Mazzarello Media And Arts: Feed

Appreciating Differences

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:36:00 GMT

I find myself drawn to both extremely structured and very organic imagery. The simplicity of Scandinavian design or edgy (but thoughtful) graffiti can catch my eye. A perfectly formed tulip or a charming meadow of wildflowers are equally enchanting.

City or country, gourmet restaurant or food truck, wine or beer...there is beauty in opposites and differences. A balance in life comes from appreciating what is both on your left and your right. If design was always structured and perfect, it would be stifling. But if all we had was chaotic and unstructured designs, it would leave us feeling unsettled. So we look for a middle ground with our work.

Here are desktop wallpapers for your personal enjoyment. We hope you appreciate the differences.

New Website Client - Kaz & Associates

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:31:00 GMT

We are very excited to announce that we have been contracted by Environmental Services company, Kaz & Associates, to design their new website.

With over 30 years of experience in the field of air, land and water quality compliance, Kaz & Associates provide their clients with the information and tools necessary to make educated, cost effective decisions regarding regulatory compliance.

What really drew us to them is that they maintain business practices that respect, preserve and enhance the environment ensuring that their clients remain in compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations for the benefit of present and future generations.

New Client - Alameda County

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:46:00 GMT

We are excited to announce we are working with Alameda County Public Health Department. We have been tasked with branding the Realignment Innovation Fund (RIF).

This past fall, the Alameda County Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee allocated $1 million in AB 109 funds to a newly created Realignment Innovations Fund – RIF. This fund is intended to support community-based approaches to supporting successful re-entry and reducing recidivism. The Place Matters Criminal Justice team coordinating this grant-making process, including convening stakeholders to define the funding priorities, solicit and review grant proposals, and make funding recommendations. Alameda County’s goals for Realignment, as expressed in Alameda County’s Realignment Plan, are aligned with Place Matters’ Criminal Justice goals of decreasing recidivism and supporting successful re-entry and sentencing alternatives, and coordinating RIF is a step toward supporting Alameda County’s efforts to reach our goals

AB 109

In 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 109 and AB 117, historic legislation that has helped enable California to close the revolving door of low-level inmates cycling in and out of state prisons. It is the cornerstone of California’s solution for reducing the number of inmates in the state’s 33 prison to 137.5 percent of design capacity by June 27, 2013, as ordered by the Three-Judge Court and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In November 2012, California voters approved Governor Brown’s Proposition 30 which created a constitutional amendment that protected ongoing funding to the counties for Realignment. The amendment prohibits the Legislature from reducing or removing funding to the counties. Learn more

Realignment Innovations Fund

Realignment Innovations Fund (RIF) grants fund innovative, community-based projects that reduce adult recidivism in Alameda County. RIF grants are not designed to support existing or ongoing programs or services. They are grants meant to serve as incubation funds for creative projects that will improve service delivery and strategies in the field of reentry.

The Realignment Innovations Fund is supported by Public Safety Realignment dollars (AB109). The Alameda County Place Matters Criminal Justice Team is coordinating this grant-making process, and will convene key stakeholders to define the funding priorities, solicit and review grant proposals, and make funding recommendations.

Learn more about the Realignment Innovation Fund

Vintage Graphics

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:55:00 GMT

This weekend we went to the Alameda Point Antiques Fair. Besides having one of the best view of the San Fracnsico Bay Area, the Alameda Point Antiques Faire is the largest antiques show in Northern California. Held on the 1st Sunday of every month, the Faire boasts over 800 Dealer booths. All items are 20 years old or older.

We fell in love with some awesome large-scale vintage graphics from the late 1970s. They have recently come out of storage and brought to life by Michael Cahn, who bought the entire collection from San Rafael-based company, Graphilia.

Graphilia (Vintage Graphics) From the designer circa 1970: Graphilia textiles are a new concept in interior design. Bold designs have been individually serigraphed on fabric to create a series of dramatic wall hangings. They may be used individually or grouped to provide a strong visual focus for any interior. They may also be used to coordinate various styles of furnishings. Used in a sparsely furnished room, they add a feeling of completeness. Each design is professionally stretched on a sturdy pine frame and ready to hang. All colors are matched and approved by the original designer before reproduction. The colors are heat set and permanent, and an application of Scotchgard to each reproduction makes it easy to clean and maintain. Available from Vintage Graphics

We walked away with three amazing designs and hung them up immediately. See below.

New Website - Diggity Dog

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:03:00 GMT

Several months ago we were hired by business owner, Donna Milich of Hot Diggity Dog Walking, to upgrade her branding and website. She was changing her company name and wanted a new image to reflect the professionalism of her company. We knew we had to knock it out of the park for her. Afterall she has 40 5-star ratings on Yelp! See below for logo, business cards and website.

Check out our new website luanch for San Francisco based dog walking and pet sitting company, Diggity Dog. (See the original website below.) Special thanks for our new favorite CMS created by our new friends at Gutensite in Walnut Creek.

We are especially proud of the adorable illustrations of Bay Area skylines. There are 3 in total and load randomly on each page. Can you guess which regions of the Bay Area we represented?

http://www.diggitydog.com

New Client- GroupBookers

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:52:00 GMT

We are excited to announce are have been hired to work with GroupBookers to redesign the interface of their online tool! They are moving into the next phase of the company and asked for our expertise in user interface design and user experience.

Founded in 2011, GroupBookers is a simple and efficient way to find the perfect hotel for groups that require 10 or more rooms. Their site allows you to effortlessly find, research and book hotel rooms and meeting space. No more searching the web or calling multiple hotels for info and rates not found online. With their user-friendly interface, dependable white-glove service and the lowest rates guaranteed, GroupBookers is all that planners need for easy, breezy group planning.

Plus, GroupBookers is an Oakland-based company run by husband and wife team Edwin Salgado and Nancy Chen-Salgado!

Make Fair Trade Local

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:27:00 GMT

Mazzarello Media & Arts is a key corporate sponsor for the fair trade event of the year in the East Bay! We invite you to join us this March. You can get tickets on Eventbrite. The Project Peace Speaker Series is proud to host Paul Rice, President & CEO of Fair Trade USA, for a night of information, inspiration, and action. No matter who you are, you can make a difference with one of the great movements of our time.

Keynote address by Paul Rice Panel discussion with Paul Rice of Fair Trade USA, Betty Ann Boeving of BAATC, Nathan George of Trade As One, and Steve Wright of Grameen Foundation Representatives from fair trade organizations Fair-trade bazaar including food and handicrafts.

"Make Fair Trade Local: Connecting the Global Community" is Saturday, March 16, 2013, 7:00-9:30pm.

Current participating organizations

Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade Town - Berkeley
Fair Trade University - Cal
Hub Oakland
Hae Now
Trade As One
Revive Drinks
Slavery Footprint
Senda Athletics
Frustrated Farm Girl
Mazzarello Media & Arts
Matt Beardsly Photography
TCHO
Alter Eco
Red Window
IJM
IJM Cal
Samaritana
Rebbl Tea
Not For Sale
Not For Sale- Cal Chapter
Freedom House
BAATC
3 Strands Global
Freedom and Fashion
Love Never Fails
New Day for Children
Human Condition
Traditional Medicinals
Equator Coffees
La Yappa
Numi Teas
The Moon
The Sold Project
Catracha Coffee
Indigenous Designs

Golden Gate Bridge

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:32:00 GMT

Last November we created a poster of the Golden Gate Bridge to celebrate 75 years of history (1937-2012).

This year for my birthday we walked south across the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Baker to the Presidio. Along the walk we joined hundreds of tourists from around the globe as we gazed upwards at the towers and looked east to Oakland and Berkeley and west to the Pacific Ocean. These wallpapers are from the photography we shot while walking.

We hope this will inspire you to appreciate the icons of your geographic region as well as a reminder to look up and appreciate a new point of view.

Each wallpaper below includes a stanza from the poem, The Mighty Task, by Joseph P. Strauss, Chief Engineer, Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District.

The Mighty Task is Done

Written upon completion of the building of the Bridge in May 1937, by Joseph P. Strauss, Chief Engineer, Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District.

At last the mighty task is done;
Resplendent in the western sun
The Bridge looms mountain high;
Its titan piers grip ocean floor,
Its great steel arms link shore with shore,
Its towers pierce the sky.

On its broad decks in rightful pride,
The world in swift parade shall ride,
Throughout all time to be;
Beneath, fleet ships from every port,
Vast landlocked bay, historic fort,
And dwarfing all--the sea.

To north, the Redwood Empire's gates;
'To south, a happy playground waits,
in Rapturous appeal;
Here nature, free since time began,
Yields to the restless moods of man,
Accepts his bonds of steel.

Launched midst a thousand hopes and fears,
Damned by a thousand hostile sneers,
Yet ne'er its course was stayed,
But ask of those who met the foe
Who stood alone when faith was low,
Ask them the price they paid.

Ask of the steel, each strut and wire,
Ask of the searching, purging fire,
That marked their natal hour;
Ask of the mind, the hand, the heart,
Ask of each single, stalwart part,
What gave it force and power.

An Honored cause and nobly fought
And that which they so bravely wrought,
Now glorifies their deed,
No selfish urge shall stain its life,
Nor envy, greed, intrigue, nor strife,
Nor false, ignoble creed.

High overhead its lights shall gleam,
Far, far below life's restless stream,
Unceasingly shall flow;
For this was spun its lithe fine form,
To fear not war, nor time, nor storm,
For Fate had meant it so.

Fulfill Your Potential

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:20:00 GMT

I saw this really great quote from Bay Area billionaire and activist Tom Steyer (the guy behind Prop 39 last year). His thoughts summarize so many amazing clients of ours here in California. Our clients are constantly "creating something new to solve the problem and change the world" in their own way.

The dream of California is that you can come here and fulfill your potential...This is your chance.

When I point out that California is often maligned by outsiders as a bastion of governmental and budgetary dysfunction (not to mention the stomping ground of the loony left), he retorts, “I like to say to them, ‘Where are the great companies that you’ve produced in the past 20 years? If you guys are so realistic and mature, name the great companies you’ve produced. Because I’ll name you 10!’” Achievement here, he says, “usually involves a small number of people going off by themselves and creating something new to solve the problem and change the world. That’s how great things are done, not by joining a high-quality professional institution and working your way up.

Quote from San Francisco Magazine' story "Wall Street Superman to the Rescue: Hedge-fund billionaire Tom Steyer is succeeding where other richer-than-thous have failed: winning elections with an MBA mentality."

New Client - Best Babies Zone

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:47:00 GMT

Stephanie and I are excited to announce that will be branding the Best Babies Zone (BBZ) Initiative. Our goal is to enhance the efforts of Best Babies Zone by creating a Brand Identity, Branding guidelines, Business cards, Presentation slide template, Tradeshow banner, and Website.

The vision for BBZ is that "all babies are born healthy, into communities that enable them to thrive and reach their full potential." The mission is "to give every baby born in a Best Babies Zone the best chance in life."

What an amzing project for us to work on and get behind! Especially since my mother has worked as a Lamaze teacher since I was a boy. In fact my mom taught classes right out of my childhood home for years!

We have the honor of working along side professors from UC Berkeley School of Public Health. The School of Public Health was awarded a 2.75 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to implement a three-year pilot initiative aimed at improving birth outcomes for infants in several U.S. cities.

"According to the March of Dimes, every year, more than half a million babies are born prematurely in the United States. The country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years, and racial disparities in premature births are a growing concern. Prematurity is one of the leading causes of infant death in the United States. The BBZ Initiative will address issues at the community level that lead to prematurity and other adverse birth outcomes." - B erkeley Health Online

The UC Berkeley School of Public Health will serve as the lead agency for the BBZ Initiative. In addition to community, academic and public health partners including Alameda County/Oakland and a consortium of organizations will collaborate to develop and support the project.

"Major national partners include the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP), CityMatCH, and National Healthy Start Association, with the evaluation design led by MassGeneral Hospital for Children. The BBZ work will be conducted under the coordinated efforts of a team of expert consultants, as well as national and local advisory boards." - Berkeley Health Online

Winter Thursdays at 25th Street Galleries

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:04:00 GMT

We love Oakland and we love art. So that means that seeing art in Oakland is a awesome evening for us. What is even better is when your client is being showcased. 25th street is an awesome creative hive. There are some of our favorite galleries there like Vessel, Mercury20 and my junior high art teacher's gallery, Manna. Also our new client The Moon, will be open on February 28. So if you have missed Saturday Stroll, and want to avoid the crowds on First Fridays, then come out on a Thursday this winter!

DATES: January 24, February 28, March 28

TIME: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

More than a dozen creative spaces located on the block of 25th street between Telegraph and Broadway will be open one Thursday evening a month on January 24th, February 28, and March 28.

Galleries open 6-8pm, including Vessel, Oakopolis, FM, Mercury20, Manna, PHOTO, SLATE, and Roscoe Ceramics Gallery
Local fashion at Zero Friends, Myrhhia Fine Knitwear, and The Moon
Live Acoustic Music at 25th Street Collective, 7-9pm
Two Mile Wines open until 10pm.
Perfect for people who want a more relaxing alternative to First Friday

http://oaklandartmurmur.org/events/art-on-25th-st-winter-thursdays-2013-02-28/

New Client - FocalShift

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:20:00 GMT

Stephanie and I are excited to announce that the software development duo at FocalShift, Terry Tucker and Bennett Smith, hired Mazzarello Media & Arts to craft their new brand identity, business cards and website.

Both Terry and Bennett, with deep roots going back decades, evolved with the software industry as it shared the success of the personal computer and the resulting explosion of desktop software. This was followed closely by the wave of internet technologies, but in 2007 there was a revolution. An amazing new device, called the iPhone, powered by a unique user experience, captured the attention of thousands of developers, including us. It changed the course of their careers and resulted in the creation of their company, FocalShift, to shift focus to iPhone, iPad, and iOS.

We can't wait to get started in 2013!

More from Germany, Austria and Prague

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:20:00 GMT

This autumn we traveled to Europe for our inspiration trip. This year's forcus was on Germany, Austria and a side trip to Czech Republic. We had an amazing time in Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Langenlois, Linz, and Munich. I hope you enjoy our travel stories and tips in our Things We Like section of our website.

Below are a few more moments we captured on the trip and we want to share them with you as desktop wallpapers. I hope they inspire you as they inspired us. Feel free to use as wallpaper for your iPad, iPhone or desktops.

Berlin, Germany

Berliner Fernsehturm

Berlin East Wall Gallery

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Sunset over the Vltava River

Vienna, Austria

Vienna Park at Sunset

Vienna Stephansdom

Vienna Metro

Langenlois, Austria

LOISUM Wine & Spa Resort

Linz, Austria

Linz Ars Electronica Center

Linz Church Windows

Munich, Germany

Munich Church Interior

Munich Olympiapark

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:17:00 GMT

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Mazzarello Media & Arts!

Please enjoy this desktop wallpaper for your personal use. May it brighten your home or workplace!

Download wallpaper 2560x1440

Go back in time and donwload the desktop wallpapers from 2010 (1900x1200)!

http://www.mazzarello.com/connect/details/li/Very-Merry/

http://www.mazzarello.com/connect/details/li/Merry-Christmas-and-Happy-New-Year/

Oakland Unite - Case Study

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:54:00 GMT

Getting Started

The Oakland Unite branding process began in autumn of 2011 when the Department of Human Services selected Mazzarello Media and Arts, an Oakland graphic design studio, to rename and rebrand Measure Y, a violence prevention program administered through the Oakland Department of Human Services.

The goal was to enhance the efforts of Measure Y in the greater Oakland community by renaming the program and creating a new logo that reflects its current work and future aspirations.

We wanted to leverage Measure Y’s assets, attributes, and advantages while reflecting the vision and core values and elevate the visibility and reputation of Measure Y to key audiences:

Current and future grant recipients
Communities Measure Y serves
Oakland citizens unaware of past and current efforts
Politicians

Survey

Before we began we knew we wanted to hear from grantees of the program. We created a multipart survey that went out to grant recipients of Measure Y and asked questions like:

We want to know what messages will help attract clients to participate and stay involved in our violence prevention activities. Which messages or aspects of Measure Y's work appeal to your clients?
What shortcomings exist with the current name "Measure Y"?
What changes in the logo, name and brand of Measure Y would help you achieve your goals better?
What words or ideas might you want to include in Measure Y's new name and slogan?
Which parts of Measure Y's CURRENT brand and logo do your CLIENTS really like or dislike?
What three words would your clients use to describe Measure Y's mission and work?

Brainstorming

After gathering and reflecting on the data, Mazzarello Media and Arts was asked to lead a brainstorming session (March 2012) in with several Department of Human Services staff members, city officials, grantees of the program, and even members of the community positively affected by the programs.

Honing the Message

Later, Mazzarello Media and Arts presented over 40 name ideas and 20 tagline concepts. We went through several rounds of edits and in the beginning of May the final name and tagline was selected, Oakland Unite: One City, Once Peace, One Future.

Designing the Logo

Then came the design phase:

Typography development
3 design themes
3-5 variations per theme
2 rounds of design revisions
Color palette development
Color revisions

Once the logo was decided upon we finalized the colors in July 2012 and crafted a branding guide completed September 2012 to ensure our efforts would have standards that could be followed in future collateral pieces by both the City of Oakland and the grantees.

New Client - The Moon

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:34:00 GMT

We are happy to announce that we will be working on a new e-commerce website for the very talented and thoughtful creative team from the "slow fashion" company, The Moon, in Oakland, CA. You may have run into them during Art Murmur's First Friday or Saturday Stroll on 25th Street, just east of Vessel and just west of Bicycle Coffee.

Cory and Cassidy are Bay Area natives with a passion for garments that are artfully and responsibly crafted. They source their fabrics from the excess of society and the bounty of the earth, using materials that are scavenged, re-purposed, donated, and sustainably produced. They even make their own dyes.

Photo Caption: Cory Gunter Brown and Cassidy Wright, masterminds behind "The Moon" a boutique that specialized in repurposing found objects and fabrics, stand for a portrait in their shop on on Tuesday Dec. 7, 2010 in Oakland, Calif. Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle / SF

Rebranding Blue Marble Body Care

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:24:00 GMT

We are very excited to announce that we will be rebranding New York City based Blue Marble Body Care, a handcrafted bath and body company making products with natural and organic ingredients!

We met the owner, Elaina Watkins, when I spoke at the international Handcrafted Soap Maker's Conference in Miami in 2011. We stayed in touch throughout the year and at last everything came together.

Here Elaina's story in her own words about her amazing company:

When my oldest son, Craig was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, my world, my life as I knew it forever changed. Through the highs and the lowest of lows of our journey, I was able to extract a more purposeful, more meaningful life in everything I do. While working to maintain a healthy marriage and raise happy, purpose-driven children, I started Blue Marble Body Care, a family brand of bath & body care products using natural and organic ingredients. Our products are infused with super skin-foods formulated to protect and revive the skin, keeping it healthy and luminous. It is the goodness in these nourishing, soothing, & moisturizing products that my family and I use at home everyday and now it is the goodness we share wih you and your family. We are commited to speading goodness to everyone we touch with our skin-loving products.

Marvelous Munich

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:05:00 GMT

We might have missed Oktoberfest (intentionally), but that didn’t take away from our enjoyment of Monaco di Baviera (as the Italians refer to it). We loved all of the delicious food and drink, world-class museums and beautiful green spaces, and came to really appreciate this self-proclaimed "northernmost Italian city". Our favorite part was just walking through all the parks and breathing in the scent of Autumn’s arrival in Bavaria; the beer and pretzels are a close second. Munich was the perfect relaxing end to our trip.

Museums and Sights

Englischer Garten

This large public park (larger than New York’s Central park) is 910 acres of beauty and relaxation. You can go there for cold drinks, hot food, live music (oompah), leisurely strolls, lovely bike rides, competitive pickup soccer and beautiful views. This park really is the best way to spend a sunny Saturday. If traveling to Munich again, we would set aside an entire day to just enjoy this park and all that it has to offer.

Viktualienmarkt

The Viktualienmarkt is a daily food market and a square in the center of the city that includes 140 stalls and shops. It is packed full of energy and delicious food and drink. For people that are slightly obsessed with food (while eating breakfast we talk of lunch, at lunch we discuss dinner, etc.), this is a paradise. I can still smell the deliciously stinky cheese and robust espresso. Oh and it has a a genuine May Pole!

Haus der Kunst

This museum is used to showcase temporary and traveling exhibitions, and has a complex and controversial past. Originally built as the Third Reich's first monumental structure of Nazi architecture, it was intended to house art they deemed Germany’s finest. It now contains artwork Hitler would have condemned and viewed as "degenerate". Due to lucky timing, we were able to see a very interesting exhibit that examined this complex history and the building’s ideological uses called Histories in Conflict. The other current exhibit, Ends of the Earth, presented a comprehensive historical overview of land art from its beginnings to 1974. Both shows were extremely well conceived and presented.

Learn more about the exhibit Histories in Conflict

Learn more about the exhibit Ends of the Earth

Olympiapark

This park was constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics, and now serves as a venue for cultural and social events. On a beautiful fall day at the end of the Munich marathon it was packed full of people, and we loved just walking around and seeing all the interesting architecture. We were in the mood for a bit of a workout and hiked up the hill in the middle of the park. Our worthwhile reward was a stunning 360-degree view of Munich and the surrounding area.

Nymphenburg Palace/Park

This palace was founded as a summer residence for the rulers of Bavaria. Arriving too late in the day to go into the palace itself, we spent hours enjoying the beautiful and relaxing park. We felt like we escaped the bustle of the city walking along lovely canals and lakes, surrounded by trees on tiny pathways, and not hearing a sound besides the crunching leaves beneath our feet.

Neue Pinakothek

The Neue Pinakothek focuses on European Art of the 18th and 19th century. The extensive collection is presented in a very thoughtful manner, and we really appreciated the informative audio guide.

Alte Pinakothek

The Alte Pinakothek is one of the oldest galleries in the world and houses a famous collection of Old Master paintings. We were actually lucky enough to attend a concert in the Rubens gallery, and during intermission walk through more galleries to view additional impressive works. Stunning music and artwork, it was a brilliant last evening in Munich.

Food and Drink

Ksara

We love Lebanese food and were lucky enough to find Ksara (thanks Qype). Everything was spiced perfectly and very fresh. From the falafels to hummus to fattoush to batata harra, everything was delcious. The only thing we would change is how quickly we ate everything...don’t get between us and our hummus!

Der Pschorr

This biergarten and hall serves up big beers and giant plates of tasty food. The place was buzzing with hungry and energetic people, giving us a glimpse of the energy that must be in abundance during Oktoberfest. They place an emphasis on locally sourced items, which made us happy, and the späztle, sausages and beer were very very good. Just keep your elbows down or you might get bumped by one of the zippy beermaids.

Hans Am Gluck

This had to be the restaurant with the coolest interior on our trip. They placed tree trunks throughout the restaurant making it feel like you are sitting in the middle of the woods from a Brothers Grimm story. The burgers were yummy, the crowd was young and fun, and our server was delightful. Did we mention they made the best BBQ sauce outside of the US?

Kaisergarten

We tried to go to this restaurant twice, the first time there was no room and the second time our only option was to sit outside in the cold, with a heat lamp. We figured if it was that crowded on the inside it must be good, and it was. In addition to the heat from the lamp, we were warmed by hearty German dishes and wine. This would definitely be a place we would keep going back to if we lived in Munich.

Wirtshaus Zur Brez’n

In need of a brezel (pretzel), weisswurst and mustard experience we went to Wirtshaus Zur Brez’n. Everything we had there was very tasty and Stephanie (the pretzel hater) was won over by this Munich tradition. It turns out all she needed was really yummy mustard to go along with her pretzel. Who knew?

Seerose

We always find ourselves searching out good Italian food wherever we go, and we were able to find Seerose based on a local’s recommendation. It was perfect. We had breakfast and lunch here, and Bryan was able to practice his Italian (nothing makes him happier). A cornetto with marmellata and a stunning cappuccino took us back to Sicily...bravo Seerose!

Coffee/Cafe

Espresso am Viktualienmarkt

While in the market we were needing some caffeine to keep going, and the most delicious smell pulled us into this small stand. The coffee was brilliant and exactly what we needed to be reenergized. Great espresso blend and a perfectly pulled shot!

Aroma Kaffeebar

This was probably our food/drink highlight in Munich. Everything was perfect. The staff was delightful, the coffee was delicious, the pastries were spectacular, the interior was beautiful and the crowd was really pleasant. The only thing we would change is the location...is it possible to move an entire cafe from Munich to Oakland?

Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Langenlois, Linz, and Munich

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:08:00 GMT

Below are moments we captured on the trip and we want to share them with you as desktop wallpapers. I hope they inspire you as they inspired us. Feel free to use as wallpaper for your iPad, iPhone or desktops.

Berlin, Germany

Reichstag

East Berlin Railway

Neue National Gallery in Berlin by Mies van der Rohe

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Metro Escalator

Prague Vltava River

Vienna, Austria

Vienna Metro Mural

Vienna Schönbrunn Palace

Langenlois, Austria

Langenlois blue wall

Langenlois vineyard in the Kamptal

Linz, Austria

Linz Danube River

Linz Ars Electronica Center

Munich, Germany

Munich Underground Marienplatz Station

Munich Nymphenburg Palace woods

Innovative Linz

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 14:50:00 GMT

Linz is the third largest city in Austria, and while it has an industrial and manufacturing history, it is also extremely innovative as one of the leading cultural centers in Austria. It was even named the European Capital of Culture in 2009. We both felt it came across as a very livable, approachable and interesting city.

Museums and Sights

Ars Electronica

This center for electronic arts houses six floors of creative work from hi-tech laboratories all over the world. It is absolutely the most interactive museum (for kids and adults) that we have ever been to. Everything was really fun and the 3-D video exploring the universe was exciting and informative.

Lentos

This gallery of contemporary art is also a striking piece of architecture on the Danube River. Sadly, the museum was closed while we were in Linz, but we enjoyed the building while partaking in a meal outdoors at their restaurant/cafe.

Churches

We went on a stroll through the city from beautiful church to beautiful church and each one had interesting and unique elements. Some churches were very ornate while others possessed a simple gracefulness. We found the walk and churches to be a rejuvenating way to spend an afternoon.

Food and Drink

Lentos Restaurant-Cafe-Bar

We loved sitting outside the Lentos and enjoying a tasty meal along the Danube. They had fantastic beer, comforting food, a stunning view and the weather was great. We would have loved to be able to go in the Lentos, but this was a great consolation prize.

Die Donauwirtinnen

If we could have any restaurant in our neighborhood in Oakland, we would love it to be Die Donauwirtinnen. The restaurant and staff were charming, the food and drink were exactly what we love, and the dessert and coffee were a perfect end to the evening. Two huge thumbs up for this place.

Coffee/Cafe

Cafe Traxlmayr

We came here for the Linzer Torte and it was very good. We actually are hoping to look up a recipe for this Christmas because Stephanie is convinced it is the perfect December dessert.

Schloss Café

The food and coffee here were fine, maybe even good, but the view was out-of-this-world fantastic. Up above the city and overlooking the river, we enjoyed breathing in the fresh fall air and of course resting our legs after the hike up the hill.

Lodging

Landgraf Hotel & Loft

This was a nice hotel with nice rooms, but what we loved was the super tasty breakfast, the lovely morning staff, and the excellent location right next to the Ars Electronica Center.

Charming Langenlois

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 14:40:00 GMT

This charming town was delightful to walk through, is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and has the bragging rights to some pretty incredible wines.

Museums and Sights

Loisium World of Wine

This museum was the biggest surprise of our trip! We thought a wine museum couldn’t be informative and fun, that you really just go for the tasting at the end. We were so wrong. The Loisium museum is very informative about process and history, has a variety of interactive opportunities and filled with beautiful artwork, design, mindblowing installations and even a water show! Of course the tasting at the end is a pretty nice way to end a museum visit.

Food and Drink

Restaurant Vineyard

We had dinner here, which included very good soups, salads and wine. However, the best part about this restaurant is the breakfast (you probably need to be staying at the hotel to get it). It is the kind of European breakfast buffet you dream of, Stephanie still wakes up dreaming about it. It literally had everything you could want and more: beautiful austrian breads, soft stinky cheeses, smoked fish, cured meats, omelets, homemade jams, delicate honeycomb, pretty pastries, etc. The bread really is so delicious there, it is almost worth a hop over the pond.

Weinschlössl

This place was sooooo charming and our server was incredibly accommodating. We ate Austrian meats and comfort dishes complimented by fantastic local wine. It was the perfect end to a delightful day in Langenlois. The heuriger (wine-tavern) really is a genius concept.

Coffee/Cafe

Rathauscafé

Rathauscafé was a sweet little cafe where locals go for a nice cup of coffee, pleasant conversation and very good pastries. They had the most flavorful and moist cake we ate while in Austria.

Lodging

Loisium Wine Spa Resorts

When at Loisium Wine Spa Resort, we kept on thinking how very lucky we were to be staying in such a beautiful hotel in such a gorgeous part of the world. The design of the hotel is really spectacular and there are thoughtful details everywhere you look. Then you step outside and see the pool with stunning vineyards as a backdrop. It is ridiculously fantastic. If we could spend one week relaxing anywhere in the world this would be at the top of the list.

California Travel Poster

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 13:50:00 GMT

We decided that we wanted to celebrate the 75 year anniversary of the Golden Gate bridge by printing these California posters. Hand illustrated by Stephanie, the poster is an omage to vintage travel posters. We feature the state flower, the California Golden Poppy, wild grasses, the Marin Headlands, coastal foilage, sail boats and of course the grand Golden Gate Bridge!

These limited posters (only 50 prints) are on sale for $32 inluding shipping. Below is a nicely framed poster, sent to us by Doug, one of our a happy customers.

Historic Vienna

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:05:00 GMT

Bryan came into Vienna with the flu, which could easily taint the memory of a city. While it did make for a slow and rough start, we ended up being able to find a lot of things to enjoy. We hope that someday we can go back and visit feeling 100%, but until then we will reminisce about the fun things we did, remember our awesome hotel that got us through the hard days, and be thankful that you can’t smoke in cafes in California. (flu + smoke = unhappy Sicilian American guy)

Museums and Sights

Upper Belvedere

The Upper Belvedere palace was the perfect location to the view the splendor of the Jubilee Exhibition: 150 Years of Gustav Klimt. The show presented a look into Klimt’s personal family history, his development as an artist, and some of the most moving work from his Golden Phase. His work really is even more captivating in person. We also loved the Belvedere gardens that provided relaxation and a beautiful view of the skyline of Vienna.

Learn more about the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.

21er Haus

The 21er Haus is a fantastic modernist building that focuses on Austrian art of the 20th and 21st centuries. We enjoyed their collection well as their exhibition BUSY Exhausted self / Unlimited ability. This special exhibition examines stress, depression, and burn out that is connected to our current inability in society to differentiate between work and leisure. The videos, installations and sculptures reminded us of our own struggle and desire to create a work/life balance.

Learn more about the exhibit BUSY Exhausted self / Unlimited ability.

MAK (Museum for Applied Arts)

The Museum for Applied Arts is a dream for any designer. They house textiles, metal works, graphic arts, glass, ceramics, furniture and cutting edge special exhibitions. We spent the majority of our time exploring three fantastic special exhibits. The largest show, MADE 4 YOU, looked at design from a social, ecological, and cultural perspective. It focused on sustainable and successful design for the future, Design for Change. One of the coolest things they had on exhibit was early Apple Computer prototypes from legendary German Californian product designer, Hartmut Esslinger.

The Committee of Sleep was an intriguing installation from taliaYsebastian that explored innovative uses of freely available energy sources. THINGS. plain & simple traced the simplicity of design found in European and Asian art history. This is the kind of museum we could spend an entire day in, from opening until closing.

Learn more about the exhibit MADE 4 YOU.
Learn more about the exhibit The Committee of Sleep.
Learn more about the artists taliaYsebastian.

Schönbrunn Palace

Our last day in Vienna we went to Schönbrunn Palace and spent our time exploring the gardens, climbing up to the Gloriette and touring the beautiful summer palace. While we still don’t understand the obsession with Empress Sisi, it provided an interesting look into the Habsburgs and was a wonderful place to enjoy a pretty day.

Food and Drink

Dots TwentyOne

We found this restaurant at the 21er Haus and enjoyed some tasty Pho and a vietnamese salad in the beautiful sunshine outside. It was also a wonderful surprise to find the delicious Austrian Trumer Pils on the menu (which also happens to be brewed in Berkeley). We enjoyed celebrating the Austrian connection to our home in the East Bay.

Österreicher im MAK

This meal of modern Viennese cuisine was a fantastic way to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. The food was delicious and the location was beautiful. We voted Bryan’s plate of venison the most stunning dish of the trip…perfection.

Naschmarkt

We went to the Naschmarkt one evening to get dinner and found ourselves overwhelmed with the variety of options. In the end we decided we were in desperate need of some falafel sandwhiches and fries (we ate a lot of falafel on this trip) and enjoyed a flavorful dish from a fun and fiesty spot. This energetic market area would be a great place to go back to multiple times.

Halle

We wish we could only say wonderful things about this place because it was so promising. We loved the vibe, the crowd, the decorations, the drinks, but there are two issues that kept it from being good. The biggest problem is that they totally lost our ticket and we waited over an hour for our food. The second problem was that our meals were not what we envisioned or really wanted when ordering (we were trying to order healthy...a bad idea on a trip). Double disappointment. All the other food looked spectacular and our waiter apologized with free drinks. We will hope that we just got unlucky.

Pizza Mari

After a cold rainy day, we were a bit grumpy and in need of food that would comfort our souls. So of course we wanted pizza. Good pizza. Awesome pizza made by Italians. Pizza Mari. They make pizza the way it should be made, create some delicious panna cotta and serve perfect espresso. Italy we love you and so does Vienna.Oh and the best thing was they did not allow smoking inside the restaurant. Perhaps the rest of Vienna can take note: Vietato fumare!

Coffee/Cafe

Let’s get this out there, we cannot think of a way to say this nicely, we do not get the Viennese coffeehouse and the reputation that it is something people need to experience. Maybe we picked the wrong places, maybe we picked the wrong drinks, maybe we picked the wrong desserts, but everything was just....okay. We don’ t mean to offend, and we do like that you can hang out for hours reading every possible German language paper that exists, but for a place that is supposed to have one of the oldest coffee cultures in the western world, we felt like it should knock our socks off. Socks are still completely on. But we will try to focus on the positives.

Cafe Museum

We really did enjoy the apple strudel here, warm apples and flaky crust, it was good. Bryan especially is a fan of all apple desserts, don’t get him started on his love for the fritter, and it passed his apple standards.

Cafe Demel

Everyone has their opinion on which sachertorte is the best and battles have been waged over the title “The Original Sachertorte”. We think it is just okay. The frosting was the best part, but even that was just so-so. The display case was really pretty (remember we are focusing on positives).

Landtmann’s Parkcafé

Landtmann’s had a great pastry stuffed with nut filling called a nussbeugerl. Stephanie thinks it is the best thing we got at a traditional Viennese cafe, probably because it wasn’t too sweet and it made the coffee more enjoyable. The location was a great place to stop when at Schönbrunn Palace.

Lodging

Hotel Daniel

This gorgeously designed hotel really saved us when Bryan was sick. The staff was very helpful, the restaurant/cafe was awesome, our room was super cool and the location next to the Belvedere and public transport was perfect. When we didn’t leave the area for a couple of days we really enjoyed the locally made pastries, their turkish and traditional coffee, the main courses and Stephanie’s personal favorite sturm. Sturm is autumnal semi-fermented grape juice from the first grape harvest of the season, and it is the drink by which she now judges all other drinks.

Our Prague Experience

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:22:00 GMT

When walking around Prague, we kept on saying how much it felt like a movie set for a beautiful historical drama that is full of charming and striking architecture…and then we stumbled across an actual Hollywood action film in progress! It turns out we weren’t the only people recognizing Prague’s cinematic nature. We only wish that we had set aside more time on our trip to explore this magical place with a very creative vibe.

Museums and Sights

Dox Center for Contemporary Art

This large modern gallery, formerly a factory, has changing exhibitions and was one of our favorite experiences interacting with art on this trip. In addition to spectacular work from national icon, Karel Nepraš (sculptural and graphic art), Čestmír Suška (sculptural objects), and Veronika Psotková (sculptural objects), we were able to enjoy a very special and rare early screening of the documnetary, Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present. It was a very memorable day for us, full of incredibly thoughtful and thought provoking work.

Learn more about the artist Karel Nepraš.

Learn more about the artist Čestmír Suška.

Learn more about the artist Veronika Psotkov.

Learn more about the film Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present.

Veletrzni Palace

This museum houses a permanent exhibition of 20th and 21st century art as well as temporary exhibitions. The architecture and collection were very interesting, but we were especially in love with the temporary exhibitions. The Slav Epic by Alfons Mucha depicts a stylized history of the Slavic people and is impressive in both scale and technique, while Brazilian artist, Amalia Giacomini’s linear driven work focused on the presence of space and boundaries.

Learn more about Alfons Mucha - The Slav Epic.

Learn more about the artist Amalia Giacomini.

Food and Drink

Lokal

It may have been a bit too smoky in Lokal, but the food was delicious and the beer even better. The interior was very fun, our waiter was extremely helpful and we appreciated the bartenders attention to keeping everything tidy and shiny.

Kozlovna

The kitchen was closed when we arrived (bummer), but we were able to enjoy Czech beer in a festive and thoughtfully designed place. By the way, the beer in this country really is spectacular, the rumors were not exaggerated.

Coffee/Cafe

Cafe Louvre

We came for the historically beautiful interior and a coffee break, but once we sat down we decided a meal was in order. Bryan was excited to try out the Czech style goulash in hopes that he would be reminded of his childhood. It turns out American goulash is very Americanized (surprise), and Czech goulash is very tasty. Also, we fell in love with dumplings...we are thinking a winter dumpling party could be a lot of fun.

Kavárna Obecní dum

This Art Nouveau cafe is truly beautiful, and despite coffee that was just okay, we enjoyed the views and experience. We especially loved touring around the Municipal house afterwards and taking in all of the details.

Lodging

Boat Hotel Matylda

A hotel on a boat with doors that open onto the Vltava river; this hotel was a perfect fit to the magical city of Prague. We watched a stunning sunset, woke up to swans outside our door and loved walking back along the river at the end of a full day. The staff was helpful, the breakfasts were good and we even enjoyed a nice Italian dinner in their restaurant.

We loved Berlin

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:54:00 GMT

We loved Berlin. It was close to perfect. So perfect we thought about looking up how much it would cost to rent a place and wondered how hard it would be to work remotely indefinitely. Alas, we can’t move there (not now at least), but we remember it all fondly and hope to return someday.

Museums and Sights

Reichstag

The Reichstag building is the meeting place for the German parliament and its glass dome has a wonderful 360-degree view of Berlin. The informative audio guide gives a great introduction to the city and its layout, and provided an excellent and stunning start to our trip in Berlin.

Berlin Wall Memorial

The memorial along Bernauer Strasse informs and reminds visitors about the time of the division of Berlin and Germany. The history is explained through stories, sculptures and a remnants of the wall that provide a tangible impression of how family, friends and city were divided. We found it both informative and moving, and when standing next the wall with border strip and watchtower we were overcome with silence.

Hamburger Bahnhof

The Hamburger Bahnhof is a former railway station that now serves as a museum for modern and contemporary art. In addition to Kiefer, Rauschenberg and Warhol, we found some challenging and intriguing temporary exhibitions, and enjoyed Dan Flavin’s colorful light installations.

Bauhaus Archive/Museum of Design

The museum takes a thorough look at the history and influence of the Bauhaus movement through its collection of art pieces, items, documents and literature from the Bauhaus School. We really enjoyed seeing the broad spectrum of work from students and masters and listening to the audio guide’s insight into the school and its members. It was perfect for a Bauhaus geek like Bryan.

DDR Museum

This interactive museum shows everyday life in East Germany, also known as the GDR. The cars, clothes, music, homes and other elements of life in East Germany are displayed and through “hands-on” experiences you are able to step back in time and learn in an innovative way. If the movie Goodbye Lenin could be turned into a museum, it would look like the DDR Museum. They were able to walk the line between serious and humorous, sad and ridiculous, which is a very, very difficult task.

East Side Gallery

This gallery is a portion of the east side of the Berlin Wall and has 105 paintings by artists from all over the world. As one walks alongside it, you can’t help but think about those who experienced the change of this wall from something that was created to contain to something that now serves to inspire. The variety to the work reminds us of freedom from past control and the need to remember the past but continue to look forward.

Martin-Gropius-Bau

The Martin-Gropius-Bau is a beautiful hall that originally was a museum of applied arts and now hosts high quality temporary exhibitions. We were able to see two very different, but equally interesting shows about Dennis Hopper and Olympia. The exhibitions were presented brilliantly and we can now say we have a much greater understanding of Dennis Hopper’s creativity and the surprising mystical origins of the Olympics.

Dennis Hopper - The Lost Album

Olympia: Myth - Cult - Games in Antiquitiy

KW Institute

KW Institute is a contemporary art institution that has no permanent collection, it instead focuses energy on innovative exhibitions and creative programming. We happened to be in Berlin at the time of Wael Shawky’s exhibition Al Araba Al Madfuna, and were blown away by the quality, scale and thoughtfulness of the work. He is a storyteller and artist that draws you into his narratives, and then shows the connection of past and present.

Wael Shawky

Berliner Dom

The Berliner Dom is Berlin’s Cathedral and we were able to attend their vespers service in a week that had been full of museums and photography from the moment we woke up. We were reminded that the best time to visit any cathedral or church while traveling is for a service where one can fully experience the intent of the space, instead of just looking around and snapping photos. Taking time to slow down and contemplate is just as important when we travel.

Food and Drink

Weinstein

This is the kind of place I would want to go on any rainy night. It is cozy and warm, the food is delicious and the wine recommendations are spot on. They were down to earth and helpful (since our German is extremely limited), and it is the only restaurant we went back to on our entire trip. We are still dreaming of their charcuterie and wine.

Café am Neuen See

A lovely lakeside location in Tiergarten where we enjoyed tasty soup and flammkuchen with refreshing beer. They have a biergarten and restaurant, making it perfect for a warm day or cold evening, and after going to Munich we would say it feels like a bit of Bavaria in Berlin.

Witty´s Organic Food

A great place to consume bio currywurst, fries and beer. I don’t think we will be attempting to make currywurst at home anythime soon, but we still found it a intriguing combination that we can imagine one would get a craving for. Sidenote: as a people who really don’t like mayonnaise, we love fries and mayo when in Europe, why is that?

Pratergarten

A restaurant and biergarten that serves up really big and super yummy beers. Sadly we came right before closing (no food) on a cold evening (no one outside), but we would love to be at this place on a warm summer evening. Who’s ready to go back to Berlin? Us!!!

Markthalle Neun

The market hall reminded us of the San Francisco Ferry Building, with beautiful food items, but smaller and more charming. We wanted to buy everything, but stuck to lunch from one vender and pastries from another. The massive crowd did result in a long wait, but the food was fantastic and unique. I only wish we had more room in our stomachs to try additional items. Did we mention we would love to go back to Berlin?

Zweistrom

Rachel and Michael, our awesome Airbnb hosts, recommended this place if we were craving falafel wraps. We were in need of something vegetarian, but satisfying and were crossing our fingers there would be some spiciness (we were going through salsa withdrawals). Zweistrom delivered everything we wanted and more. Thanks R&M.

Mogg & Melzer

This joint brings New York food culture to Berlin, and as west coasters who rarely enjoy good pastrami we were pulled in by the delicious smells and design of the space. The food really was fantastic and the architecture of the building (Jüdische Mädchenschule) is definitely worth the trip as well.

Anna Blume

We heard brunch was big in Berlin, and it turns out brunch is really big in Berlin. At Anna Blume we ordered the special for two which was more food than we could dream of eating (meats, cheeses, eggs, breads, vegetables, fruits, jams), but it was all very good. It was also fun to experience the charm of Prenzlauer Berg at this buzzing location that made for a great last meal experience in Berlin.

Coffee

Berlin coffee culture was absolutely fantastic, and to be honest led us to feel a bit disappointed with any coffee we had on the rest of the trip. Sorry Vienna coffee houses. A few of our favorites include:

Bonanza Coffee Roasters

Roasters that make a mean espresso. It appears to be a place everyone wants to be on a lovely sunny afternoon.

No Fire No Glory

A delicious flat white and lovely place to sit outside on a beautiful fall day.

Godshot

Lovely people, relaxing vibe and good taste in music. Oh yeah, delicious coffee and pastries to go along with it.

Cafe Fleury

Cafe au lait and delicious pastries. Best place to spend a Saturday breakfast/brunch and relax.

Lodging

Recycled Design Apartment Berlin

We loved loved loved this place, the charming Prenzlauer Berg and the owners, Rachel and Michael. They design beautiful furniture and have great recommendations for restaurants, museums and anything else you can think of. They quickly felt more like friends than hosts, and were thoughtful to buy us a bottle of sparkling wine for our anniversary and coffee and pastry during a morning hang out. If we could go back to Berlin, we would definitely stay at the Recycled Design Apartment. Honestly, we would live there permanently if we could.

Brands that Last

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 08:52:00 GMT

We pride ourselves on creating brands that stand the test of time. Although we are of course influenced by design trends, we try our best to create a brand that will read true for a long period of time. One of our favorite designers, Paul Rand, created logos that reached through time. Some of his best examples was the ABC logo, the UPS logo, Westinghouse, and the IBM logo.

In 2007, we got the chance to brand our local church in Berkeley. Recently the congregation purchased a church facility a block up from the "Gourmet Ghetto" at 1601 Walnut. The church has been lovley restored and is a historic landmark in Berkeley.

Mazzarello Media and Arts was presented with the challanged to design signage that would blend into the neighborhood as well as look like it has been on the property since the church's founding in 1913, almost 100 years ago. We could not be happier with the final outcome and are very thankful to the creative talent and 3D mind of Scooter from Coyote Signs for brining our vision to life.

8-Bit Builder

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Both Bryan and I grew up wanting to become architects. We spent years playing with Legos and blocks, and often incorporate that passion for structures into our photography and design. Video games were also integral to both of our childhoods, and we find the simple design of early games very fascinating.

This wallpaper is built up of small pieces becoming larger pieces that become part of a design construction. It is the creation of two kids who grew up in the 80's playing a lot of Pitfall and wanting to become Elyse Keaton on Family Ties someday.

Download 1920x1200 Wallpaper | Download 2560x1440 Wallpaper

Bauhaus Design

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:03:00 GMT

I have always been influenced as a designer by European design from the early to mid-20th century. One of the most influential has been the German design movement, Bauhaus. Bauhaus, was a school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts, and was famous for the approach to design. The movement created a unique and stylized typography, furniture, architecture, and graphic design.

“Architects, painters, sculptors, we must all return to crafts! For there is no such thing as “professional art”. There is no essential difference between the artist and the craftsman. The artist is an exalted craftsman. By the grace of Heaven and in rare moments of inspiration which transcend the will, art may unconsciously blossom from the labour of his hand, but a base in handicrafts is essential to every artist. It is there that the original source of creativity lies.

Let us therefore create a new guild of craftsmen without the class-distinctions that raise an arrogant barrier between craftsmen and artists! Let us desire, conceive, and create the new building of the future together. It will combine architecture, sculpture, and painting in a single form, and will one day rise towards the heavens from the hands of a million workers as the crystalline symbol of a new and coming faith.” — Walter Gropius

In September and October we will be traveling throughout Germany and Austria taking this incredible style. Enjoy this wallpaper!

Vote for our California Cycling Jersey

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:12:00 GMT

Vote for our California inspired Cycling Jersey! If we get 250 votes in 90 days, Voler will manufacture in the USA, our design and we will earn 15% of every jersey sold!

Just be sure you are signed into Facebook and click the like button on the Voler website.

http://www.voler.com/YTA/YTADetails/i/GoldenGate

Tell us a little about the design.

Our jersey design, comes from a passion for the Golden State and the San Francisco Bay Area. No matter where you are in the world, if you say California or San Francisco people know exactly where you are talking about. What better icon for California than the Golden Gate Bridge (celebrating 75 years this year). Without a doubt, California is a cyclist's paradise. Not only does it have a powerful community of bicycle coalitions and activists , it also boasts some of the best weather year round for cycling! Did you know that California has 7 of the 50 Bike-Friendliest Cities in the US.

Tell us a little bit about Mazzarello Media & Art.

This energetic husband-and wife team of visual communicators offers the complete creative package: She’s the brainy, thoughtful, analytical half who thrives on solving problems and draws on her love of patterns, bold colors, and intricate designs. He’s the branding guru with the big personality and a passion for working with clients and thinking strategically. Together they form the dynamic duo of Mazzarello Media & Arts.

Launched in 2009, this artisan graphic design studio specializes in branding, corporate identity, marketing collateral, and websites for medium-sized organizations whose mission they passionately believe in: green business, sustainability, new technology, and progressive causes. Motivated by the message, Mazzarello Media & Arts offers clients classic design and functionality that endures over time.

The work of Bryan and Stephanie is fueled by the world around them. From cinema to cuisine, from urban landscapes to architecture, from linguistics to lines, they find inspiration everywhere — whether traveling the world or in their own East Bay backyard. Reminiscent of creative couples like Charles & Ray Eames, Christo & Jeanne-Claude, and Diller & Scofidio, they are long-time collaborators who spend hours mining creative ideas, bouncing solutions off one another, and challenging each other to push the boundaries of their imaginations.

This synergy offers what few design studios can: an in-house style understanding of large organizations and complex projects, but with the agility, transparency, and personal touch of a boutique shop. Their exceptional success is reflected in their many accolades, including the Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award for three years running and the #1 rated East Bay graphic design company on Yelp.

Giving Back

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:40:00 GMT

When Stephanie and I decided to take Mazzarello Media and Arts full time we knew we wanted a few key things to be different about our design studio. We knew that travel and exposure to new ideas would be important, a reasonable work schedule 4 days a week (Monday through Thursday), and lastely that we want to be able to give back to our local community and global community based on our passions.

Below are the local and global organizations we support from the profits of our design work as well as donated time and energy.

Local

Boost! West Oakland
Offering mentoring, academic assistance, and enrichment programs to the students of West Oakland.

La Cocina
Cultivate low-income food entrepreneurs as they formalize and grow their businesses by providing affordable commercial kitchen space, industry-specific technical assistance and access to market and capital opportunities.

SPARK Oakland
Providing life-changing apprenticeships to youth in underserved communities in Oakland.

Citizen Schools Oakland
Partners with middle schools to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities at Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy.

P roject Peace
Create partnerships between local churches and social service providers that work together for just and sustainable communities in Berkeley & Oakland.

Adams Point Neighborhood Group
Developing community and arts in Adams Point.

BUILD East Oakland
Using entrepreneurship to excite and propel disengaged, low-income students through high school to college success in East Oakland.

Oakland Art Murmur
Supporting art and cultural venues that are dedicated to increasing popular awareness of and participation in the arts of Oakland.

Global

Greenpeace
Seeking solutions to environmental issues and promoting informed debate.

Global Exchange
Promoting human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

Compassion International
Breaking the cycle of poverty.

Oxfam America
Creating lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice.

Green America
Creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Art Murmur Walking Tours

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:58:00 GMT

We were thrilled when we were asked to create the Saturday Stroll Walking Tours postcard for the hottest arts organization on the west coast, Oakland Art Murmur. Here is a great quote from the New York Times:

"Today Art Murmur is a bazaar of cultural activity. The gallery tours have grown to accommodate some 20 art spaces and hundreds of people...What began as a predominantly hipster local crowd now includes visitors from around the Bay and beyond. Serious art buyers from as far away as New York, Miami and Rio de Janeiro have also begun turning up."

Led by prominent Oakland curators, writers, and artists, each tour brings visitors to 3-5 galleries, with short presentations from curators or artists at each location. For more info check out the Art Murmur website: http://oaklandartmurmur.org/calendar/saturday-stroll

The way light falls on an object

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 08:31:00 GMT

Our aunt found an amazing quote in my grandmother's journal and it is so lovely we had to share it with you. How amazing to learn how similarly we see the world!

"I like scrutinizing images, looking carefully at minute details. I look for color changes, the way light falls on an object and think about what the shadow is, endless appreciation."

Here are some recent images from our extensive Instagram collection:

We love a happy client

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:30:00 GMT

Last night I had the honor of attending the Northern California Solar Energy Association(NorCal Solar) Solar Energy Resource Guide release party at the Intercontinental Hotel on the opening night of the InterSolar Conference! Several months back we were approached by Norcal Solar to create the front cover for the 9th Annual SERG. The very talented Berkeley graphic design maven, Barbara Nishi was desinging the new guide but they asked Mazzarello Media and Arts to design the cover.

Rarley do we get the honor of having an unveling of our work let alone a release party! The NorCal Solar Board of Directors was present and very pleased with the final product. See the photo above!

New site is live for Acuity Brands

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:30:00 GMT

We created a new website for Acuity Brands R&D OLED lighting division, known as the OLED Lighting Design Center. OLED Lighting unlocks new possibilities for us to connect with the places we live, work and play. More than warmth, more than soft glow, more than the many forms OLED can bring to design.

View the website: www.oledbyacuity.com

Here is an awesome testimonial from Darren Blum, Senior Designer at OLED Lighting Design Center:

"Our group engaged Mazzarello Media and Arts based on a referral for web design and we could not be happier with our new site. From the very beginning, from the initial phone call, they asked the kind of questions a designer should ask, so I knew they got it”. Bryan took the time to understand our brand, our position in the market, and who our audience would be for the site. Combining this knowledge with keen graphic design skills, user interface design and technical knowledge, they produced a site that exceeded our expectations. Best of all, the site is responsive and looks great on any device. Give them a ring for your next project! It will be done on time and on budget."

Cityscape

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:16:00 GMT

We recently were asked to create a cityscape for a client's website icon. We had so much fun creating it we decided to create a desktop wallpaper (now big enough for a 2560x1440 screen)!

Do you recognize any buildings?

David Marell Voice Over Professional

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:41:00 GMT

David Marell's warm, deep and soothing voice that carries reliability, comfort and trustworthiness. David needed an identity design that portrayed that smooth style while looking professional yet approachable.

We chose a coffee brown and burgandy red for his color palette. The work consited of a custom illustration of vintage microphone, website with mp3 samples and embeded video. We also created business cards, and a resume to round out the total package.

Website: www.davidmarell.com

View the whole package