I'm very excited to officially announce a new project from Clover Road. It's in Beta stage, but so far, things have been moving very well. Halton ecoBeez. I may have already sent some of you an introductory message about the new initiative. If not, check it out.

Halton ecoBeez is for Halton based business owners who make it a point to conduct business in an eco-friendly manner, to network together and help each others' businesses grow. That includes businesses in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills, Georgetown and surrounding areas.

Click here to visit the site. If it's up your alley, sign up. It's easy, and it's free!

Thanks,

Robert Scozzari

Hi, I'm super excited to show the new logo identity I've done for Acorn Family Health and Wellness Centre.

Acorn Health and Wellness Centre is a new health care facility in Oakville, Ontario. The letters in the word ‘acorn’, represent the services offered:

A: Acupuncture, Athletic therapy

C: Chiropractic, Chiropody

O: Orthotics (and possibly osteopathy)

R: Registered massage therapy, Rehabilitation

N: Naturopath, Nutritionist

Acorn is a state of the art, eco-friendly healthcare facility featuring earth friendly features not found in any competitors, such as cork floors, LED lights, bullfrog power, low flush toilets, and a paperless office.

Acorn required a new brand identity which effectively communicated the benefits of the new facility in a meaningful way. By using the tree icon and the oak leaves, we achieved what we set out to, and created a logo identity which uniquely sets Acorn apart from competitors.

Ciao,

Robert

Government data could be thought of as being quite boring and dry. People typically have the same thoughts of accountants and other data driven organizations. But check out the video of how beautiful and interesting this information could be with some great design applied to it.

To see more, visit the Sunlight Labs webpage.

Thanks.

Rob

I came across this fantastic user interface design at the website for the band Arcade Fire. I tell you, they managed to bring back some great nostalgic feelings spinning the record. I had tons of fun spinning it forwards and backwards and flipping it over to side B. Fantastic. Go there and play for a bit. It's tons of fun.

Robert Scozzari

Here is what they are saying about the Kodak Cares brand from the Kodak website…

Kodak has a long history of commitment to environmental stewardship. That commitment is an unwavering constant in our strategy, and for more than ten years we have set aggressive, quantitative goals as a key measure of our progress.

To help our customers recognize the very best we have to offer, we've created a new environmental logo system that supports the corporate Kodak Cares umbrella mark.

When you see Kodak's new green leaf logo, you'll know you are choosing a product with unique environmental attributes, a service that will help you manage your environmental footprint, or a recycling and reuse program that leverages our commitment to environmental responsibility.

But, we won't be putting this logo just anywhere. First and foremost, we want our products to carry the recognition of objective and respected third parties like ENERGY STAR®, whenever possible. Only for those products that aren't covered by one of these programs will we consider applying our new leaf design.

You can also rest assured that the Kodak Cares mark will always be linked with measurable, proven, positive environmental activities - products, services, and programs that represent the best of our best. That's a commitment you can depend on, because Kodak Cares is more than just a mark–it's our way of doing business.

This is interesting, I'll look to see how it pans out for them.

Thanks.

Robert Scozzari RGD

I love this, it's a great example of using design to innovate and to help the environment at the same time. Puma has developed what they call, "The clever little bag". It eliminates the old fashioned shoe box and replaces it with a reusable bag. They have eliminated tons of packaging and made a great mark to stand out from their competitors.

Great job Puma.

If I said to you, "Joe, (if that's your name, if not, pretend I said your name) I think we should differentiate your brand by using your very own strain of bacteria". You would think I was off my rocker wouldn't you. "Bacteria? Like Semolina?" Well, not really, something smoother sounding. Some bacteria that sounded almost, cool. And it's a special bacteria, because it would be your bacteria. And consumers would be clamoring to buy your product so they can have your bacteria ingested into their bodies. Sound's pretty crazy doesn't it? Well, welcome to the world of yogurt.

Next time you are in the yogurt isle of your grocer, check out some of the brands of yogurt and the special bacteria that they  promote as being it's "unique" type of "culture". Oh, yea, they likely wont call it bacteria, they cleverly disguise the fact that it's bacteria by calling it a "prebiotic culture" or "probiotic culture". But it's all bacteria. You also wont hear them advertise it as their own unique "strain". That wont sell yogurt very well.

But thats it, some yogurts differentiate themselves from one brand to the next with strains of bacteria. Promoting the benefits that each one's special bacteria has on your well-being. There are other differentiators, some are for kids, some are for seniors, some are for women, some are for teens. In a world where you and all of your competitors have virtually the same product and flavours, it comes down to how you are going to position your brand.

Let's take a look at some of the brands and the special strains of "culture" that each one markets.

Brand: Dannon Activa
Bacteria: The unique probiotic culture bifidus regularis
Claim: Clinically proven to help naturally regulate your digestive system.

Brand: Dannon Danimals® Smoothie
Bacteria: Natural probiotic LGG®
Claim: Proven benefits for positively affecting children’s gastrointestinal function, immune function, and oral health.

Brand: Yoplait Yoptimal
Bacteria: BB-12® Bifidobacterium lactis and LA-5® Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic cultures
Claim: Contributes to healthy digestive tract flora

Interesting isn't it? What yogurt brand do you buy and why? Let me know, use the form below.

Thanks.

Rob

I had the pleasure of creating an invitation for an open house jointly hosted by Anderson Carpet & Home and The Elves Workshop.

They are both great Burlington based businesses. If you are looking for something fun and exciting to do on May 12, 2010 from 7 pm to 9 pm, love interior design and want to see the latest inspiration of the spring season, then go check it out.

Hi, I've completed a new logo identity for Caroline Family Health Team. They are a full service family health care facility in Burlington Ontario. They wanted a simple brand identity that quickly communicated health, well-being and vitality. The usage of common visual cues associated with the health care industry help this logo achieve it's goal.

Other Links:
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co.
A&P Wikipedia Link
A&P Canada Wikipedia Link

How about you? Do you have fond A&P memories? Does the sight of it's logo inspire fond memories? Let me know, leave a comment below.

Thanks,

Robert Scozzari