reactions

MSLK works with our clients to build great experiences with every touch-point of their brand, from identity design through to websites, packaging, and promotions online and offline. Over the years we’ve found that the best promotions and websites are really only possible when there is a truly unique offering, the only limit is with the brands themselves. When we see a brand everything right, it’s exciting.

I came across such a brand during a search for eyeglasses. After numerous visits to online stores and brick & morters, I found the whole process to be draining: too many choices, and a nagging sense that things were more expensive than they should be. Then I remembered an article I had read some time ago about a startup making vintage-inspired frames with prescription lenses for only $95.00. I began my Google search using the keywords “New York Times vintage eyewear website” which lead me right to the article.

Now I’m the proud owner of a wonderful pair of stylish, vintage-inspired frames from Warby Parker. I only paid $95.00, and found the whole experience to be, well… fun, which is a far cry from my previous experiences. Here’s why:

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Image-based brands such as fashion, beauty, photographers, and artists will love Pinterest a new social sharing platform dedicated to “connecting everyone in the world through shared tastes and the ‘things’ they find interesting.” Users create image boards on topics ranging from home, to travel, food, fitness, beauty, etc. They then find, follow, and share with friends who have similar interests.

Think of Pinterest as your virtual tack board. Remember the cork board you used to have over your desk? Instead of clipping and tacking physical inspiration, Pinterest allows you to keep track of all those virtual bits of inspiration you come across online everyday. Pinterest comes complete with a browser extension that makes pinning a snap. Simply click on the “Pin It” tool when viewing any standard web page and every image or video on that page can be added to your profile with two clicks. Users are encouraged to add a note to the image and anyone can add a comment to it at anytime. More importantly the image is saved with a link to the URL of the original source. Goodbye long, scrolling lists of “Bookmarked” pages you can’t remember why you saved in the first place, hello Pinterest.
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Steve Jobs was not a designer, at least not in the traditional sense. In fact, there was little he did do that was traditional, in any sense of the word. Having just finished his biography, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, I have a new-found respect for the man who transformed not only the world of computers, consumer  electronics, music, movies, etc… but also had a profound effect of the lives of creative professionals — graphic designers in particular.
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MSLK is honored and humbled to have received two of the nine AIGA Making the Case Awards for our projects, Watershed and Figment 360° Branding. Beyond the mere beauty pageant that is the average design competition, “Making the Case” selects case studies that “demonstrate the value of design in a clear, compelling and accessible way” to clients and society. Given recent economic trends, now more than ever it is important for non-designers to understand how great design leads to business growth and/or positive societal change.
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MSLK has recently been busy working on completely new packaging and overall branding for Wigwam Mills, and it’s getting ready to hit the shelves this spring.

This was one of MSLK’s toughest challenges to date, for no other reason than we needed to improve on their previous design… also created by us. Though the challenges were different, we followed the same process as always, leading Wigwam toward reevaluating their core messaging, and revamping that look to stay true to their brand’s DNA. This new packaging is the first step toward helping them secure their place as a leader in the performance sock market.
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Great holiday retail windows embody the entire romance of the shopping season. When I was young, the trend was dioramas of animatronic characters set amid a snowy scene. These days retailers and window designers are encouraged to think a bit more outside the box, and the more they let their imagination wander, the better. In fact, the out-of-the-ordinary is more apt to capture peoples’ attention.

Here are some windows that struck me on a recent trip down 5th Avenue.
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We just paused for a moment in between a number of large and exciting presentations to realize that it’s December 19th. Did you realize it’s December 19th?

Just wanted to let you know, dear readers, that MSLK is here, we’ve just been very busy. We simply wanted to say a quick hello and wish you all very happy holidays. We promise there will be plenty of fresh content in the new year!

Love,
MSLK

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, MSLK is once again offering something useful to make the gift giving process fun and easy. Introducing our Customizable Holiday Cards, which are now on sale at our Felt and Wire shop. Use these cards to create your own message for all holiday occasions. Get a set now.

New Yorkers can purchase a set at Teich in the West Village. Mention MSLK and receive a 15% discount!

MSLK just went live with the fifth in an ongoing series of videos to showcase what we do best: create 360° branding solutions for our clients. The video showcases how we helped high-end landscaping firm M. Erbs transform their entire image to match the quality of their services. Customer insights led us to create a new name, modern graphics, and a distinctive voice, and our schematic designs brought the brand to life. If you want to learn more about our strategy and process, be sure to view the M. Erbs case study in the results section of our website.

Brands such as Gucci, Converse and Ikea are leading the pack in elevating the e-commerce experience by offering alternative and exciting ways to browse their product lines. They are fighting traditional notions of e-commerce— cluttered menus, heavy-handed ads, and dense product grids with web applications that allow for less linear, more memorable ways to shop online. The result is that users are spending more time on these sites, leading to greater brand recognition and increased sales.
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