I'm always up for a hint of Pantone!

Good evening all,

I was recently looking for a short break away and happened to stumble accross an extremely unique hotel which made my decision for both location and accommodation ... The Pantone Hotel, Brussels (Designed by Belgian interior designer Michel Penneman and Belgian architect Olivier Hannaert, complete May 2010).

So let’s start with a little bit of history.  Pantone is known worldwide for the colour matching system invented by its founder Lawrence Herbert in 1963. Having expanded the system from its roots in graphic design to other “colour critical” industries including digital technology, fashion, home, plastics, architecture and contract interiors, more recently the brand has extended into a Pantone ‘universe’ of products incorporating everything from mugs to stationery.  Such items aren’t seen at SOV HQ yet but maybe after my October visit I could start the trend!

Like most, but in particular being a designer, we all like to stay in “good looking” accommodation particularly on our holiday.  The main reception invites guests with eye catching rotating wall imagery, multi coloured bike displays (of course, what else in a hotel reception) and an eclectic mix of low level waiting room furniture.  Not something I would usually specify but in this space, it looks right at home.

This 59 bedroomed hotel offers unique design and brand experience to each floor with a specific Pantone colour allocated to each room.  Within each of the rooms there is the story displayed of the photography and photographer (Victor Levy) for the imagery used.  Pantone colour value canvas’ can also be found along with reiterative Pantone elements such as hanging mugs and Pantone inspired lamps!  Each of the hotel’s seven floors are enlightened by different colour palettes to complement guests’ emotions with distinctive hues.  Pretty quirky eh?  The hotel aims to educate its guest on how colour can be used to express certain feeling and emotions and I for one can’t wait to see their rationale and understanding into how the designers came to their conclusions.

I’ll let you know what it’s like in a few months time but for now, explore for yourself at http://www.pantonehotel.com/ or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdwpvzsqPcA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LalUAxm_jA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.sovibrant.co.uk

Brand and Experience

Images courtesy of Google Images, Design Milk and Sleeper Magazine

 

Brazil 2014 & Rio 2016 - Sporting Codes !

Well two months in and I’m afraid to say 2013 isn’t a patch on the momentous year that was 2012; as expected I suppose. With only a 2013 Rugby League World Cup in England to look forward to, for all those hardcore fans of the 13 man code. Just to try and cheer everyone up from a sporting point of view I thought I would try and put a bit of Salsa in your future and remind everyone that we have a Brazilian double coming up - the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

In preparation for these great two years in their sporting history, as well as building some striking new stadiums, the Brazilians are adding something a little extra in a very subtle way. They would like the millions of tourists visiting their shores to learn more about the cities and positive traits, using the modern technology of QR Codes and smart phones, with traditional building methods of black and white mosaic pavements.

Rio de Janeiro began installing a series of QR code patterns onto its pavements on Friday 25 January, starting at Arpoador by Ipanema Beach. In scanning the pavement QR code, the user will be diverted to a tourist information website which lists details about the area where they are standing, including a Google Map so they can find their way about. It’s definitely a great concept for modern day signage that has no language barriers and still manages to maintain its strong cultural roots. So no need for any large notice boards to spoil the view - simple yet brilliant!

World Cup 2014 - Olympics 2016 - Design - Architecture - QR Codes

www.sovibrant.co.uk 

 

Instagram gets BIGGER!

Over the past year we have been seeing and hearing more and more about Facebook’s  photo sharing service, “Instagram”.  For those of you that are still slightly alien to service, the photo sharing service allows users to create a profile and share photos with other online users.  It allows you to follow other people’s work, like and comment on imagery and also allows us to enhance and change images through a range of preset filters.

 

2012 saw Facebook buy Instagram for $1bn (£616m; 758m euros) in April 2012. However, in December  things looked uncertain for the online photo sharing service.  New “T’s and C’s” stated that Instagram would have the rights to all imagery that we, the general public, uploaded to our own personal profiles and could sell them for a profit.  I’m sure we all remember Instagram hitting the headlines with this story, with users concerned of their entitlements and uproar in an online company profiting from our own imagery, but to be honest I wouldn't blame them for trying ... if it had been true.  Although the new terms and conditions were mis-interpreted by the majority of Instagram’s users, it is evident to see why anyone would want to share and sell some images.  I have been mesmorised by some of the photography and skill that is appearing on Instagram. Some of the imagery is so stunning and unique that to have it on a canvas or acrylic in your own home would be just the right touch.

 

I thought I would share some of my favourite “Instagram findings”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Instagram, Design, Photogrpahy, Art

www.sovibrant.co.uk

 

Images courtesy of my Instagram followers and Google:

thegoodly

ovunno

natego

beachlife7

withhearts

wisslaren

Blue blooded talent...

We are delighted to welcome to our Media Productions team our newest signing Ryan Blackburn. Ryan has been undertaking a work placement for us over the past few months and we are delighted to be able to give him the chance to become a full time member of the team. We are proud to be continuing our rapid growth and to be able to give employment opportunities to young people, where many are not. We have been proven right with every chance we have given to the more junior members of our team (many of whom are now not so junior!) and they have, as individuals and as team members, grown at an exceptional rate and demonstrate daily a level of passion, commitment and dedication I am inspired by and proud of.  We will also be welcoming another new team member next week to work within our design and strategy team who I look forward to introducing to you.

 Ryan Blackburn  - Media Designer

North Face would not approve.

We have won a wide range of very sizable and exciting contracts in the last few months.  The team are working on some very exciting projects that we cannot yet talk about but we are very much looking forward to sharing these with you over the coming months. We are continuing our innovative work in the education sector and will shortly be profiling some of the extremely exciting projects we are working on.  I was fortunate today to visit the recently completed first phase of work at one of the school's we are proud to be working in partnership with - Western Primary School in Harrogate.  Walking into an environment where there is such pride, passion and excitement about the changes we are making and the work we have done together, is a big part of what I love about being involved in the world of design. Good design changes lives and improves our experience of the world and this was living proof of that fact.

As always, we are pushing ourselves forward on many fronts and already have a whole host of exciting developments in the pipeline across our brand, offices, business model, digital platforms, products, services and personnel which I also look forward to sharing with you as the year progresses, so watch this space.

There are certainly exciting times ahead for SoVibrant and we are also delighted to be approaching our 4th birthday this year. Time flies as they say...

A happy and prosperous new year to all of our readers.