Awamoritime
Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away a beverage was born from exotic ingredients. Introducing Awamori to North American audiences as a versatile alternative to Sake, and Okinawa as a unique and special destination within Japan were the key requirements of the brief.
The Inspiration
Okinawa is one of the planet's so-called "blue zones" where people regularly live to a very advanced age.
Brand Identity
The brand's icon is a custom-designed Shisa dragon symbol that draws directly from the Okinawan folklore.
Storytelling
Web & Digital
Ottolinger + Kannaswiss
In another first, we created a Swiss premium CBD-infused lipstick for an exciting Ottolinger + Kannaswiss collaboration. Launching at Paris Fashion Week this fall during the Ottolinger SS 20 collection show, the long-wearing silky satin lipstick comes in Sakura Sunset and is inspired by the post-apocalyptic punk heroine Tank Girl.
Maison Te Mata
A complete, unisex clean beauty line from LA. For modern nomads. Stay tuned for launch in 2020!
Infiniti
Celebrated chef and personality, Chef Roblé Ali, invites us into his process when navigating the preparation and execution of a specialized meal. By utilizing both his expertise and a powerful resource, the Infiniti QX50, he is able to achieve the ultimate experience in taste and presentation.
This multiple agency collaboration for Infiniti and UrbanDaddy was directed, edited, and produced by our own Ryan Smith.
Mastercard
Mastercard - Commerce for Every Device
The more connected the world becomes, the easier it should be to connect with what matters most. Mastercard continues to innovate secure and seamless digital solutions across devices to meet your everyday needs.
Directed/Edited by our own Ryan Smith
Honest Tea
Honest Team launched The Great Recycle in New York’s Times Square with the goal of helping to boost national recycling rates. The experiential tour has since visited 20 states and recycled more than 540,000 beverage containers. Ryan Smith directed and produced a series of videos for the event, including the brand storytelling through a stop-animation journey of a bottle through its recycling lifecycle and coverage of the event itself.
CAVA
Together with Peter Hapstak of HD+ we forged a unique identity for this hyper successful fast casual dining brand from suburban Maryland presently taking over the nation.
Ryan Smith was the creative director and producer behind their first piece of video storytelling CAVA: A Culture, Not A Concept.
Sustainability goals are reflected as essential to operations.
Brand messaging embedded.
A customer-friendly ordering process.
Another Cava has been opened to the delight of many.
CHOPT
What had once been one of the most creative salad companies in the world and then lost their focus became whole again after their spiritual and visual face-lift. We brought back the wanderlust and “transportability” as expressions of the brand and the rational foundation on which to both simplify and expand their offering.
Revised logotype absorbed the 90’s throwback runaway chopper with the device user in mind.
A revised manifesto to advertise a renewed commitment to innovation.
Storytelling begins at the doorstep with a map of suppliers local to a given store.
Modular digital menu system that integrates with POS and brand website.
A prototype of an RFID-enabled reusable bowl.
sweetgreen
Sweetgreen brand story video
The spring from whence it all sprung… we did their original brand identity, retail design (in collaboration with CORE Architecture & Design), digital and visual storytelling for several years to prepare Sweetgreen for national expansion. The videos including “meet the farmer” series, sweetlife sessions, sweetlife festival branding + doc, and individual digital releases were directed + produced by our own Ryan Smith.
Sweetpress introductory campaign video.
Sweetlife music and food festival full length documentary.