IT’S A WRAP - 2023
As we bid farewell to another year, we reflect on the resilience and adaptability that have shaped our journey. The reopening of Hong Kong's borders after the pandemic didn't bring the immediate bounce-back we'd hoped for, with local spending declining as consumers turned to the more appealing and affordable prospects in Shenzhen. This economic landscape prompted us to expand our horizons and launch our Shenzhen branch office. This expansion has not been a mere growth in geography but also an infusion of fresh perspectives. Our team in Shenzhen is a vibrant mix of talents, embracing new technologies and innovative design thinking. Despite the headwinds of a tough economy, our commitment to progress has never wavered. We believe that challenging times are also times of opportunities and we’ve stayed true to our mission to deliver exceptional design solutions throughout this year.
Above all, the heart of our agency—our team—deserves the highest praise. It is with immense pride that we acknowledge the perseverance they have shown. Each member has demonstrated an inspiring strength, adapting to the unforeseen with grace and determination. Their unwavering spirit and collective efforts have not only kept us afloat but have also propelled us forward. Our team has not just survived; they have thrived, and this remarkable display of solidarity is the foundation upon which we will build the coming year's success.
As we look ahead, we carry with us not just the learnings of this year, but a sense of optimism for the growth and opportunities that await in 2024.
In mere months since its establishment, our Shenzhen branch has soared, marking early successes with a portfolio that speaks volumes of its potential. They've skillfully revamped the website for construction management giant DONNAN 東南管理 and crafted a fresh brand identity for the local artisan shisha brand NECTAR and bar lounge MIST, showcasing our ability to both elevate established companies and nurture new brands. Currently, they’re in the process of branding and designing the interior of 三 . 三, a 3,000 sq. ft. neighbourhood F&B staple in Longhua District, transforming it into a destination that resonates with locals and visitors alike. This impressive trajectory of achievements has us all beyond excited to see what will come next from our Shenzhen team, as they continue to pave their way with creativity and design excellence.
Back at our Hong Kong headquarters, the year has been equally dynamic and rewarding. We hit the ground running in the first quarter with the opening of Ken's Watches' flagship space, a project that allowed us to create a cozy yet sophisticated environment where the story of each timepiece is narrated in a compelling way. We carried this momentum to the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, where we proudly designed a revolutionary concept store for CLEAN inspired by the idea of an arrival hall to the future. This allowed them to showcase their new manless coffee taps, a massive innovation working towards sustainable coffee consumption. Launched in parallel was our audacious rebrand for earthero studio, a conscious curator, strategist, and clothing label, with a primary mission to tackle the serious issue of huge wastage of offcuts and surplus fabric within the fashion industry.
Our partnership with THE SLOW has been another highlight, where we not only crafted a new space inspired by the human anatomy as a design narrative overlooking the Tseung Kwan O harbourfront, but we also refreshed their brand identity. Throughout the year, our continuous collaboration has produced an array of collaterals, from Instagram content to brand gifts and promotional materials and more, solidifying our integrated support on a retainer basis. In the coming year, we hope to continue to assist them in their venture of popularising wellness and mindfulness.
An honourable mention must go to the brand refinement and interior design for Natural House, an all-in-one beauty and wellness space that stands as a testament to our ability to elevate brands through thoughtful design. We were also able to explore a new venture at House of Forme with the launching of our Year of the Rabbit red packets which received an amount of support beyond our expectations, we are working tirelessly to explore new ventures every year, make sure you stay tuned for what’s coming next!
During our second quarter, we've been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with SINO Group on strategising their new property located steps away from Hoi Sham Garden in To Kwa Wan. Our strategy was to envision the property as a verdant oasis amid the urban hustle and bustle, aimed at revitalizing a historically overlooked neighbourhood and enhancing the local community life. Additionally, we're honoured to have redefined the visual identity for local F&B group 1957 & Co’s Modern Shanghai brand. The new visual identity for Modern Shanghai Imperial, which made its debut at The Wai - a trending new mall in Hong Kong - marries tradition and modernity, embodying the cultural essence of Shanghai in an elevated way that resonates with contemporary sensibilities.
Our work this quarter also spanned various sectors. We designed advertising materials for Hip Hing, a top-tier general construction contractor in Hong Kong; created collateral for Wine Circle by The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and developed the brand identity, website, and digital materials for HKU President’s Forum. The trust placed in us by such prominent industry leaders is something we cherish deeply, and we are beyond grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their stories and success.
If you remember from our wrap last year, one of the projects that we were most looking forward to seeing come to life was THE BOX, a groundbreaking “crea-tail” destination that spans across 582,737 sq.ft. in Beijing, China. The opportunity to contribute our design expertise to a project of such magnitude was a thrilling prospect for us. The sense of accomplishment that accompanied the grand opening of THE BOX was indescribable, as we witnessed waves of visitors from across the city and beyond flocking through its doors.
Some of you might have seen the playhouse cafe that stormed social media - Jello & Mellow. Our collaboration with this brand was an immersive journey into its core values, allowing us to weave Jello & Mellow's signature playfulness into every facet of our work. This playful spirit shone through consistently, from the whimsical logo and vibrant colour palette and more, to really convey the joy that the brand aims to bring to children and adults alike.
For those who have perused our latest case study, you’re aware that we had the wonderful opportunity to develop a completely new sub-brand for the Hong Kong Jockey Club's venue-leasing business, named The Chapter By HKJC. From its inception, including the brand naming, concept, and identity to the design of all their collaterals, we focused on creating materials that not only catered to the ease of the staff but also aimed to significantly enhance the client experience. We wanted to ensure that the process of organizing their next significant event felt just as exciting and special for our clients.
We've also had the privilege of partnering with several iconic consumer brands in Hong Kong. We rejuvenated Miricor Group’s XOVE brand, through a photo shoot that reinvigorated their brand and promotional materials, along with designing their marketing collateral—from VIP cards to bags, gift tags, and more—to perfect the customer experience. Moreover, we played a pivotal role in reshaping the local legend RAZE, strategizing its brand direction for a post-pandemic world. It's been incredibly rewarding to witness the success of Raze's newest ventures. We've even had the opportunity to work from the ground up with the newly launched Noir Organic, a new health and wellness brand. Helping to create and define the brand concept, identity, collateral design, and website, setting a strong foundation for their future success.
The final quarter was just as fruitful for us as ever. If you have been to K11 Musea lately, you might’ve noticed the latest pop-up store we did for one of our dearest clients—SUNSMITH, from the initial concept design to construction management in the span of a couple months. This project, dubbed "The Saltwater Pilgrimage," was crafted to honor both the rich history of Hong Kong's traditional fishing villages and to pay tribute to the deep family roots of Sunsmith, all while aligning with the coastal narrative of K11 Musea's own location.
Meanwhile, over at ELEMENTS, we embarked on an exciting project with Menya Kanki, a novel 'sea to table' ramen concept, from their concept inception and interior design all the way to their collateral production and construction management. Drawing inspiration from the age-old tradition of AMA divers in Japan, Menya Kanki introduces a fresh culinary adventure with their sea bream ramen. This concept merges the unique flavors of the ocean with the renowned spirit of Japanese hospitality, offering customers an entirely new ramen dining experience.
Aside from interior design, during this time of the year we also worked on the recently launched Soul Element’s branding, from concept, identity to collateral design. Soul Element was conceived as a workshop brand with a core philosophy centered on the artistry and mindfulness of Jesmonite. The brand champions the idea that crafting with Jesmonite is not just a creative outlet but a conduit for personal expression and inner exploration. In crafting their brand identity, we embraced the idea of Soul representing a "6th Element," transcending the traditional elements of Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, and Earth. This concept allowed us to forge a brand that embodies the soulfulness and contemplative nature intrinsic to the Jesmonite crafting experience.
From Soul Element, We also got to work with its mother brand—Earth Element, in a mission to upgrade their brand packaging and website, to elevate the shopping experience for their customers. In a similar manner, we took on the project of refining the packaging for Cupping Room, a local coffee legend. Our goal was to encapsulate the essence of their artisanal approach and premium quality in the new packaging design, to ultimately expand the brand's appeal to the general public. We also collaborated with the well-loved dessert brand The Cakery in their latest journey with creating their sub-brand, a birdhouse-inspired bakery called MAYA for both its branding and interior design. MAYA is poised to become the newest sweet spot in Taikoo Place, and we're eagerly anticipating its opening. Be sure to keep an eye out.
Last but not least, we are also equally thrilled to announce the launch of Do Not Forget, a new-generation supplement lifestyle brand that we helped build from the ground up. From concept to identity, implementation and production. A beautiful and functional product that deserves to be in every ones living room.
While being busy working with so many brands throughout this year, we have been honoured to have been featured in Phoenix News as a brand, while we also had our projects including Melrose, The Horologist, Crafts on Peel, Sunsmith and CLEAN get featured on internationally well-loved publications like Gestaltan and Victionary. We look forward to exploring more opportunities like these in the coming year.
As we approach the end of 2023, we are also preparing for a promising start to the forthcoming year. Our design expertise will be showcased through the launch of bespoke F&B collaterals for Lanson Place. We will celebrate local legend Fortune Pharmacal's 70th anniversary with a newly introduced icon as well as the launching of their new supplement brand.
Our collaboration will extend to the parent company of XOVE, guiding the creation of their clinical beauty line, Scipeutic. We are also slated to develop new supplement sub-brands for Dr Koala. We will also be working with massive corporates again including Hong Kong Land and The Hong Kong Jockey Club for their design needs on a retainer basis.
On the interior design front, we are looking forward to the completion of our ambitious residential project in Clear Water Bay, a cosy residential in Tseung Kwan O, and the opening of a novel retail destination in Sai Kung, all poised to make a significant impact.
There is nothing short of excitement and we cannot wait unveil whats in store for our supporters.
A Look Into 2024.
At the end of this remarkable year, we reflect on our global footprint, with projects that span across the world showcasing our international presence and expertise. The expansion of our team and offices, soon in different parts of China and around the world, stands as a testament to our growth and the success that comes from embracing diverse perspectives and local insights.
Looking forward, we anticipate that the next year will demand both passivity and resilience. In a world of constant flux, we remain steadfast in our commitment to positive outcomes, innovation, and excellence. We foresee an exciting future with plans to enter awards and engage in PR endeavours. Additionally, we're on the cusp of launching our own venture, a step that promises to bring a new dimension to our brand and services. Our unwavering dedication to providing consistent, high-quality service to our clients will continue with the introduction of new systems, processes, and the unveiling of a new company website, all designed to enhance our engagement and deliver unparalleled results.
As we close this chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude to our clients and supporters, whose trust and partnership make our journey not just possible, but truly extraordinary. Here's to a year filled with opportunity, achievement, and shared success.
Bring on 2024 and happy new year.
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