6 Degrees

Building an identity that is both urgent and optimistic.

Industry
Arts & Culture

Service
BrandingVideo

For its 10th anniversary, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) launched its most ambitious initiative to date—6 Degrees: Citizen Space, a three-day event that gathers international cultural influencers in a dynamic environment for discussion on the world’s pressing issues.

The ICC and its founders knew they needed a partner with experience branding, selling, and producing an event of this scale. Puncture developed a thoughtful visual identity to reflect the tone and content of the conference, while drawing in new audiences. We then rolled out the identity across a number of marketing, on-site, fundraising, and internal assets, both digital and print, to help facilitate the event’s growth.

Puncture continues to provide year-round strategic design support. We helped develop the strategic launch campaign using digital media as well as impeccably-executed marketing materials and out-of-home advertising to draw attention and increase attendance to the event. This past year, we launched new pod events in Den Haag and Berlin and elevated the existing brand to make it bolder and more urgent for the annual Toronto conference.

Brodflour

Helping a new bakery change the perception of bread.

We were approached by an entrepreneur with a bold vision – to transform the public’s perception of bread. At the time, many people had adopted a carb-conscious mindset, viewing bread as a dietary villain. However, Brodflour’s founder aimed to challenge these misconceptions.

In collaboration with Brodflour, Puncture crafted a unique brand identity. Emphasizing their commitment to fresh-milled flour and genuinely fresh-made bread, the values were positioned as the core. This symbolized not just quality but authenticity.

Industry
Corporate

Service
Branding

To distinguish Brodflour from conventional bakeries, Puncture curated an ambiance and visual identity that stood out from other bakeries. We also advised on interior design, creating a warm, sophisticated yet inviting nordic style.

Incorporating these design principles added simplicity and refinement. This resonated with Brodflour’s commitment to quality, offering a distinct experience in a crowded market.

The result was a brand that tantalized taste buds and gave people the license to enjoy bread again.

The Filmmakers

A motion identity inspired by the works of Norman McLaren.

Industry
Arts & Culture

Service
BrandingMotion

Puncture was tasked with branding The Filmmakers, an original CBC talk show that launched as a companion to a Saturday night series of celebrated Canadian films.

CBC wanted impact, an unapologetic aesthetic, and a flexible kit-of-parts. Puncture outfitted the show with a new look and feel, and created all moving parts of the show including a new intro sequence, bumpers, stings, title cards, and credits.

For The Filmmakers, our objective was to develop an accessible, original brand that catered to a mature audience, while still representing the artistry and diversity of the Canadian film industry. Pulling inspiration from the work of Canadian animator Norman McLaren, and the natural linear movement of film strips, we managed to create a dynamic brand system and show intro that married a classic film aesthetic with a contemporary edge.

Art Toronto

Revitalizing and refreshing Art Toronto, Canada’s largest art fair.

Industry
Arts & Culture

Service
Branding

Art Toronto is Canada’s international fair for modern and contemporary art. Since 2000, they have been dedicated to supporting art in Canada, connecting audiences to local, national and international galleries, and promoting diverse creative practices. 

Art Toronto looked to Puncture to evolve their look and develop creative marketing strategies to attract ticket sales for their 2018 event. We worked within the confines of an existing visual system to create a fresh, elegant look and feel that spoke to a wide audience. We then rolled out the updated brand on-site, in print, and in an effective out-of-home and digital marketing campaign that attracted new audiences. From 2018–2021 we worked with Art Toronto annually to create unique identities for the fair.

Sidewalk Labs

A public workshop and creation of useful tools that promote digital transparency in the public realm.

During Sidewalk Labs’ (SWL) time in Toronto on the Quayside project, the public discourse around data and digital transparency was of concern. SWL reached out to Puncture to help design and facilitate a public workshop focused on how to improve digital transparency in the public realm. Technology is all around us, but often invisible.

Industry
Corporate

Service
Branding

dtpr.io

The public engagement and consultation phase of the project was developed through an in-depth research phase with internal stakeholders and community members to get a sense of their concerns around digital transparency. Together with 100+ public participants from Toronto, New York, San Francisco, and London, we brainstormed, sketched, debated, iterated, and prototyped during several sessions we facilitated.

Based on this public engagement, we developed a series of simple signs and offloaded the complexities to the digital channel. Through this process, our purpose signage and icons came to life with simple and universally recognized symbols. Each icon was carefully crafted and selected to help users understand the most common questions around technology in the public realm: what’s the purpose? The project became known as Digital Transparency in the Public Realm (DTPR).

DTPR is now an open-source communication standard designed to increase transparency, legibility and accountability for digital technology in public places. The signage systems and DTPR are being piloted in the City of Boston, District of Columbia, Sydney Olympic Park, Angers-Loire Metropolitan Region in France, and the Town of Innisfil in Canada.

SingularityU

Helping SingularityU launch their first Canadian conference with an innovative identity.

Industry
Corporate

Service
BrandingDigital

Global thought-leader SingularityU tasked Puncture with developing a brand concept and wayfinding system for their first-ever Canadian event. Utilizing motion graphics, experiential pieces, and bold colour and type, Puncture managed to implement a design system as innovative and exciting as the Summit itself.

Patel

Exploring Hindi letters to create a unique wordmark for an art gallery.

Industry
Arts & Culture

Service
Branding

Patel Gallery highlights alternative perspectives and encourages experimentation and innovation in both its programming and operations. Identifying gaps in representation and opportunities guided by collaboration and community; the gallery’s program will look to traditions in culture and identity, and how they are increasingly challenged by the globalized world.

In collaboration with owner Devan Patel, Puncture embarked on crafting a simple yet distinctive identity that encapsulated these principles. Drawing inspiration from the elegant forms of the Hindi alphabet, we designed a wordmark that unified these ideals, with a connecting bar at the top. This identity serves as a visual embodiment of Patel Gallery’s commitment to innovation and cultural dialogue.

Herb

Redefining Cannabis Culture with a Bold Brand Makeover.

Industry
Corporate

Service
Branding

Herb is an online cannabis community that seeks to breakdown the stigma around weed by acting as a thoughtful curator of cannabis products, experiences and culture. They help their users discover the best products, new products, information on strains, how-to guides and experiences in their cities through content and community.

Puncture was tasked to refresh their brand identity to better align with their audacious goals. We created a new brand position, photographic guidelines, typography system and a colour palette. The system is simple, organized and built to suit the many moods and vibes associated with cannabis culture.