This is where we get to know you (and, more importantly, where you get to know yourself as a brand). When we’re done, we’ll have a gameplan for how to express your brand going forward.

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Having longtime connections with Southern Australia, our good friends at Orange Roasting Co had dreamed up yet another game-changing idea: Remy & Max. Keeping the context of bar & coffee syrups in mind, we designed packaging, branding, and a solid identity to follow suite alongside liquor bottles. As well, a packaging design that benefited the server more than the customer.

Coffee Packaging from Down Under

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Illustrations for a larger series of a Tarot deck that was used for coasters at an iconic Nevada drinking hole we illustrated and will be releasing 2018.

Believing in Karma - Tarot Deck

Building an Environment

Stay true to your roots

Do What You Love

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As a company founded in skate culture (pour one out for all the times we've hit the pavement literally and figuratively), Environment was one of the original partners in creativity for Laxalt & McIver. With custom illustration and graphic design, we helped grow Environment's brand through art directed skate decks and tear sheets filled with graphics far cooler than any kick flip.

Environment Skateboards

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Piñon Bottle saw the gap missing in Reno's spine of bars with a focus on varieties of craft beer. With this crystal clear and within a toe's reach - they pushed onward and went for it. A couple beers later, they brought Commence along the way to tackle the packaging as well as establish an identity communicating their craft and the atmosphere in which it lies. Cheers.

Great Brews

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Some of the most rewarding partnerships we've had have come through working with people as wild as we are. Meet Deso, a lifestyle apparel brand that embraces the art of getting lost. We collaborated with them to tell their stories from #wayoutthere through graphic design, custom illustration and tear sheets. Grab some gear, go on an adventure, and tell us your story - or don't... some stories are kept between you and the wilderness.

Spend a Week In The Woods

A brand that resonates with students and faculty

“The identity draws on Pharos Academy’s values to create a modern design system that reinforces the school’s bold, intellectually curious positioning.”

School crests built for a crew

Charter schools have mascots too Let’s go Gulls!

Showcasing the brand to the web

Web GIF

For the Bronx

“Unconventional layouts bring a refreshing look to the educational institute’s website without compromising usability, legibility, and professionalism.”

School merchandise design

Brand systems for the halls

Institutional identity and web development for the K-12 public charter school in the Bronx, New York, that draws on the extraordinary, forward-thinking vision the school executes.

Bold in the Bronx

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Black Rabbit Mead Co. partnered with us to create a brand identity and packaging system for their mead. Although their product is produced with honey, they make a significantly less sweet mead than other traditional varieties. It was a goal of ours to carry over this idea to a less sweet, more eerie, and regal look for their brand.

Down the Rabbit Hole Packaging Design

A local renovation

What a city cries for is the means for people to gather easily, inexpensively, regularly, and pleasurably- a place to meet, a real life alternative to television, an easy escape from the cabin fever of the office or home.

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One thing that stood out to us, was how many different moving parts went into the Basement.

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To start creating a cohesive feel, we had to look at the similarities of all the different shops and boutiques that would be filling up the space… and the most common element? Their location.

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This multifaceted gem needed something to bring out it’s natural elements.

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"The hand-lettered details and linework can be seen throughout the space and it provides a contrast of the clean, modern look alongside a historic setting."

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Now, three years since it’s inception - the Basement is home to many different local boutiques, retail stores, and even a gym.

Rawbry

Tahoe Nevada Love

Chomp

One historic abandoned building, big dreamers and passionate creatives, and blood, sweat and cold pressed juices later - we’ve got the concoctions for either a 21st century West-Coast horror film, or the start of the workings of the Basement.

A Community Hub Down Under

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The City of Sparks, NV hired us to create an identity for their event, Last Friday. The event focus is historical reenactments of the city's rich heritage that is family friendly.

The Last Friday, For Now

We worked in tight with the Blackbird team to develop a Brand Identity that not only showcased their innovative nature, but their ability to keep ahead of the game with the fast-growing cannabis industry. We continue to partner with this growing company to help showcase their brand through lifestyle and commercial photography, as well as creating promotional materials. Together, we knocked the Blackbird-branded socks off of all the viewers.

Branding a Marijuana Logistics Company

Building a brand based on tradition and advancement

Video

Illustration as information and inspiration

Lid illustrations

Gravallese Co is a brand that appeals to those with and without a beard. Barbers and non-barbers. Speaking the notion that self care and wanting to look your best is available for everyone.

Transparent Product Photos

Gravallese Co. came to us to create their brand identity, packaging design, website, and product photography centered around the refinement of traditional grooming products and self-care. Winning best brand packaging awards regionally and nationally.

Italian Heritage Brand & Grooming Products

Companies Page Interactions (Video)

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A logo system that scales

A branded house for investments

An iconic accent

A website designed to focus on the individual experience

Homepage (Video)

Page Transitions (Video)

A diversified growth equity and advisory firm with a storied history of success, Cingulate Group came to Commence for their unique brand identity and website development.

Brand identity for the leading global investment group

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It’s hard to grow food in the desert

Core Principles

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Leaving a lasting feeling

We wanted to fully embody what it means to be natural. So we kept it sweet and simple

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To keep your future fresh, your delivery could be no more than a tap away.

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Through re-imagining organic produce in a box, we started creating an enticing and environmentally progressive identity for the Fresh Future Box; the aquaponics solution to the end of the Farmer's Market season. Whether it’s spicy peppers, rich butter greens, or plum tomatoes, we made sure we incorporated all elements of sweet sweet sustainability. Ensuring that they sacrificed nothing when it came to authentically representing their brand promise, we created their brand so it was replete with natural elements and vibrant visuals.

The Future of Community Supported Agriculture

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With close Nevada ties - it’s hard not to find ourselves passionate about the land that we live on. For this partnership, we collaborated with Patagonia Action Works to create a design that best captured the land of the Gold Butte National Monument. Through t-shirts, postcards, and a mural spanning all of the windows at Patagonia’s Reno location -- we were able to help make a lasting impact.

Defending Public Lands

Theme & Palette

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Sustainable Recognition

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A Site you don't want to miss

Check it out

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Dayton Valley Aquaponics partnered with us to create a brand that represented their bio-fueled take on farming that provides fresh produce year round in the High Desert of Nevada

Rethinking Produce through Aquaponics

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Throwing it Back

The Impression of Color

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Out of this World Experience

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Don’t Just Drink It, Sport It

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But, wait… there’s more. Prepare for a website beyond your imagination.

Vast and Encompassing

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Bringing the coffee buying experience to the next level. Introducing a subscription system for legends.

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Coffee Forever

Mobile + Coffee = Love.

Become an Expert

Swipe for More

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RetroRocket Coffee is a purely web based coffee brand that has it all. Starting from step one, we created the color palette, brand, packaging and website for this intuitive company. Packed full of space exploration references, sweeping design and unique web experiences, you'll want to know every detail of the rise of RetroRocket.

Launch The Day 

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We Heard You're Vegan, but this Cookie Isn't

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Let's Call It...

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Ritual Baking Co. specializes in unique and decadent cookies baked in Reno, NV. We were challenged with not only creating an identity for this punk rock baking company, but also given the opportunity to help name it. Our team developed multiple directions of identity, each speaking to a different atmosphere of unique, high end junk food.

Beat or Be Beaten Packaging

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Identity Exploration Re-crafting the look

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Colors to match coffee’s personality

You can never go wrong with badges

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A human approach

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One of the goals we established when we first met with our pals at Coffeebar was the desire to have a kickass website.

A taste of the entire site in one page

Website Architecture

Six locations. Six stories. One brand.

We chose Shopify as the platform of choice.

Shop coffee, goods or tools

Clothes, pins and mugs

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Spotify Integration

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The coolest brew guides you could imagine

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The icing on the coffee

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How it works

Details for every stop

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There was a lot of fun with photo and video on this project.

Shooting On-location

Studio Photography & Cinemagraphs

The reel deal To show how special each location is

Being a group of creative professionals, its only natural to be fueled by caffeine and cold brews. Coffeebar is a supplier of just that— not to mention wine, baked treats, good times and great memories with even greater friends. At the start of Summer 2017 when Coffeebar was gearing up to open their 5th location we began a partnership to achieve an enhanced social presence and build a brand new website in preparation for the much-anticipated arrival in Silicon Valley.

Un Vero Gusto Italiano

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Lorable’s iconography reflects the clear shapes and style to match its brand identity. The icons take the approach of being recognizable and functional. The simplicity allows for the tone of the content to be at the forefront.

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The interface must adapt to different lighting conditions to avoid poor readability or glare. Designing for dark mode allows for content to be easier on the eyes in dimmer environments.

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Lorable’s stories are developed based on casual human conversations so users are acclimated effortlessly. The UI we created assists in guiding the user through a natural flow of conversation.

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Lorable is a storytelling app developed by the Northern Nevada based startup to engage both readers and writers with interactive plot building. Through strategic branding, material design, and clarified theming, we helped create an app experience that is engaging and easy to explore.

A Story Worth Sharing Through UX

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Swift and fluid

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Fitness For All

Come on in

Signage & Corporate Collateral

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A strong and bold identity system developed for a fitness gym dedicated to their community, bringing an inclusive atmosphere to the Northern California area.

Brand Strategy