The new phone covers are done. Not many words are necessary, just feast your eyes upon them, as they speak for themselves. Enjoy these treats from Chris Garver, Darren Brass, James Hamilton and Tim Hendricks! We spend a great deal working on the new line. Production should begin very shortly. If you like go over to Ruthless & Toothless for more info:

Web Site: http://ruthless-toothless.com/products/phone-covers/blue

Blog: http://blog.ruthless-toothless.com/?p=222

The Protective Cover for iPhone 3G, Blackberry Bold and Storm is designed for complete device protection with minimal surface coverage. Form-fitting, injection molded material provides security and added grip without extra bulk.

Granola, while very popular within the organic / whole food industry, was less well known as a self made mix. To help promote the ease-of-use and overall benefits of Mix My Granola with a broader range of people, David Steinberg and Branding Forces developed a playful and creative mixing experience for the community.

Our solution consists of the MixMyGranola Container, which houses a rich set of AJAX codes designed by Branding Forces.

The MixMyGranola Container allows the user to quickly access and manage their favorite mixes, as well as accessing on the fly pre-made mixes by the MMG team or browsing the mixes by all customers. Users can also add personalized their own mixes to customize the experience.

Company
MixMyGranola, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is a privately held Delaware corporation. The MixMyGranola headquarters and mixing plant in which we mix our delicious custom-made granola are located in sunny Miami, Florida.

The Container
Each container holds 16 ounces of delicious granola and has an individual label on the back stating the exact nutrition facts of your custom-made granola mix and its ingredients. Each label also includes an individual Mix-ID that allows you (or anyone else) to re-order your favorite mix by entering the Mix-ID at MixMyGranola.com. The inside of the container is aluminum coated to keep your granola fresh and dry. It is sealed with a white plastic plug which is locked by “Freshness Guaranteed” stickers to maintain the highest quality that you can expect from MixMyGranola.

We treat the environment with respect and all of our packaging is 100% recyclable. A soy-based ink is used to print our labels, which means less chemicals are leaking into the environment.

Organic Products
If we do not have an ingredient that is organic, please tell us, and we will try and get it for you! All of our products are all-natural and preservative-free.

Ingredients
We take great pride in our ingredients and have hand-picked all of our ingredients from the best producers in the U.S. Most of our ingredients are organic, and all our granolas, nuts and seeds are preservative-free and all-natural products. All fruits are dried fruits and have been carefully processed to preserve their natural flavors and nutritional value. All of our fruits, nuts and seeds are cholesterol-free.

So Ami James and his shop is expanding, locals making it big, fueled by big ideas. And as after-care has always been a vital part of protecting new tattoos, the next big idea came in the form of the guys giving their fans a worthy and complete kit, rather then just the traditional advice on what you should do after leaving the shop. With Miami Ink being a showcase of artists, it was only natural the kit followed artistic suit, the first of the line featuring original signature art from one Ami James. Branding Forces took his kick-ass individual artwork and product information and blended it into a kick-ass design. Branding Forces then applied the design themes to each of the 4 products in the kit, as well as created a truly unique interior velum for each collector. There are times in life when it’s just time to rock.

People just need to look at us to know we have a particular look, one we feel strongly about. But when people see our kids, it’s hard for that look to come through. We’ve searched and searched and searched, and haven’t found much for our kids that reflect and define who we are as parents. And in talking to our family, friends and fans, we’ve found we are not alone. So, we saw the need, saw a chance to do something real for our kids, and we created Ruthless & Toothess.

We’ve put in a lot of work to make R&T a true outlet of our artistic expression, and a place where we can extend our tattooed lifestyle to our children. And you can be sure of this- the designs of Ruthless & Toothless are originals. Straight from our sketch pads to your kid’s room.

We’ve got some big things in the works for Ruthless & Toothless, and we invite you to come along with us as we grow. It’s going to be a great ride.

Website Link: www.ruthless-toothless.com

David Steinberg is a MAS allumni and taking on this account was great pleasure for him. The first step in the 2 year overhauling process was to allow users to gain instantly more access to the vast amount of possibilities the school offers. Form exploring the schools international destinations and learning what in particular is being offered, the new website had to do it all. Our team worked closely with Pippa and Ron Seichrist to ensure proper outcome. 

The main website features now in depth a curriculum, showcasing what the different is between base schools, internships and greenhouses, a new student work section was crafted, showcasing over 500 different top award winning designs. 

Branding Forces created a business tool for both the Ad School and applicants to easily connect and communicate online with one another. This was accomplished by combining a complete Client Management System (CMS), or back office, with a design that stayed true to the core branding of the Ad School while staying fresh for this section.

Blogging can be boring and is rather cut-and-dry from a design standpoint. The Miami Ad School is anything but. So, we thought we would add “revolutionary” to the equation and create eye-catching blogs from the ground-up for the MAS the likes of which the Internet has never seen. At the same time, we also needed to give the school the flexibility, within their brand, to expand and experiment without limitations. So we built in features like HD Video and a Flash dynamic that, with SEO technology, can be easily read for Google searches. And we made a platform that enables smooth switching and transitions between multiple blogs. We also gave MAS the power to create and fully manage, through a unique Central Management System, as many blogs as they want and need. The Ad School has schools situated around the world, with updates occurring every hour of every day, and these new blogs will deliver the tools necessary for the Ad School to stay hip, up-to-the-minute, edgy and relevant.

It is place of European Elegance. It is place rooted in history and tradition on an Epic scale. It is a place of dramatic beauty and style that is truly unlike any other in Miami, as one simple visit will testify to. It is Badrutt’s Place, and it is a place that was in need of a Branding Force strong enough to deliver it’s strong message of class and style. And wouldn’t you know it, we just happen to be Branding Forces. And thus a perfect partnership emerged. And the word was spread. and was message was made, and the people approved. And as a result, Badrutt’s is a place that is taking a place at the top of the Miami scene.

Background Info
Source: Miami Herald - http://www.miami.com/first-look-badrutts-place-article

The goods: From the luxurious ski slopes in St. Moritz to the sloping skyscrapers of downtown Miami comes Brickell’s latest addition, Badrutt’s Place. For this financial district spot the owners of the Swiss resort, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, have transplanted the opulence and class of their namesake property and given it a distinctly Magic City spin. Designer Alison Antrobus outfits the space with white leather banquettes, a pod-like elevated VIP lounge, French oak floors and Venetian chandeliers. Latticed bookshelves evoke a glamorous library while groovy lighting adds to the laid-back vibe. With a full lunch and dinner menu and wine list the venue works as both a swanky lounge or a sceney supper club.

The restaurant is also a power lunch spot with secluded meeting spaces, internet access and video presentation resources available. A Davidoff cigar lounge and extensive cognac list caters to “Mr. Big” types.

The grub: Upscale Mediterranean-brasserie fare with subtle European influences. Exec chef Davide Piana honed his skills at South Beach’s Escopazzo and exemplifies his Italian training with dishes like porcini-stuffed totellini with veal sauce and black truffle and the potato gnocchi in a creamy sauce of Gorgonzola and crispy speck. Start off with an appetizer of four-way tuna consisting of sliced raw tuna marinated in orange juice, soy, olive oil or lemon or go for the rich terrine of foie gras served on toasted bread with fruity marmalade. The succinct list of mains includes duck, lamb, veal and a classic NY strip. The veal Pojarsky evokes the Swiss resort’s hearty ski-lodge fare with two hefty cutlets of minced veal and chicken accompanied by a black truffle sauce and basmati rice. Local fish like pompano comes dressed with a Livornese sauce, redolent with tomatoes, kalamata olives, garlic and oregano, a popular fish dish in the Italian Alps. A dessert of airy whipped zabaglione or the layered tiramisu round out the list of homemade desserts.

While there’s plenty to feast on at Badrutt’s, cocktails are given equal attention by resident mixologist Alex Locecere. The Milan-born beverage designer employs fresh juices, purees and ingredients like honey, ginger and cream to concoct drinks that pair well with the Euro-tinged fare. Inspired by his grandmother’s pineapple almond cake, the pineapple pie martini is a mix of pineapple juice, frangelico and vodka while a fruit tart martini is a dessert in a glass with its mix of strawberry and raspberry juices shaken with vodka and Chantilly cream.

The verdict: With its undeniably cool design Badrutt’s Place is destined to attract downtown’s globe-trotting professionals. Nightlife aficionados will appreciate the creative cocktail menu and comfortable indoor and outdoor lounge areas.

Badrutt’s Place, 1250 South Miami Ave., Brickell; 305-415-0070; www.badrutts-place.com

Catalina, a local lighting company with national reach via folks such as Home Depot and Target, really needed to, well, light up their image. And so, pun aside, they turned us on to the project, and we plugged in our creative capabilities so as to cast them in the best light (did we already use light?) possible. Thus, the illumination was initiated and four brand- spanking and brand- building ads were created. Enjoy! (no puns were harmed during the writing of this blurb)

 

 

Ah, Casa Casaurina, the beach best, right up there amongst the world most exclusive private boutique memberships. Forever a place where tourists flock to photograph and murmur to each other about the splendors and glorious past that can be found inside. And for this most prestigious as well as famous dwelling, a members-only website worthy of such an establishment was needed.

So in stepped David Steinberg / Branding Forces. Creating, programming and designing a website that served as an online concierge. Providing for whims and needs beyond what most members even knew they had, a considerable job seeing that the whims and needs of these members was already pretty whimsical. Ultimately, BF formed an experience for members that put the online version of the Casa on par with the standards associated with the real world equivalent by providing the relevant tools and information they need so that they feel, even when surfing from afar, they were still part of the privileged few to have this Casa as their own.

Site Archived: http://demo.brandingforces.com/casacasuarina/

Background
Casa Casuarina was built in 1930 by architect, philanthropist, author and political reformer Alden Freeman as an homage to the oldest existing house in the western hemisphere, the “Alcazar de Colon” in Santo Domingo. The Alcazar was home to Christopher Columbus’ son Diego in 1510. Freeman chose to use it as inspiration because of his life-long veneration of Christopher Columbus. Indeed, one of the Casa’s cornerstones contains original brick from the “Alcazar de Colon”.

A three story structure with a Spanish style inner courtyard, the Casa contained 22 apartments. It quickly became home to Freeman’s mostly artistic group of friends, which included the brother of the dancer Isadora Duncan.

In 1937, after Freeman’s death, Casa Casuarina was bought by Jacques Amsterdam, who promptly renamed it “The Amsterdam Palace.” Once again operated as an apartment house, its tenants continued to come from the artistic world, attracted to the building as an architectural curiosity.

In 1992, on a trip to Miami, world-renowned couturier Gianni Versace encountered Casa Casuarina for the first time. Although it had fallen into great disrepair, Versace fell in love with it and purchased the residence. Versace made substantial changes to the property. He exquisitely restored, expanded, and embellished its features. The south wing, the pool and garden areas are all Versace’s additions, made possible after he bought and demolished the adjacent hotel. The result was a grandiose rococo folly of Spanish and Italian design, and the Casa soon gained international fame.

Telecom Executive Peter Loftin bought the Casa in September 2000, after Versace’s tragic death. Owning Casa Casuarina had been a long-held dream and he dedicated himself to both preserving its history and bringing vibrant new life to the house. While Mr. Loftin has made no structural changes to the house, he has done extensive work to preserve its architectural history. He restored all of the interior walls and brought back the opulent style of Versace with lavish furniture and details.

Casa Casuarina has been a members-only Private Club since the renovations were completed. Now it is operated as a Luxury Boutique Hotel where discriminating visitors can relax in a style heretofore available only to a priveleged few.

This one really smelled. Smelled quite delightful, actually, as Smith & Wesson, The Fragrance is made from a rare type of Caribbean lime. That said, Parley Cosmetics needed a store to sell this delightful fragrance from, an online store. As well as a very strong branding website. One that conveyed strength along with that delightful smell. So David Steinberg / Branding Forces took the fragrance and developed a store for it to be sold, along with a website to announce it to the world. The store was completely original, 100% flash driven, formed with the thought in mind of creating a strong online shopping experience. The website, that was like the fragrance in very nearly every way (strong, sophisticated, high-end, manly) ex-cept for the fact that the website ended up, no matter how much scratching and sniffing you did, odorless. Although it still gave S&W the means to make the whole world over smell better through sales.