Principal/Chief Creative Officer Michael Jager has revealed the new identity of the evolution of Jager Di Paola Kemp Design. The company, which reconfigured in late 2013, is now Solidarity of Unbridled Labour. Solidarity represents the unity of a focused group of design professionals who, along with clients, create a cohesive partnership that nurtures ideas and collaboratively builds better brands internationally. Unbridled perfectly captures the act of breaking free from the traditional marketing frameworks and constraints that limit creativity, in addition to acknowledging 30 years in the making, the vast unbridled network of talent of the Solidarity collaborators. Labour acknowledges the passion, energy and intention that the team and its client collaborators pour into what they create. The word honors the "makers" passion that brings the work to life and drives meaningful results.
One of JDK's founders, David Kemp, left the firm last year. The legendary graphic design firm had shrunk in size in recent years. Kemp's break with the firm, which according to Seven Days was terse, was not revealed. None of the principals said why the firm, formed in the 1980s, had split up (SEE STORY). They had worked with famous clients (Burton, Magic Hat, Seventh Generation, Merrell, Patagonia, Nike, Pepsi, Segway, Microsoft’s Xbox), but the firm had been honed from about 125 employees in its heyday to around 15. Its work space had been reduced with it. Their new direction was first announced in December 2013 and now the new SOL has made public its new direction.
The New Design
A new logo, a simple black square, represents infinite possibilities. The black square will be complemented with contrasting color blocks that will appear on other Solidarity design communications. The color blocks are inspired by Josef Albers, an artist whose ideas formed the basis of some of the most influential and far-reaching art-education programs. Albers’ teachings and theories regarding the effects a color can have on the color next to it ignited and influenced a generation of artists.
Solidarity of Unbridled Labour’s new identity was effective September 1, 2014, Labor Day. The firm will celebrate the new identity with an open house during Vermont Design Week, September 22-26, sponsored by the Vermont Chapter of AIGA.
Solidarity of Unbridled Labour conceptualizes and realizes ideas that help guide and create culture and positive change within it. Led by the deeply held belief that brands are living things, they collaborate with progressively mindful companies and their leaders to bring strategically informed design across all platforms. The Living Brand® continues as the strategic process, used to identify insights that balance rational, emotional, and cultural dimensions and create authentic engagement with audiences everywhere.
“The changes over the last year have led us on an incredible path of productivity and discovery—we’re in a place now where we are creating meaningful design and working well together as a core team. We are proud of the evolution after complex changes in the economy, changes in partnerships, and the self-discovery process of deciding what areas we want to focus our design and creativity on. Our nearly 30 years as an evolving design practice positions us uniquely as a bespoke brand-design source. We’ve been highly tuned-in to being part of shaping the rising creative economy,” says Michael Jager.
The New Space
Now located on the lower level of 47 Maple Street, Solidarity of Unbridled Labour has built out a distinctive design office. At the core of the space is a thirty-foot, shared worktable that serves as the platform for, or life force of, the firm. The open space, with no sign of walls or cubicles, facilitates idea exchange and fosters collaboration. Conference rooms and tucked-away meeting nooks meet the need for quiet work or creative sessions, but they are secondary to the heart of the project. This modern yet utilitarian approach naturally promotes efficiency and maximizes interactions with coworkers.
“We believe we’ve truly gotten the ‘scale’ right for a stealth team to work optimally, side by side. We’ve become more efficient, more transparent, and more responsive to our clients. Our team is untethered and the flow of energy is multiplied and contagious,” says Christine Dodson, Managing Director. “Human connection and collaboration is what fuels the emerging creative economy.”
The building at 47 Maple Street has flourished since its transformation into the Karma Bird House, a concept created by Solidarity of Unbridled Labour, a place for business entrepreneurs and creatives to land, work, gather, network, and launch ideas. Small to mid-size private offices and open, comfortable common spaces house a unique culture of creativity and networked businesses. The Karma Bird House supports Vermont’s creative community and economy with more than 45,000 square feet of energizing space on Burlington’s waterfront. Maglianero Café is conveniently located on ground level, with Counter Culture coffee, tea, local foods and pastries, and access to a community of passionate and progressive people. The beautifully restored historic industrial building, built in 1916, continues to house other Jager Design Projects as well, such as Mamava, Iskra Print Collective, The Karma Bird House Gallery, and more.
Solidarity of Unbridled Labour’s says its passionate core team of highly experienced designers, strategists, planners, writers, thinkers, and makers engages with a highly connected network of multidisciplinary friends and collaborators for truly effective brand design and communication. According to the firm, its focus on advertising, branding, environments, graphics, interactive, packaging, and print ensures meaningful design distinction. The team’s collaborations have created positive results for large and small companies internationally for almost three decades. Engagements include Burton Snowboards, Xbox/Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Ben and Jerry’s, Levi’s, Patagonia, 1% for the Planet, MTV, Viacom, Virgin Mobile, LucasArts, Seventh Generation, New York Comic Con, Alchemy and Science, Lululemon, and others.
Solidarity of Unbridled Labour remains based in Burlington and employs a highly experienced group of 15 strategists, designers, writers, and client-relations professionals in an environment energized by insight and imagination.solidarityofunbridledlabour.com.
Burlington, VT (September 2, 2014) — SOL