News.

RSM Design has been working with an international team of developers, designers and consultants on the re-development concepts for a progressive urban mixed-use neighborhood in downtown Honolulu. It is conceived to be a community-driven urban outdoor environment that combines artists lofts, local retail and boutique shops, unique markets and other uses intertwined with urban parks, gardens and plazas.

The goal of this creative development has been to provide a destination geared for locals to grow and thrive in their education, careers and lifestyle while embracing both their cultural Hawaiian heritage and the opportunities of the future. Artist communities, active lifestyle and sustainable practices all come together to fuel local Hawaiian culture.

To kick start the process, RSM researched, created and implemented street art installations inspired by local surf spots to enhance the familiarity and inviting place-making experience. The use of stencil street art in the graphic create a textural, versatile, urban and integrated visual uniqueness to the project that celebrates the culture and creativity of the area.

RSM Design joined the design and development team from Portugal based Sonae Sierra at the grand opening of their latest collaboration – Manaura Shopping, located deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle. Lying on the north bank of the Rio Negro in Manaus this exciting shopping destination has become the latest tourist and locals destination for the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil.

RSM Design created a multi-faceted array of signage, graphics, and the logo that was inspired by the textures, colors, and patterns of the local culture, regional flora and fauna, and of course the mighty adjacent river. Local artisans were retained to create unique art installations and ensure that the graphics family felt at home within the surrounding community.  Sustainable methods and materials were used throughout in respect of this area as a popular eco-tourist destination.

Congratulations to Sonae Sierra on another extraordinary project and successful opening!

RSM Design was excited to see seven international projects that we completed the identity and graphics program on featured in an exciting new publication: 21st Century Retail Centers: Context, Culture and Community by Ron A. Altoon. Looking at the shopping center from an architect’s viewpoint, Mr. Altoon discusses how the design of the most successful centers reflects the values and culture of the communities in which they exist.  

Additionally, two projects with RSM graphics, Waikiki Beachwalk in Honolulu and Lalaport Toyosu in Tokyo, were among the winning entries in the latest ICSC International Design and Development Awards.  The two are recognized with awards and featured in Winning Shopping Center Designs.

Check out both books at www.icsc.org/cgi/bookpubhome

RSM Design’s graphics and sign designs for The Fountains at Roseville were recently recognized with an honorable mention award in the latest Signs of the Times 2009 International Sign Contest. RSM was proud to be a part of the branding and signage program for the Sacramento, CA area’s first lifestyle center. Signs of the Times magazine has been the leading source of sign industry news, technical information, and in-depth analysis since 1906.

This week RSM University was led by senior designer “Professor” DJ Thomas on useful tools in Adobe Illustrator. Yes, our team is already expert at this program, however DJ started designing on the original version of Illustrator (for all of you youngsters, this was way back in 1988) and thought he would share his extensive knowledge on some original tools that may get overlooked due to advancements in the program over the years. All-in-all it was a fun round of team learning and will make us even more efficient in our work practices in the future. Thanks DJ for the dose of enlightenment!

FYI – In his spare time, DJ is a professor at Palomar College and has taught Typography Design for the last 9 years.