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Tardis Design
PO Box 27-195
Level 3, 39-41, Ghuznee St
Wellington, New Zealand

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High Vis Gear – A brand that conditions us to ‘see’ and stereotype

A while back I started thinking about High Visibility gear as a brand – not a named brand but a brand in itself. I started thinking about this after a conversation with a good friend who is a project manager on commercial building sites. He had said that on more than one occasion he’d been ignored by people he knew, when wearing his High Vis gear – they didn’t ‘see him’ even when he was standing right next to them.

It made me realise that over the years more and more people have been required to don High Vis gear to keep them safe – in turn we have learnt to look out for and be aware of those wearing High Vis gear – be it on the road, on building sites, at airports, on bikes, up power poles, in disaster zones, on mountains. ‘They’ are everywhere. We have been taught to look out for them – however in doing so we have forgotten to ‘see them’ as individuals – they have become just another object to avoid at all costs in our daily lives. But they are people – people with lives, loved ones, hopes and dreams just like the rest of us.

This Snickers ad reminded me I should write this post. It is both entertaining but also controversial and begins with this statement ‘What Happens when workers aren’t themselves’. It would be nice to think most people on building sites actually think as they are portrayed in the ad – even though stereotypes and perhaps now High Vis gear may encourage us to think otherwise. (It is interesting to note that the most represented group in Mensa are labourers.)

So next time you see someone in High Vis gear – think – am I seeing them as an object or a person? They’re not a bunch of road cones…

snickers

Web Trends – #3 WebApps, website as a tool

#3 WebApps, Website as a tool.

As an interactive medium the web has much to offer. Those wise enough to see it can take advantage of the opportunity to use the web as a tool, centred around user needs and organisational goals.  Approaching web strategy in this way an organisations website becomes a functional piece of software. This approach, centred around user needs, encourages participation, turning content into interaction. Resulting in engaged users, more effective websites, and when done well, a higher degree of trust.

Case Study: Trenz members area: a tool to help exhibition delegates get the most out of the event, from making appointments with other delegates, to planning their trip. All accessed through a personalised dashboard complete with targeted alerts and checklists so nothing can be missed.

trenz1

Web Design Trends: #2 Long Scrollable Pages

#2 Long Scrollable Pages

Long scrollable pages are becoming  more and more common on the web theses days. Rather than treating a website as a series of pages,  long page design deals in sections of content and treats them as an integral part of the sites navigation. Pages are a hangover from print design which has always felt artificial. “People know how to scroll” and a large percentage of people view sites on mobile. By  combining long scrollable pages with responsive design/development and in page navigation we can create sites which are more in line with how users interact with them.

Case Study: This style of site is suitable for small sites like the one we created for Go Native and large sites with multiple user flows like Trenz where long pages are combined with user centred navigation keeping the site simple and easy to navigate.

Go Native: Small simple one page site

Trenz website: example of long page design with in page navigation for a large site.

Web Design Trends: #1 Immersive Websites

#1. Immersive Websites
The latest HTML5 & javascript inbrowser technology gives website owners the opportunity to create memorable immersive experiences, more easily then ever before. Distinctive sites people feel and experience. The focus is on the totality of the brand experience, immersing people in the site, delighting them, giving them a good reason to stay and not click away.

Case Study:  An immersive site we created late last year for Archer McRae beverages uses scroll activated animation to engage the senses, with surprising delights along the way. Here is a sneak peak www.joiy.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Values – Insights from the Pacific

Values and themes, they run through our lives and form the foundations of who we are as people, cultures, companies and brands. They shape our path in life and define who and what we are.

In May this year I spent time working with companies around the Pacific participating in one on one brand workshops, as part of a program to help primary producers get their products to market abroad. Woven within each companies values and vision was the focus on people and the environment. They were all acutely aware of their responsibilities, knowing that their every decision and action affects their environment and the communities they live in. They want their businesses to have a positive affect long term and they are actively working towards this. This means they don’t make a single decision without holistically considering its consequences. Each of them is actively working towards making their business as environmentally sustainable as possible. They value their countries, the environment they live in and their people, they want to succeed for the betterment of their culture and the benefit of their country not just themselves. A magnanimous approach which seems to come very easily for each of them, in fact for them there is no other way to run a business. At the heart of each of their businesses and brands is a sustainable business platform – they consider the economic consequences, environmental consequences and social consequences of their actions and ensure through their decisions each thrive.

Coincidently while I was I away I watched – Inside Job – for the second time; a documentary directed by Charles H. Ferguson that explains how the 2008 crash happened and interviewed many of the individuals involved high up in various companies and corporations. These so called pillars of industry ( read inconceivable self serving scoundrels) sure could learn an awful lot about ethics and codes of practice from the six companies I met and worked with dotted around the Pacific. They work in ‘developing countries’ but in what are called the developed nations we have all forgotten our own commitments to the wellbeing of our nations as a whole. I am wondering if we could do better in New Zealand. In fact I know we can.

Bruce Mau has said that great companies are built to last and be sustainable, AND great companies don’t sell out. He also said great companies are attempting to change the world not just make money. And he’s right. We are lucky enough to work with some of them. This said, none of us can rest on our laurels, we can always do better.

Good associated reads: ‘We First’ by Simon Mainwaring

Archeus – Vital Living

We’re proud to profile a newly released skincare range, Archeus by Georgina Langdale.

We began working with Georgina at the beginning of this year, conducting an initial brand workshop to establish her brand positioning before developing the Archeus visual identity. Over the time we have planned, reviewed the long term strategy and goal and evolved Archeus accordingly. It has been a fantastic journey.

Archeus means ‘life force’ – a word first coined by the 16th Century physician and alchemist Paracelsus. He used the term Archeus for the vital life force that resides within us, believing everything was connected and that well-being relied on the harmony of man, nature and the universe. The Archeus brand understands this well and is acutely conscious of the imbalance and disharmony that seems to rule the 21st century.

Georgina’s new skin care range pays tribute to the concepts of Paracelsus, her skin care range blends the finest natural ingredients with herbal wisdom. They are designed to be applied topically and to be imbibed.

Its philosophy is imbued with the vitality of Nature. One of the great aspects of the Archeus brand (besides the range being beautiful to use) is that a key part to the business is focussed on giving back to nature. A portion of Archeus proceeds from all sales are directly invested back in plant conservation. A value we LOVE.

The Archeus monogram was inspired by Georgina’s favourite flower – the bluebell. This flower is symbolic of humility, gratitude and everlasting love. Bluebells are the artists of Springtime, painting the forest floor in a carpet of blue that heralds a new season as well as change.

In many ways Archeus is a catalyst of change and portrays this with its truly holistic business model. Georgina, like Paracelsus is showing us a new perspective and heralding a new era of thinking. We congratulate her for bravely living her dream … and our skin thanks her for giving us such amazing product to use.

What can we say. Just try it www.archeus.co.nz

 

LCB ‘Pasture to Plate’ Video Release

Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand combines the classic traditions of French cooking with our nations fresh thinking and best ingredients – Le Cordon Bleu have identified that one of their key points of difference is their pasture to plate philosophy. While in other countries Le Cordon Bleu teaches the theory and practice behind the art of Cuisine, few are able to introduce their students to the source and connect the ingredients and the dishes to their origin.

In March we collaborated with Le Cordon Bleu and the talented team from Transmit to create LCB New Zealand’s first Marketing video. The team focused on one of the schools key point of difference, it’s pasture to plate philosophy. Together we spent four days filming in the Wairarapa and around Wellington, followed by an extensive period of editing which cut down hours of footage first to two hours, then to 5 minutes and finally just over three.

We filmed in some amazing locations that reflected LCB’s true passion for food origin, as well as its love of all things Wellington. In the Wairarapa,we filmed at Biodynamic winery – Urlar and Mike & Barbie Barton’s farm just out of Greytown. Both are deeply committed to land conservation and product quality. Urlar wines and its inspiring team are dedicated to organic principles, while the Barton Farm have gifted a large swaith of bush to the QE2 Council to help rejuvinate our natural forest. When filming around Wellington we visited many of the capitals favorite foodie haunts. The finishing touch to the clip was an an original piece of music, composed by a well known Wellington Muso.

The head of Le Cordon Bleu International thinks it’s the best LCB video yet. We are delighted!

Fruity Success

It was great to see the article on Kapiti Kitchens and Sue Graafland in the latest Life and Leisure magazine. We worked closely with Sue on the rebranding of Kapiti Kitchen. Since its release in April last year the brand has experienced a surge in sales. Kapiti Kitchens makes the best Fresh Fruit Syrups ever, so we are delighted that New Zealanders are discovering and loving the brand. If you haven’t tried Sue’s products we suggest to do – you won’t look back!   www.kapitikitchen.co.nz

 

Pacific Adventures

In November last year Hels was invited by The Secretary of Pacific Communities to be part of an IACT Forum In Fiji. The main goal of the European Union Funded project is to Increase Agricultural Commodity Trade (IACT) and to strengthen the export capacity of Pacific countries in primary industries. Hels was one of eight consultants involved with the workshop (one of them being the wonderful Stella Muller of Hot Samoan Boys Chili Sauce fame). Helen’s role was to present on branding and workshop with each of the 28 companies involved to advise and mentor them on their brands, and assess their readiness for export. It was an extraordinary week, she met some incredible people and her eyes were opened to the extreme logistics Pacific Companies have to over come simply to get their products to their many markets. Unsurprisingly Hels returned inspired and determined to be a part of the next stage of the journey – helping those companies ready for export with their branding and brand strategy.

As a result one of her key projects this year is to return to the Pacific and work with six of the companies chosen by the IACT project team, helping each of them to develop and prepare their brands ready for export and their respective markets. Each path will be very different, some brands being luxury goods, while others will be heading to supermarkets here in New Zealand and abroad. Hels is loving the challenge – Watch this space!

Craggy Range Launches the Limited Edition Series

Craggy Range Limited Edition Series was launched last Tuesday with Craggy Range hosting an intimate dinner upstairs at the Roxy Cinema for 18 tastemakers from Australia and New Zealand. This group included wine lovers from all walks of life, musicians, artists, designers, writers,  sommeliers and chefs.

The new range showcases special wines selected each year by the winemakers at Craggy. In this release there are only two wines, Block 16 Pinot Noir and Te Muna Four, an Alsace influenced field blend. Each year the wines selected will be different, so the wines profiled this year may never be showcased again, making these new wines rare indeed. If you can get a chance to try them you are in for a treat.

Two new clips have been created for the wines Block 16 and Te Muna Four. They profile the artists Ema Scott and David Trubridge. These were a true collaboration between the Craggy Team, Tardis and the Amazing folk at Transmit led by Sarah Hunter. Sarah and her team have created beautifully crafted clips that capture the spirit and creativity of the two extraordinary artists and their love of their home land. A love  shared by Craggy Range.

View the clips here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/craggyrange?feature=results_main

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HETttPAmug&list=UUOBb09-0fzxnhmFJdOxNP4A&index=2&feature=plcp