From helping businesses present themselves anew to getting college students where they need to go, we enjoy the process of identifying a communications problem and creating a fresh interpretation. Hours spent at our computers get punctuated by the final installation of super graphics on a wall or the tactile feel of a letter-pressed business card—each experience a reward and reminder of why we do what we do. Happy clients—even a city mayor!—serve as our inspiration and motivation each day, each year, each project.

1.
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
Environments

This world-class hotel’s luxurious ambiance is established through exquisite detail and nostalgic hints to the pier’s storied history. In collaboration with Patrick Sutton Designs and Finndustry, we created the exterior and interior signage elements, dimensional graphics as well as feature walls, including a waterjet cut steel typographic installation of lyrics from The Star-Spangled Banner. With the fine craftsmanship of Gutierrez Studios, the signs are made from solid brass and hot or cold rolled blackened steel to integrate seamlessly with the rich interior finishes. Every element and small detail contributes to create the building’s unique character and the overall visitor experience.
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2.
Baltimore City Gateway Signs
Environments

The City of Baltimore, in conjunction with Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, selected our design for a system of new city perimeter gateway identifiers. The challenge was to incorporate three existing historic sculptural signs (Rt 295 N and 40 E & W) into the scheme of our 15 new iconic markers. With a variety of shapes and sizes to work with, we chose to unify them through color and type style, "Baltimore Orange" and a contemporary version of Futura. The signs are not only meant to welcome those that enter the city but serve to instill a sense of pride in the city we all love.
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3.
Charles Street Campaign
Identity

After Charles Street obtained its historical main street designation, our challenge was to visually represent the significance of one of the oldest thoroughfares in America. The mark plays on the shape of Baltimore City and emphasizes Charles Street’s position as the spine connecting the east and west sides of the city. The brand serves to promote the area as a destination and fuel local business.

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4.
The Inner Harbor Project
Environments

The Inner Harbor Project is a non-profit organization in Baltimore dedicated to finding solutions to social issues. We created signage for its "Respect Campaign," an initiative that revolves around The Code of Respect, a set of tenets for civility developed by teenaged leaders encouraging people to treat each other well. Instead of creating a traditional regulatory sign that is authoritative and negative, we designed an inspiring and sculptural piece to carry this important message. The inviting and tactile heart signs were permanently installed in prominent locations throughout the Inner Harbor to invite interaction and spread the message.
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5.
University of Colorado Athletics
Environments

The University of Colorado renovated and expanded their athletics complex, Folsom Field and the Dal Ward Athletic Center. Our task was to generate graphics to enhance the interior spaces. Working with Populous, we created the artwork using bold graphics and curated photographs. Our large-scale imagery and super graphics filled the walls, panels and doors throughout the facility to inspire the University’s athletes, staff and visitors with a dynamic and powerful environment.
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6.
The Cordish Companies
Identity, Print

The Cordish Companies, an internationally-known commercial real estate development corporation, needed energy instilled into their brand to reflect the dynamic and vibrant projects in their portfolio. We redesigned their identity to better mirror that lively essence while highlighting their expertise as a leader in urban revitalization projects and entertainment venues.
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7.
Sagamore Spirit Distillery & Restaurant
Identity, Environments

The five-acre Sagamore Spirit campus features a distillery, a restaurant and a welcome center, all of which is identifiable by Sagamore Development’s diamond logo on the buildings and water tower. We designed the directional and wayfinding signage to create a sleek, crafted, high-end environment that embraces the whiskey culture and reflects the distilling process. The main entrance sign is made of Corten steel in a curved shape that will take on a distinctive patina over time.
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8.
KIPP DC:
Environments

KIPP DC: is a public charter college-preparatory school located in Washington, D.C. We created the exterior signage, donor signage, interior entrance signage and placemaking graphics for their new facility designed by STUDIOS Architecture. Our clean designs integrated with the modern architecture and garner a sense of pride among students, families, staff and community.
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9.
Moody Graham Landscape Architects
Identity

Moody Graham was established when landscape architects Ryan Moody and Jay Graham joined forces. We devised a new identity to illustrate the partnership. The monogram draws inspiration from chop signatures of East Asia and Zen gardens. Collateral materials were printed using letterpress to elicit the tactile and hand-crafted nature of Moody Graham’s landscape services.
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10.
Hoen Lithographic Building
Identity, Print, Web

Cross Street Partners and City Life are revitalizing the Hoen & Co. Building, a historic building in East Baltimore vacant since 1981. Their goal is to transform the derelict building—a former lithograph facility—into a job center with community spaces and offices. We were asked at project conceptualization to design the website as a marketing tool to attract future tenants. Emphasis is placed on the building’s history and character while its raw potential is highlighted through photography and conceptual drawings.

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11.
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Anniversary
Print

In celebration of their 175th anniversary, we designed a keepsake poster for The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. The imagery within the number forms represents the University’s departments while gold foil reflects the level of excellence in medical education and research. We were excited to hear that as posters were distributed to students and staff on campus, a line formed for the Dean to sign posters in a demonstration of great pride in the University.

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12.
Diamond Sunoco
Identity, Environments

Diamond Sunoco in Baltimore commissioned us to forge an identity overhaul for the full-service automotive repair facility that attracts a high-end car enthusiast following. Inspired by the owner’s last name as well as vintage lettering from oil cans and mechanic shop signage, we crafted a logo and identity that melded classic, hand-painted art with automotive appeal. Passersby and customers admire the hand-painted garage façade including the yellow diamond that aptly claims “Good People, Great Service.”
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13.
Carballo Architecture
Identity

Carballo Architecture is a Baltimore-based firm offering tailored architecture, interior and planning design services. The firm sought our expertise in rebranding. Our approach began by building a monogram with precise geometric lines and a simple typeface to stand as a timeless and utilitarian mark. This bold monogram was foil stamped on business cards, screenprinted on shirts and mugs, applied to stickers and cut out of wood for exterior building signage. We also created a website with a minimal and understated presence to fit the character of this boutique architecture firm.

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14.
Anne Arundel Community College
Environments

Anne Arundel Community College wayfinding signage had become outdated and replete with visibility and usability issues. Our objectives were to create a clear message hierarchy and presentation style, simplify the messages down to the most essential pieces, and improve the legibility of information. The new system better integrates the signs with AACC’s brand and campus layout, while improvements to contrast and typography make the signs more accessible for visually-impaired visitors.
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15.
Transit Choices Campaign
Print

Transit Choices, a coalition in support of an integrated transportation system in Baltimore, asked us to create a brochure to raise interest and instill action in their cause. Designing a brochure that could potentially lead to a high-functioning, reliable transportation system in our city was an exciting opportunity. Transit Choices sent copies to the Mayor’s office in hopes of kick-starting the effort. Stay tuned, Baltimore!

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16.
Johns Hopkins Health Systems
Environments

Doctors and nurses at The Bloomberg Children's Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital were looking for better ways to connect with their pediatric patients to establish trust under difficult circumstances. We were able to transform cold, sterile emergency exam rooms into welcoming, kid-friendly environments. Inspired by Robert Israel's animal sculptures and featuring an alphabet designed by Lauren Adams, the Shape Land murals and play kits function as an interactive system of brightly colored vinyl decals to encourage children to interact and communicate with their care teams and receive the help they need.
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