Designing a project identity is an intensive creative process and requires thorough research before the first sketch is even made. We begin by reading the RFP and proposal, meeting with the project team to learn about the issues, and researching the area. We then develop many concepts from which we choose two or three to present to the project team and/or client. An example of the draft samples and the abbreviated explanation we provide can be seen here and here. The client and/or project team then choose the logo they deem most appropriate and we then can begin designing the other project materials based on a consistent look. A consistent project identity allows the public to recognize important project communications and provides a sense of continuity throughout the life of projects which often last several years.

Often maps used in public meetings and in reports are created by GIS specialists and planners who have collected and analyzed the data. We take those maps and refine them in ArcMap and/or Illustrator to make them both visually appealing and consistent with the look and feel of the project. We also design custom graphics to illustrate various processes and concepts, making them easier for the public to comprehend. Additionally, we design technical figures like street cross sections, traffic volumes, and charts and graphs, etc., so they can be utilized in reports, public meetings, and internal meetings. Samples, including one of our award-winning information graphics, can be seen in this section.

Public meetings are important venues to explain the reasons for and progress of a project. The graphics presented at these meetings need to be clear and concise so that the public can easily understand the facts and provide relevant input. We design these types of graphics for display at public meetings, open houses and public hearings, usually displayed on 24" x 36" boards mounted on foamcore. Other options can be customized to the specific public meeting (such as digital presentations, handouts and flipcharts, interactive graphics displayed on laptops, etc.).

There are many options for creating reports, and we are able to provide any level of involvement needed for your project. We can design layouts and templates in Word for documents that require this format, or we can design and lay out the entire document utilizing graphic design software such as Adobe Framemaker or Adobe InDesign. We help you determine which method is best for your project and can then plan for the graphics we create to fit seamlessly into your document.

Even the smallest projects with the most basic documents can use a professionally designed, full color cover that includes all necessary project information.

RFPs often call for a project website that is updated with project information and includes a means of submitting comments to the project team. We can design and develop websites that are not only consistent the look and feel of the rest of the project, but that also can provide some pretty neat features to the public and to our clients. We utilize Google Analytics so that you can have detailed reports on who, when, where, and how people have accessed your site (here's an example). We have the capability to set up a content management system (CMS) so that the project team and/or the client can contribute to the website (either in public or private areas of the site). Additionally, we can set up public forums to solicit feedback from stakeholders, or comment forms so the public can submit comments or questions to the project team. We're also working on other ways of soliciting public input on project alternative alignments utilizing Google Maps, and are always developing new means of making our project websites informative, user friendly, and visually appealing. Finally, our sites are written in W3C certified valid HTML and CSS code and adhere to Section 508 accessibility standards. (Download a cutsheet detailing our web-related capabilities for use in your proposals here.)