Visual Diary - Sara Mears Communication By Design

Anniversary

It seems with start-up success undeniably achieved, 20-years-old is a good time to sell, which is what FreshDirect did. Our “Born in NYC” pioneer of online grocery shopping is now owned by Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize...

Name

Robinhood, the mobile-first brokerage, has “developed a strong brand and market with young, tech-savvy investors thanks to a clean design and user experience that focuses on the basics.” Founded in 2013, the venture is named for “Robin...

Photography

CXD recently finished a project featuring this image by Tony Shi (Getty Images). The second time we have used one of his amazing photographs of NYC for this client, a commercial real estate attorney. Check out his work and be inspired!

Color

The title of this post could just as well have been “everything” I am such a fan of this brand: from the product itself to name to logo to packaging — and color (beautiful on a buffet or any table). Izze is a story of entrepreneurial success...

Typography

Love this brand ID that breaks Wharton into three lines to emphasize “ART” which is presented in different typefaces. Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University.

Walking Billboard

I don’t know about other cities, but I see this Target reusable tote in active use all over NYC. Whether because of its light strength and handy size, or its clean design, I am not sure. Maybe it is both. I celebrate this forward-thinking...

Sidewalk Sticker • 4

Following up on my post earlier this year where I highlighted the NYC Parks Department sticker on my sidewalk announcing I would get a new tree, I am delighted to report my tree arrived, budded, and is now fully-leafed!

Brand Stories

I was so pleased with our RuffWear treat pouch (see yesterday’s post), I ordered a matching harness and leash for this just-returned-to-the-city dog (Wren). Founded and based in Bend, OR, RuffWear is a brand story in and of itself.

Product Branding

I found RuffWear on a search for “best dog training treat pouch” and ordered this one (which is amazing by the way — highly recommended). Great product with impressively sturdy and well-designed packaging and brand identity labeling.

Cast Metal

According to Ephemeral New York, “All over NYC we can find late 19th and early 20th century maintenance hole covers embossed with unusual shapes and designs.” The covers function as branding and on-street identification for the...

Geometry

Squares, triangles, pentagons, ovals: all good, but I have to admit to being partial to circles (and dots). This overlapping circle pattern in CXD cyan is one of my “go to” backgrounds.

Street Art

Using public fixtures as printing plates, the artist collective behind Berlin-based Raubdruckerin creates shirts and bags with artwork reproduced from manhole covers, vents & utility grates. Ink is applied directly via roller, and prints are made individually on location.