Basler Design Group

15 minutes of fame

Bill Basler — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:14:57 +0000

Living in Iowa, it’s pretty easy to feel a galaxy away from the every day “goings on” of Hollywood. I have no idea what Joan and Melissa Rivers are doing this morning—nor do my Hollywood friends know that there is a deer in my backyard as I write this.

So, when Hollywood comes to Iowa, it’s kind of a big deal. Extreme Makeover Home Edition is working on a build just north of Cedar Rapids in a small town called West Union. Us hard-working, salt-of-the-earth Iowans are excited about changing the living conditions for the Gibb’s family. Doing good is always a good thing.

I have been working with Extreme Makeover Home Edition Producers and Designers, and have been given the task of creating artwork for various parts of the new home.

I can’t disclose too much about our role just yet….more on that to come. But, we’re excited to be involved on the project, and very happy to help this wonderful family.

Archive of movie stills. Great typographic history.

admin — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:39:08 +0000

I am a typography nut—especially interested in type history. Our studio has a collection of old graphic arts books from the 1900s through 1950s that we use for inspiration from time to time. As well, I have always been interested in the typography of old movie title and end stills. They are a typographic feast.

OK, some of you won’t get it, but I know this will be of interest to my designer friends, and a few fans of old film as well. Just click on the title still below. You’re in for a treat.

Fluid. Refreshing. Continuous—Without Beginning or End. No Interruption. Non-linear.

admin — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:25:06 +0000

What a great name. We have been called on to develop an identity based on this one, simple word. We can’t exactly disclose the who, what, where of this project just yet. Rest assured, we will reveal the details of this company very soon. Until then, here is a first look at fluid.

Fluid has a positive vibe. Free flowing. Continuous. Without beginning or end. Without boundaries. Our solution is a handcrafted script for the fluid wordmark—a very simple wordmark. To keep the graphic simple, we confined our solution to a couple of rules:

One single line…as though it was drawn without lifting pen from paper.

One line weight.

We’re pleased with the result. It looks right. And perhaps more important, it feels right.

Offshore Concepts

Bill Basler — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:57:47 +0000

I love upstarts. They offer all sorts of unique opportunities and challenges. This upstart, Offshore Concepts, came to Basler Design Group because of our experience in the boat building niche—especially given our experience with smaller volume, regional builders who put craftsmanship at the top of the priority list.

Typically companies like Offshore Concepts are less concerned about making their first million—rather they are interested in producing the best product around, and getting the first couple of orders.

A very unique identity got Offshore Concepts off and running. The letterhead incorporated an innovative two-sided approach. A large version of the Offshore Concepts “shield” was printed in a very intense magenta ink on the back side of the letterhead sheet. The shield was sized in such a manner that it perfectly aligned with front-side artwork and also fold lines and margins. The super-sized shield graphic shows through the paper, creating a ghosted image on the front side.

After the basic identity components were in place, we proceeded to the design of print ads and brochures.

M.C. Ginsberg Outdoor

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:21:53 +0000

We started small with M.C. Ginsberg, and quickly progressed to the big stuff. Here are a few outdoor billboard executions. Great outdoor is not easy—but we love the challenge. These boards were written by good friend, and Basler Design Group pot stirrer, Chris Lien. The visual elements are light and transparent, emulating the feel of looking through a gemstone. A MC ligature was developed, giving the logotype a very monogram-like element. The ligature was supported by the Ginsberg name—a well-known name among regional jewelers.

Hip Cat? Hepcat.

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:08:11 +0000

If you’re new school you say hip cat. Old school, hepcat. Either way, this Iowa City Jazz Festival Program ad for M.C. Ginsberg Jewelers is about cool as they come—a well thought out headline, and smoky, ethereal design. Advertising becomes magical when it seems this simple.

Chris Lien was the copywriter on this piece, with design handled by Bill Basler. Typographic elements are Clarendon—a current and long-term studio favorite.

94.1 IOWANAROCK

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:48:12 +0000

A number of years ago we designed everything for legendary classic rock station 94.1 KRNA. Founded by a couple of University of Iowa students, Rob Norton and Eliot Keller. KRNA grew from grassroots to powerhouse. Hell, they played a lot of Grass Roots.

Rob and Eliot sold off their lifelong project in 1998. Prior to doing so, we kicked off a new look for KRNA, with a new logo and positioning line. In a sea of tired rock station taglines, we wanted to create something fresh, maybe even a bit odd, but definitely regional.

The result? KRNA. 94.1 IOWANAROCK.

94.1 IOWANAROCK

G. Fine Living in the Lake Geneva Style

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:22:14 +0000

Our involvement with quarterly magazine, The Brass Bell, caught the attention of a Boca Raton, Florida-based client interested in establishing an upscale lifestyle magazine for the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin area. This was a great opportunity—the chance to establish a vertical, niche publication for a legendary tourist destination.

For those not familiar with Lake Geneva, this small community on a lake is nestled just north of Chicago, and just west of Milwaukee in southeastern Wisconsin. The area has more interesting history than any small Wisconsin town should have—the playground of the Schwinn’s, the Maytag’s, the Wrigley’s, and yes, Guns ‘N Roses lead singer Axl Rose. Hugh Heffner even established one of his legendary Playboy Clubs in Lake Geneva.

The first issue of G is the result of many hours of interviews, sweat, and mental gymnastics. It’s not the easiest task assembling a magazine from vapor, but given G’s overwhelming debut, I think we hit the mark.

Click the above image to browse an issue of G

Van Ness Engineering

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:23:24 +0000

I have known David Van Ness of Van Ness Engineering for many years now. He is very well-known in the antique boat niche, and has a reputation for being among the best engine restorers in the business. David has worked on a few projects for me, and I have worked on a few things for him. Recently we were asked to take a new look at his advertising and marketing communications with the goal of creating a presence given today’s dynamics within this small niche.

Here is a look at the first creative in this ad new series. The concept focuses on several types of enthusiasts:

Those interested in totally rebuilt internals with museum-grade external restoration for Concours-level competition.

Those interested in a partial rebuild with good (but not necessarily Concours-level) exterior cosmetics.

And those interested in building an ultra-reliable vintage motor, with little regard to exterior detailing.

This is a very straightforward concept executed in a very clean style. There are several other ads in the series that we will show soon.

Well Done

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:51:18 +0000

I ran across this film not too long ago. I was somewhat skeptical at first, as I have seen a bunch of these “tug at the heartstrings” sort of efforts that fall flat. I feel differently about this one. The script is very good. I think the voice guy, Peter Coyote nailed it. Overall a very well done short film. Kudos to all involved with this project.