modern8 eNews: May 2003

You're roadside in Ohio and wondering where the nearest hotel is. To make matters worse it's rush hour. Thanks to "Ohio on the Go", the wireless service provided by Ohio state government, you can pull out your wireless PDA, phone or laptop and quickly look up lodging vacancies and road conditions. The world's largest provider of online government services, NIC, wanted to dramatically increase the excitement level amongst Ohio officials for their wireless option. NIC asked modern8 to create a limited edition brochure that dramatized wireless eGovernment capabilities. The document featured four different stories; each illustrated with a wireless device solution and giclee printing on watercolor and vellum paper stocks and hand-assembly with screw bindings. Positive reaction to the brochure was immediate with re-print requests and praise by Ohio officials.

The regional business publication, Connect, has asked modern8 creative director Randall Smith, to write an article on branding for the June issue of the widely distributed magazine. The article was adapted from the modern8 white paper "Perception Branding" published in June of last year.

A 20-page brochure outlining modern8 background information, processes and client case studies has been completed and is available as a PDF download here. Given to prospective clients, the brochure provides in-depth information outside of the portfolio, which is the primary tool of the company website.

Randall Smith, modern8 Creative Director, vacationed in New York City May 21-28. By week end, accompanying family members reportedly refused to see one more museum or design-related point of interest. / Kellie Ungricht, modern8 designer, is driving a cool new Mini Cooper S. / We've got office space to share. Check out photos in our November eNews Call if interested.

In the middle of creating a new website for the structural engineering firm Dunn Associates, modern8 proposed an overhaul to the company identity. The existing logo had unique optical properties and equity from years of use, but lacked impact and a contemporary look and feel. modern8 simplified the mark, took advantage of the short four-letter name, added weight to the lines and updated the color palette. Re-designed stationery and business cards coordinate the identity with the modern8-designed website that launches next month.

Sampan Chinese Cuisine recently added another location at the SouthTowne mall in Sandy. Long-time client Sampan sought to increase awareness and provide a strong promotion for the new restaurant. modern8 designed a postcard to be mailed to near-by business owners. Combining the print-run with other postcards from around the nation reduced printing costs.

With 10 divisions and 18 branch offices, no other sign company in the western United States has the capabilities and reach of Young Electric Sign Company. The multiple location requirements of the fast food industry are a natural target market for YESCO signs. modern8 followed a rational process creating the ad for Quick Service Restaurant magazine. A Creative Brief outlining objectives and identifying target audience and customer insights was written and submitted to the client for approval. After sign off by YESCO, the copywriter and designer brainstormed ideas and proposed pencil concepts with headlines. With the concept selected, the photography was commissioned; the copywriter wrote the body copy and the ad layout executed. PDF files of the completed ad were emailed for final approval and then uploaded to the magazine's FTP site.