About 4C
The Place
4 Corners makes a difference
About 4C The Place
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 4 Corners Design
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.
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.
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.
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Topics:
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, Interactive Design, Welcome, Information Architecture, Technology & Development, Content Management
Projects Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
A fresh look at architecture online
10.29.2008
Topics:
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, Interactive Design, Welcome, Information Architecture, Technology & Development, Content Management
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.
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Topics:
Hallmark Magazine, Interactive Design, Information Architecture
Projects Hallmark Magazine
Hallmark Magazine
Giving a new presence online to a trusted brand.
10.29.2008
Topics:
Hallmark Magazine, Interactive Design, Information Architecture
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.
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Topics:
Office Depot Racing, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Social Media, Technology & Development, Brand Strategy, Marketing & Advertising, Content Management
Projects Office Depot Racing
Office Depot Racing
Applying a brand to a new space and new audience.
10.29.2008
Topics:
Office Depot Racing, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Social Media, Technology & Development, Brand Strategy, Marketing & Advertising, Content Management
In an ongoing relationship with Office Depot, a NASCAR sponsor, 4 Corners has strategized, designed, and developed the website for Office Depot Racing. Creating and maintaining a website where fans can really connect with both Office Depot and Carl Edwards, the No. 99 NASCAR driver, 4 Corners leveraged social networking capabilities to provide an environment where fans can interact and showcase their own content, as well as receive up-to-date news, photos, videos, appearances, and race-related information.
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Topics:
OfficeDepot.com, Interactive Design, Welcome, Information Architecture, Usability, E-commerce, Technology & Development, Research & Testing
Projects OfficeDepot.com
OfficeDepot.com
1.2 Billion in additional sales through a redesign
10.29.2008
Topics:
OfficeDepot.com, Interactive Design, Welcome, Information Architecture, Usability, E-commerce, Technology & Development, Research & Testing
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.
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News
Digital Strategy for phil&teds
08.12.2009
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.
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Topics:
The New York Times, Interactive Design, Information Architecture
Projects The New York Times
The New York Times
Extending an interactive experience to a new offering.
10.29.2008
Topics:
The New York Times, Interactive Design, Information Architecture
In parallel with the redesign of their entire website, the New York Times wanted to expand its online offerings in the luxury real estate market. Developing new tools to simplify and personalize the user experience, 4 Corners designed and developed a new website section (called “Havens”) where users could access expert advice and other help centers, expert blogs, podcasts, and personal chat sessions.
In conjunction with the real estate listing and information portal, 4 Corners designed a resource for users on financing and home purchase. Designed for customization to regional newspapers, the site section gives users a valuable resource for not only searching and finding new real estate, but for researching and accessing expert information for a complete process all in one location.
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Topics:
Element K, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Naming, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising
Projects Element K
Element K
Establishing “knowledge” for the modern enterprise
10.29.2008
Topics:
Element K, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Naming, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising
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.
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Topics:
United Rentals, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Print Design
Projects United Rentals
United Rentals
An engaging and interactive HR experience.
10.29.2008
Topics:
United Rentals, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Print Design
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.
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Topics:
SmartEquip, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Product/Application Development
Projects SmartEquip
SmartEquip
Reengineering the industrial rental space
10.29.2008
Topics:
SmartEquip, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Product/Application Development
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.
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Projects
American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard
Driving online usage by providing desktop-level access.
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Topics:
American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Product/Application Development
Projects American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard
American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard
Driving online usage by providing desktop-level access.
10.29.2008
Topics:
American Express OPEN Desktop Dashboard, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Product/Application Development
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.
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Topics:
DoubleClick / Diameter, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Naming, Print Design
Projects DoubleClick / Diameter
DoubleClick / Diameter
Branding DoubleClick’s research division.
10.29.2008
Topics:
DoubleClick / Diameter, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Naming, Print Design
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.
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Topics:
Accenture, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Brand Strategy
Projects Accenture
Accenture
Reimagining an established brand for an interactive space
10.29.2008
Topics:
Accenture, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Brand Strategy
Accenture, a leader in the management consulting and technology field, wanted to move past its conservative image and better display its innovative spirit and ability to implement high-performance business strategies. In exploring the core audience of the website, 4 Corners learned that a large portion of the user group were internal Accenture employees doing research on case studies. Taking this and the brand spirit to heart, 4 Corners implemented a solution which highlighted the company’s outstanding abilities to outside clients while providing a valuable research resource for internal users.
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Topics:
Vintage New Zealand, Interactive Design, Social Media, Information Architecture, E-commerce, emerging trends, Technology & Development, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Naming, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising, Product/Application Development, Content Management
Projects Vintage New Zealand
Vintage New Zealand
A world of "social commerce" around New Zealand and its wine.
10.29.2008
Topics:
Vintage New Zealand, Interactive Design, Social Media, Information Architecture, E-commerce, emerging trends, Technology & Development, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Naming, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising, Product/Application Development, Content Management
Vintage New Zealand sought to solve a unique problem in the American marketplace – create a single environment where customers can not only purchase all New Zealand wines in one location, but also experience the wines as much as possible in an online setting. 4 Corners developed extensive content, include video “Virtual Tastings” and interactive maps and features, that allow users to interact as much as possible with the wines before purchase. Also utilizing social networking features, users interact with each other and share insights, opinions, their own personal “cellars,” and experiences to bring forward the concept of Social Commerce.
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Topics:
McGraw-Hill Construction, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Brand Strategy, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising, Product/Application Development
Projects McGraw-Hill Construction
McGraw-Hill Construction
Connecting people, products and projects online
10.29.2008
Topics:
McGraw-Hill Construction, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Brand Strategy, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising, Product/Application Development
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.
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Topics:
Warnaco, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising
Projects Warnaco
Warnaco
Revitalizing a look and feel for a trusted brand with a rich history.
10.29.2008
Topics:
Warnaco, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising
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.
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News
Geohellas.com - Putting a face on technical clay
12.22.2009
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.
Discussion
The "Logo" Games
08.11.2008
This morning I came across a really fascinating article covering...
Discussion
The "Logo" Games
08.11.2008
This morning I came across a really fascinating article covering the debate over inexpensive online logo & "branding" companies by Doug Bartow (id29) via the Under Consideration design discussion blog Speak Up.
It highlights the ongoing debate of accessibility of design for all (income brackets) versus "...the devaluation of the design process altogether, particularly in brand development and identity design, which many consider the pinnacle of our field." – by cheapening the proverbial playing field.
In his field study of this issue, Doug commissions 4 different online companies to come up with logo options for a fictitious project and then analyzes and critiques the results. It is a good exploration of what you really get from these types of logo chop shops.
The Challenge: Hire four online logo design companies, give them the same visual identity problem to solve, then critique the results.
Take a look here.
