Really? But. I like the style of the logos.

http://hipsterbranding.tumblr.com/

-----Aced It.-----
nyc part deux

Stationary

Forgot to mention: the hotel provides music papers for your sudden musical inspirations.
The larger rooms provide guitars too.

Tags found with the complimentary bathrobes.

"Thanks for sleeping with us". It was my pleasure.

Pencil + shoe shining gloves = yes I hoarded from the hotel.

-----Aced It.-----
nyc part un

It's been awhile since I last wrote actual words on my blog, but to redeem myself, I'm posting pictures and discussing my recent road trip down to my favorite city, New York.

(By the way, I was a Toyota Prius owner of three days. I think I'm now determined to make it my first car.)

Hotel hunting is an arduous and hideous task. Their pictures can tell you in eleven words: don't trust us; we were shot professionally to lure you in. However, Ace's website and photos immediately punches you in the face because it wants your attention. There was a masculine-comfort, quirky-silly, dingy-sexy and historic-classic vibe happening. Pretentious it was not. Gaudy it obviously was not. Bed bugs sexy it…may have, but hey it's New York Bed Bug Central. Ultimately, affordability and location were my reasons until continued research made me anxious. Not the nervous kind, it's the I-can't-wait kind. For creative people, art lovers and style conscious, this hotel is an eye-candy utopia. My points were soon validated as I arrived at its architectural marvel; greeted by its iron green French doors, while the 1920's glowing, lightbulb signage, "HOTEL", gleamed above.

Left image: front entrance. Right image: the library like lobby.

The branding of Ace is breathing its own kind of brilliance. They call themselves a "boutique" hotel. They differentiate themselves from chain hotels, offering personalized services, stylish or themed environments; this can also be called as "design" hotels. Smaller and better. Thoughtful and creative. Walking in there for me was like a child walking into a theme park dedicated to their favourite cartoons. I wanted to run around aimlessly! Every detail down to the wording in the fire escape instructions were also quirky. Ace's choice to write in second person provides an intimate and memorable experience. Witty sayings like, "You look good in that", engraved across the clothes hangers tingles your mind. With my new camera in hand, I was photo-whoring the place. Of course with reason not because I'm Asian. The place is smart in every corner. The choice of furniture were eco friendly; some are reconstructed from recycled pieces like pipes to assemble clothes rack. The most I hate about hotels is the generic hospitality. Dictionary definition would be: cream coloured walls, tacky floral covers, pale carpets and wood furniture; and ugly lamps. Before Ace, I would only rent apartments due to the reason of wanting to feel homey like I'm living in New York; adding to the vacation experience when I wake up to when I sleep. Certainly, Ace aimed to do just that, and the design team (Roman & Williams) really did it with a kick-ass plan.

This is the first hotel I can claim I love and would go back in a heart beat. Oh, one more point, it really doesn't hurt that it houses two highly-talked about restaurants and one coffeehouse: The Breslin, John Dory Oyster Bar, and Strumpton Coffee, respectively. Poached eggs over curried lentils and toast is seriously the only way to start a morning after a sleepless night and a 6 hours drive.

Magnetic tags can stick onto the metal doors. "Not Now" is the new "Do Not Disturb".

Faucets are outside of the bathrooms.

The shower.

Hairdryer

Our not so mini, mini-bar. Asian snacks on top.

Reused pages from encyclopedias as wallpaper. Perfect for a night time read.

Cute ice box.

"This one does not go to the lobby... But that one does <---".

Slight hindrance during check-in allocated free drinks. Hand written letter and ticket stubs are fun too!

Laundry services.

Laundry bag.

Hotel information book. Loving the humor.

Every floor in front of the elevator had this. I love GD. (graphic design)

Turn on the T.V.

Stairs to the basement. More details: everything is going to be alright.

The gym.



Notes left out on the tables.

Gorgeous lamps.

----- Smooth Ride -----

Some time ago I began to notice an image revamp in the local public transportation system, which any dull normals would not have paid much attention to. I realize this might be expired news, but I still like to give recognition to the designing team because the visual elements they created continue to playfully and successfully inhabit our surroundings. Sid Lee redesigned and gave a new look to STM, Société de transport de Montréal (now you know where I live, please don't stalk me, thanks).



I think it is an accomplished execution due to the versatility and symbolism of the two forward arrows, and its use of colours. The arrows represent the metro's forward movement, and also acting as a metaphor for moving forward towards a better future for public transportation, which the STM is constantly working to rectify the issues of our troubled senior citizen system.


To me, when a large scale project like this requires staying power and to withstand years of "wear and tear", a specific well-planned concept needs to be able to pass the test of time. In this case, the arrows are always infused in many past, present, and future campaigns in STM's advertising and information design. Meaning, if a focal element is used to continuously spur other ideas in the branding campaign, I think something marvelous is happening.


STM

----- Lait a la Bouche: Great branding and identity case -----

Nolin Branding & Design

"The Lait, à la bouche (Milk, so much to love) mobile store supports the move initiated by the FPLQ to bring the diversity of innovative dairy products to consumers’ attention, interacting with them in different ways, allowing them to taste some of the 50 products made from 100 percent Canadian milk, and giving them new ideas for recipes."