We combine research and strategy with thoughtful design to create, communicate and build brands and identities that transform businesses and deliver measurable value.

Report on Combined Code on Corporate Governance

08 March 2010

We have designed the recently published "Report on Compliance with the Combined Code on Corporate Governance by Irish Listed Companies", for the Irish Stock Exchange and the Irish Association of Investment Managers.

The ISE and IAIM commissioned an independent review of the level of compliance by Irish listed companies with the Combined Code. A Review Panel established by both organisations examined and commented on the findings of that review. This resulting report assesses those levels of compliance and provides observations and recommendations which may facilitate more meaningful disclosure of information in annual reports in the future.

This being quite a technical subject for a specific defined audience allowed us to craft a very refined design treatment for the report. Our aim was to define an appropriate typographic structure to best communicate the essence of this major report. It is a handsome, unique sized volume printed in two colours. Our understated publication design was enhanced with some special features and details in the print production, particularly front and back cover flaps and solid metallic ink interior covers. Our publication design was well-received with the relevant target audiences.

 

Update: Although this report was published two months before the introduction of our new brand identity system for the Irish Stock Exchange in May, we were able to preemptively incorporate many aspects of that system in this publication's design. It features one of the new ISE brand patterns on the cover and is typeset in their new corporate typeface.

ISE Corporate Governance Conference

29 January 2010

Recent economic and financial events have raised questions about corporate governance culture and practices throughout the world. We worked with the Irish Stock Exchange to brand their conference: 'Corporate Governance Challenges - 2010 and beyond', which took place in Dublin's Four Seasons Hotel on 29 January. This high-level forum centred on discussions by distinguished panellists and was attended by directors of public companies listed on the ISE.

We created a clear and effective visual system that reflected the Exchanges’ values of innovation, professionalism, collaboration and openness. We used strong typography, vibrant colours and created bespoke graphic patterns that were used on all visual elements, including on-screen presentations, promotional literature and display signage. This ensured a cohesive overall visual style for this conference.

Daryl Byrne, the Head of Strategy Planning and Brand at the Irish Stock Exchange, said that "the team at BFK exceeded our expectations, both with their design recommendations and with their ability to deliver on many requirements within our timeframe."

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan TD with ISE Chairman Padraic O’Connor and ISE Chief Executive Deirdre Somers at the Corporate Governance conference.

Marketing to UCD's International Students

14 January 2010

We have created a suite of five interchangeable display stands for UCD's International Office, to be used at student recruitment events worldwide. Strong graphics and clear text establish an approachable, vibrant look and ensure that each banner works both on its own as well as when used in the complete set of five.

We used key images and graphics to help communicate the university's messages of environment, location, student opportunities for development and UCD’s international links. These banners are easy to understand and they position UCD as Ireland’s international university. Our design builds on the successful branding we have created for UCD and still gives the International Office its own individual style, appropriate for its particular audience.

We also designed and produced an integrated suite of cost-effective, user-friendly fact-sheet document templates. Constructed in Microsoft Word, these fact-sheets give the UCD International Office the flexible tools they need to customise and adapt a comprehensive library of promotional material.

NetAffinity loves hotels

17 December 2009

NetAffinity is an established software company that now specialises in online hotel marketing and in the provision of hotel booking engine systems for independent and group hotels in Ireland and across Europe.

NetAffinity recognised the need for a new brand identity that would communicate its new specialist offering, that would raise its business profile and that would position the company as a bespoke supplier to the hotel sector. Through a series of workshops we worked closely with the NetAffinity management team to define the brand essence and refine and agree brand positioning options. We conducted one-to-one brand perception research with past and existing NetAffinity clients. We brainstormed with our client to develop a new tag line.

This process was designed to achieve the best possible solution—one that would meet our client's needs, would exceed their expectations, and would result in the creation of a new identity that communicated values of sophistication, professionalism, quality and elegance.

The chosen design solution is based around a symmetrical arrangement in which the symbol is underscored by the NetAffinity name. The symbol is devised from a series of strands that emanate outwards from one focal point, reflecting how NetAffinity filter the best information and data for their clients and provide the best possible solution. Both the bespoke typography and subdued colour palette directly convey NetAffinity's positioning.

Another component of the brand mark is the tag line 'We Love Hotels'. This short, quirky statement is seen as the signature of the company and is used to communicate their passion for what they do and for the market they serve. This component of the identity is interchangeable, working as part of the identity or as a stand-alone design embellishment, as required. We used a very different typographic expression for the signature.

The result is a brand identity that is instantly recognisable, relevant and memorable. Net Affinity have now rolled out their new brand identity across a wide range of materials including their web site www.netaffinity.com

 

In July 2010, eighteen months after the launch of the new identity, the value of brand  for business-to-business development is stressed by Michelle Conaghan, Head of Client Services at NetAffinity "...the branding is working really well and we're constantly getting compliments on it. Business is also really good, we're signing lots of new clients..."

SPSV Industry Newsletter

08 December 2009

We have redesigned the Taxi Regulator's industry newsletter. In line with the recommendations of the Goodbody Economic Report, the Commission for Taxi Regulation has committed to improving its communications with the industry. Our new design treatment makes use of a more editorial aesthetic and aims to place more emphasis on the content of each edition. We looked to newspaper design to inform our design decisions about how best to enhance the information.

All parties within the Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) industry receive this newsletter, including taxi, hackney and limo drivers, as well as dispatch operators. We renamed the newsletter from "Industry News" to "SPSV Update". This better reflects the emphasis of this publication: which informs and updates that industry on the developments and reforms effecting them.

The Commission is committed to presenting up-to-date information about the overall state of the SPSV industry. Based on sound principles of information design, we created a strong visual treatment for the 'facts and figures' page. This presents a comprehensive range of statistical information about licence numbers, complaints and penalties and in the most rational and legible manner. The first edition was distributed in November.