We’ve been following Minneapolis architects Lars Peterssen & Gabriel Keller for over a decade as they produce residential & commercial projects that combine beautiful classical elements with bold modern design sensibilities. Needless to say, we were honored when they asked us to design the look of their latest endeavor P/K Architecture. A strong modern wordmark is balanced with a welcoming italic font, intricate patterns and a poppy orange hue. P/K’s website focuses on their work with a prominent image area that cycles through highlighted projects while a structured news area shares their latest achievements. The portfolio section provides a high-level view of their work and allows for easy access & updates to their projects.

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Digg is an online resource for the internet’s top rated stories. Over the past five years, users have gotten to share and “digg” various content to create a wonderful wealth of web based information. To celebrate Digg’s five year anniversary we worked with The Barbarian Group to expand Digg Labs, designing an interface that allows users to easily sort through the most popular headlines since Digg’s start back in late 2004. A combination lock style dial is the focal point of the page allowing users to filter content by year, month, day and category. Floating elastic arms randomly connect story headlines with the dial changing formation and color as new levels of criteria are added and subtracted.

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Wired magazine, the authority of all things tech, has put together an inspiring wish list of the years hottest must-haves. With detailed written descriptions of 100 flashy gadets, the December issue uses these illustrations to accompany the Wired staff’s top picks. Uniform line weights, simplified settings and a one color scheme make these icons eye-catching and a fast read. Taking it one step further, the article’s cover illustration intertwines a select group of favorites, breaking them down into graphic line drawings with pattern work and careful consideration of layout and connectivity.

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With top shows like Cake Boss, Food Network Challenge and Tough Love, High Noon Entertainment is one of America’s leading suppliers of unscripted/reality television. The redesign of their site highlights the work through bold colors, large image collages and interactive slideshows. Intuitive navigation allows the user to peruse quickly through the catalog of work, from one show detail to another, learn more about the company or even apply for an upcoming show. And because things move fast in reality television, the site also contains a custom content management system so it can be edited and added to in-house.

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As the retail shopping world becomes more and more saturated, the need for clarity and intuition is stronger than ever. This illustration work done for hire under Mono helps brand MyGofer, a new type of online mega store whose icons take a streamlined approach by establishing easily recognized product categories for quick online shopping. In addition, process diagrams walk the consumer through this smooth and ultra-simplified experience.

This energetic travel blog puts online viewers in touch with the Minnesota Orchestra as they tour eight unique European cities. We created this experience using engaging functionality and design. Animated headers mark their latest location, illustrate city scenes and bring together orchestral instruments with a picturesque Europe. Colors inspired by the organizations current brand help organize information and provide a poppiness not typical of the blog format.

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The work of designer Timothy Fleming is lush and graphic. This site flaunts Tim’s style with full screen images that are a testament to his talents. We started with a dark and rich color palette, clean lines, and modern typography to balance the showcase of work. An intuitive yet inviting experience is set with simple gallery navigation and subtle animated transitions. Personal insight is added through the comments section and regular updates to the corkboard style blog where Tim shares his process and thoughts on the world of design and art.

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Inspired by this restaurant’s eclectic interior and acclaimed menu, we developed a brand identity for Blackbird that reflects the creative spirit and sensibilities of its owners, Chris and Gale. The logo’s clean lines and serif typography play between the modern and the vintage, building a timeless, iconic mark. The menu’s coated paper stock increases the menu’s resistance to spills while cost-effective printing allows for easy seasonal menu updates. Rich colors are layered with a subtle spot varnish resulting in a casual yet sophisticated look, perfect for this hip neighborhood bistro.

With a grant from the Best Buy Children’s foundation, The Minnesota Opera established Imagine Opera, an educational experience that introduces kids to the artistry, history and excitement of the opera. Large, dramatic custom illustration, sound design and engaging copy not only emphasizes modern relevance over dated stereotypes but also illuminates the theatrical experience and creative energy that exists in all aspects of an opera production. Friendly to both students and educators, the site acts as a learning tool complete with lesson plans, glossary, image gallery and interactive timeline. As an extension to The Minnesota Opera, Imagine Opera carries the brand to a younger audience and inspires a love of opera in a new generation.

The focus of the website redesign for Bastian+Skoog, an urban flower studio, was style. Aesthetically oriented owners Liz Bastian and Heidi Skoog wanted a site that would express their unique business and design perspectives while showcasing their award winning work. This imaginative portfolio experience uses subtle motion and large scalable images as a constant centerpiece in each section. Custom pattern illustrations add a modern playfulness while differentiating the three offered services. An updatable blog is a venue for Bastian and Skoog to share their culture, evolve their brand and anchor their position as purveyors of style while effectively communicating their client work.

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Used in-store and online, these icons act as visual aids for nearly twenty different job descriptions within Target stores and distribution centers. Brand consistency and clarity were key factors in the design. Carefully overlapping shapes create objects that convey the duties and tools for each job description. Modern line weights borrow from Target’s HR branding while the proportions insure a clear read online and in printed materials.

Inspired by a phrase often said by our nephew, Parker, Eli no! uses iconic illustrations to tell the story of one trouble-making dog (our own Eli) and the one word that is never far behind. We paired bold graphics and bright colors with clean, strong typographic layouts to instantly engage audiences of all ages. A call-and response writing style makes this book easy to read and even more fun to shout!

Flashbelt, a creative professional development conference, brings together all kinds of new media leaders, developers, designers and enthusiasts. To showcase the brand’s energetically original aesthetic, we designed a modular identity system (featuring custom illustrations based on retro interpretations of math, science, technology, business and industry) that’s consistent through broadcast, online and print media. For the Flashbelt website, we designed a streamlined, fun and compelling experience that gives users fast and clear information about specific event details such as speakers, workshops, daily event calendars and after-hour parties.

Designed to connect with business consultants, this promotional booklet for Harvard Business Review’s Article Reprints goes beyond the expected by delivering short stories full of information, whimsy and insight into the world of business consulting. Clean typography and a limited color palette provide focus while duotone images add context and meaning to abstract ideas.

As Jonathan’s photography career evolved, we continued to expand his brand. Strong yet flexible collateral pieces give Jonathan a consistent and timely marketing approach for his business. A dedicated archival site for the subjects that inspire him most (in this case, the culture and architecture of airports,) is celebrated with a tri-fold printed mailer and supporting html email. Both pieces showcase the work while adding subtle and sophisticated elements that can be extended to future materials.