pause | about us

{who we are and how we work?}

There are four things that Pause values above all else – the process, the details, the people and our clients.

pause | process

{development process}

01 Introduction: This is where we get together with our clients to discuss their brand and marketing past (history) and then their brand and marketing futures (goals). We ask a lot of questions here and then listen very carefully.

02 Concept: We then go away with what we've learned, draft a brief, identify opportunities, develop a plan, brainstorm ideas, and then develop the absolute best of this process into marketing and design concepts.

03 Development: Once a winner is chosen and a direction selected, the development of the materials swings into high gear. Along the way a few review and revision meetings may take place to tweak the details just right.

04 Delivery: Once the materials are completed, finalized and produced, we then deliver, distribute and launch the work into the world. Lastly, we debrief, measure its success and watch like proud parents as this collective force gathers momentum and grows up.

pause | the details

{what we do + how we do it}

Strategic Planning: In order to answer with complete confidence, you need to fully understand the question, right? So it follows that if your product/brand/company is to be successful, there must be a core understanding of the market conditions, internal challenges and consumer issues that affect your brand. This stage can be as thorough as a full research initiative, or as simple as informal investigation into your market and a briefing meeting. Strategic planning is not about long strategy documents or meaningless adjectives. It is about definable ambitions, goals, offerings and benefits.

Internal Interviews
Consumer Research
Competitor + Industry Audit
Brand Audits
Planning Meetings + Workshops
Brand Architecture
Brand Strategy
Positioning + Personality
Marketing Plan

Brand Design: A brand isn’t just so because the CEO says so. Creating a brand is not just about a name, or a strategy, or a logo. A brand is a combination of all of the touch-points that a consumer has with who you are – from what you say to what you do. Yes, a good brand design can make your company look better, but a great brand design is a take-no-prisoners gameplan; a point of unison; a market force that makes your competitors look like they're in the minor leagues.

Naming + Verbal Branding
Logomarks + Brand Identity
Packaging + Structure
Retail Identities + Environments
Digital Branding + Interactive
Brand Standards

Marketing Design: Branding is always about marketing. While brand-building forms the backbone of any successful marketing plan, the realities of marketing initiatives brings into effect a whole range of functional objectives and deliverables. From investor relations and market-share, to successful retailer buy-in to new product launches and campaigns, effective communication design marries your brand to real-world results.

Annual Reports + Investor Communications
Corporate + Product Brochures
Copywriting + Communications
Publication Design
Campaigns + Posters
Promotions + Point-of-Sale
Environmental, Guerilla + Viral Campaigns

Project + Brand Management: Great design doesn’t stop at the “big idea”. It continues through flawless execution and implementation. Project management ensures timely delivery and the co-ordination of multiple timelines and deliverables. Supplier sourcing, final production artwork, and press proofing ensures that the idea is crafted to the last detail. Follow-up review fine-tunes the brand as it takes hold in the market.

Project Management
Supplier Sourcing + Media Buying
Production Artwork
Press Proofing
Launch Management
Public Relations
Defect Rectification
Measurement + Review
Employee + Management Workshop

pause | people

{idea + pixel pushers}

Pause was formed in the Fall of 1999 and we've been working feverishly with a range of big and small government, not-for-profit and corporate clients ever since. Our background is as diverse as our approach to branding and design. We pride ourselves on bringing a fresh and relevant perspective to the work we do for our clients.

Pause also works closely with a talented team of partners, including illustrators, photographers, web developers.

pause | clients

{clients: past and present}

Alain Mikli Lunettes
Artes de México Publishing
Arts + Culture Commission of North Vancouver
Artists for Kids Trust
Arts Alive Magazine
Avellann Networks
BC Environment: (Go Green Program)
BC Transit
BC Transportation and Highways (HOV Program)
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation
Canadian Red Cross
City of Vancouver (Bike Month Program)
CityScape Art Gallery
Christie House (District of North Van)
Colony Broadband Wireless
Emily Carr Institute
Infotec Business Systems
Jack Bell Foundation
Kiwanis Club International
Mountain Equipment Co-op
NewStar Books
North Vancouver Museum and Archives
North Vancouver Arts Council
Nocturne Music Productions
Pearce Design
Public Art Program (City of North Van)
Ronsdale Press
Salvation Army
Stocker Consulting
The Carold Institute/UNESCO/Langara College
The Optical Shoppe
Verdant Group
Visions Magazine