S&J wins GSUSA Award

Smith & Jones: Moving Brands Upmarket has won the 2007 American Graphic Design Award sponsored by Graphic Design USA and Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Part of an integrated brand program, Smith & Jones: Moving Brands Upmarket was developed as an inspiration book for c-level executives and marketing decision makers who find their brands stuck in the middle. The book outlines the firm’s unique perspective and philosophy, includes examples of work produced for the firm’s clients and features testimonials attesting to the benefits of working with Smith & Jones.

In keeping with its subject, Smith & Jones: Moving Brands Upmarket has a tactile, upmarket presence. The premium hand of its twelve by twelve by one inch design format features a cover with a multi-level bevelled-embossing and foil-stamp that together beckons the viewer inside. The cover unwraps to reveal double-weight French-folded sheets of soft, luxurious archival-quality paper bound by premium gauge silver wire.

On the opening page, a die cut reveals the book’s main message: “Nobody loves a brand that’s stuck in the middle.” When the page is turned, the reader is treated to a collection of amusing quotes that beg the question, “Where is your brand currently positioned?” Sections are delineated by a palette of rich colors, guiding the viewer through richly printed photographs in a clean, refined layout. Text throughout the book is set in the contemporary, yet timeless Gill Sans typeface.

According to Mark Shipley, Chief Thinker at Smith & Jones, “We’re very proud of Smith & Jones: Moving Brands Upmarket. It reflects the calibre of thinking and aesthetic value we bring to the table. It has helped to inspire a number of brand owners to work with us. The GDUSA award is a well-deserved bonus for everyone who worked on the project.”