Telling a story: Parable logo

This month we've been finalising our work for Parable. They create a range of products derived from a unique collection of vintage wallpaper pattern rollers. These are the rollers that were used to print the patterns onto wallpaper - many of them from the 19th century.



Our work has included the logo, packaging labels, stationery, promotional cards and their website. There were two key things the logo needs to do for Parable. Firstly, as a new business, they need to raise their profile, so the logo needs to create a distinctive visual identity for them. Secondly, as a premium brand, they need to create a brand that appeals to their target market. We have designed a symbol that reflects the origin of their products and the craftsmanship needed to create the original rollers. We have complemented this by using typefaces that match the age of the original rollers themselves.

Parable will launch their identity and products at The Whitworth Gallery, in Manchester, to support the Putting on the Glitz exhibition, running until October 2009. Their range of candles, cast from the wallpaper rollers, are currently available, but there are a range of other products under development, including lighting, prints, mirrors and garden ornaments. We have included a couple of examples below. To find out more about Parable visit www.parabledesigns.co.uk



On this project we have worked closely with Power Marketing. They have developed the communication and marketing strategy, and introduced us to the project to provide branding knowledge and expertise. If you would like to see some more examples of our branding work and logo designs, take a look at our website: www.alderandalder.co.uk.

Indian Summer

There's been lots going on in the studio this month, and we've tried to give you a taste of it here. But it hasn't all been work, work, work - we've tried to get out enjoy this Indian Summer (better late than never). We're spoilt for choice down here when the weather is kind; we had a lovely afternoon at Knightshayes earlier in the month (left, near Tiverton), then Coleton Fishacre (right, near Kingswear) last weekend.

Downsizing: Hospiscare Annual Review

Just received some copies of the Hospiscare Annual Review from the printer. We're really pleased with it, and the client has had really good feedback too.



This year the Annual Review has been produced as an A5 landscape document, so it makes an interesting story for sustainable design. The clients motivation for reducing the size wasn't environmental - they wanted to minimize their postage costs. But by reducing the size they are reducing their environmental impact anyway: they are using less paper and the job takes less time to print, using less energy.

We had also ensured that the production process itself was green; using a paper with 75% recycled content (Revive 75 Matt) and a printer with environmental accreditation (Colourworks).



We have been working with Hospiscare since 2007, helping to develop their visual identity. Our brief was to create a consistent style for all of their literature, so that the quality of their communication material matches the quality of their patient care. A key aspect of the work was to create a set of guidelines for users, with clear information on how to apply the new identity to different document formats.

If you would like to see more examples of our work, take a look at our website: www.alderandalder.co.uk

We've made the shortlist!

Good news! We've just heard that we have been successful in making the shortlist for the DEBI Environmental Business awards. We've entered our Today and Tomorrow initiative, which has been developed and improved since we won the FSB Devon Business Award in June. The judges will be visiting us next Tuesday to have a chat about our entry. The awards are announced on 20th November at the ceremony at the Met Office.

Lighten up!

The last three post have been a bit serious, and certainly the economic news this week is fairly grim (I didn't even know that Iceland had banks, let alone that they could cripple the UK's economy if they failed). So to lighten the mood I've got a joke, on a topical theme:

Financial news just in; there's panic in Japan, where it has just been announced that the Origami Bank has folded.

Carrot and/or stick

I've been to a couple of events recently and a common theme to the debate has been 'who should take responsibility for action to address climate change: individuals or government?'.

The argument follows the line that individuals want to make a difference, so they should be given the tools/information/opportunity to do that. There is also the argument that as part of the cause of climate change, through our actions as individuals, we need to take responsibility as individuals. That's the carrot.

The counter argument is that it is the role of government to take leadership. If something is that important, they should make us do it. That's the stick.

What do I think? Well, I could sit on the fence and say it should be a combination. But we do each need to take responsibility. And government needs to lead by example.

It would be really interesting to know what others think. There is a thread on this theme on the Today and Tomorrow forum. Join in and let us know what you think.

Three degrees

I went to an environmental conference yesterday and heard a lot of really interesting information - some of it inspiring (the ingenuity, innovation and creativity some people bring to addressing the challenges we face) and some of it frightening (the state we're in already - we just can't see how bad it is yet).

The thing that hit me was the issue of 3 degrees. That's the anticipated rise in the average global temperature. (Scientists had thought it would be 2 degrees, but that seems a bit optimistic now, things are getting worse faster than anticipated. It could be as much as 4 degrees). Now 3 degrees doesn't sound like a lot. But the average global temperature is 15 degrees centigrade, so an increase of 3 degrees is a 20% rise. Another way to compare this rise in temperature is the fact that the current average temperature is only 5 degrees higher than during the last ice age. So if a 5 degree increase in the average global temperature is enough to take us from ice age in the northern hemisphere to the climate we have today, what will another 3 degrees do?

I don't know the answer to that, I'm not a scientist, but I'm fairly sure that when I look out of my window in 30 or 40 years time, I won't be looking at the same green, lush landscape I can see now.

To learn a bit more from people who do know what they're talking about take a look at Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth or the BBC.

Tread lightly

Tomorrow is National Carbon Footprint Day. I only found out today when I received an email. It's the first one. The aim is to encourage individuals to make a pledge and measure five key carbon uses, then review them each year on National Carbon Day, with the aim of reducing them. To find out more take a look at their website.

It all starts with each of us making one step. To us it might seem insignificant, but add them all up and it can really make a difference.