PLAYING GOLF NORTH, SOUTH, EAST & WEST

Their name suggests this band of golfers only play in the northern suburbs of Sydney, but the nomadicNorthern Social Golf Club travel to all points of the compass. Darling was invited to brand this fine club and we wanted to nod to the traditions of golf, as well as pay homage to the unique wandering nature of the club. We ended up giving them a few pointers. North, South to start with…

KEEPING NO. 1 NUMBER ONE

GBNC wanted to strengthen their support for the Master Brand and portfolio but not in the traditional splurge the corporate logo over everything way. They wanted something that would connect their communication in the bar, on premiums & through to the Gift Shop. We love NC!

ATTRACT THE RIGHT MINDS

As well as its academic record, how a university presents itself is hugely important to its ability to attract new students. To attract the freshest and brightest minds, the UNSW had to up its game in a highly competitive higher education market. Their strategy was to encourage their target audience to discover what’s possible – and take their skills somewhere new in the fields of quantum physics and build environment. The strategy was to be offered within the framework of each faculty specifically for each discipline.

Our approach was to create an ultra-modern new profile which conveyed the promise of a cutting-edge learning environment underscored by top level curricula in both. We positioned each faculty to its target audience, which then tied-back into the overall UNSW offer. The brightest student minds weren’t slow on the uptake either, with greatly increased applications for both courses.

JUST CRAZY MAN

Planet X crazy extreme sports brand for adrenaline filled thrill-seekers who crave heart-pounding adventures! Out-of-this-world products and events designed to take extreme sports to a whole new level.

LOVE YOUR MEAT

Branding and identity for radical new Mobile Slaughter Units promoting high quality ethically slaughtered meat straight from the farm gate to your local meat emporium.

TOUGHEN UP CUPCAKE

Just because you’re a big man doesn’t mean you can’t look after yourself. Made for tough skin with 100% Natural Ingredients, the Blossom Mob Eco-Skincare range is a hit with real men everywhere.

TOGETHER INTO THE FUTURE

Two great image making companies have combined their might to create one major entity. Both companies bring their own personalities, strong lineage, outstanding craft and can do attitude. So now they stand side-by-side ready to take on the world.

FOR THE LOVE OF FISH

So they say there are plenty more fish in the sea... great if you a love struck teenager but not so goash cafe with naming and identity in 2009... come 2016 and they have developed a large fleet of followers due to the ethical 'fight for the fish' stance and the delicious dishes created by celebrity chef, Tom Kime.

Fish&Co. are on the move to the new swizzy development at the Glebe Tramsheds and need an update to their branding in line with their flash new digs and expanded offer. We supplied an identity that is as simple as it is elegant, highlighting the sustainable 'line caught' philosophy, so everyone knows there are no nets involved in the catch (except on the blokes in the fish factory). The brand needed to stretch from takeaway and wet fish through to wine glasses and cutlery. With the Harold Park development right next door, everything is now in place for Fish&co to catch even more punters.

THE GOOD OIL

What happens when you fit classic cars with coffee and fashion: Krank. A brand for misfits and diehards who love the mystique of cars and coffee.

PUNK NEVER DIES

Well, they tried it just for once, found it alright for kicks, and now they’ve found out it’s a habit that sticks… say hello to the The Pizzcocks. 4 Pommie blokes covering all the punk classics in their own mixed up, loud and proud way. Never mind the bollocks, Sydney’s calling.

A LITTLE BIT OF BLACK MAGIC

Darling Brands were asked to extend the eco-sensitive values and promise from the original Blossom female brand into an evocative mens range. So we invented Black Blossom and we were able to keep the mystique and sensitivity whilst building very masculine cues into the range. And of course, we added a little magic of our own along the way.

SAILS CRAFT

GBNC asked us to look at a range of craft beers for their Havannah brand. Havannah was the name of the first European ship to visit New Caledonia and we wanted to continue this voyage of discovery but connect it to now. Darling focused on what the sailors found when they got there, the unique land, vegetation and lagoons… a tropical paradise. The diagonal stripe brings more strong nautical cues and makes for easy variant differentiation and a dynamic range of beers. Ah haa, cheers to that me hearty.

BACK TO BASICS

Fitness fanatics and those training hard need sustenance at the end of the day; really good, gut filling, nutritious sustenance. So when Cave Foods founders (Ben Moon, Stuart Gadenne and Daniel Barrett) were hungry after a particularly gruelling session, and couldn’t find anything they liked, they decided to make their own. And it was good. So good, they had to share, and so Cave Foods was born. You see real food isn’t just about squashing seeds and honey together – it’s about flavour, texture and balance. Because proper food is never boring.

There’s one more ingredient, however, to creating a successful paleo-inspired business, and that’s what happens at point-of-sale. Paleo foods have become one of the latest diet catchcries, but no one is differentiating on-shelf apart from the word “paleo”. We wanted to take things much further back than that. Hell, Cave Foods would have wrapped their bars in brown paper if the food authorities would let them. But, alas, no. So we stripped it all back to simple, shrink-wrapped packs where low tech earthy tones, hand drawn graphics, and non-uniformity were the end game. Real basic stuff, and our budding Neanderthal market snapped them up.

GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT

What better way to get men to step up to the plate and donate sperm than by offering them a challenge. A challenge to their bravado and manhood. Darling used humour and sport as a vehicle to reach the common man and gain some attention in a very conservative space. If you want men to act, you must cut through the noise, make it easy and make it fun. Reckon you’re up to it…?

AHEAD FOR LIFE

Developing an identity for a new Centre of Excellence at the UNSW focusing on early intervention and prevention in mental health and substance abuse.

BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOM

There is a little town called Wooton off the beaten track in NSW where a very special species of blossom lives. Her name is Monique and she is the founder and shining light behind Blossom Eco Skincare. Started originally to produce organic and chemical free skin care to use on her beautiful baby boy, Monique discovered that her concoctions had a far wider audience. Enter Darling, we helped distill the essence of Blossom and then developed an identity that is as strong as it is soft. Dovetailing in with Blossom's philosophy of only using glass we produced a simple yet unique range of skin care. Darling then activated the brand through markets and stalls with a POS system backed by a simple to use website. From a small beginning this is one brand that is definitely blossoming!

MILK COMES FROM COWS

Ask any Pacific Islander where milk comes from and they’ll tell you it’s from a tin. Sunny, the happy cow was developed to educate that milk does in fact, does come from cows. Now the Pacific can have their milk with a smile. 

BEER WITH SOUL

If there is beer in heaven, then Angelheart would be it. Brewed to be full of heart. And full of taste. This approach to craft brewing is simply devine.

LIVING THE VISION

They say that when you have lost one sense the others become heightened to compensate, giving the bearer extraordinary powers in other ways. That sounds less like a handicap and more like an opportunity. The Royal Blind Society wanted to point this out to their many members. They wanted to bring blindness out into the modern day, and shake off the stigmas of the past. To do this they need first to change the underlying attitude of those afflicted with blindness.

We helped them create a program of empowerment to give blind people energy, skills and tools to help minimise the impact of their condition – everything they need to live a happy life. These became the tools for blind people to create a better life with renewed enthusiasm, assisting them to dream, work and play. And in doing so, recover some of their self esteem, and extend their skills and capabilities.

MAKE MORE POSSIBLE

For Nestlé Professional, helping Australian chefs prepare delicious dishes in a fraction of the time is a priority. Nestle Professional understands that alongside creativity and expertise, budget management and operational efficiency are crucial to culinary success. Stocking MAGGI, Buitoni and Nestle Docello products in the pantry, chefs can rest assured knowing they have a reliable back up of quality products to alleviate pressure, meet customer demand, and maintain high standards.

We developed the ‘Accommodations Book’ and positioned these three brands as being the right ingredients for every element of the culinary business. Giving chefs a helping hand with all dishes, from flavoursome stocks to beautiful desserts, yet still allowing freedom to add their own style. With clean, crisp imagery of the fresh ingredients needed plus the product required to finalise a meal, to demonstrate the versatility, quality and ease of these brands.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Diabetes NSW wanted to brand their shop and add a broad appeal to a wider audience, other than just those who live with diabetes.

LIVE YOUR LIFE

Diabetes is surprisingly common in Australia. One in four adults has either diabetes or its precursor, Impaired Glucose Tolerance. On diagnosis, there’s a danger that the affected person will shutdown and basically give up on living, which is definitely not the best way to tackle the problem. Diabetes NSW want to turn this around, they want people to live their lives, get out there and do amazing things, have fun and get on with it. Appropriate medication is the best way to give each patient the best chance to slow the progression of their symptoms, or even stop it making a comeback, this also helps to change attitudes, and to promote health and wellbeing.

We were tasked with packaging this message to Australia’s 1.7 million people living with diabetes. Our “Live your Life” campaign was all about changing attitudes, helping sufferers manage their diabetes, and turn their perspective around so that they realise they still have a life to live. 

The language and imagery was all about encouragement and enthusiasm, as a reminder of what they can still enjoy. We focused on the individual not the organisation, with messages that carried empathy and energy for these challenged lives.

DESIGNING AND BUILDING A MASTER BRAND

Scully have long been experts in designing and creating spaces that excel in both form and function across parks, schools and councils. They have many moving pieces to their business, we helped tie them into the power brand that is Scully. More power to them.

SHAKE UP THE SHELVES

Why oh why are the wine shelves so lacking in energy and spark.... centred labels, classical serif type, and conservative attitudes, but that's the way things have always been in wine land. Not any more. Lone Stone was don't believe in any of that, they just want to make great wine from Aussie's best grapes... they don't even have a cellar door. This isn't a case of sour grapes, in fact quite the opposite. You see they develop wines from grapes sourced from the prime growing regions of Australia for that particular grape, from a good vintage and then use the mysterious arts of the winemaker to produce a range of beautiful, simple and accessible wines.

To go with this new age view of wine production, Lone Stone wanted to shake up the shelves a bit... Darling used simple organic shapes of individual stones combined with large amounts of negative white space to add disruption and distinction to the entire range. It was very important the range worked as a stand out group but was also instantly recognised when ranged as an individual bottle with other similar varietals on shelf. So drink up and enjoy Australia's best. Cheers. Cin Cin. Saluté. Down the hatch. Hic

TODAY’S THE DAY

Quality showcases for display should be impressive and visually appealing to attract customers and increase product visibility. And they should be easy to order, today.

KEEPING NO. 1 NUMBER ONE

Darling has been working on No.1 with GBNC New Caledonia since 2007 and have just finished our 3rd major rebrand project across the entire portfolio of master and sub-brands. This project was just too easy. The brand and product are so loved we knew we had to keep this leadership and trust by putting the brand first. Front and centre. By celebrating the one (even putting it on top of a pedestal) we were able to harness the core of the brand in a strong modern brand system. Oh so perfect, ah oui…

GIDDY UP GIRLS

Now the thoroughly modern young ladies of today have a drink all to themselves. Ponie is for girls, by girls and all about girls having a good time, males need not apply. This little wine spritzer comes in a cute little can with a taste developed to fit with their sweeter palette and positively sparkles with delight. After all, every girl grew up wanting a Ponie.

WITH YOU ALL THE WAY

The Disability Services Australia were about to undergo a major shake up. They were in great need of a positive attitude and a stronger sense of self before tackling the catalyst for change. They needed a new modern identity to show how their range of services track with disabled people every step of the way. It was clear they had to relaunch themselves under a banner of unity, with constant understanding as their mantra.

We helped them develop a new identity that showed unity, support and organisation. It was a fresh and positive new start for a government department that had been hampered in its genuine efforts by the legacy of an unimaginative government department. The results were all encompassing as the entire organisation united together, completely turning around the board members and cynical staff, and launching a modern outlook, relevant position, and sense of purpose under the new flag.

ALL SHIP SHAPE

Solomon Breweries’ Solbrew Lager has been the favourite restorative brew for the majority of islanders for nearly 22 years. Steeped in traditional values that came ashore on square riggers during the days of trading ships, they had plenty of heritage to work with. The beer inside the bottles was as good as it gets, but the currency of their branding had long since sailed. It was time to engage their loyal followers with a brand refresh that rekindled the spirit of what it means to be a Solomon Islander.

Our approach was to focus on the tall trading ships heritage which is symbolic of people coming from all corners of the world and bringing with them a great beer. The sun, sea and trade winds mean so much to the spirit of this island nation. However, rather than designing in the old world nautical style, we approached it in a fresher, more stylised way. The tall ship graphical representation has a bright, modern design, which embodies the paradisiacal island lifestyle and reconnects profoundly with the locals’ sense of nationhood.

WESTWAY, THE GLITTER AND THE SLUMS

These Sticky Fingers lads are brilliant performers and master entertainers. Not to mention just a wee bit off piste.. but hey this is Rock and Roll. STI FI were launching their 3rd album and wanted to get some real earthiness and flavour to the cover. Using their own stained glass window from down their local we collaborated with the folks at Electric Art to produce a darkly humourous album cover featuring legendary celebrity - Jimmy the Hand. The cover has cues of Ziggy Stardust and brings the bands fun loving personality and kooky characters to the fore.

SOUND YOU CAN SEE

What happens when you form a brand from five of the brightest minds from the rarified land of audiophile design. A partnership that designs speakers so beautiful and sound so pure you can see it. 

HELPING SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF PARKINSON'S

Bringing the mystery of Parkinson's out into the open with the chance to become a character in the next in Michael Robotham next crime thriller… matching wits with famous Parkinson's sufferer and clinical physcologist Professor Joe O’Loughlin.

MAKING AN IMPACT WITH STONE

Scully Stone offers a high quality range of stone products designed and engineered to provide safe daily life and peace of mind in our communities. Darling had to use tiny replica stone models and place them in real situations to show strength and versatility. Scully Stone makes an architectural statement and offers a beautiful, yet functional answer to a very modern problem.

BANG THE DRUM

South Pacific Breweries wanted to add a down-to-earth price fighting beer to their portfolio. Using their native drum certainly gave them a nationally unifying symbol and something solid to bang on about.

THE PEOPLE’S BEER

It was only a few short years ago that Canoe Lager was introduced to the Solomon Islands. It quickly became the favourite with the locals across the islands. Because of this amazing uptake Solomon Breweries wanted to extend the range and reposition the original lager beer as ‘Canoe Lager Classic’. Darling developed an honest family of beers that can comfortably live together in the tropics.

IT'S GAME ON!

Anyone who’s ever been at a live game at the SCG or Alliance Stadium, will know how much better it is being there over watching it on TV. It’s not even in the same ball park. There’s energy coursing through the crowd, a sense of togetherness, punctuated by hair-bristling euphoria whenever the action peaks. No 60-inch TV in a dimly lit lounge room will ever top that. However, people are funny things, and sometimes we forget the whole point of being there. Which is why the Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust have recently been watching ticket sales slipping.

To turn the game around, we created a completely new strategy for them to encourage punters to “Get in the Game”, with highly recognisable sports celebrities bursting from 3D outdoor posters. It was a huge draw card for dyed-in-the-wool sports fans, demonstrating closeness to the game, and boosting their patronage at Sydney’s iconic SGC and SFS sporting arenas. #winning

IT'S OUR BEER

For over 60 years SP Lager has been Papua New Guinea’s preferential coolant. It’s the beer locals have when they’re sharing good times, relaxing with their mates, fishing or getting ready for a night out. In fact, they didn’t need much cause celebrate to crack the top off this particular tipple, until recently when sales began to soften. SP Brewery decided the time had come to rejuvenate its most popular brand and re-engage its once loyal punters.

We discovered that while the beer was slipping in sales, the connection for the locals to SP Breweries was as strong as ever in their hearts and minds. So, we made the SP letters and palm tree graphic feature boldly on a powerfully contrasting and highly simplified yellow and green design. On shelf it stood out like the proverbial, announcing proudly that this is “Our Beer”. And the locals agreed, rushing back to their favourite beer like a homesick wanderer, firmly re-establishing it as their first choice after a hard day’s work.

SERIOUSLY GOOD COFFEE

If you want to test your bravado, try launching a new coffee onto the market. It’s already at mega-saturation point, so you’d better be different about it. You have to stand out like the proverbial and really make a difference to an evermore sophisticated customer. George Sabados is just such an Australian. He’s a true coffee industry guru who wanted us to develop a brand that brought all his experience, knowledge, global search for great beans and fab roasting techniques to the fore – with a little twist.

We developed a brand that directly conveyed all the mysterious methods and components that go into roasting a coffee bean with greatness. But most importantly, we brought to the front the ‘alchemy’ that comes from blending just the right amount of Arabica with the right amount of Robusta, combined with just a hint of the uber-expensive Papua New Guinean “poo poo” bean. Yes, coffee beans loving consumed and then excreted by wild Civet cats. We’re not joking. Which George crawled across miles of bushland to buy from the grower. The lengths we go to bring you the best coffee? Seriously.

LEADING THE FUTURE

Name, brand and identity development for a lead generation company based on using personal data to provide incredibly accurate and targeted experiences.

CONSISTENTLY UNEXPECTED

CGI, or computer generated imagery has been around since the early nineties, but few have attained the same heights of perfection as Electric Art. With the advent of ever more powerful computing, the line between a photo and what can be generated in a computer has well and truly merged. EA are global asset creative leaders in the field of producing starkly realistic images and video of just about anything, before it’s even been made. Not only that, they can integrate the object into any landscape so convincingly you’d swear it was real.

As if EA didn’t have image creation down pat, we helped them frame their own into a new corporate design for them to project themselves to all manner of industries who could use their skills. We created a new identity based simply on demonstrating the creativity and rigour behind what they do. Their new energised profile has picked up strong representation in the USA due to its relevant and modern look.

HOME IS WHERE THE BEER IS

GBNC/ Heineken in New Caledonia wanted to open a range of bottle shops that celebrate their legendary founder, Freddy Heineken. So, you are always welcome at Chez Freddy’s.

STEAM PUNK DONE TO A TEA

Fancy tea from packaging with pretty flowers and rolling fields? Come on, please. What do you have to do to get a decent cuppa these days? That’s the question that popped into Dr T’s rather less frilly mind, moments before he hatched the idea of Dr T, the original steam-punk tea. Do away with the poppycock, and give us a range of brash and bold teas so we know what we’re getting – a good, honest, restorative cup.

We love a category busting opportunity like that, so we developed an entirely new range under the hard-edged yet wholesome steam-punk framework. Lending from a bygone era when great industrial inventions of steam-driven wonderfulness could manage almost any human endeavour, this graphic style has lent a solid, trustworthy profile to seriously well sourced and expertly blended teas. Dr T tea is now gaining traction in cafes and tea houses across NSW. Splendid!

Helping the light shine brighter

Redlands is an inclusive, real world, coeducational environment, where girls and boys can shine their brightest. Darling was asked to help channel this light throughout the Redlands brand and communication materials to provide a cohesive platform and an energetic visual identity. Problem solved.