4 Corners was engaged to rename, re-brand, and re-launch an established company – ZDE, the education division of Ziff-Davis. Working to develop an entirely new brand strategy and platform (“the knowledge catalyst”), 4 Corners worked to develop a new name (Element K) and visual strategy to capture the idea. 4 Corners worked to bring this idea to life with a powerful launch campaign, web site development, print collateral, trade show materials, and a state-of-the-art internal training program.
Today’s online world is not a one-way street anymore and brands have to redefine how they communicate with (not at) customers.
At 4 Corners we create and deploy brand experiences that engage customers, build communities and ensure a return of investment. We partner with our clients to define objectives and rethink best practices as we explore new forms, media and models. Our human-centered approach is grounded in a collaborative methodology that simultaneously considers user attraction, business needs, technical possibilities and the spirit of the brand.
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects needed an update to their website; present a modern and contemporary look and feel, while still honoring the firm’s 100-year-long history. 4 Corners undertook an extensive Discovery process and, teaming with SHCA, conceptualized a website which showcases SHCA’s best work and rich experience. 4 Corners fully designed and developed the site, including an extensive Content Management System, utilizing the most up-to-date innovative technologies to create a seamless, fast, and effective website from top to bottom.
More than an agency, 4 Corners is a frame of mind. It is a place that bridges physical and virtual worlds and explores all dimensions of brand experience. It is a place where multiple disciplines come together to give new ideas shape.
It is a place that makes a difference.
About 4C
Our People
We come from diverse backgrounds
About 4C Our People
More than the sum of its parts, every 4 Corners team is designed to bring each project an ideal combination of experiences and expertise. Our people combine different cultural and professional backgrounds, and share a desire to work in a collaborative environment that is difficult to achieve in a traditional agency.
Together we are creating a better context for creative excellence.
Hallmark was faced with the challenge of taking a long-established and trusted brand and refitting it online for their newly launched magazine. Building upon the magazine’s design, as well as extensive audience research, 4 Corners designed a highly engaging website which acts not only as an online destination for articles and magazine content, but more importantly as an online destination for users . 4 Corners carefully took into consideration the primary audience and architected and designed a site that is highly appealing and interactive, and maintains the voice and “fun” factor that makes the print publication so successful.
4 Corners was recently engaged by phil&teds, the New...
News
Digital Strategy for phil&teds
08.12.2009
4 Corners was recently engaged by phil&teds, the New Zealand-based nursery hardware company, to develop a full digital strategy for the company, who is looking to push more into the US market. Taking a thorough audit of the current site, best practice research of what's being done, and analysis of the trends, 4 Corners developed a comprehensive set of recommendations to enhance both the phil&teds e-commerce experience, and its presence in the social media world.
DoubleClick needed a name and brand platform for their newly acquired internet research division. 4 Corners began by developing a platform – “The Essential Element” – that positions the new company as a critical ingredient in online marketing and strategy. From there, 4 Corners developed the “Diameter” name – borrowing a word from geometry that at once conveys measurement, comprehensiveness, and technology – and the visual identity system: a simple wordmark and arrow symbol that “measures” any object imaginable.
Working with Scholastic, 4 Corners explored the concept of searching for products and took it to a whole new level. The pilot version of the Parent Path is an interactive tool that allows parents and children to search by creating a story (and accompanying avatar) around the child’s grade, age, reading level, and variety of interests. Based on this narrative, users receive finely tuned book recommendations, as well as options to save and share their reading lists. 4 Corners worked closely with Scholastic to create the voice, interactivity, and illustrative style for the wizard, which is now being expanded for further release including the development of a teacher-focused version.
McGraw-Hill Construction, a $3.4 trillion global company, needed an online platform to host over a million professionals, linking users to their vast database of resources and materials. To do this, 4 Corners designed the Sweets Network for Products, aimed at connecting people, projects, and products. The network catalogs, describes, facilitates, and helps users (including ten thousand manufacturers, engineers, and architects) interact and discover a myriad of online construction products. In addition, 4 Corners created the branding and advertising collateral including, brochures, rich media banners, multi-tier direct mailers, and print advertisements.
4 Corners developed the brand and product interface for SmartEquip, a company that creates new process and support software for the construction rental industry. The website and product site (also available on handheld devices) organized millions of pages of documentation and diagrams for use in maintaining equipment and ordering parts. Highly interactive, the site is an effective tool for the maintenance and efficiency of construction fleets.
Warnaco, a trusted and respected name in the intimate apparel industry, needed an update in the look of three of its main brands – Olga, Body Slimmers, and Warner’s. Partnering with Warnaco, 4 Corners revitalized the look and feel of the three brands, determining the primary target audience for each and designing effective solutions for the identities, as well as packaging, labels, and in-store environments. The new looks differentiate between the three brands, and bring a freshness and vitality back to an organization with an impressive history.
4 Corners worked closely with the United Rentals Human Resources to completely overhaul their online and print recruitment materials. 4 Corners redesigned the HR website and introduced a much-needed human element; drawing on personal stories and interviews with current employees at a number of locations throughout North America. 4 Corners also designed and produced new print recruitment materials to coincide with the new website, including brochures, handshake cards, and banner stands for job and recruitment fairs.
Industrial minerals company Geohellas, the exclusive European source...
News
Geohellas.com - Putting a face on technical clay
12.22.2009
Industrial minerals company Geohellas, the exclusive European source for attapulgite clay and custom attapulgite/saponite blends, partnered with 4 Corners and Blue Ink to develop a brand identity, brand strategy and website for the mining company. The corporate site allows existing and prospective customers to research products and offerings from the firm, and stands as a global front door to the company.
News
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
02.01.2008
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, a firm with a 100-year history, has...
News
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
02.01.2008
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, a firm with a 100-year history, has engaged 4 Corners for the redesign of their website. SHCA has a unique challenge in that the well-established name needs to appear at the same time time modern while still embracing their rich heritage. We're very excited to get started!
Projects
American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard
Driving online usage by providing desktop-level access.
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Projects American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard
American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard
Driving online usage by providing desktop-level access.
American Express OPEN needed an innovative way of allowing users to have quick assess to their account information throughout the day. Taking this need to heart, 4 Corners designed a unique desktop dashboard solution that allows customers easy, instant, and continuous access to their most important account information and functions. The dashboard runs from an icon on the desktop, is fully customizable by the user, and launches the web Summary of Accounts interface directly.
TIME Inc. has engaged 4 Corners to develop a new architecture and...
News
TIME.com Homepage
11.10.2007
TIME Inc. has engaged 4 Corners to develop a new architecture and look and feel for the TIME.com homepage and article pages, both crucial entry points for the site.
Discussion
SHCA.com Launch
09.29.2008
Over the weekend, we were very excited to launch the redesigned...
Discussion
SHCA.com Launch
09.29.2008
Over the weekend, we were very excited to launch the redesigned website for Swanke Hayden Connell Architects (www.shca.com). We've been working closely with SHCA since January to design and develop an exciting and innovative new website, one which looks sleek and modern while still embracing the firm's long and rich history. We're extremely happy with the results - check it out here!
Projects
OfficeDepot.com
1.2 Billion in additional sales through a redesign
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Projects OfficeDepot.com
OfficeDepot.com
1.2 Billion in additional sales through a redesign
Office Depot had received customer feedback that the in-store brand experience (which customers felt was very strong) wasn’t matching with the experience users had on the website. A confusing site architecture and overwhelming amount of products left online users feeling dissatisfied. Partnering with Office Depot, 4 Corners took an in-depth look into the architecture and user interface of the site and designed an entirely new offering without changing or adding any new functionality. 4 Corners orchestrated in-depth usability testing sessions, utilizing a rapid prototyping techniques to introduce new solutions while the testing sessions were taking place. Launching just in time for Holiday 2006, the site was an overwhelming success, drastically increasing Office Depot's online sales.