included:

Molten is a sophisticated evening lounge featuring live music and signature martinis. RSM was involved in the naming, logo, signage and branding to create a modern take on the interpretation of molten steel. Liquid inspired design aesthetics can be found throughout the venue, completing the feeling of a modern and sophisticated evening lounge.

Coil is the centrally located bar in the Casino and features a wide selection of unique liquors and specialty drinks. RSM was involved with the naming, logo, and branding of Coil, drawing from the output products of steel production. RSM complemented the industrial inspired details, which included steel coils that wrap around the center for the bar, with a rich palette of materials. Colors that are warm, rich and inviting create an ambiance befitting for the beverages being served.

Infusion is a specialty bar featuring infused vodka beverages and was also inspired by metal production processes.

The Market Gourmet Express is an urban gourmet food hall offering a variety of local cuisine for a quick serve meal within the casino. RSM created the name, logo and branding that manifested itself as a chic urban cafe space.

Emeril’s Chop House is the premier steak house for world-renowned chef Emeril Lagasse. RSM designed the identity signage which was created to complement the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale interior.

St. James Gate is an Irish Pub named after the famous gate to the Guinness Brewery in Dublin. RSM was involved in the logo and branding of this venue, ensuring it’s identity as an authentic Irish (not English!) pub.