JenFerO

Newer version of drink menu...

2009-05-08T22:33:00.000-05:00

Miscela Drink/Appetizer Menu

2009-05-08T22:31:00.001-05:00

Miscela Sign

2009-05-08T22:27:00.001-05:00

This is a first draft of the sign for Miscela. I'm unsure of the "frame" of the sign...as well as if the layout works or not.

Two Images of better quality to use for System App

2009-05-01T14:52:00.005-05:00

Alright, so these are the two images I could find that are of better quality. I still might try to get over to Saffron to try to shoot photos...but it's pretty high end... Think I need more to show the interior off more? What sold me on the interior of Saffron is the entrance host booth...it's curved like a lot of my identity! The only thing missing is a stage for performances and art on the walls...

New Signs for Miscela (unedited)

2009-05-01T09:58:00.004-05:00

This is a new sign that I think would be appropriate for Miscela. It still needs editing. The wordmark for Miscela would be applied vertically as it is seen in the rest of the identity. Also, the color of the paint on the windows of the exterior of the building would be edited to fit within the identity of Miscela. Let me know what you think...the interior and exterior of the restaurant are the two pieces that I am struggling to find peace with...!

Second Phase Drink/Appetizer Menu...

2009-04-29T20:15:00.010-05:00

This menu will be printed on smooth cream colored paper as it will be printed weekly at the restaurant. I'm still unsure about the layout, so if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them. Also, I'm still working on finding a new exterior to use for Miscela as well as interiors. I'm not sure of anywhere at this moment...although, these images from Saffron's website are inspirational and it's in Minneapolis...

Initial Interior/Signage for Miscela & Drink Menu

2009-04-28T23:13:00.006-05:00

This is the direction in which my system application has gone...let me know what you think. The menu will be edited and will have a back side with appetizers. It's going to be what in Italy is known as an "Aperitivo" menu...although it won't be exactly as they do Aperitivo.

Miscela Menu exterior

2009-04-21T23:12:00.011-05:00

I'm having a bit of trouble with the layout of the menu. I was tortured by the printer during the creation of the Welcome booklet, so I am nervous about depending on the printer being my friend. I want to create a full menu. So far I have the exterior rough laid out. I found six images to add to the interior of the menu in a similar fashion as the Welcome booklet. Also, I've included the very rough start to my Graphic Standards Manual. Any initial thoughts are always welcome!

Inspirational Graphic Standards Manuals

2009-04-21T16:00:00.005-05:00

It was much more difficult to find an inspirational graphic standards manual than I imagined it would be. Thus, I think out of the manuals I looked at, which was a great number of them, the graphic standards manual that Spunk created for the College of Design for the University of Minnesota is inspirational to me. Additionally, I think that the simpler the graphic standards manual the easier and more likely users will be to follow the guidelines in the manual.

Miscela ID

2009-04-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

Miscela's identity system emulates the shape of the snails shell as well as a meandering path, in an attempt to communicate the slow relaxed pace at Miscela. This is all done through die cuts (on the business card, the member card, the envelope, and the welcome booklet), as well as the pattern that will be applied to each piece of the communication system. The initial communication system consists of a welcome booklet for New Coop Members, which includes Miscela's story, What coop members mean to Miscela, a Miscela Member card, and a business card for Miscela. Additionally, the booklet will come in a envelope/package that emulates all of the design elements of the booklet. The communication application will be a menu for Miscela, in addition to the standards guide.

Images are yet to come.

Miscela Logo Crisis

2009-03-31T23:24:00.003-05:00

I am not sure what I am doing with my logo. I am having a hard time achieving the quality that I want. I am using india ink and then I bring it into illustrator. I want a hand drawn quality, but I also want it to be professional and clean. Clean and rugged at the same time.

Miscela Identity initial sketches/materials

2009-03-31T17:46:00.004-05:00

I went to Anchor Paper on Friday and picked up a bunch of paper samples and browsed the aisles for over an hour! If you haven't been there, definitely check it out! The staff there are amazingly helpful too.

I have focused the target of my identity system to be NEW members of the Miscela Restaurant Coop. The identity system will include a business card to be distributed via mail/or in the restaurant. It will also include a letterhead with a member card attachment at the bottom that will be perforated (Anchor Paper has a perforator blade!) so that members can take their member card and put it in their wallet. Additionally, Miscela's identity will include a container to hold all of this information. Currently I am working on the structural framework. I found tags at Anchor Paper too that I thought would be a subtle detail to add to the container. The problem that I found at Anchor Paper with their paper is that if you want to get a 11"x17" sheet of paper, it will cost $10 for the first cut (and this only works if they have the "parent" paper in stock)! Does anyone have any other great sources for paper??

I'm unsure about ordering plates for the letter press, because I am not sure how to implement the production portion of the assignment. I think I would use the letter press for Miscela's entire identity. I'm not sure how big the plates would need to be.

I looked into getting a stamp made. For a stamp that is 4"x1" it would be $21 at Anchor Paper.

Anyway, I really want the identity of Miscela to wow you all. That is the goal.

Uncertain

2009-03-23T15:05:00.002-05:00

For now, Miscela's system identity consists of a letterhead, business card, menu, and an envelope. The purpose of the letterhead is to use it to send out letters to potential members of the coop, members of the coop, future artists, artists, future musicians, musicians, and farmers (for fresh produce), bakers (for fresh breads), and other potential vendors for other food items. I will post my sketches at a later time...

My ID Inspiration Source

2009-03-23T11:00:00.002-05:00

I forgot to include where I found all of the identity systems that I have noted as my inspiration for the Miscela ID. All of them were drawn from the AIGA archives.

Miscela Logo Revision....

2009-03-09T14:29:00.002-05:00

Miscela Identity Inspiration

2009-03-08T13:15:00.007-05:00

I like this identity because it demonstrates creative use of color and graphics. Something similar to this would work for Miscela's identity because of all of the different activities that Miscela offers to the public.

I like this for its simple application of color and type. The graphic is artistic and eye catching because of the way that each shape forms the greater shape of the monkey. I like this too because of the mosaic style, which I had envisioned for the Miscela logo during one of the stages of design.

Above is a compilation of identity systems that I found to be inspirational to the identity of Miscela. As I searched for identity systems that could inspire Miscela's identity I looked for systems that utilized color, abstract imagery, symbols, and/or patterns. The identity for Miscela needs to be playful, eclectic, artistic, and representative of the coop. Right now, imagery might play a role in Miscela's identity, but graphics will play more of an important role.

My initial thought on what I will need to create for Miscela's identity system consists of the following pieces: a menu, a website, napkins, pens, t-shirts, letterheads, envelopes, business cards, and magnets.

Stage 3 Miscela Logo Design

2009-03-06T14:22:00.002-06:00

I'm having a hard time figuring out how to make Version 1 of my logo design work...but I do like this solution better than Version #2. I agree with Ange that perhaps the wordmark is the primary logo, while the snail becomes the supporting element to the restaurant. Does anyone think that I need to include "restaurant coop" in the wordmark, perhaps below it, so that people know what it is? Otherwise, right now it is really ambiguous. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on this. Also, for a tagline here are a few options so far:
"Miscela, The right blend. Food. Music. Art."
"Slow Your Roll."
"Stay a While"
"Our Place is Your Place."
"Together We Can Make It Better."
"The Right Mix"
"Get To Know Us."

Potential Color palettes

2009-03-01T23:09:00.004-06:00

Colors & Logo refinements

2009-03-01T22:50:00.005-06:00

After trying to create my logo in illustrator and not getting any satisfaction out of it, I chose to go to india ink and a brush, as well as micron pen in order to come up with a word mark that I could work from in illustrator.

Also,
Luke referred me to kuler.adobe.com to get inspiration for color for Miscela's logo. So I have been trying to come up with a warm color palette, but also something that is unique for an Italian restaurant, as most Italian restaurants have a very warm, rustic ambience.

Slow Food Logo

2009-02-23T13:10:00.001-06:00

Below is the Slow Food logo and word mark. I love the snail. They beat me to it...

2009-02-23T13:07:00.001-06:00

perhaps a tortoise would be appropriate more so than a snail, as I don't want people to get Miscela confused with Slow Food International since there is a Slow Food Minnesota chapter.

Slow Food Movement

2009-02-23T12:58:00.002-06:00

I was doing more research on my logo in class today and discovered that Slow Food International's logo is a yellow snail. If I can differentiate my logo and my word mark enough, I don't think this should be a problem, anyone have any thoughts on this? The Slow Food movement was inspiration for the foundation of Miscela, so it sort of works.

Miscela Mission Statement

2009-02-23T12:53:00.002-06:00

At Miscela we want everyone to enjoy themselves through the warm and inviting atmosphere, the quality food, the art, the conversation, and the music. Our mission is to create this environment for you to stay as long as we are open.

Today, people are in such a hurry to get in and get out. Why not stay a while and enjoy the people you are with, enjoy the food you are eating, savor the drink you are sipping, listen to great music, and view beautiful art.

More inspirational images for Logo

2009-02-22T23:07:00.000-06:00

Above is an image from the floor at the Vatican that is close to the quality that I would like my symbol to have when it is finished. The snail image is a possible symbol for Miscela, and the typographic study is by a designer, Tauba (I can't remember their first name) that I love for its organic qualities, great detail, and varied line quality.

I've been sketching more ideas for my logo, as I find it a lot easier to brainstorm on paper rather than on the computer. I'm trying to figure out the symbol for my wordmark. The wordmark is going to be the point of emphasis for Miscela's identity. I'm thinking that perhaps an image of a snail (see above image) might be appropriate, because the staff at Miscela want people to stay a while, enjoy the food, the atmosphere, and the people they are with and those around them. Additionally, the shell of a snail emulates that of blending and is an organic shape, which is what I am looking for. Otherwise, I might create an abstract symbol to represent Miscela. Any advice?

New Company Name

2009-02-18T12:30:00.001-06:00

I have come up with a new name for my company. It is Miscela, it is Italian for "blend." It is easy enough for people to pronounce and addresses the foundation of my restaurant co-op, which is a bunch of activities and people coming together for their love of food, art, music, and culture.

The images above are inspirational for the identity of the restaurant atmosphere as well as the identity. Art Nouveau and Italian Renaissance will influence the look and feel of the identity.

Restaurant Co-op

2009-02-15T15:11:00.000-06:00

The idea of a restaurant co-op is brilliant. From my understanding it can be a mix of people investing in the restaurant's success. However, the restaurant co-ops I have read about are all employee owned, so I am not sure if there are any that allow for other members to contribute and benefit from their membership in the co-op. I think co-ops are going to become more and more popular in the U.S. as time goes on, because they are a great way to start a business and get people involved who share the common interest of the company. Also, people who get involved in the co-op generally support the founding ideas of the co-op and value the success of the co-op.

The restaurant co-op that gave me the idea to create a restaurant co-op for this project can be found at the following page:

http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2005-11-29/mascia-co-oprestaurants

New Name for Restaurant Co-op

2009-02-15T15:07:00.000-06:00

Alright, so after some thought, my original names for the Restaurant co-op were all Italian and would be difficult for people to pronounce, which could have a negative effect on the success of the company as a fellow classmate pointed out. So, some new ideas are "Churning," "Reflection," and "Concoction." All of which were formulated because of their reference to thought, collaboration, doing, and cooking. My favorite choice is "Concoction," because the co-op is a concoction of activities coming together (art, music, cooking) and will be a mix of people coming together to collaborate their ideas and thoughts.

My New Company

2009-02-09T10:59:00.000-06:00

After the initial research phase of this project and some more thought I decided to re-direct my ideas a bit. My company category is under "Money Management/Personal Finance." So I decided to twist this a bit to make it more interesting for myself to work on throughout the semester and start my own restaurant co-op. Restaurant co-ops are a fairly new idea to the United States, but have been common in Europe for quite a while. Currently restaurant co-ops are more common on both the East Coast and the West Coast, but Minneapolis/St. Paul area would be perfect for one too. I have only discovered one restaurant co-op in the metro area, Linden Hills. It is a deli/grocery co-op. The idea of a restaurant co-op is perfect for the current economy as rather than depending on outside investors the employees and other people interested in the success of the restaurant invest in it.

Creating a Business | Personal Finance/Money Management

2009-02-03T14:45:00.000-06:00

So, the assignment is to create a company within the Personal Finance/Money Management realm of society. A good website I found is www.controlyourcredit.gov. It is really interactive and interesting and addresses Credit. The direction in which I think I might head is toward starting an initiative that helps college students work their way out of debt and help them create a plan to pay off student loans through creating a feasible budget.

Logo Redesign

2009-01-25T21:39:00.000-06:00

Sometimes when a company tries to re-brand themselves it does not work out for the best; Sierra Mist's re-branding is one of these. It is barely recognizable as Sierra Mist and looks generic. Other logos that are more local that I found need re-designing are: Vertical Endeavors and Project Legos. This is because neither of the logos are as strong as they could be in order to emulate the feel of the company for which they stand.

Bonjour! Ciao! Buon Giorno! Hola! Hi! Hello!

2009-01-21T20:48:00.000-06:00

Don't laugh at the URL for my blog or the title of my blog...it was the first thing I thought of.