Re-Design: RiverWest Acupuncture Website

A few months ago I tweaked and updated the logo of the RiverWest Acupuncture identity for the clinic owned by my good friend and acupuncturist Lisa Francolini, L.Ac. This was just the initiation of the process in rebranding the facility and an increased menu of service options.

I don't claim to be a "web designer" - in fact, with my focus on identity design, I have no desire to be a "web designer" and developer. That's a job for those really interested and skilled in those arenas. However, I do often participate in the design of the appearance of the website of a business or organization, as part of the overall brand of a client. (A previous example of such work was my creation of the new graphic "look" for VanderVeer Center as featured in my book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands.)

The webpage design that had been used by RiverWest Acupuncture for years (above) no longer suited the needs of the business. Much of the content was outdated and the site didn't begin to define the current services being offered. With the evolution of the clinic's logo, and future redesign of all print materials, the appearance of the web presence would not longer fit the graphic image of the facility. Personally, I felt the look was very dated, had major design issues, and the proportions presented problems as viewed on most monitors.

I don't think Lisa Francolini (or most clients) had any idea of the scope of taking on such a project - and what it would require of her in fine-tuning the definition of her business. Early on, another friend, writer Greg Coyle was brought in to assist in creating the text for what would eventually become the new website. His involvement was crucial in helping the client establish a tone in conveying the message and purpose of RiverWest Acupuncture.

Knowing that the client was a very visual person, I created a rough design (above) as a template in which all proposed text could be presented. The template allowed the client to see how things might actually look on the Internet - without going through the process of creating a live website for review. At this point, Jennie Vinson of Mission First Marketing became involved in the project as the marketing and public relations representative for the clinic. She was incredibly valuable in critically assessing text and evaluating potential online flow of the site content.

A potential client conflict of interest resulted in a web designer/developer with whom I wanted to work having to decline an offer to participate in the RiverWest effort. Andrew Barden, of Periscope Creative had a previous relationship with Mission First Marketing and was suggested as a possible solution to our need. I knew he would be a great addition to the team from the moment we first met.

Barden did a fantastic job of translating the essence of the initial design - which the client liked a great deal - into a series of options for all to review. He provided excellent advice in regards to placement of elements, navigation and implementation of all client requirements. The final new RiverWest Acupuncture web presence (above) went live this week and successfully conveys a strong image of the clinic.

Any business entity considering a website redesign, or an introduction to the web, should understand that it is not necessarily a quick and easy process. At times it is necessarily to coordinate a team of professionals to create and produce the required end result. Such projects seldom are completed overnight - even for a small business. In the case of the RiverWest Acupuncture project, the collaboration of the client, a writer, a marketing/public relations specialist, a web designer/developer, the RiverWest staff and myself resulted in a website that will best serve the client, patients and potential patients for some time.

With design elements securely in place, and corporate colors clarified, I can now complete the process of designing a stationery package and collateral materials.

(Note: My book, Identity Crisis!, contains case studies from 35 designers and firms located around the world. Learn more about the book on the Identity Crisis! blog.)

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Toot! Toot!*: Designers'Couch interviews Portland identity designer and author Jeff Fisher

Jeff Fisher, the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, is the subject of the featured interview on the industry web presence Designers'Couch. Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, discusses his 30+ years in design, working independently, the challenges facing young designers today, and more.

Designers'Couch is a relatively new online design resource for inspiration, education, collaboration, industry news, project critiques, and other needs of those in the profession. Site membership is free.

Designer Jeff Fisher has received over 600 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts and his work is featured in more than over 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing. His first HOW Books offering, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, appeared on bookstore shelves in late 2004, and has been re-released in PDF format on CD. Fisher is currently writing a book about typography in identity design.

In January, Fisher was named one of design industry publication Graphic Design USA’sPeople to Watch in 2009.” In 2008, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. home-based businesses by the web presence StartupNation.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

LogoMotives Design Tracks: Critters • Part 3

Animal life has been the subject of a large number of my logo design efforts - back to my college days in the late 1970s. Below are some examples, presented as "Critters • Part 3."

Robinwood Center
Client: Robinwood Center
Location: West Linn, OR USA

In 1981, fresh out of college, I was hired to create the logo for the Robinwood Center retail mall. The image was created on illustration board with a rapidiograph pen.

When Pigs Fly
Client: triangle productions
Location: Portland, OR USA

The pig's curly tail forming the S letterform in the name of this theatrical production made the identity stand out. The identity was recognized with an American Graphic Design Award from Graphic Design:usa magazine and a Bronze from the Summit Creative Awards.

Sing Out Productions
Client: Sing Out Productions
Location: Littleton, CO USA

Kay Johnson, motivational speaker and singer, is the principal of Sing Out Productions. She delivers dynamic, inspiring and humorous keynotes, presentations and workshops at corporate events. "Why a fish?," a question often raised by the identity image, is answered in her presentations. The logo appears in The New Big Book of Logos, Blue is Hot,Red is Cool, The Big Book of Design for Letterheads and Websites and Logos from North to South America (Spain).

C.A.T.
Client: Cat Adoption Team
Location: Portland, OR USA

I had one of those “aha” moments when this rough concept came together. With the acronym C.A.T., I wanted to create a graphic image that would clearly identify the organization without the need to spell out the name in all uses. The design won a Silver Award in the Summit Creative Awards. It is also in the book Killed Ideas, Vol. 1 and will be in the volume Designing for the Greater Good.

Emerge
Client: Emerge Medical Spa at Bridgeport
Location: Portland, OR USA

The Emerge logo makes use of the typeface Allise from fonthead.com and incorporates the traditional symbolism of dragonfly imagery. The input of a psychic and use of runes within the design were part of the design process. The logo appears in The Big Book of Logos 5. It also won an American Corporate Identity 23 award.

Fritz Creek Gardens
Client: Fritz Creek Gardens
Location: Horner, AK USA

The owner's stories and photos of moose visiting her nursery gardens led to the graphic representation of the creature smelling the flowers. The Fritz Creek identity appears in the books The New Big Book of Logos and Blue is Hot, Red is Cool.

Check out other Logo Design Tracks from Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

Note: Many of the books mentioned in this post may be found at the LogoMotives Design Depot Bookstore.

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Toot! Toot!*: Jeff Fisher featured in HOW Magazine article about corporate culture adaptation

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is featured in an article in the "Creative Talent" issue of HOW Magazine. The piece, "Office Anthropologist," written by Julie Sims, appears in the August 2009 issue of the publication.

Sims, the director of communications strategy for The Creative Group, interviewed Fisher, author of The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, and Lionel Carreon, a recruiter for San Francisco-based digital marketing firm AKQA. The experts provided tips and tactics for creatives adapting to corporate cultures following the acceptance of new employment opportunities.

HOW Magazine strives to serve the business, technological and creative needs of graphic-design professionals. The magazine provides a practical mix of essential business information, up-to-date technological tips, the creative whys and hows behind noteworthy projects, and profiles of professionals who are influencing design. Founded in 1985, the HOW brand now extends beyond the print magazine to annual events for design professionals, yearly design competitions, digital products and books. The magazine is published in Cincinnati by F&W Media.

Designer Jeff Fisher is the author of Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands (HOW Books, 2007). He has received over 600 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts and his work is featured in more than over 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing. His first HOW Books offering, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, appeared on bookstore shelves in late 2004, and has been re-released in PDF format on CD. Fisher is currently writing a book about typography in identity design.

In January, Fisher was named one of design industry publication Graphic Design USA’sPeople to Watch in 2009.” In 2008, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. home-based businesses by the web presence StartupNation.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Restaurant Logos

(Clockwise from upper left)

North Bank Cafe
Client: North Bank Cafe
Location: Portland, OR USA

The television show Northern Exposure meets a cross-dressing moose in this restaurant identity. It appears in the books Logo Design for Small Business 2, 1000 Restaurant Bar & Cafe Graphics and 100's Visual Logos and Letterheads.

Glo's Broiler
Client: Glo's Broiler
Location: Seattle, WA USA

The logo was designed for the Seattle restaurant owned by a very good friend and mentor. The image appears in the books Bullet-Proof Logos, Logo Design for Small Business 2, 1000 Restaurant Bar & Cafe Graphics, and the Japanese volume New Logo and Trademark Design (which was recently re-released as the paperback Logo and Trademark Collection).

Read more about this identity project on bLog-oMotives.

Balaboosta
Client: Balaboosta Delicatessen
Location: Portland, OR USA

Logo for the third restaurant venture of the owner. The oval is consistent in all company restaurant logos. The colors and tile motif come from the floor of the late 1800s building. The logo appears in The Big Book of Logos 5, 1000 Restaurant Bar & Cafe Graphics, 100s Visual Logos & Letterheads (UK), Works in Progress: Graphics for Visual Presentations (Japan), Design DNA - Logos: 300+ International Logos Deconstructed and Logo Design Vol. 3 (Germany). It was also recognized with a 2007 American Graphic Design Award.

Indies Restaurant & Bar
Client: Indies Restaurant & Bar
Location: New York, NY USA

Hand-cut tin lettering in Caribbean signage inspired the letterforms in this restaurant logo. One day I will complete the entire font set. The image appears in the books Restaurant Graphics 2 (Rockport Publishers, USA, 1996), New Logo & Trademark Design (P.I.E. Books, Japan, 1998), Retail & Restaurant (Rockport Publishers, USA, 1998), Paper: Building Great Designs With Paper (Rockport Publishers, USA, 1998), The Big Book of Logos (Hearst Books International, USA, 1999), New Business Card Graphics 2 (P.I.E. Books, Japan - 1999), Logo Design for Small Business 2 (Signcraft, USA, 2004), New Business Card Collection 2 (P.I.E. Books, Japan, 2004), 1000 Restaurant Bar & Cafe Graphics (Rockport, USA, 2007), 1000 Diseños de restaurantes, bares y cafés (Index Book, Spain, 2007) and 1000 Restaurant Bar & Cafe Graphics (Paper, Rockport, USA, 2009).

All logo designs © 2015 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. All rights reserved.