RSM Design

RSM teams up with Vans marketing for a competition in shoe design. Each designer was given one pair of white canvas shoes and a set of design parameters, including marketability, creativity, originality, and “off the wall” attitude. However, the only real parameter was that the designer had fun. And with all the different solutions, it’s pretty clear that everyone did. The winner will be announced after Vans sorts through all of our submissions. You never know, you might see a pair on the shelf at a Vans store soon!!! Check back after the holidays to find out the winners!

RSM Design joined Sonae Sierra and the talented design team behind Loop 5 to celebrate the grand opening in Weiterstadt, Germany. Being located close to Frankfurt Airport and Darmstadt, the home to the control center of the European Space Agency, provided the central design inspiration for this exciting retail destination. The specialty graphics center around a world of aviation and its history created through specialty paving, suspended art features, wall murals, and a unique wayfinding family of signs. Even a full size historic MIG jet hangs from the ceiling of the central atrium and food court to create a one-of-a-kind community meeting place.

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!

RSM Design began working with New York University and numerous cultural and philanthropic groups in Turkey over 10 years ago to implement a new site tourist sign program at one of the most important Graeco-Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean.  Currently on the list of consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Aphrodisias was in need of a systematic approach to wayfinding for the numerous international tourists that are guided through the well-preserved and partially restored ancient  splendors.

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.”

In 2008 the City of Southlake, Texas was named the Forbes.com most affluent neighborhood in the United States. Now as the city begins to look towards the year 2030 and its continued growth, they have selected RSM Design to work with their active community to design the City’s new identity and wayfinding program. RSM Design has presented four unique concept sign families for the city’s wayfinding signage, emphasizing Southlake as a destination in the DFW Metroplex and reinforcing the designs set forth in the community master plan, and also working closely with the local TxDOT team to create a sense of place and help build the brand of Southlake.

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

The popular online shoe retailer, Rocket Dog, will be opening their first flagship retail store to be located in southern California.  The RSM Design studio was excited to extend their graphics and branded environments experience to complement Rocket Dog’s flirty, footloose, fast, fetching, fierce, and funny footwear collection.  RSM Design was selected to collaborate with the architecture team to create the environmental branding, material and color palettes, as well as dynamic graphic panels for the store’s interiors and new branding concepts.

Are these signs for real?!  You bet. Over the years we have come across some pretty funny signs while researching and traveling. Be sure to share with us some of your favorites. Feel free to send them to info@rsmdesign.net and we will post them in the future.

RSM Design would like  you to meet our summer interns, Graham, Elizabeth and Cooper. The trio are all imports from Dallas and Houston, and will be entering their senior year of high school this fall.

Here to learn the day-to-day functions of working in an environmental graphic design firm, they have so far taken part in attending business meetings, design research and the joys of computer and tech mangement.

Working in a hip design firm for the summer is  not only fun and educational, but our location in San Clemente, California also has its perks. When they aren’t researching new projects and fixing servers, the three can be found hanging out at the beach, cruising on the boat, having bonfires and filling up on local Mexican food and our town’s tasty Velvet Yogurt.

RSM Design heartily welcomes our interns and hope that they have learned a lot and had some fun at the same time!

RSM Design is excited to announce the completion of our environmental graphic design work for the first phase of development at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem located in eastern Pennsylvania.

The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem complex is woven into the existing fabric of the de-commissioned Bethlehem Steel plant. It is one of the most dramatic and largest industrial sites on the United States’ east coast. The steel plant operated for over 100 years and manufactured steel for such notable structures such as the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, U.S. Supreme Court Building and the Golden Gate Bridge and many others before being decommissioned in 2001. It is great to see this area begin a new chapter in its development, and one that successfully bridges historic preservation and new growth.

RSM Design’s branding and environmental graphics approach was to abstractly reference the industrial heritage of the site while combining it with a contemporary feeling set to create a thriving resort destination for a cutting-edge audience. The sign designs drew their inspiration from the site’s authentic industrial wayfinding, existing structures and historic artifacts that are then complimented with fresh and modern designs. The steel production process is referenced in the graphics with the use of unique materials and colors used which can be seen in the dotted arrows, use of steel and warm colors which can be seen in items such as the directionals and project materials, and layered abstract industrial patterns used to brand and define the project’s unique zones.

RSM Design is pleased to be a part of the revival of the Bethlehem community’s pride in their history with the recent opening of the Sands casino. We look forward to the second phase of development with the opening of the hotel, events center and retail mall.

Architectural brand identity is what makes a place or project distinctive and recognizable. The brand image works to target a variety of audiences, creating awareness and conveying the environment’s and project’s unique value. A development’s future success rests on its image, its ability to create public awareness and customer loyalty.

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.