AGMA, the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities came to Influence for a rebrand. Having worked with AGMA on their annual report for a number of years it became clear that their previous branding was not functioning as efficiently as it should when used in certain situations. The AGMA logo has always featured a pyramid of 10 cubes, each of those cubes representing one of the 10 Borough Councils of Greater Manchester.

Our job was to keep this synonymous mark intact, but recreate the typography to create a new, modern logo that would increase legibility and reproduce better at small sizes.

A deceivingly simple and easy to use site features comprehensively all the benefits of the centre. A bespoke Content Management System written in PHP enables all staff to add, remove and edit content quickly and easily. The use of animated gifs and javascript elements make this a content rich, yet accessible website.

Digital Applications International (DAI) required an online strategy to promote their corporate profile and business units, together or independently.

The solution comprises a corporate website linked to five separate business unit websites. The design complements the style of DAI’s applications to provide familiarity for existing users and introduce the brand to new prospects.
A bespoke content management system (CMS) enables senior management to add or remove content across all sites and add editors to business unit sites. Editors have a choice of templates to use for different combinations of imagery and text.
The corporate site provides an overview of the company, sectors worked for and services provided. The business unit sites promote products and services, supported with case studies.
Users can navigate to any business unit site via the corporate site’s sub navigation, and return via a corporate link in the footer, or by clicking the DAI logo. Site maps, created dynamically by the CMS, can be toggled on or off. A breadcrumb trail appears across a bar below the main navigation. Slide decks cycle through imagery and text teasing users to discover more. A contact form, which self validates, enables expressions of interest. Office locations, shown using Google Map technology, help users find their way with ease. A search bar helps find site-specific information.

Available at http://dai.co.uk [Accessed 04/10/2012].

The pace of the advert accelerates with the rhythm of the soundtrack, cutting from game play to logo build. The type 'Have' comes together in two halves, in sync to the sound of a rifle loading. This repeats for the words 'you', 'got', 'time' and 'to'. The final word in the title of this game, ‘kill’ is disallowed by advertising standards. In its place the four PlayStation symbols shoot in to the sound of rifle shots, quickly followed by a falling sheet of flame to unveil the game’s full new branding.

An articulate blend of design and marketing principles went into this direct mail piece. The perforated zip on the cover presents the theme immediately and creates an interactive element which, when torn, opens the leaflet up.
Celebrity presence enforces the commercialism while succinct copy presents the messages in a clear, easily digested way.
Cloth textures are overlaid with citrus colours and contact information. A simple, detachable return card is included based on a clothing tag.
The mailer achieved 5.75% conversion rates, quadruple the anticipated 1.25%.
Featured by Creative Review.

Colour psychology was employed to reference colours and textures used in ambient imagery signaling internal intuitive directional signage for different music genres, guiding shoppers at an almost subliminal level. Colour frequencies, amongst other elements were referenced to the type of music being signaled.

Colour aids navigation and illustrates the fact that the document examines the full spectrum of Manchester's creative industries. The white cover, representative of a full spectrum blend, has a protruding silver tab to enable it to be quickly referenced when filed.

Contemporary typography in juxtaposition to a Grade 1 listed building signals the gallery. Further signage and printed material adopt this corporate style.

Designed to appeal to a visually literate audience, a style magazine approach is taken. Typography takes its structure from the elements of the face. The artists on exhibition are spoken of adjacently to the lips with viewing times listed below the eyes. The artwork is treated to various print techniques, using silver and charcoal grey inks, to accentuate the grid structure.

A full suite of printed material for Manchester Communication Academy. Using a friendly illustration of the school, a clever folder was created with translucent windows allowing you to see the contents inside.

We created a Flash game for use in London’s Trafalgar Square, promoting good ecological practice. The aim of the game was to find out which of the facts were myths, and which were true. We created a custom character to present the game to the user. The use of a custom created character meant that the game was friendly and approachable.

After selecting which facts you think are myths the user then has their answers marked by the character. Successful users were awarded with a prize by a member of staff. This game is available to play online at: http://www.influencedesign.com/mythbusters/mythbuster_web.html

Flash game built especially for a trade fair in Las Vegas USA. Users answer a series of questions with the aim of getting the highest score, the user with the highest score each day receiving a prize.
The game requires that all users give their contact details and so is a great tool for creating a mailing list of potential customers.

We created a character / online avatar to present the game in a Las Vegas style gameshow format. The use of a custom soundtrack also adds to the theme.

The game is linked to a database which holds all the user information and scores, and also holds a large number of questions, meaning that there is a large number of possible combinations of questions.
The scoring system uses a multiplier meaning that the more consecutive questions you answer correctly, the bigger your score.

While the game is left idle, the character tries to entice users to play by showing them the prizes available. This is interspersed with facts about the company. This game is playable online at: http://influencedesign.com/perkins

A community based social networking site that enables users to promote events, share news, set up sub-groups, chats, activity stream, share photos, voice opinion in comments, forums and blogs, bring stories to life with video and extend reach with built-in integration of Facebook, Twitter, FlickR and YouTube.
Available at http://stockportnetwork.com/ [Accessed 30 April 2012]

Web site and promotional material for a computer marketing organisation's new business resource centre. The work included icon design, branding and colour coding for each aspect of the service. The interactive games for Avnet's site take inspiration from a simple child's game interpreted through flash software. The e-mail campaign and desktops follow our style guides for the entire campaign. Visitors to the site can actually explore the business resource centre from their computer. This was possible by clicking on rooms of the building to view realistic 3d models of each room along with facts and photos. Having had the chance to explore the buildings rooms & services, viewers feel more at home before they've stepped inside.

Lynn Hershman's exhibition 'Autonomous Agents' at The Whitworth Art Gallery guides you through her career. To brand the journey I decided upon the font OCR A, which was designed in 1968 to be recognised by computers and humans. This retrospective quality is heightened by selective use of colour. An initial transition is made by using full wall height vertical barring of complementary colour ways that reduce in width as you journey through, with a subtle op art quality.
Around the corner a set design of a New York flat lures you in. This belongs to one of many of the artists multiple personae, who suffers agoraphobia and has spent years in her flat. To heighten the sense of depression the perspectives are exaggerated by the walls and ceiling being drawn in. These are covered with layers of antique wallpaper, and aged lining paper pealing at the edges to metaphorically reference the different personalities, and exacerbate the desperation within. Sourcing lonely vintage pieces completed the experience, transporting the viewer to engage with the space and experience.

The literature accompanying the show reflects that Hershman is a pioneer in the use of emergent technology. To support branding the colours red green blue are used as RGB is synonymous with digital and film media.

Having worked with AGMA on their annual report for a number of years it became clear that their previous branding was not functioning as efficiently as it should when used in certain situations.

The AGMA logo has always featured a pyramid of 10 cubes, each of those cubes representing one of the 10 Borough Councils of Greater Manchester.

Our job was to keep this synonymous mark intact, but recreate the typography to create a new, modern logo that would increase legibility and reproduce better at small sizes.

The moon revolves around the earth which in turn revolves around the sun. Captured at just the right moment this creates an abstract ‘c’ and ‘e’. Further typography is influenced by these eliptical forms.

The ‘F’ logostyle stands normally at first glance, though the closer you look the freakier it becomes.

Thought bubbles evolved in direct correlation to Fibonaccis sequence, to create this new breed of brand.

Road chevrons form the base concept, creating an immediate visual connection with racing by insinuating speed. This is amplified by the staccato styling of MRC, while the C (for corporation) provides branding ambience.

An international arts festival with a North West focus. A compass provides the direction, developing a ‘Q’ for the mascot.

The '‘Y’' sweeps across making a roof, emphasizing the activity of this cottage industry.

The technology centre where you can source everything re. Your needs.