Safety Comes First!

Real Adventures

Real Icons

And an output that is as unique as it gets.

I would admit I was at a wits end when I was asked 

to design a business card for a rafting camp.

After much thought and researching 

on what other camps had to offer in the country,

the path to be taken was pretty clear.

A simple yet effective card that would convey 

what the camp's strength is, 

I engaged global symbology which would be identifiable

by anyone across the globe at a mere glance.

Below is the first option that I proposed.

The card is built on a continuation of graphics from front to back, 

with the waves merging with the A of Archit.

Thus the elements are made to merge in such a way 

with the typography 

that there is a certain cohesiveness to the whole output.

It was suggested that the card be printed 

on a recycled gray hand made paper.

Following is the final Option that was decided upon

Adventure sports are an activity that involve

a great deal of safety and accountability

on the part of the organizer, 

hence adding the helmets and the life jackets

to say that yes it's an adventure but at the same time, 

they’re fully equipped to ensure your safety.

Eventually as it turns out, the rafting season had already started

and even though the card never saw the light of the day,

there still is a possibility and its still worth a share!

Happy Diwali

Its that time of the year again.
The gleaming diyas illuminating the dark night,
The echo of chants invoking the gods of prosperity,
Its Deepwali!

and we at D4Design wish you and your loved ones 

a Happy and Prosperous one!

This is specially for everyone checking out the blog.

A very very very Happy Deepawali to all of you!

Thanks for all the comments / inputs / following

and appreciating over the months!

Lots of diyas, 

even more laddoos

(or any mithais / sweets for that matter!)

Best of both Ma Laxmi & Lord Ganesha, 

we at D4Design,

sincerely have to say this :

"Designers we are, intrepid & bold

Out in the world, amongst wonders untold.

Equipped with wits, and aesthetic sensibilities,

We nudge you to try us, and our many abilities.

We will bring you treasures and a wishing tree!

We wish you a prosperous and Happy Deepawali!"

And this is the official D4Design Ecard.

Those of you on our mailing list, 

would have already received it.

The one hanging below is my partner in crime,

Most of you have already seen him here

Following are some of the commissioned Ecards we did for someone

we go back with since kindergarten!

Can't reveal much more, 

but in case any of you would have received any diwali wishes from them, 

you would know!

The watermarks obviously did not appear on the original artwork.

(And this particular one was rejected), 

but it laid the ground work for what was to follow.

It depicts a small township,

the big house in pink depicting the firm it was commissioned for,

as the lights light up the facade brighter, 

the rangoli upfront invites one in,

and its being visited by the goddess laxmi herself.

Another option of the same was presented for a calmer,

more cheerful version.

The second concept has Lord Ganesha acting as 

the lady of justice.

(Yes it was a law firm, hard to hide that now!)

He mischievously looks from under his blindfold and

eyes the weighing scale that is filled with laddoos on both sides.

He holds a mallet and secretly wishes to say

"Order Order!!"

(for all the disarray that besets the world at the moment!)

This too was not opted for and was refined further as you can see below.

A more adolescent Ganesha with color within lines. 

It was refined further, 

till it reached a cuter, more child like stage.

Baby Ganesha

Wishing everyone self awareness this Diwali.

Floating in a the calm tufts of clouds,

with wisdom, 

hunger for knowledge 

(for he carries his books up there),

laddoos,

(yes, I love them!)

fireworks,

(for all the glitter and sparkles in the sky)

and blessings

"One who sees all

but whom no one beholds,

One who illuminates the intellect,

the sun, the moon and the stars

and the whole universe

but whom they can not illumine,

That indeed is the inner self.

This Diwali, illuminate the self,

illuminate the world."

The layout that was finalized was close to this one, 

and perhaps I would be able to share it with you once the festival passes us by.

The third concept took off on a simple brief that asked for

diyas to be used creatively

What better way to illumine the entire world?

the feedback however was to avoid the color black,

and to instead go for something brighter and cheerful.

India was also asked to be paid special attention to.

The layout that was finalized was close to this one, 

and perhaps I would be able to share it with you once the festival passes us by.

It was animated and all the diyas of the world

twinkled and sparkled.

What better way is there to wish one a Happy Diwali.

Save Paper, opt for Ecards.

Please don't burst crackers, 

really they pollute a hell lot and scare my doggie to bits!

Lets be a little more sensitive to our surroundings

and enjoy a Deepawali that truly is Happy for everyone around.

Warm wishes from us folks at D!