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Browse through the latest projects to see what Design for the Arts has been up to.
     
         
 

Mary Louise Knutson
Album Design
November 2011

Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer, Mary Louise Knutson, has been called "one of the most exciting and innovative artists to happen to jazz piano in quite some time." Her warm, inviting tone, broad range of emotional expression, and distinctive compositions have brought her much recognition on the national music scene.

Design for the Arts worked closely with Mary Louise Knutson to bring her keen sense of visual style to the layout and design of the album.

Her CD release celebration for In the Bubble takes place at the Artists' Quarter in St. Paul MN on Wednesday, November 23rd. or at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis on Wednesday, November 30th.

Mary Louise will be joined by bassist Gordon Johnson and drummer Phil Hey playing standards, including "Bluesette," "Bernie's Tune," "That's All," "It Could Happen to You" and "You Are My Sunshine," as well as some originals.

    Mary Louise Knutson
 


   

 

David Heide Design Studio
Website
October 2011

David Heide Design is one of Minneapolis / St. Paul's premier architecture and design firms. They work with clients to design, build, restore and decorate in modern and traditional styles, specializing in historic preservation.

Design for the Arts worked with David Heide Design to update their site's look and functionality. In addition to making it accessible to iPhone and mobile device users, we improved design, navigation and site architecture, and created clear and engaging content.

One key refinement to this end was to prominently feature interviews with David Heide Design clients, spotlighting award-winning projects in Client Experience.

We worked with David Heide Design to energize their staff pages by integrating larger photos of the staff, and inviting the staff to share "3 Favorite Things" on each of their pages, making it more personal and fun.

David Heide Design has been featured in a large variety of magazines and publications, including Midwest Home, Old House Journal, Spaces, Arts & Crafts Homes and they have appeared on HGTV's Restore America. They've also been the recipients of over 40 awards from organizations that include ASID, AIA and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.

    David Heide Design Studio
 


   

         
 

ORIGINS/Developmental Designs
Brand / IDENTITY STANDARDS GUIDE
August 2011

Developmental Designs provides middle-school educators with research-based practices that address student behavior and improve student motivation.

This integrated approach invests each teacher and administrator with the ability to remove barriers to academic achievement by keeping young people connected to and engaged in the curriculum.   

Design for the Arts worked with Origins and Developmental Designs to refine logos, create color palette and determine graphic standards for their brand.

 

    Origns / Developmental Designs
 


   

 

St. Paul SPOT
Brand / Logo / Mobile App Icons / Ads
August 2011

St. Paul SPOT is the mobile guide to dining, biking & hiking, places of interest, music, arts & culture, theater, sports and more in St. Paul, Minnesota.

St. Paul SPOT's free mobile apps for iPhone and Android are the best way to stay informed about St. Paul's wealth of culture and events for all ages and lifestyles.

Visit www.StPaulSpot.com to discover a rich and exciting tapestry of culture and activities in St. Paul, Minnesota.

CONNECT
www.StPaulSpot.com / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

St. Paul SPOT - Download iPhone App

St. Paul SPOT - Download Android App

 

    St. Paul SPOT
 


   

 

Stephanie Davila
WEBSITE
July 2011

Writer, Editor, Producer, Stylist, and Trendspotter

Stephanie Davila is a former Senior Editor for InStyle, and has written for The New York Times, Allure, New York Post, Delta Sky and more. She is a master generalist with specialties in fashion, beauty, bridal, travel, and lifestyle.

Her experience runs the gamut from market work, styling, writing, editing, producing, and managing editorial teams. In addition to attending Fashion Week for years in New York and Paris, she has interviewed an impressive coterie of designers including Oscar de la Renta, Christian Louboutin, Carolina Herrera, Vera Wang, and Betsey Johnson, to name a few.

When not writing for magazines, Stephanie works as an online fashion trendspotter for an international forecasting agency.

Design for the Arts worked with Stephanie to strengthen and promote her brand through her website. It features multiple photo galleries that display beautiful visuals from each article along with descriptions and article details.

    Stephanie Davila
 


   

 

BLISS YOGA & WELLNESS
BRAND / LOGO / EXTERIOR SIGNS
June 2011

Bliss Yoga & Wellness offers a variety of yoga classes in a welcoming environment. Located near Como Park in Saint Paul, their Yoga Alliance certified instructors provide group and private yoga instruction in Hatha, restorative yoga and beginners' yoga. Massage and other wellness services to be announced.

Design for the Arts created a logo that unified new typography and an existing logo mark. We matched colors to the paint color in the studio and created vinyl window signs, in white, that allow the logo to pop by installing a window treatment with coral-colored silk fabric inside the studio.

Bliss Yoga & Wellness

    Bliss Yoga & Wellness
 


   

  The Moscoe Group
Brand / Identity system / Signs
June 2011

The Moscoe Group has connected suppliers to retailers for over half a century and is becoming the representative of choice for industry-leading organizations across a diverse landscape of consumer products.

The Moscoe Group is a worldwide retail partner.

Design for the Arts partnered with The Moscoe Group to cohesively extend their updated logo into print and marketing collateral and office signs. Illustrated brand elements were also updated and extended into key collateral.

We integrated QR codes on the business cards that would allow mobile device users to scan the card to bring up a map to one of 3 office locations.

    The Moscoe Group
 


   

  Landscape Resources
Website
March 2011

Landscape Resources offers a comprehensive selection of natural stone products from all over the world. Their hand-selected products are supplied to architects, builders, designers and landscape masonry contractors.

Design for the Arts worked with Landscape Resources to develop a website that emphasized product selection and education about specific products. Industry professionals can order products from the site by simply filling out a form.

Personal favorite:
Turquoise Boulder Outcropping.
    Landscape Resources
 


   

  Glo Skin Spa
Everyday Brilliance
Logo / Marketing Materials / ADS
Website / TAGLINE / sign

February 2011

Glo Skin Spa offers deluxe spa services commonly found on the coasts, a unique treat for Midwestern spa-goers. Glo offers a warm and approachable environment where you don't have to sacrifice results to enjoy a thoroughly blissful and serene experience.

Working with Glo Skin Spa from the start, Design for the Arts has helped refine and shape the Glo brand throughout all of their marketing materials.

More samples can be seen in the print portfolio.
    Glo Skin Spa
 


   

  Crash+Sues
Web Design
October 2010

CRASH+SUES specializes in video production, post-production, media, animation, visual fx, film and music videos.

Design for the Arts and CKY worked together to create a website for CRASH+SUES featuring videos categorized by service, as well as a "latest+greatest" highlight strip.

Focus on brand stewardship and user-friendly navigation resulted in a clean-lined portfolio with emphasis on the most important aspect of the business: their work.

More samples can be seen in the Web portfolio.
    Crash+Sues
 


   

  Friendship Through Design
Amanda & Andrew 's Wedding Invitation
September 2010

This special project was an exploration of design, information and illustration with love and community at the core of its message. As my wedding gift to the bride and groom, we worked for months to design, refine, format and stuff envelopes. Their gift to me was feeding me delicious food and wine, but even greater was the gift of deepening our friendship through this collaborative experience. Little did they know that I would be as grateful as they were.

The project included a 6 page invitation, RSVPs, map of the wedding site, calling cards and address labels for envelopes.

More samples can be seen in the print portfolio.
    Wedding Invitation
 


   

  ShopTalk
Book Design
August 2010

ThinkShop is a New York-based consultancy that helps clients like Boca, Orbitz and GE develop compelling brand strategies and successful marketing initiatives.

In order to help clients think creatively and originally about brands and products, ThinkShop crafted ShopTalk: Innovation Facilitation Manual. This 74 page book features innovative project guidelines, process exercises and colorful illustrated, visual templates.

Design for the Arts worked with ThinkShop to create an engaging cover, illustrated charts and a clean and easy to read layout with a color-coded table of contents.

More samples can be seen in the print portfolio.
    ShopTalk
 


   

         
  life'style
Social Media, BLOG & Newsletter DESIGN
July 2010

life’style is a contemporary fashion boutique for women who want to look and feel great while they move through their lives. Located in the historic Village of Sag Harbor, life’style’s great brands and knowledgeable staff help women navigate and style wardrobe.

life'style offers luxury basics, denim, accessories, designer finds, day-to-evening and unusual pieces offer style and movement. Each is individually selected for a busy modern life.

Design for the Arts worked with RT Design to launch the website, and led design and strategy direction for Twitter, Facebook, the life'style blog and life'style's email newsletter campaign. After launching the social media campaigns, we worked to connect via social media with both local and notable style blogs and fashion magazines, then a crafted press release to inform media and bloggers about the life'style boutique in Sag Harbor, NY.
    life'style
 


   

  Rock Star Supply Co
WEBSITE DESIGN
July 2010

Rock Star Supply Co. places community volunteers into schools as tutors to help Saint Paul teachers and students succeed academically. Their mission includes engaging the creative arts community to offer unique music- and art-based after school activities to foster learning and encourage appreciation of the arts.

Design for the Arts designed and developed the website and partnered with RssCo. to improve mission-comprehension through information architecture and web content strategy.

DFTA assisted in copy editing, headline-crafting, and art direction, and will provide ongoing consultation for brand consistency.

    Rock Star Supply Co.
 


   

  The Talent Show
Brand / WEBSITE DESIGN / Postcard / Press Release Writing / Social Media
June 2010

The Talent Show features over 40 high-quality craftspeople and fine artists on Saturday & Sunday June 5th and 6th, 2010. Hosted by Rau+Barber in the Kingfield neighborhood of Minneapolis, the show is presented by Rare Bird Jewelry, Design for the Arts and Rau+Barber.

DJ Matt Perkins spins and the event features delectable menu created by small-batch coffee roaster Bull Run Roasting and locally-produced food by Tour de Farm.

A silent auction will be ongoing Saturday and Sunday. The Talent Show will donate proceeds from a silent auction to benefit Artists' Access to Healthcare via Springboard for the Arts & The Aliveness Project.

Design for the Arts is co-producer of The Talent Show, designed the logo, website, promo materials, social media and wrote press releases.

    The Talent Show
 


   

         
  Good Work Group
Brand / WEBSITE DESIGN / Social Media
April 2010

Good Work Group creates successful outcomes for organizations and initiatives promoting sustainable causes, social change, and a strong community. Karen Kopacz of Design for the Arts partnered with journalist Molly Priesmeyer to create Good Work Group.

Branding, website and social media were created by Design for the Arts.
    Good Work Group
 


   

  RICHARD BARLOW
WEBSITE DESIGN
January 2010

Visual artist Richard Barlow creates beautiful, conceptual and collectible work. From silver-leaf landscape imagery from popular and obscure album covers to studies of bromides, horizons and trees, Richard's work is both visually and intellectually compelling. Richard's contemporary artwork can be viewed at RBarlow.net.

Design for the Arts created the website, logo and branded the downloadable CV.
    Richard Barlow
     
  Rare Bird Jewelry
Sliding Photo Gallery / Brand update
November 2009

Jewelry designer Micaela Clark is best known for her repurposed jewelry and heirloom redesigns. Incorporating bits and pieces of contemporary or vintage jewelry or client heirlooms into a new and vibrant one-of-a-kind piece. Micaela's unique collections can be viewed at RareBirdStudio.com.

Design for the Arts partners with Micaela on strategic marketing, branding, print and Web design. Rare Bird recently updated its brand to feel more contemporary. The logo and typography were modernized and colors were restyled to be cleaner and more vibrant. The objective was to minimize design so that images of Micaela's complex jewelry designs could shine.

The new site features a sliding photo gallery that beautifully showcases work and is easier (and therefore more cost-effective) to update than a thumbnail-based gallery.
    Rare Bird Jewelry
   
  ILevel
Web Usability Optimization
October 2009

ILevel is New York's premier art installation service, serving clients from the Museum of American Folk Art to David Bowie.

Their site was beautifully designed, but needed a usability upgrade. Navigation was renamed, point size increased and links were repositioned to optimize user experience.

Ad Design | VIEW AD
For Placement in the New York Times

An animated ad campaign was created by Design for the Arts to run in the New York Times Arts & Design and Home & Garden sections.

Illustration used in the ad was featured on ILevel's homepage to reinforce recognition for visitors from the New York Times.

Switching out wallpaper colors and patterns in future campaigns will create a fun, yet distinctive and recognizable look, which can also be used to activate specific markets.
    ILevel
   
  Sarah Jones: One-Woman Show
Tony Award® Winner
June 2009

Sarah Jones performs on Broadway, TV, film, and, most recently, TED and at the White House. Her one-woman performance in Bridge & Tunnel (produced by Meryl Streep) portrays a variety of vibrant multicultural characters. The Tony® Award-winning play thoughtfully and humorously depicts the experience of being an immigrant and was a popular critics' choice.

Designed for WordPress by Design for the Arts, Sarah's site features performance clips, press and video of appearances on Charlie Rose and Studio 360, and a long list of organizations and causes that have benefited from Sarah's involvement.

An online newsletter campaign was created, allowing Sarah and her team to professionally and easily update subscribers about news and events. The new system allows better email list management, the ability to measure campaign results, automatic elimination of duplicate email addresses and ensures that every newsletter is CAN-SPAM compliant.
    Sarah Jones
   
  Never Mind the Gear List
Let's Hear the Session Stories
February 2009

Producer Brent Sigmeth has stories. He's participated in recording sessions with everyone from Wilco to Nirvana. Design for the Arts wanted to create a different kind of online experience for this site, one that went beyond the typical gear and client lists.

Once shared over a late night cocktail, a few of Brent's session stories can now be read— and will continue to be posted—online. The site features a 10-page Mojo spread about a Nirvana recording session with Steve Albini. It was Brent's first day of work at Pachyderm studios.

Brent, who is also a writer, shares Session Stories that are humorous and remarkable, from advising Sebastian Bach on whether or not he should be Van Halen's new lead singer, to recording a live version of Doug Kershaw's "Louisiana Man," a song that, in it's original version, was broadcast back from the moon by the Apollo 12 mission.
    Brent Sigmeth
   
  Plumbing for Thinking People
Smart Plumbing
January 2009

Pipe Dream Plumbing works with residential and commercial properties to maintain, repair and upgrade plumbing and fixtures. They take pride in handling modern or vintage fixtures with care and preserving the integrity of homes or businesses when restoring fixtures or making upgrades.

Design for the arts designed the Website and lead the development of a Helpful Tips section that shares information about frequent homeowner mistakes. For example, letting cats drink from a slow dripping tap, can cause damage over time.

The brand emphasizes Pipe Dream's penchant for getting the job done right and leaving a clean space after the job is done. A witty and intellectual attitude goes a long way to set Pipe Dream Plumbing apart from the hundreds of other local competitors.
    Pipe Dream Plumbing
   
  Kopplin's
Branding for Local CafÉ

September 2008

Kopplin's is a small café that serves the best coffee in town. People often missed the tiny storefront with no sign, even when walking by. Design for the Arts designed a vibrant logo that can now be seen in the bay window, on the door and as a lighted, mounted sign above the entrance. The storefront exterior was painted to match the new brand and color palette.

in-café signs were designed for to allow for frequent (and affordable) updates to menu items. After a few collaborative brainstorms, we came up with a solution: a 3-tiered gallery of frames for Coffee, Tea, and More. Menus in square frames hang along the wall where customer lines form. It makes it easy for customers to read, and share details on origin and process notes.

Menus and Website were designed for cross-talk. The menus are updated quarterly with Kopplin's newsletter Good Taste. Newsletter headlines are featured on the menu and prompt customers to get online to read the full articles.
    Kopplin's Coffee