Z Factory’s history with the Lakeview SSA 27 dates back to its earliest days and continues today, both fruitfully and rewardingly. It covers both finding fun neighborhood events to finding your way to get there... and where to shop along the way.
Winter in Lakeview
When a challenge of having too many great events – but a lack of “connectedness” exists – what better way than to combine them visually under one cohesive umbrella... and to turn to Z Factory to do it.
Chicago is at no loss for great things to do in the winter. In fact, at any given time... there are TOO MANY things to do! So how do you carve out a space in a very crowded calendar and capture attendees not just once, but for a whole variety of winter events? You develop a visual system that links them all together in a way that helps people understand them as a connected series of fun times – all brought to you by the same great organization! The best design can build excitement, but also brand loyalty!
Chicago is at no loss for great things to do in the winter. In fact, at any given time... there are TOO MANY things to do! So how do you carve out a space in a very crowded calendar and capture attendees not just once, but for a whole variety of winter events? You develop a visual system that links them all together in a way that helps people understand them as a connected series of fun times – all brought to you by the same great organization! The best design can build excitement, but also brand loyalty!
The core program identity, along with the individual event stamps that make up the full season. The use of a common holding shape – the stamp – draws on the nostalgia that surrounds the holidays, and also allows for the calendar of events to evolve over time while maintaining the equity and cohesiveness of the approach from year to year.
All event stamps included custom illustrations, highlighted here and as applied to marketing materials.
Examples of poster, social media, and alternate banner designs.
This is Lakeview
Z Factory really started working the streets – legally – in the spring of 2010 by designing the information graphics for an initial series of 10 helpful kiosks stretching along the main business arteries of Southport, Lincoln and Belmont Avenues in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
The process began with preliminary studies of things as simple as the hierarchy of information and how an average-height person might interact with it... all the way to color studies that accounted for how a color-blind user might still be able to collect the information they need successfully.
Palette Study (at left)
Early efforts went toward establishing a library of fonts, shapes and colors.
Early efforts went toward establishing a library of fonts, shapes and colors.
Information Hierarchy (at right)
Initial studies were made to assess positioning of information as it relates to the average viewer.
Initial studies were made to assess positioning of information as it relates to the average viewer.
Consistent Header Branding (at left)
Every kiosk maintains the same masthead in order to build a stronger brand for the neighborhood and to provide a visual cue to users that more information is available to them.
Every kiosk maintains the same masthead in order to build a stronger brand for the neighborhood and to provide a visual cue to users that more information is available to them.
Unique Points of Interest (at right)
Each kiosk contains unique information about a neighborhood highlight that exists close by, in order to further educate and entertain interested parties.
Each kiosk contains unique information about a neighborhood highlight that exists close by, in order to further educate and entertain interested parties.
Wake up with your Pup
As a way to gather dogs and dog owners on a crisp autumn Sunday, SSA 27 enlisted me to create a brand and promotional campaign that captured the joys of time spent with our furry friends. Aaaaand, they served free coffee and donuts, so... some of the heavy lifting was taken care of. :) I chose to develop two very different creative directions – one graphic, and one illustrative. And as always... the best ideas start with pencil and paper.
Initial concept sketches | Early design development
Concepts presented | Posters, Core program logos and Dog bandanas
Selected concept direction | Neighborhood signage: Posters, Banners and Yard signs
Branded giveaways | Cookies, Goodie bag and Dog bandana
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