Our Story
We are a small New York City-based design studio. Astoria, Queens-based, if you want to get specific about it. Apart, we’re a type-obsessed pattern-freak and a logic-looping webhead. Combined, we offer a complete suite of design services, as well as a genuine excitement for what we do. And since what we do involves making you look great, it works out well for all of us.
Courtney
The Everything-But-Web Guy
Courtney's first typographic memory was discovering her father's extremely meticulous handwriting as a child. From then on she carried a pad of paper with her everywhere, feverishly trying to perfect her own and create new styles. Little did she know it would lead to a life-long obsession with typography. The obsession forged a path to Syracuse University, where she studied Communications Design and (almost) met Brian. She then landed in New York and hasn't left since.
When not attached to the computer, Courtney collects business cards from New York restaurants, plays with her gocco printer and catches live music wherever she can.
Brian
The Web Guy
Brian's left brain and right brain are in a constant battle for supremacy. During his four years in Syracuse University's Communication Design department, he picked up a bit of web here and there, but mostly stayed focused on the program's print-oriented curriculum.
It wasn't until after graduation and a move to NYC that he began to focus entirely on web design. Finally, the left brain and right brain achieved peace.
When he's not staring at sitemaps and code, Brian can most likely be found at whatever concert Courtney is attending. He also enjoys reading novels (both graphic and regular) and tries to make it to NY Sports Club at least once a week to hit the Squash courts.
Our Services
• Branding
• Logo and Identity Systems
• Stationery
• Event Materials
• Marketing Collateral
• Invitations and Correspondence
• Postcards and Direct Mail
• Annual Reports
• Packaging
• Environmental Graphics
• Website design and development
• User Interface design
• Information Architecture
• Email Marketing
• Blog design and development
Our Process
The way we work is simple: Learn, Think, Make, an ongoing cycle that guides the entire process, from the very first time we connect until we arrive at a final solution. Working together requires a continuous exchange of ideas and information, but here is a quick breakdown of how things will go.
Learn
Everything begins with a conversation. We want to get to know you and your business as well as possible, so that we can come up with the best solution to your unique design problem. The dialogue will begin when you fill out our questionnaire and continue throughout the process to make sure we're always right on track.
Steps: Questionnaire > Project Agreement > Schedule > Creative Brief
Think
Once we have a grip on what your business is all about and what you're looking for from us, it's our turn to do our homework and generate ideas. At this stage we're putting pen to paper and beginning to form a vision for the project.
Steps: Research > Idea Generation > Sketching
Make
This is when we bring the ideas to life, from sketchbook to screen. We'll present you with our recommendations, discuss our how we got there and figure out how to move forward. Then the process starts again until natural selection (or intelligent design, if that's what you're into) takes us to your finished product.
Steps: Creation > Presentation > Revisions > Production > Delivery
Our Philosophy
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SmartGood work should make sense. A brilliant concept isn't so brilliant if your audience doesn't get it. It should educate, inform, tell a story. And if it makes you think, that's always a plus. |
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GroundedWe don't use buzzwords. We don't follow trends. We don't have a style. Our feet are planted firmly in the present, concerned with what matters most to you right now. |
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PurposefulEverything we make, down to the last detail, has a specific reason and purpose. We don't believe in design for design's sake—if it can't be justified, it has no business being there. |