Design Musings

We recently completed a logo design for the Bangors Organic Restaurant and Accommodation. The business is located past Camelford in North Cornwall, and has many outlets for their organic ethos. They offer bed and breakfast, a restaurant, homegrown produce and homemade products. The house itself is a beautiful example of the Arts and Crafts movement and we wanted to let this show through in our designs. We were asked to design a logo and a business card, and I was inspired by their apple tree which they felt characterized them. It is full of personality - not perfectly strait but natural and quirky - so I drew a stylised version of the tree and chose a striking green, black and cream colour scheme to make the logo stand out. The name 'Bangors Organic' was chosen without a tag line to give them freedom with which avenues they choose. The type selected simply links the two words by their letters to become part of the tree illustration. I also provided a logo which was more leg...

Forest Cycle Hire wanted a website to portray the active mountain bike trails for keen enthusiasts as well as being inviting to family visitors. I set about doing this by highlighting 'adventure', 'group rides' and 'family days out' on the homepage by using big images with links through to the relevant pages of the website. The website is very clear and easy to use because it has a very definite structure, used throughout. The wood background was requested by the client, and helps set the scene as it acts as a perfect frame for the site. The site features an online shop that allows new bikes to be bought through their shopping cart. There is also a selection of used bikes available. But the emphasis is always on cycle hire in Devon, so that, while prominent, the bike sales never dominate the site. Marie Lawley

Recently we completed a website for Tiffins Bistro in Fowey. This website was a pleasure to work on as the client supplied as with great photographs of their establishment that communicated the ambiance perfectly. With these as a starting point, I created a page layout showcasing these images and therefore setting the scene. I chose a silvered blue as the banner allowing their logo to take prominence and used a transparent white section on the page to hold the information. The tool bar was kept simple, with the type changing from white to red when selected with an arrow also acting as a pointer. On each page their is an inset picture presenting a detail of the bistro or a plate of appetising food, and on the sample menu page you will find downloadable pdf menus that help to keep the website current. I also used the logo to create a subtle background to the site, reinforcing the bistro's brand. It was an enjoyable project to work with one of the restaurants in Fowey, and a c...