Finding our way in the world…

Following hot on the heels of our recent wins at the Roses and Fresh Design Awards, we’re delighted to announce we’ve been shortlisted AGAIN – this time at the Design Week Awards.

For those not in the know, the Design Week Awards are one of design’s most prestigious awards and a cracking night out at The London Hilton.

Our shortlisting (in the Wayfinding and Environmental Graphics category) is a great reflection on the strides we have made in this sector recently. Our wayfinding strives to put craft back into a discipline that gave rise to the icons of The Highway Code and The London Underground.

Christmas Trees...

For last years Christmas extravaganza, we were surfing in the seas of Scarborough (and still remember how cold it was). This year we thought we'd take it easy ....and walk 60 feet up across conifers in Caenarfon (well, Bets-y-Coed to be more precise). For those who thought that was just too wussy we had the 110 feet parachute jump - which surprisingly not everyone wanted to do!

Luckily we all survived to tell the tale, drink the beer and eat the really rather nice meal afterwards. Next year the plan is to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (probably) 

Happy Xmas to all!

We've Got The Skills...

A lovely piece of news to round off a good year. Protocol Skills, the UK’s largest, privately owned vocational training company, has appointed us to handle their branding and brand communications.

Our appointment means we'll be doing a complete strategic review of the Protocol Skills brand ahead of launching a brand spanking new integrated communications strategy in 2009. The scope of the work encompasses brand identity, branding, advertising, sales support literature and internal communications.

Karen Jenkins, marketing manager for Protocol Skills, said; “Protocol Skills has grown massively over the last few years. We needed a strong brand to match our achievements, particularly in a sector as undifferentiated as training. The solution Origin provided blew us away. Their insight and lateral thinking have not only given us a wealth of new ideas, they’ve given us an insight into a whole new brand philosophy”.

Protocol Skills have achieved phenomenal things in an incredibly short space of time. Although training isn't a sector renowned for strong brands, the guys at Protocol Skills are bucking the trend at a crucial time. We’re delighted to have developed a big idea that works across all areas of their business".

Another Rising Star to Work With...

I'm delighted to say we've won the entire account for video game publisher Rising Star Games. The win includes branding, advertising, web, print collateral and exhibition support.

Rising Star specialise in authentic Japanese video games, mostly for the Nintendo Wii and DS. Their games are wild, weird, wonderful and 100% prime Japanese pop culture.  Their revolutionary game ‘No More Heroes’ (think True Romance meets Kill Bill) reached number 4 in the Wii chart last year. 

It's a fantastic win for us and the kind of client we dream of (depending on the kind of dreams you have of course). It’s a visually mad environment to be working in (as anyone who's worked in Anime will tell you). We’re delighted to add our ideas and experience to a company with such ambition. 

It means that we've got ANOTHER client with a star for a logo - ho hum....

Lift off at Heuston

Origin has been appointed as wayfinding consultant on Heuston South Quarter a major property development in Dublin. HSQ is a large new business centre in the historic quarter of Dublin designed to be a ‘city within a city’ combining residential, commercial, leisure and retail accommodation. We are delighted to be involved in what will be one of our most ambitious wayfinding projects to date.

HSQ

Every Rose has a Silver Lining

It was 'dress up like a penguin' day yesterday as we all trooped to The Hilton for The Roses Design Awards. On top of the fine dining and top quality wines (ahem), we were delighted to get yet another gong for our luverlee work for Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.

Design Guru (and the funniest man to ever say 'power shower') Mark Bottomley was on hand to collect the heavy metal. The partying went on long into the night and discussions were many about how we top this next year...

Investor Relations Society Awards 2008

It looks like we're on a roll. We’ve just discovered that our Corporate Responsibility Report for British Land has been shortlisted for the prestigious Investor Relations Society Best Practice Awards 2008. The results will be revealed at a sparkling awards dinner in November at the Royal Hospital Gardens in Chelsea. We'll keep you posted.

Investor Relations Society
British Land Corporate Responsibility Report 2007/08