Portfolio Sneak Peek

Listen.
Plan.
Execute.
PRINT & WEB
Portfolio
Sneak Peek
Headquartered in the heart of
Newmarket, Ontario, we are an
independent team of creative thinkers
that define and build brands by
leveraging both traditional print and
digital technology. We create meaningful
experiences by marrying design and
technology to generate results for your
business, brand and those inspired by it.
Above all, we are your creative partners.
FINDING THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN BUSINESS AND DESIGN
We achieve this balance by understanding your project needs and requirements
and defining a solution that creates value for your brand. With your needs in
mind, plus a dash of our homebrewed creativity, we collaborate and implement
solutions that are both inspiring and purposeful.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We are a multidisciplinary agency that provides value-based solutions for
all of your digital and print creative requirements. Our team’s competencies
span across both print and digital platforms including, but not limited to
programming proficiencies, versatile design capabilities and writing expertise
for a seamless, integrative approach to all of our projects. We’re dedicated to
finding new ways of linking technology, design and remarkable storytelling.
Our main goal in each project — traditional print, digital or integrated — is to
collaboratively design and implement solutions that align with a client’s vision
for a project while providing measurable results. We accomplish this by gaining
an acute understanding of a client’s business, pain points and goals and we
blueprint the best strategy for a particular project.
Our Philosophy
Where Consulting and
Collaboration Intersect
Our process stems from both a consultative and collaborative
approach which is vital to the success of a creative partnership.
Why you ask? We believe there is value in combining ideas, collective
decision-making and cooperation. This ensures that our clients are satisfied
with the outcome of their projects and also gives us the opportunity to
piece together something remarkable. We work with our clients, not just
for our clients.
We practice a content-first approach by starting with the basics and
the sometimes overlooked, the messaging. This may mean we use client
provided content, or we write really awesome copy, but it is always the
first and most crucial step. Content insights guide and direct the workflow
of every project, whether a traditional print piece or a website. After all,
intelligent messaging promotes intelligent design, and therefore superior
user-experience.
HOW WE SUPPORT OUR CLIENTS
We not only aim to educate, to inform and to identify our clients
needs quickly and efficiently; our end goal is to provide them with
the best tools and resources to help them reach their business objectives.
We spend a significant amount of time getting to know and understand
our clients; their unique business needs, their pain points and their
expectations for the project. This gives us the opportunity to discuss and
blueprint the best creative solutions for project requirements. Our creative
process requires information gathering and brainstorming, building a goaldirected strategy and blueprinting, designing and building, reviewing and
testing and launching the final project.
Let’s get started!
THE RESEARCH:
Information Gather and Brainstorming
During our first meeting, you can expect thoughtful and purposeful questions which
will help uncover your project needs and goals, so we can cultivate the right creative
strategy for your unique needs.
++
++
++
++
++
++
client interview and communication
completing discovery documents
defining project requirements and goals
understanding pain points and unique needs
defining target audience
understanding personas and industry market
THE PLAN:
Blueprinting and Building A Goal-Directed Strategy
After we collect this information we consolidate it, ponder it, and then build
a roadmap to plan the best route to tackle your project. This process includes
defining the purpose of the project and all the elements that will bring it to life.
We iron out the details and select the right step-by-step solution to propel your
project vision into reality. Whether it is creating a detailed sitemap for an online
project, or a written concept development for an ad campaign, this is where we
finalize the approach and confirm the nitty gritty details.
++
++
++
++
++
++
project brief
defining overall concept for project
defining project objectives
determining tone for creative
project blueprinting and planning
identifying and creating new efficiencies for projects
THE WORK:
Ideation, Design, Development and Beyond
With a thorough understanding of project goals and requirements, and a plan of
action in place, we’re ready to apply our strategic planning. Our iterative approach
to all projects ensures our client’s active participation and approval of defined project
milestones to ensure we are on track with project requirements and that you love
what you see. This can include but is not exclusive to:
++
++
++
++
designing custom creative either for print or digital projects
website development
completion of project tasks according established project timeline
client review of predetermined project milestones, based on approved rounds of feedback
THE REVIEW:
Quality Assurance
Our next step involves a magnifying glass and a fine-tooth comb to ensure we have
captured all required project requirements. We are diligent workers and we iron out the
the kinks before the project ends up in your hands. We go through a series of checklist
items to ensure your project launch is successful whether it requires meticulous
proofreading and copy editing, preflighting for print production, or quality testing:
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
ensuring all client feedback is addressed
proofreading and copy editing
print preparation and production
project preflighting
thorough quality assurance
alpha and beta testing
cross-browser and platform compatibility testing
integration of any required analytic tracking tools
ensuring the website meets AODA compliance standards, if applicable
ensuring outstanding errors are addressed
THE PARTNERSHIP:
Future Support
Last but not least, at RC Design, our clients represent much more than a project.
They represent long-term creative partnerships. As your creative partners we are
here to support you throughout the launch of your project and be an on-going support
system. We aim to be a resource to our clients, to educate and inform them, as well as
identify on-going project needs efficiently. Like a true creative partnership, there are
no unexpected surprises.
++ ongoing partnership
++ ongoing support
++ ongoing success
Partial Client List
FINANCIAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ADVOCACY & SUSTAINABILITY
++ Corporate Executive Board (CEB)
++ Salida Capital
++ Northwind Solutions
++ Benson Kearley IFG
++ Alpha North Asset Management
++ Aston Hill Financial
++ Propel Capital
++ Horizon Beta Pro
++ Business Knowledge Initiative
++ Shared Digital Infrastructure
++ SGGG Fund Services Inc
++ RP Investment Advisors
++ Epstein & Associates
++ Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home
++ Smith Rogers
++ York Region Money Coaches
++ Smith, Sykes, Leeper & Tunstall
++ Bateman Graham & Fitzpatrick
++ Charney Lawyers
++
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
++ Salida Capital Foundation
++ Neighbourhood Network
++ Belinda’s Place
++ Newmarket Children’s Dream Foundation
++ Gisimba Orphanage
++ SOAR Dog Rescue
++ Boxer Rescue Ontario
++ Smart Commute
++ Yellow Brick House
++ Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation
++ Blue Hills Child and Family Centre
++ Aurora Sports Hall of Fame
++ Community Living
++
HEALTH & WELLNESS
++ Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
++ John Taylor - Newmarket Regional Councillor
++ Midland PUC
++ Newmarket Hydro
++ York Region Children’s Aid Society
++ Durham Children’s Aid Society
++ Toronto Children’s Aid Society
++ Region of York
++ The Town of Newmarket
++
RETAIL & HOSPITALITY
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
The Pickle Barrel
The Rock at Red Leaves
Lemonberry
Colortown
Cachet Restaurant
Joia Ristorante
Magna Golf Club
Wisey’s Pies
++ Magna Health Centre
++ Health With Care
++ Aurora-Newmarket Family Health Team
++ Janssen-Ortho
++ Magna Wellness
++
BUILDING & MANUFACTURING
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
Beaver Machine Corporation
Royal Envelope
MS Filter Systems
Albany Pump
CFA Industries
Magna International
KTI Ltd
CAM Packaging Systems
GEO Kelson & Associates
Packaging Logistics
Countertop Magic
McDonald Custom Builders Inc.
Our Services
Traditional Print Design
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
Visual Identity and Branding
Brochure and Book Design
Packaging and Product Design
Exhibition and Tradeshow Design
Annual Report Design
Corporate Communications
Brand Standards Guides
Signage and Wayfinding
Print Production Management
Advertising Campaigns
Photography and Illustration
Copywriting
++ Content Strategy Development
for Digital and Print Projects
++ Creation of Unique and Persuasive
Website Copy
++ Evaluation, Reworking and/or
Editing of Website Copy
++ Editing Services
++ Persona Development
++ Target Audience Evaluation and Development
++ Social Media Content Production
++ Integrated Marketing and Advertising
Campaigns
++ Print and Integrated Campaigns
++ Brochure Writing
++ SEO Blog Topic Generation and Writing
++ Proposal Writing and Report Writing
++ Creative Writing Pieces
Website and Custom Application
Design & Build
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
Interactive Design (UX/UI)
Custom Application Development
App Design and Development
Content Management Systems (CMS)
Responsive Website Design and Development
SEO and SEM Services
Keyword Research
Website Maintenance, Support
and Cloud Hosting
Analytics and Metrics
Digital Annual Reports
Digital Corporate Social Responsibility
Reports and Websites
Digital RFP and RFQ Consulting and Creation
Animation and Motion Graphics
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
FRAMEWORKS & PLATFORMS
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
HTML5
CSS3
LESS
JavaScript
jQuery
Node.js
PHP
WordPress
Drupal
SQL & MySQL
AJAX/XHR
XML
RSS
Apache
NGiNX
Advertising
Marketing Strategy & Planning
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
Integrated Advertising and Marketing
Press Advertising
Billboard Advertising
Mobile Billboards
Print Advertising
Digital Advertising
Social Media Advertising and Marketing
Experiential Marketing
Direct Mail Marketing
Email Marketing
Creative Strategy and Marketing
Competitive Analysis
Market Research
Brand Development and Creation
Strategic Content Development
Account and Project Management
Marketing and Communications Consulting
Digital
Neighbourhood Network
Neighbourhood Network is a non-profit community-based
organization that brings together volunteers with local charities
that assist Newmarket and Aurora residents in need. Their
website, while attractive and seemingly current, needed some
enhancements to make it the resource staff needed it to be.
While one of the main purposes of the website was allowing
people to find volunteer opportunities, the search engine was
obtaining zero results. In addition, the client needed to be able to
update the website quickly and often, keeping up with the heavy
demand in the area for volunteers in a variety of capacities.
RC Design created a new, responsive website that allows for ease
of use through a unique and easy-to-navigate user interface.
Areas that were heavier with information were broken down into
smaller, more digestible blocks of copy with visuals to support
the content. Video, RSS feeds and social media links were all
added to appeal to a variety of ages and to increase their SEO
standings. New functionality was introduced with the addition
of the volunteer and partner portals: the partner portal allows
partners to find out details about those volunteering for their
opportunities, while for volunteers, personalized volunteer
opportunities are delivered to members based on their interests.
Finally, verbiage that is conversational in tone incites action in
the reader—and as a result Neighbourhood Network’s database
of volunteers is growing.
Magna Wellness
The Good for You website was designed to provide
knowledge and insight about health and wellness to
Magna’s employees in a digital format. The design is
aligned with that of the Good for You newsletters,
possessing the same compelling visual style and
interesting presentation of content, in order to create
consistency across visual communications. The website
is stocked with informative health articles, videos, tips,
quizzes, health calculators, and much more. Pairing this
compelling content with the inviting design creates a
space that evokes trust from its users, and provides
them the information they need to lead healthier and
more productive lives, both at work and at home!
Aston Hill Financial
Aston Hill Financial understands the marketplace, can navigate
in uncertain financial circumstances and works with clients to
maintain transparency and increase the value of their assets over
the long-term. Unfortunately their website was dark, uninviting and
impossible to update in a timely manner. That’s where we came in.
We truly partnered with
Aston Hill to create a website
that tells clients exactly what
they need to know.
Pertinent information is easy to access, and the design is modern
and sleek, yet timeless. It is a very customized website — with a
Content Managed System enhanced with the ability to create
performance report PDFs, receive real-time pricing feeds and
a built-in blogging tool.
It’s an understatement to say we are proud of the way this site
turned out. But even more so, we are proud of the partnership
we’ve created with this amazing client. The sky is the limit.
Kempac
Kempac offers random packing at a
competitive price, produced from prime
resins with the highest quality in mind.
We created a sleek website that features
these quality products, primarily driven
by large, eye-catching imagery and a
clean, linear design. In addition, the
website is responsive, reformatting for
computer, tablet, and mobile and every
device in between.
Paul Harte Professional
Corporation
Paul Harte Professional Corporation is headed by Paul Harte, a
leading medical malpractice trial lawyer with over 20 years of
experience. They specialize in medical malpractice law, and have
established a reputation for excellence in this complex area of
the law, having helped victims of medical error all across Canada.
When they file a lawsuit, the medical defence takes it seriously.
Taking this reputation into consideration, we developed a
sophisticated and elegant responsive website that portrays the
firm as the trusted source that they are. To portray this message,
the tone of the website is set by black and white imagery paired
with a strong yet calming blue, and accents of yellow. Since the
focus is on medical malpractice, care was taken in choosing
imagery that would feel relatable to those who are victims of
medical malpractice.
Any Box Today
Any Box Today services a niche in the corrugated box
market by delivering custom boxes sized exactly to
their customer’s requirements. In turn, we created a
sleek and easy-to-navigate responsive website that is
as custom and unique as their product. The shopping
experience is distinctly simple, with clearly depicted
steps and visuals, and real-time product prices,
calculated based on the dimensions the user
enters. Talk about dynamic product pricing!
KTI Limited
KTI Limited represents top product manufacturers in
the energy industry, targeting market segments like
technology, utilities and innovation. We partnered with
KTI to establish a digital presence that reflected the
knowledge and professionalism demonstrated by their
team. By combining concept with function, we created
a unique website to serve as a succinct source of
information and as a facilitator for growing new and
existing partnerships. The multi-layered nature of the
Markets menu makes a large amount of information easyto-navigate, creating an enjoyable user experience. Pairing
intelligent user-interface with a thoughtful blend of colour,
space, typography and visuals resulted in an online space
that emulates KTI’s dedication to leading-edge technology
and innovation.
Print
Town of Newmarket
For the second year in a row, RC Design was approached
to design an annual report for the Town of Newmarket.
This year, the report focused on the Town of Newmarket
being one of the top ten places to live in Canada.
We capitlized on this wonderful accomplishment by
creating an annual report that presented the top ten
reasons why Newmarket is top ten in Canada. This was
achieved through captivating photography, circular
elements, clever typography, and unique printing
treatments, all while maintaining the Town’s brand.
The combination of the above makes this annual report
worthy of its Platinum win at the MarCom Awards!
Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
The Newmarket Chamber of
Commerce was looking to drive
membership recruitment and increase
their awareness within our community,
and we were approached to take on
this task! Taking a largely conceptual
yet hard-hitting and fun approach,
we created a direct mail marketing
campaign featuring three postcards
that convey the benefits of signing
up for the Newmarket Chamber of
Commerce. Each postcard features
simple, catchy copy that unites the
playful, humorous image with the
message that becoming a member
of Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
can help grow your business and
connect you with the right people.
Blue Hills Child & Family Centre
More than a charitable organization. More than a community
resource. Blue Hills is a refuge for struggling children, youth
and families of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. Blue Hills
Child and Family Centre supports, equips, educates, protects
and inspires.
With these objectives in mind, RC Design has been creating
Blue Hills’ annual reports since 2011, showcasing their yearly
accomplishments and acknowledging their supporters in a
captivating yet informative way. The reports feature a bright
and playful colour palette, compelling imagery and custom
charts that help make the information digestible.
Magna Wellness
The Good For You newsletter spawned from
a desire to create a culture of wellness within
Magna by encouraging all of its employees to
think about their health. The result is a fun,
yet informative newsletter that approaches all
areas of health – from physical to mental and
emotional – in an entertaining and interactive
way. Each edition features a bright colour
palette, interesting typographic treatments,
photographs, and custom illustrations, all of
which make the information easy to digest
and compelling to read.
Benson Kearley IFG
As creative partners, we have had the opportunity
to design a collection of advertisements for Benson
Kearley IFG. While each ad is unique, they all emphasize
how personal relationships with their customers is what
is of interest, reflected in their motto, “It’s all about our
customer.” Clever concepts and concise messaging,
paired with eye-catching imagery and typographic
treatments, make for compelling marketing pieces that
reflect BKIFG’s friendly approach to business and a
genuine care and appreciation for their customers.
Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
The Newmarket Chamber of Commerce approached us to
partner with them in the creation of their new quarterly
magazine, Your Business. While Your Business already existed
as a monthly newsletter, NCOC wanted to create a publication
that was more informative and beneficial for its members, and
would engage a different market than their newsletter had. We
created a professional, fresh and sleek design that was carried
through from front to back cover and everything in between.
While the magazine is text-heavy, we made it easier in the eye
by using interesting type treatments, pops of colour and icons.
Beaver Machine Corporation
Versatile. Durable. Trusted.
As the leading vending machine manufacturer, Beaver
Machine Corporation has maintained their reputation by
developing and producing the most accurate mechanical
rotary coin acceptor in the world. The machine offers options
of accepting multiple coin combinations and the ability to
filter through currency not meant to be accepted. The trick was transferring the superb function of the
machine to an identity and print material that was just
as versatile. With a legacy spanning over 50 years, it was
important for Beaver to keep their long standing history in
motion to maintain the childhood brand we all know and love. So we adapted the nostalgic emblem, created savvy
stationary and print material and added our two cents; a
splash of youthful colour that compliments the durable
nature of the equipment Beaver makes. PFLAG
Working closely with PFLAG, we ignited a campaign
that helped alter the public’s view of gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender community and shed a
light on the impacts of oppression, segregation and
hate that often accompanies the harsh reality faced
by the LGBT community. RC Design developed and
designed an impactful billboard that illustrated
human connection and cooperation through simple
yet impactful copy and a single, strong image. The
concept illustrates themes of understanding, harmony,
love and acceptance – human needs – because we are
all human. Following the success of the billboard, we
created an accompanying poster and banner stand that
was featured at PFLAG’s second annual charity gala.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Behind the recognizable logo of the
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority (LSRCA) is more than just
a message of conservation. At its
core, it stands for leadership and hard
work; a flagship in the restoration and
protection of the environmental health
and quality of Lake Simcoe and the
watershed. We were happy to have the
opportunity to design their 2014 annual
report. Keeping the importance and
achievements of the LSRCA in mind,
the design includes earthen elements
such as soil, local wildlife and flora
and focuses on the variety of different
aspects the authority protects.
Benson Kearley IFG
An identity is the very essence of who a company is, what
they do and where they want to go. A strong identity and
brand can alter perceptions, improve customer relations,
elevate experiences and heighten stakeholder value.
Benson Kearley had these desires in mind when they
contacted us to design a corporate identity for them
as they merged with IFG, becoming Benson Kearley IFG.
Their specific business model is based around their
customers and the company’s commitment to a broad
spectrum of insurance needs.
Their new identity needed to communicate their integrity
as a company in whole, and instantly represent their values
to their audience.
We were tasked with coming up with an identity
that represented their values as a business as it was
representative of so much more than the acquisition itself.
Neighbourhood Network
AURORA VOLUNTEER STATS
V O L
N T E E R
All we need is
U
Discover your volunteer
possibilities through
Neighbourhood Network today!
905-726-3737
nnetwork.org
Neighbourhood Network
is an energetic non-profit
organization that facilitates
community volunteer
opportunities.
They redefine the standard of community involvement by
filling the gap between those in need and those willing to help.
RC Design has worked with Neighbourhood Network since its
inception on all marketing materials, from their brand to their
website and print collateral. Through this partnership, we have
created numerous advertisements promoting Neighbourhood
Network and their programs. Through compelling concepts
and clean, bold design elements, the advertisements
communicate the benefits of giving back and volunteering.
York Region Money Coaches
If you’re looking for financial advice to better budget your
money, then York Region Money Coaches is who you want
to work with! Along with a logo, business card, and website,
we designed a two-page advertisement that emphasized
YRMC’s method of working closely with clients to tailor
strategies for the individual family’s financial priorities.
Joia Ristorante
Delicious!
At Joia, brothers Marco and Eungeio have been creating culinary masterpieces since
1997. They’re all about Italian food, local ingredients and from-scratch recipes. With such
dedication to genuine flavours, it was time to indulge in some inspirational direction for their
brand. RC Design created an easy-to-navigate website with beautiful background imagery to
showcase menu and wine options. Following the website’s revamp, a highly successful direct
mail campaign and microsite for wine tasting contest. With a phenomenal response rate of
nearly 10%, the campaign brought wine connoisseurs and fine diners from around the GTA.
Identities
Identity & Logo Design
241 Main Street South,
Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 3Z4
905.898.5026
www.rcdesign.com