The Greatest Agency: March 2007

Here's where you get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how we do what we do at
The Greatest Agency in all the land.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

logo designs

We've got a couple of logos we've been playing around with.

We're really digging the simple approach - number 1 above, shown in orange, blue and green - the same colors as our proposed Plaid patterns. Here's what it could look like on the back of a business card. What do you think?

Labels: identity, plaid

posted by darryl ohrt @ 12:44 AM 4 comments

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

plaid. the pattern.

We couldn't have a name like Plaid, and not have our own custom Plaid pattern. We've created a pattern, and possible color scheme, that we're really liking.

For future design and printing purposes, it's important that we create a pattern that can be reproduced digitally. So anything photographic wouldn't work. The pattern needs to be vector art - so that our identity has maximum flexibility, for any possible use.

David created the scheme reflecting three possible colors, above. We could assign a color to a different service offering, or just mix 'em up. Lots of options.

We're feelin' it. What do you think?

Labels: identity, plaid

posted by darryl ohrt @ 11:15 PM 7 comments

a little bit about our name

We've had quite a few people ask about our new name. Why Plaid?

First, we needed a name that was versatile enough to grow with us, and to properly represent some of the things we have planned, and what our agency has become.

Next, we wanted a name that 'sounded' cool, when said out loud, and was easy to pronounce, and not so easily misspelled. We also wanted something that looked good in print.

Of course, we needed a name with appropriate and available urls.

Then, we began digging into our shortlist of names. We instantly loved Plaid, and everything it represents:
Patterns, colors, texture & depth brought together produces something unexpected & extraordinary.

We've twisted this, to represent how we see Plaid Design and Branding:
Design, ideas, strategies and know-how brought together delivers something unexpected & extraordinary.

Lastly, we trademarked the name. Something we never did with VIA. In the last year or so, we discovered that there were close to TEN other VIA's - scattered all across the land - but all providing some level of design and branding. I'm sure there will be other companies with Plaid, but we at least wanted to protect ourselves in our industry.

So here we come. We're Plaid. We're proud. Get used to it.

Labels: plaid

posted by darryl ohrt @ 10:59 PM 0 comments

a design and branding site without design?

So much to share. As you might have noticed - this site has not yet been designed. It's completely missing an identity. That's intentional.

This is a temporary blog, which will eventually become the official site for Plaid Design and Branding. You'll notice the countdown clock in the upper right - we've given ourselves a deadline to launch. And the clock is ticking.

If you subscribe to our feed, or check back here frequently, you'll see the Plaid brand developed in front of your eyes.

Our firm's re-branding will be blogged in detail, right here. We intend to share the majority of our 'back room' discussions, meetings, and news for everyone to see. And to participate.

We're planning a gradual rollout of our new brand, with a targeted completion in early May.

We invite your input, and are more excited than ever with where this is going. Stay tuned in the next few days as we share possible identity solutions, additional partner plans, and so much more.

Plaid. It's the new black.

Labels: plaid

posted by darryl ohrt @ 2:13 AM 0 comments

Monday, March 26, 2007

what's in a name?

A little more than ten years ago, we founded VIA. The Visual Intelligence Agency. 1996 was a fun time. Remember dial-up? So much has changed, and we have too.

More importantly, we're in a position to offer our clients new and exciting services that didn't even exist back in 1996. We're doing some things now (and planning on some others) that won't fit well under the old banner of VIA. So we're about to embark on a complete re-branding of our firm. Proof that even a branding firm needs a re-branding every once in a while.

VIA is about to become Plaid.
Within the next few weeks, our agency will officially become known as Plaid.

As a great example of how things have changed, we plan on sharing the entire process of our re-branding. We're plaid-blogging. We'll have a weekly update on our official blog BrandFlakes, and more frequent details here, which will eventually become our official new site.

There's so much to tell you, and we're more stoked than ever about where things are going. Get ready to paint the town Plaid.

Labels: plaid, via

posted by darryl ohrt @ 11:50 AM 0 comments

Friday, March 23, 2007

big news coming soon

getting ready to paint everything plaid.

posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:44 PM 1 comments