Challenge:
The most difficult design challenge a designer will face is creating his own brand identity. But, if you're gonna talk the talk, you better walk the walk.

Solution:
The Vogel Designs brand is founded on our belief that design should be simple and clear, and that its sole purpose is to help accomplish predefined objectives - whether it's selling more beer, gaining market share, or just becoming happier.

The Vogel Designs mark is an extension of the personal tastes and values of the principles. Vogel is German for "bird", and bird metaphors are used extensively to deliver our message. When we deliver "ideas that fly", we deliver on our mission to use design and creativity to solve business problems.

Results:
It's early in the game, and measurable results are not in. But if inquiries and compliments are any indication, our brand will be one more feather in our cap.

New Beer Brand
Reno, Nevada

Challenge:
Create a beer brand that satisfies market void for regional, non-premium beer.

Solution:
Develop a brand platform, mark and establish design standards for all visual communications, including packaging.

The brand is designed to appeal to an average beer drinker who is NOT interested in the false promises, pretense, and marketing spin of so-called "premium" beers. Since Battle Born is a uniquely Nevada beer, the brand is also designed to appeal to the proud and fiercely independent spirit of Nevadans. The name borrows the state motto and colors to reinforce this point.

Results:
Released into the local market in early June 2009, quantifiable results are not yet available. However, early demand and anecdotal data from customers suggest Battle Born Beer will do very well indeed.

Casino, Restaurant and Sports Bar
Carson City, Nevada

Challenge:
Create a welcoming and well-planned interior environment that is consistent with the overall architectural theme for a new upscale casino. Create an experience that appeals to a fickle customer base in a highly competitive small-box casino market.

Solution:
Remain true to the architectural theme - early 20th century Chicago speakeasy - for all interior considerations. Leverage unique heritage of ownership (thoroughbred horse racing) and equity of restaurant that previously occupied site. Project manage entire interior construction. Design all interior surfaces, colors, and fixtures, including:

• Space Planning
• Kitchen Design & Layout
• Restaurant Design & Layout
• Bar back
• Carpet Design
• All Furniture - Chairs, Tables and Seating
• All Lighting Fixtures - Interior and Exterior
• All Tile, Countertops, Tables and Surfaces
• All Plumbing Fixtures
• Original Artwork

Results:
Construction of the property was completed during the beginning of an economic downturn. However, Bodines Casino was an immediate success. Casino and restaurant traffic remains steady, and the property has been embraced by a fickle local market.

Telecommunications Infrastructure and Systems Integration Company
Iron Mountain, Michigan

Challenge:
Increase awareness and drive sales for 50-yr. old cable infrastructure company, formerly Cable Constructors, Inc..

Solution:
Phase1 - Research and audit of current brand. Research revealed that current name was a liability in the eyes of prospective customers. Made determination to change company name.
Phase 2 - Develop brand platform.
Phase 3 - Renaming process - CCI Systems was chosen to preserve the acronym and positive attributes of previous brand, and to communicate a systems-wide approach to their business.
Phase 4 - Develop brand mark and design standards.
Phase 5 - Execution strategy, including marketing plan.

Results:
The new brand was launched in November 2008, during a severe economic downturn. However, in spite of these circumstances, sales are increasing and brand awareness and recall continue to grow.

Consumer and Business Telecommunications Service Provider
Fallon, Nevada

Challenge:
Build awareness of advanced telecommunications products and services to local consumers in an increasingly competitive market.

Solution:
Build awareness and customer loyalty by developing quarterly magazine and direct mail promotions that provide useful information and that showcase CC Communications' products, services, knowledge and expertise. Based on platform of "Your Home Field Advantage." Each quarterly magazine is researched, story-boarded, designed, written and produced by Derek Vogel.

Results:
Customer inquiries to call center increase after each issue drops and responses to promotions are high. Each campaign has resulted in increased service subscriptions.

New Emerging Technology and Media Security Group Focused on New Distribution Platforms and Technologies
Burbank, California

Challenge:
Build awareness of group to financial decision makers within Disney company and establish legitimacy and relevancy to other groups.

Solution:
Design capabilities brochure and business-size card, event signage and location signage to leverage presence at large, internal trade show within Disney. The pieces were aimed at decision makers within Disney, who have the biggest impact on funding decisions for the group's initiatives.

Results:
The show was a huge success, and the pieces generated significant inquiries and provided a strong foundation for new relationships with other groups.

Social Security Disability Benefits Company
Reno, Carson City, Las Vegas, Sacramento

Challenge:
Increase exposure of company's services to unemployment counselors, hospitals, shelters and directly to disabled clients.

Solution:
Develop brand identity, business systems, print collateral and web site. The clients served by DAA are often homeless and without hope. It was important to create brand imagery that communicated professionalism and hope to both counselors and clients

Results:
The new brand launches in June 2009, but the staff's sense of pride at having a new, professional and attractive identity has been noticeable.

Commercial Manufacturers Lighting Representatives
Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Challenge:
Stand out from the crowd of other lighting and manufacturers representatives.

Solution:
Design a brand identity that supports the company mission to serve as a design partner to architects and interior designers. The tagline's double entendre also supports this objective. It is imperative for the identity to be bright, strong and able to stand out when displayed on binder spines on crowded architect and interior designer shelves. The bright yellow and red accomplish this well.

Results:
Immediate response from existing accounts, architects and interior designers has been entirely positive. Zephyr Light believe new brand is at least partially responsible for increase in sales.

Family-owned Grower of Premium Onions
Yerington, Nevada

Challenge:
Refine existing brand to convey the heritage and experience of family, while appealing to the next generation of customers.

Solution:
Develop a new brand platform, including new Mission Statement, Core Values, Positioning Statement and resulting Tagline. Develop "Where good things grow" to communicate the company's legacy of producing the finest quality onions, delivering the best service, utilizing the latest technologies, and using the most sustainable methods. The "grow" concept was extended to all company communications, including ads, presentations and web site. Brand styles and graphics, including a "growth curve", were created to support the position.

Results:
The brand refinement and position were completed in Fall 2009. The execution of the brand began with ads in January 2010, and will continue with the new web site. Early feedback from industry publications has been very positive.