Permaculture Research Institute—Cold Climate

The Permaculture Research Institute—Cold Climate wanted to reach out to a broader audience, however much of the terminology used by the organization was difficult to translate to the general public, and it was only well understood by those already steeped in the permaculture lifestyle. Additionally, PRI-Cold Climate had a wide variety of program offerings.  Trying to encompass the flavor and goals of each program was complicated, and the communications of organization were being bogged down by the sheer volume of information. 

Celadonna led PRI-Cold Climate through an intense Strategic Branding Session, helping them understand their internal strengths as an organization.  We also helped them identify and understand the nuances of each individual program.  Then the findings were summarized, and appropriate tools—like a brand wheel, key words summary, and communications guide—were developed.  These materials could be referenced whenever the organization created any marketing materials, thus allowing for a greater sense of consistency throughout their communications.

Additionally, PRI—Cold Climate was getting ready to launch its first design competition, and they asked Celadonna to help them come up with the competition’s name.  The entrants would be designing systems for growing melons in urban environments and tight spaces.  The client was promised three concepts, but this assignment was so much fun they received six inventive options. 

In the end, the client chose “Trellis About It!”—a fun play on words that offered a lot of design flexibility.  On Celadonna’s suggestion PRI—Cold Climate’s designer utilized fun, organic lines of the vines as graphic elements for the poster and postcard.