[images via Cherry Blossom]

The website is extremely close to being done. The design is done, the content is ready, and I’m currently working with a dummy site, uploading product and testing various details, etc. The whole process has taken much longer than originally planned, but that’s the way it usually is with these things, and it’s always a learning process. I’ll be continuing with more specific updates as progress is made, and am hoping that it will go live …. in about a week! I’ve been hesitant to give specific dates, as there are certain factors beyond my control, but there you have it!

This past Wednesday we shot the remaining product for the website, and also headed out to the street to experiment with some look book shots. We didn’t have very much time, but were able to play around a little and get some gorgeous shots of our model Erika posing on the porch and on the bike. How perfectly do those shoes match the bike!?! Below are a few selects, all still rough drafts and in various states of editing and treatments.

I’m curious, what shots are you drawn to, and in terms of the editing, what do you like and not like?

photo cred: shelby fenlon

I’m still not sure how I feel about the final product. I’m really happy with the overall design, but I was expecting the vellum to be more transparent, and so the text that is printed on the back side is hard to read unless the card is held up to the light. Part of me thinks that it adds something and makes it more interesting and “interactive”, but I also know that it’s not the most legible design and will probably not go over well with everyone.

Thoughts?

As you all know (especially if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook), I’ve been busy putting together the various props and pieces for the school exhibition that opens tomorrow. Having gone through about 8 cans of spray paint and countless hours fiddling around with various ideas and whatnot, it’s finally starting to come together and look like a cohesive collection.

And breathe. Seeing as I’ve already been marked on my capstone and the whole exhibition portion is more for myself and exposure, I’ve had a few “why am I doing this?” moments, wondering why I’m putting so much time and effort into this. But I think it will be worth it, to get that greater sense of bicyclette through the exhibition set-up and have a space that truly represents the brand. Ask me tomorrow and we’ll see what I say then … !

So, without further ado, allow me to show you a few sneak peaks of the progress I’ve made …

Thrifted, repainted frames showcasing various brand elements

Laser cut book cover. Look closely for the etched bike in the corner ...

Repainted vanity drawer, Eiffel tower sculpture and the brand book itself

Dolce Vita dress from the new shipment (that perfectly matches the branding...)

I decided to include the last photo because I’m thinking I might buy/wear the Dolce Vita dress for the exhibition one of the nights, as it perfectly matches the colour scheme and, well, I kind of love it. Plus, I’ve been promising some snaps of the new shipment, but haven’t had the time to organize it, so this was a good excuse!

Hoping to see some of you at the exhibition tomorrow or Thursday!

]]> http://bicyclette.to/2010/04/brand-spotlight-bicyclette-part-2/feed/ 5 http://bicyclette.to/2010/04/consider-yourself-invited/ http://bicyclette.to/2010/04/consider-yourself-invited/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:18:44 +0000 paige (bicyclette boutique) http://bicyclette.to/?p=1589 As promised, the details of my thesis exhibition (which opens next week), via a lovely little invite done up by the volunteer committee. Like I mentioned before, let me know if you’re thinking of coming, and I’ll make sure I’m there to greet you!

Yesterday I went to do some laser cutting for my book cover, which I can’t wait to show you, and then to pick up my finished book, only to flip through it and discover that there were issues with my file that I hadn’t been informed of. Anyways, the whole process with getting this book printed and bound has been a major headache and source of many wasted hours this week, but it’s fixed now (fingers crossed!) and should be ready on Monday.

I’ll be painting the vanity and finished up the frames this weekend/early next week and then I’m ready to go for the exhibition. Which, by the way, I would like to formally invite everyone to. It opens next Wednesday, April 7 and goes until Friday afternoon on the Ryerson Campus (Yonge and Dundas). I don’t have an exact address but I’ll post it when I know. If you think you might come, I would suggest coming on Thursday, which is the media/industry show and the only time there will be a cash bar. Very important, obviously! And let me know if you’re thinking of coming, so I can make sure I’m there to say hi.

I’m off to enjoy the last few hours of sun and warmth, but Happy Easter!

Brand book is in production … frames have been gathered and spray-painted for the exhibition … thinking about getting bicyclette buttons made as a giveaway at the exhibition (fun idea or lame?) … trying to plan what I’m going to wear … oh my!

We put up our visual merchandising class “mini-window” today, with a vintage Paris travel theme. Thought I’d share some pics of it, apologies for the segmented images and poorly lit photos, my little iPhone can only do so much!

Today’s brand spotlight is on … well, bicyclette. As you all know, I’ve been working on the brand book for awhile now, and I thought I would share the progress I’ve made thus far. Still have minor details to update and a few additions, but … this is the essence of it, through a few of my favourite spreads.

I would love to know any thoughts or feedback you might have before I get it printed and bound for the exhibition. Like I said, these only represent a selection of the layouts I’ve done… a teaser, if you will.

The idea is that I’ll have the bound book to share with attendees, which will be displayed on the vanity that I found and am repainting in one of bicyclette‘s branding colours (thoughts? Aqua or blue-purple?), and I’ll also print off the individual pages and frame them, displaying them in a more gallery-worthy setting and adding an extra element of bicyclette. That’s one of the techniques I want to use in the merchandising of the store, so I thought this would be a good chance to execute the idea and create a portion of the store environment at the exhibition. That’s where the thrifted frames I’ve been collecting come in. Next step is spray paint, silver leaf and sand paper … craft day, anyone?

Thought I would share some sneak peeks at what I’m working on. These aren’t full screen shots or fully finished, but they give you an idea of where I’m headed with it.

FLASH INTERFACE:

BRAND BOOK:

Note: The images used in these mock-ups are not all my own, nor am I taking credit for them