June 7th 2010
News: Portfolio website
Photographer Ingmar Swalue commissioned Solar Initiative to design his portfolio website. The outcome is a collection of thumbnails that load randomly and rearrange according to the size of the browser window. The oversized initials I.S., always visible on a secondary layer, give character to this very basic website. Besides the logo and website, this new visual identity is comprised of a letter head and a business card. Close

June 1st 2010
Studio: New PR & Communication Manager
Solar Initiative welcomes Carolina van Maasdijk. As a pr and communication manager she will be responsible for the creation, management and execution of strategic marketing communication campaigns and programs of Solar. Carolina studied art history and marketing, and worked for a.o. MTV Networks and Studio Apart Gallery. Close

April 20th 2010
News: Inspiration for the de Bijenkorf 140 year jubilee
For the 140 year jubilee of de Bijenkorf Solar was commissioned to develop a number of activities. Besides the usual monthly de Bijenkorf Magazine, the special magazine Inspirat140n has been made, about the future and about inspiration. The glossy publication contains high end photography and sharp columns and articles. Solar Initiative was responsible for the whole project: concept, art direction, graphic design, copy, final editing, photography. project management, and so on.
Also a poster and banners have been designed for the jubilee occasion. Finally, a flyer has been made about the Unicef-auction of several ‘inspiration globes’ of different Dutch artists, architects, designers and brands. Close

April 9th 2010
News: Solar Lecture Series #2
On April 8th, 2010 guest speaker Steven Pemberton gave the audience some interesting insights about future developments of internet and the world wide web in his lecture The future from now...on the internet This second evening in the Solar Lecture Series was a big success. Check our website regularly for upcoming information about the third guest speaker in the Solar Lecture Series. Close

March 29th 2010
News: Biennial Foundation
Solar Initiative is requested to develop a clear, strong corporate identity for the Biennal Foundation. This non-profit organization for and about contemporain art biennials is a platform to enhance cooperation, exchange and communication between the different art biennials worldwide. Close

March 26th 2010
News: Samira Boon
Studio Samira Boon, is an Amsterdam and Tokyo-based product, textile, and interior design studio. The studio works on assignments for clients like Droog Design, Dutch Textile Museum in Tilburg and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT). Solar Initiative developed concept, graphic design, web design and photography of her new visual identity.
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January 9th 2010
News: SeARCH Architect of the Year 2009
Solar Initiative congratulates SeARCH – the architecture firm founded by Bjarne Mastenbroek – with earning the Architect of the Year 2009 Award.
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November 27th 2009
News: Solar Lecture Series & Solar Initiative 10 years
Corresponding with Solar's inquisitive approach towards exploring the boundaries of graphic design & photography, Solar has intiated a series of lectures in the coming year with the title “The Future from now...on”. The well-known German art director Mike Meire kicked-off the first evening with a lecture reflecting on the topic “The Future from now on...Photography”. Meire's energetic presentation entitled “Remembering the future of Photography” was enthusiastically received by the audience and showed his continued involvement with photography through his work as a designer, architect and artist. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Solar Initiative, we invited all our friends, acquintances and clients for a toast and food after the lecture. More lectures will follow the coming year, titled “The Future from now...on Identity and Communication” and “The Future from now...on Graphic Design”
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November 20th 2009
News: Book publication Mimas 05
The past year Solar has been working on a publication for Kraaijvanger Urbis Architects encompassing several recent projects in the fields of architecture, interior design and urban design. The book focuses on the architectural designs of partners and architects Rob Ligtvoet, Dirk Jan Postel and Hans Goverde, and will be published early next year.
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November 17th 2009
Projects: Solar asked to develop the new corporate identity for Meyer & van Schooten Architects.
Solar’s proprosal was chosen after a selection involving 3 other competitors in the field of corporate identity and graphic design. Meyer & van Schooten are famous for their innovative architecture, among their realized projects is the well-known main office of ING national bank in Amsterdam.
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October 3rd 2009
News: Prix Olympia for "Going for Gold" lenticular stamps
For the second time, the lenticular stamps “Going for Gold”, designed by Solar Initiative are distinguished. After the Red Dot award in 2006, the stamps are awarded the “Prix Olympia”, presented at the IOC Congress in Copenhagen in October 2009. The stamps are unique moving images of Dutch skating legends, by applying an innovative 'lenticular' print technique. Among the people present were the Dutch IOC member Prince Willem-Alexander and Juan Antonio Samaranch.
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September 15th 2009
Studio: New designers
The Solar Design team is further strengthened by 2 new design team members: Kate Snow and Matteo Venet. American born Kate graduated at the HKU in Utrecht as a Master in Editorial Design Swiss born Matteo graduated last year at ArtEZ, in Arnhem as a Master of Design.
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August 17th 2009
News: Solar asked to showcase work in new design book: ‘Graphic Design for Less’
‘Graphic Design for Less’ by British publisher Rotovision will feature clever and outstanding design work from all over the world, where the company/creative has found way giving special attention to projects which maximize a limited budget while still ensuring the client receives strong effective work. Solar Initiative is among one of the companies asked to enter some of their work matching this criterium.
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August 2nd 2009
News: Solar invited for participation in Taiwanese publication
Solar Initiative is invited to participate in a book on the creative industry in Amsterdam by Taiwanese publisher ‘Artist Publishing Company’, one of the oldest art publishing companies in Taiwan. Among other Dutch graphic designers and studios invited to show their work are Thonik, Designpolitie, Wim Crouwel and Irma Boom.
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August 12th 2009
News: Red Dot Award communication design 2009 for Solar
Solar received a “red dot” for outstanding design for the identity created for ‘FreeDesigndom’ an annual design festival in the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht. The prestigious prize for sophisticated and innovative design is awarded annually in the international competition “red dot design award”. This year there were 6,112 entries from 42 nations. Solar received the award in the category corporate design, bringing the number of red dots won by Solar in the past years up to eight.
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August 2nd 2009
News: Book publication Waarderpolder
The Municipality of Haarlem commissioned Solar to design a book on the past, present and future of the “Waarderpolder” business park. Solar photographer Jaap Scheeren was invited to document the historic industrial site. The book will be published in October.
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July 4th 2009
News: NewStyle magazine
NewStyle magazine has recently been successfully restyled by the Solar design team. Solar was commissioned by fashion trade magazine NewStyle, to create a new format and design for this biannual publication. Refreshing typography and layout give the magazine a defining new look.
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June 2nd 2009
News: Solar at the Venice Biennale 2009
Solar created an interactive installation called “Rietveld’s Universe” for ‘Dropstuff’, the Dutch mobile platform for media art and e-culture. The movie was part of a presentation of Dutch video artists and designers commissioned by 3 Dutch museums and art institutes. The presentation was a kick-off for the preview days of the 53rd International Art Exhibition — La Biennale de Venezia.
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June 1st 2009
Studio: New production team members
Solar welcomes new production team members Annette Romkes and Loranne Roozendaal. Annette, who has worked as a freelance photography producer for various accounts, is now taking charge of the photography production of de Bijenkorf. Loranne has just graduated from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute and will be assisting our production team.
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May 22nd 2009
News: Solar creates identity for Eatme
Solar has been asked to create the identity for new Amsterdam-based restaurant Eatme. Together with SeArch Architects, responsible for the interior design of the restaurant, Solar worked on the graphic design of the identity of this soon-to-be opened restaurant chain.
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April 23th
Studio: New team member
Annemiek van Grondel joins Solar Initiative as copywriter and editor. Annemiek previously worked six years as chief editor for Dutch design magazine Identity Matters. Next to this she worked and still works as a freelance journalist  in the field of music, design, photography and communication.
See www.architectenweb.nl Close

March 17th 2009
News: AWM selects approach and concept by Solar
Last Friday, AWM invited Solar to develop the upcoming issue of the Architectenweb Magazine. Solar’s concept was chosen out of the propositions from three design agencies. In the upcoming weeks AWM-staff will work closely together with Solar to develop the newest issue of the three-year old magazine.
See www.architectenweb.nl Close

March 3th 2009
News: Solar working on Villa Vals Website
Together with two other agencies, Solar was asked to propose a new design concept for AWM. AWM is the magazine of Architectenweb – a website offering a wide selection of news related to Dutch architecture and building. AWM will select one of the three agencies to further develop the concept and design the upcoming issues of the magazine. AWM will announce their preferred entry in the 3th week of March.
See www.architectenweb.nl Close

February 24th 2009
News: Solar working on Villa Vals Website
Solar started work on a website for Villa Vals, an exclusive semi-submerged Villa in the Suisse Alps. The house – a self-initiated project by Search Architects in co-operation with Christian Müller – will be offered for holiday rentals and is situated next to the famous Vals’ thermal resort.br> See www.search.nl Close

January 23th 2009
News: Solar to design l’Officiel’s Dutch and Belgian editions
Solar started work on the art direction and design of the upcoming Dutch and Belgian editions of the renown French fashion magazine.
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January 19th 2009
News: Tradeshow presentation for ModoVanGelder
Longtime client ModoVanGelder turned to Solar for the design of her new presentation on the annual graphic tradeshow in the Netherlands. The paper distribution company wants to create more attention for her sustainable products in this year show.
See www.modovangelder.nl Close

December 22nd 2008
News: KPN inhouse branding
Solar started work on an interior project for KPN. The communication company wants to subtly enhance the KPN feel in their corporate buildings. Solar is working with larger than life photography in the buildings transit places like staircases and hallways.
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December 11th 2008
News: The history of Akzo Nobel
Last night AkzoNobel chairman Hans Wijers presented the first copy of “Tomorrows Answers Today”- a book a bout the history of AkzoNobel to the public. Solar was involved in the development of the book from the beginning and is very proud to see the end result. Solar was responsible for both the cover and the book’s design.
See www.akzonobel.com Close

November 27th 2008
News: Solar designing l’empresse online-shop
Solar was asked by Jan Clemens Hoek to design his upcoming online prêt-a-porter store. Hoek, aged 19, is the fashion scene’s new wonder-boy. With already to high-end prêt-a-porter stores in Amsterdam en the Hague, he is the talk of town. With an online branch of his l’empress’boutiques Hoek will definitely make his mark on the international scene.
See www.l-empresse.com Close

November 9th 2008
News: Website for Mecanoo Architecten
6 months after having introduced their new identity Mecanoo Architecten is working with Solar on their new website. Solar is designing a website with high visual impact that will give visitors insight in a broad variety of Mecanoo projects. The website is expected to go online in March 2009.
See www.mecanoo.com Close

October 8th 2008
News: Vriesco Corporate Brochure
After having designed a new brand identity for home-textile producer Vriesco International Fabrics, the new A House of Happiness brand finds its way in the company’s corporate communication. Together with photographer Krista van der Niet, Solar is developing a corporate brochure in which Both the Vriesco and A House of Happiness are integrated.
See www.kristavenderniet.nl Close

October 8th 2008
News: Solar designs company brochure for Arup NL
Arup,a worldwide engineering firm that was founded by Ove Arup, has had an hugely successful office in the Netherlands for the past 6 years. Solar is helping them to spread the news by concepting and design a company brochure featuring some of the Dutch branch’s most acclaimed projects, like Information Based Architecture's Guangzou TV Tower. More to follow later…
See www.arup.nl Close

September 10th 2008
News: FreeDesigndom guide out!
No Festival without a Program guide… And FreeDesigndom’s is out now! Packaged in a countertop promo-box the guide is distributed at exhibition venues and a selection of specialty shops throughout Amsterdam and Utrecht. Make sure you get a copy!
See www.freedesigndom.nl Close

September 2nd
News: FreeDesigndom all over Amsterdam
The FreeDesigndom identity that we developed in April of this year is now rising to it’s full potential with the highly visible posters all over Amsterdam. The poster campaign marks the beginning of the 4 weeklong design festival in Amsterdam and Utrecht. www.freedesigndom.nl Close

August 11th 2008
News: Solar wins two Red Dot Awards for communication design
After having successfully participated to the Red Dot Awards in 2004 and 2006, Solar is rewarded with two more Red Dot Awards, bringing the total to 7. This years awards went to the Via Milano identity and a KPN Service Technician’s planner
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June 15th
News: Mecanoo Identity in use
The new Mecanoo Architecten identity was taken in use last week. With a final session in a series of workshops about the do’s and the don’t’s of the new identity, the Delft-based Architecture firm will start producing office and presentation documents with a 21st century version of their trusted free-diver logo. In a few months the website will follow. www.mecanoo.com
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May 21st 2008
News: SolarPhotography.com
Solar’s photography branch, solarphotography.com, goes live with a new design. The design follows the recent developments of new services that are offered.
See www.solarphotography.com Close

April 25th 2008
Project: Vriesco International Fabrics
Vriesco International Fabrics was among the first clients to make use of the services of Solar in 1998 and returned recently with new projects. At the time Solar designed a new identity for Vriesco and developed a “future file” (an extensive design and communication strategy) that served the company well the past 10 years. The recent projects include the continuation of the direction introduced in the “future file”.
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April 15th 2008
News: FreeDesigndom presented in during Milan Design Week
After having successfully participated to the Red Dot Awards in 2004 and 2006, Solar is rewarded with two more Red Dot Awards, bringing the total to 7.   This years awards went to the Via Milano identity (www.premsela.org ) and a KPN Service Technician’s planner (link)
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April 14th 2008
Studio: New designer team member
Mara Spruit joins the design studio’s production team as a production and project collaborator. Mara studied graphic design and Fashion & Branding at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, and previously worked for De Bijenkorf.
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April 1st 2008
Studio: New designer team member
Solar welcomes new design team member Marlène Soulier. She studied advertising at the Advertising School in Vienna and the London College of Communication. Marlène has working experience in graphic design at Lowe Stratéus in Paris, Summa in Barcelona and Vandejong in Amsterdam.
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March 15th 2008
Project: Free Designdom
After a design competition involving 3 other design companies Solar Initiative is being asked to create a new identity for the new formed Free Designdom, an umbrella organization promoting several dutch design initiatives on national and international level. Stakeholders are the municipality of Amsterdam and Utrecht.
See www.premsela.org
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March 1st
Studio: New designer team member
The Solar Design team is further strenghtened by new member Oliver Helfrich. Helfrich worked at several graphic design studios like Dumbar and Koeweiden Postma.
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February 28th 2008
Project: Delta Lloyd Groep Foundation
A new corporate identity is being developed for Delta Lloyd Group: Delta Lloyd Groep Foundation. Solar Initiative is asked to create this identity. The Foundation provides education, information, advice and assistance in the form of resources and voluntary work performed by Delta Lloyd staff.
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February 28th 2008
Project: Delta Lloyd Groep
Solar Initiative just completed the online annual report 2007 for Delta Lloyd Groep in collaboration with Proof Communications. Solar is responsible for the graphic design of the online part of the report.
See https://jaarverslag.deltalloydgroep.com
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January 2nd 2008
Project: Mecanoo Architecten
Solar Initaitive is currently creating the new corporate identity for Mecanoo Architects, after successfully winning a selection process that involved two other graphic design agencies. Mecanoo Architects, run by well known Dutch architect Francine Houben, is one of best known examples of modern Dutch architecture and works on national & internationally acclaimed projects like the new Dutch Historical Museum in Arnhem, The Netherlands and the spectacular theatre & congress centre in Lleida, Spain.
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November 2007 – 2008
Project: Akzo Nobel
Since almost half a year Solar is working on several design projects for Akzo Nobel Corporate Communications. Following the successful completion of the acquisition of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) (making Akzo Nobel the largest worldwide player in the coatings & decorative paint industry) Akzo Nobel is now rolling out a fast and effective integration process, which will also affect corporate identity & communications issues. Solar Initiative has been asked to support Akzo Nobel Corporate Communications department in this process.
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November 20th 2007
Project: Honorable mention for best designed online annual report 2007 of Delta Lloyd Group
For the annual best annual report prize 2007, issued by the Dutch Graphic Design Society, Proof Communication and Solar Initiative received a honorable mention by the jury for their work done for the annual year magazine 2006 and website. Solar was responsible for the graphic design of the online part of the report.
See https://jaarverslag.deltalloydgroep.com
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November 18th 2007
Project: Utrecht Manifest (part 2)
For the launch and opening of the Utrecht Manifest 2007, Solar created additional promotional communications material. Solar designed a newspaper containing information and agenda about the exhibitions, forums and workshops during the biennale.
Next to this we created posters and invitations to support the launch. The biennale will run from the 24th of November till the 11th of February 2008. For more information please visit www.utrechtmanifest.nl
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October 23rd 2007
Project: Website for photographer Joris ten Bosch
Solar created a new website for photographer Joris ten Bosch. This low cost and efficiently designed website gives this young Photographer the perfect platform and has a back-end that enables the end user to update the site dynamically.
www.joristenbosch.nl
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September 3rd 2007
Project: Utrecht Manifest
In 2005 Utrecht Manifest, the first biennial for conscientious design was successfully launched. For this Solar has produced an extensive visual identity that has recently been updated to fit the needs of the 2007 edition. The new campaign image and updated program were presented last Thursday in Utrecht to press and public.
www.utrechtmanifest.nl
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September 3rd 2007
Project: SeARCH
Internationally acclaimed SeARCH Architects exists for five years. To show future clients and prospects in a few images what SeARCH has been up to in the past years, Solar has created a fold-out brochure. The brochure incorporates a selection of images of the office’s most acclaimed and visually challenging projects, as well as a list of recent projects. The brochure aims to directs people to the SeARCH.nl web-site.
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August 15th 2007
Project: Website Paul Selwyn Norton
Solar interactive design team recently created a new platform for No Apologies front-man and founder Paul Selwyn Norton. After successfully creating a web presence and identity for No Apology a few years ago, Solar was approached by Selwyn to make a his personal website. The website shows the various activities of dancer-choreographer Paul Selwyn Norton. In addition Solar also has started with the design of an identity to accompany this new website.
www.paulselwynnorton.com
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June 26th 2007
Project: Website photographer Ingmar Swalue
Solar interactive design team just finished a website for Solar photographer Ingmar Swalue. The site has a beautiful navigation structure consisting of drag-able frames that enables the user to go through his work effortlessly. Next to this it has a backend that enables simple and effective updating for the end user.
www.ingmarswalue.com
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June 10th 2007
Project: Nike Women Sales promotion trailer & retail kit
In addition to the Nike Woman Look book, Solar Initiative also developed an internal promotion kit for the sales department of Nike Woman. It contains a toolkit to be used by the Nike sales team of this new collection by explaining the season theme through a promotional video-clip. In addition to this the team received a printed brochure containing technical details of all collection items and a note block.
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May 29th 2007
Project: Nike Women Look-Book Autumn Winter 2007
Solar Initiative has just finished the design of the Nike Women Look-Book Autumn Winter 2007 to preferred retailers in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For the second consecutive time the Look-Book is a successful collaboration between Nike Woman and Solar initiative. Being responsible for the graphic design and lay out of the book, Solar developed a format that will be translated into consumer catalogues and visual merchandising visible in all Nike Women shops in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
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May 3rd 2007
Lecture: At Centre for Contemporary Art Dordrecht, May 9th
On May 9th Solar Initiative designers Remco van Bladel, Marjolein Delhaas and Tobias Schaub give a lecture on the concept and ideas behind the exhibition at the Centre for Contemporary Art Dordrecht, which still runs until May 13. The lecture starts at 2pm and will be followed by an informal discussion in the exhibition space itself.
 
download a pdf for more information (dutch)
 
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April 10th 2007
Lecture: At Zefir 7, forum for graphic design The Hague.
Solar senior designer Remco van Bladel was invited to give a lecture at Zefir 7, about Solar and our current exhibition at Center for the Arts (CBK), Dordrecht. Alongside a short introduction to Solar’s work, Remco held a presentation in which the concept and ideas behind the exhibition were shown and discussed with the audience.
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April 7th 2007
Project: Solar exhibition at the CBK Dordrecht.
Solar Initiative has been invited to show design work at the the Center for Arts (CBK), Dordrecht. CBK Dordrecht is a long term cultural client for which Solar developed their graphic identity and all communication forms like flyers, invitations, website, newsletters etc. In this exhibition, Solar Initiative questions the role of the designer in the actual designproces. The result is an exhibition in which we show an intriguing array of graphic design and interaction design. The exhibition was opened by Bjarne Mastenbroek of SeARCH Architects. The exhibition runs from 7th April until 13th May 2007.
 
Exhibition page
 
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March 2nd 2007
Project: SNS Property Finance
Together with Proof Communication, Solar has worked on the introduction of a new communication campaign for SNS Property Finance. SNS Property Finance is an international customised property financing and participation company that conducts its financing operations on the basis of real estate expertise and is part of SNS REAAL is a Dutch banking and insurance service provider. The campaign is aimed at internal and external communication targets and is comprised of internal newsletters, corporate brochure and advertisements in national newspapers. Solar developed a new typographic style and photographic visual identity.
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February 2nd 2007
Project: KPN agenda
Solar Initiative has just finished work on the KPN agenda for their technicians. Concept behind the introduction of this agenda was the introduction of a new clothing line for all KPN technicians. In cooperation with Nykamp Nyboer, visual identity management, Solar created a tailor-made agenda for KPN workforce technicians, in which the new work wear was introduced by using ‘real’ KPN people as models. The agenda has a robust and clear graphic design, especially for the workmen on the road. Additional boost to the new work wear is given by the lay out of the photography of the collection as ‘centrefolds’. The concept was based on creating extra awareness for the ‘corporate values’ to its technical workforce.
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January 17th 2007
Project: Vote!
The RedDot-winning stamp for the Olympic Wintergames, that Solar Initiative designed in 2006 for TPG Post, now TNT Post, keeps making waves. In an ongoing election for best collectible stamp of 2006 it leads by a mere 70 votes to “endangered animals”. Help Solar secure a win: vote now www.tntpost.nl/voorthuis/postzegelverkiezing/ Solar strongly supports the case of the endangered animals, but not in this stamp-election. If you want to support the animals, make your contributions at www.wwf.nl

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January 17th 2007
Project: Nike Women Look-Book in stores near you
Nike Women has just released its Spring 07 Look-Book to preferred retailers in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The Spring 07 Look-Book, designed by Solar initiative, is very well received and will form the basis for the Spring 07 catalogues, which are developed by every country individually, and will appear in shops in the coming months.
www.nikewomen.com

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December 17th 2006
Exhibition: Private Property opens in Eindhoven
Solar's design team member Remco van Bladel and his production label - Onomatopee – present the exhibition Private Property in Eindhoven. The exhibition poses the question, how does the autonomous, creative entrepreneur relate to the construction of the creative city?
Through active and playful installations, the artists are invited to position themselves. These positions are open for public encounters and experiences and can, above all, be interpreted with the developing city in mind. Private property and collective interest can mingle within the creative domain.
The exhibition is open to the public from 12th - 28 January. Full information about the exhibition can be found at: www.onomatopee.net

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January 10th 2007
Studio: 2007 kick-off with two new team members!
Solar Photography division welcomes Eva Hoogendoorn. Hoogendoorn returns to assist in magazine and photography production after following an internship at Solar in 2003. Hoogendoorn graduated from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute and worked as a production assistant on Big Brother. 
The Solar Design team is further strenghtened by graphic designer Guido Cilissen. Cilissen graduated in 2003 from the Arts Academy in Maastricht and freelanced till landing at Solar recently. 

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December 22nd 2007
News: Viviane Sassen candidate for Prix de Rome short list
Solar Photographer Viviane Sassen and 3 others were chosen from a total of 230 artists on the short list. The Prix de Rome is the Dutch national prize for artists and architects younger than 35. The prize favours stimulating artistic development on an international level. Sassens work can be seen at the Solar Photography site:
www.solarphotography.com
www.prixderome.nl

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December 18th 2006
Project: Remco visits Boxtel roots
On the 15th December, Solar Designer and St Lucas Boxtel graduate Remco van Bladel returned to his roots after being invited to give a lecture at St Lucas, in Boxtel. A wide selection of Solar work was presented alongside his own initiatives Sonido Gris and Onomatopee.

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December 11th 2007
News: Solar design spotted by Adformatie
The restyling of the Bijenkorf in-store and loyalty magazines did not go unnoticed by the clients of the Dutch retail giant. The joint effort of the Bijenkorf in-house communication department, with both Solar Design and Photography teams has made the upgrade to glossy very successful. The new marketing strategy and the tools associated with this, such as the magazine, have turned a few heads. In its December 8th Edition, Adformatie invited the Bijenkorf to unveil their approach on winning the hearts of Loyalty Card holders.

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November 2nd 2006
Project: Solar in Ljublijana
November 29nd and 30th, Solar Initiative Creative Director Marieke Müskens was invited by the Emzin Institute For Creative Production in Ljublijana to participate in a two-day lecture program on Dutch Graphic Design. Together with Wim Crouwel and Irma Boom, Müskens held lectures for a crowd of various professionals and students in the field of visual communication. The program did not go unnoticed in the Slovenian media.: Müskens gave several interviews and appeared on Slovenian television. "The organisers of the seminar asked me to represent Solar Initiative as being part of the youngest generation of Dutch Graphic Designers playing a leading role." Müskens said, "Of course we were honoured and pleasantly surprised by the interest this two day seminar generated in Slovenia."

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November 10th 2006
Project: Doe Het Zelf Samen
Doe Het Zelf Samen / Do It Yourself (Together!) is a internet-based project initiated by Solar design teammember Cheryl Gallaway. The project is in response to and addresses the goals and ideals of ‘Wilde Wonen’ by Carel Weeber. Do It Yourself (Together!) is a tool in development that will enable local communities to create their own knowledge base surrounding an interactive version of the building permit application form, which is issued by the Dutch Ministry VROM. The tool is designed as an Internet based social web-application that allows communities to advise and assist each other with the often complex and un-navigable regulations that can be encountered when residents wish to build onto or modify their home in the Netherlands. Gallaway initiated the project a while ago and recently involved Solar Initiative to assist with the graphic design and Todd Matsumoto for the programming. The project features in the "Camp for Oppositional Architecture" an exhibition at Casco in Utrecht that will open November 10th.

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November 3rd 2006
News: Delta Lloyd corporate identity features in IM.
IM (Identity Matters), a Dutch magazine about brand design, included an article on the corporate identity that Solar Initiative developed for Delta Lloyd. Solar developed the identity with Proof Communications, an Amsterdam based communication agency. Read more about the Delta Lloyd identity on the Solar design website. The article features in IM’s latest issue (#9/06)

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October 17th 2006
News: Onomatopee presents Vis à Vue
Solar's design team member Remco van Bladel and his production label for artists publications - Onomatopee – present their latest project Vis à Vue.

The project, on visual literacy for which Onomatopee invited typographers to visualize their position in relation to visual literacy, resulted in a publication that will be presented during the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. For the publication, that can be seen as a visual manual for visual culture, Van Bladel and Freek Lomme invited some twenty graphic designers including Solar design team members Marjolein Delhaas en Tobias Schaub.

Vis à Vue is Onomatopee's 8th release. The label translates text, image and sound, and with a focus on poetry, typography and sound art, and is based in Eindhoven and Amsterdam. For more info go to www.onomatopee.net or www.dutchdesignweek.nl

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September 29th 2006
News: Designing Politics, the Politics of Design
Friday September 22nd, Solar Initiative design team member Tim Vermeulen was among a group of international expert guests invited by IFG Ulm to advice the jury of the “Designing Politics, the Politics of Design” Grant. IFG Ulm, the former private Design School in Ulm (Germany), has been addressing key topics in the design field since 1988 in their annual congress. From 2003 onwards IFG has taken on a more active role by supporting actual creation through a system of grants, exchange of experience, cooperation and networking. The 2006 call for proposals has resulted in 97 projects from 26 countries on the topic of “Designing Politics, the Politics of Design”. 9 projects were selected to present at a closed hearing last Friday. From these 9, 3 projects were awarded a grant for further development, during a ceremony at the Ulm city hall. Solar Initiative congratulates Kadambari Baxi, Hannah le Roux and Tamar Meshulam with the grants awarded and wishes them luck with the further development of their projects. Read more about IFG Ulm and the projects at www.ifg-ulm.de

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September 25th 2006
Projects: New Via Milano Book
Monday September 25th, a new book designed by Solar Initiative for Via Milano was presented at the Amsterdam “Woonbeurs”. The “Woonbeurs”, an annual fair dedicated to products for in and around the house, hosts a Via Milano presentation for the fourth time. Each year Via Milano makes a selection of the best Dutch design seen at the International Furniture Fair in Milan. Since the start of Via Milano in 2001 an impressive archive about the best Dutch furniture design has been built up. Solar Initiative designed last years publication for the Via Milano presentation at the “Woonbeurs”. A successful collaboration, because since then Solar Initiative has designed a set of postcards and an invitation for the Via Milano presentation in Berlin earlier this year, and this new catalogue for the 2006 presentation at the “Woonbeurs”. The book shows this year’s selection as well as a limited archive from previous years. The archive will be one of the key elements for the Via Milano website that is being designed as we speak. Read more about Via Milano at www.via-milano.nl

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September 14th 2006
Studio: Solar Initiative congratulates Proof Communication
Solar Initiative congratulates Proof Communication on its fifth anniversary. Over the past years Proof has invited Solar to work on several projects. This very fruitful collaboration has led to some challenging communication solutions for Delta Lloyd Group, No Apology and Ahold.
Solar Initiative thanks Proof Communication for these opportunities and hopes to continue this collaboration.
 
Congratulations, Luc, Margot, Marieke, Margot, Stefan, Monique, Dingeman, Dido, Mariëtta, Linda, Edith, Fenneke, Hanneke and Zeeland!

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September 13th 2006
Studio: New design studio website launched
Solar Initiative launched its new design studio website replacing the previous website that was developed as a part of the award winning 2001 corporate identity. The new website gives a more in depth view on Solar's key divisions: the design studio and the photography division. The website is aimed to give future clients and enthusiasts a more complete overview of the projects and includes a news section with the latest developments.

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September 9th 2006
Project: Launch 'Bij Exclusief' magazine
Commissioned by Dutch (luxury goods) department store De Bijenkorf, we just delivered a new concept and graphic & photography format for monthly business to consumer magazine 'Bij Exclusief'. After several years of photography production De Bijenkorf approached Solar Initiative to develop a new format and to establish a distinguished, upscaled look & feel for the Bij Exclusief magazine.

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September 5th 2006
Studio: Studio growing steadily
Three new team members, bringing staff to a total of 15, enforced the Solar Initiative team. Cheryl Gallaway joined Solar’s permanent staff and is responsible for Solar’s interactive design. Gallaway studied graphic design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London and Interactive design at the Piet Zwart Institute in Rotterdam. Beginning of August she was joined by interactive designer Micha Bakker, a Gerrit Rietveld Academy graduate. Former project manager Tim Vermeulen also rejoined the Solar Initiave team. After a brief period at Solar in 2004, Vermeulen left to manage Utrecht Manifest 2005, the first biennial for conscientious design. Back at Solar since mid-August he will work on project management, content development and strategy research.

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September 5th 2006
Studio: Solar welcomes new clients
In the last months Solar welcomed three new clients. In June Spark&Co, a new media consultancy company turned to Solar Initiative to develop their corporate identity and a website that is to be launched shortly. Longterm client Via Milano teamed up with the city of Amsterdam, and asked Solar Initiative to develop a guide for the Amsterdam Design September 2006 program. Already, the guide has been widely distributed. For the newest client, Nike Women, Solar is developing a book and a catalogue for the Spring 2007 Collection.

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September 4th 2006
Nomination: Selection for Dutch Design Awards
After receiving 3 Red Dot Awards, Solar Initiative has been pre-selected for Dutch Design Awards for three projects. In the category corporate identity; Utrecht Manifest biennial for conscientious design. Solar Initiative developed the corporate identity, communication resources, part of the exhibition design and signage system. In the category graphic design; 'Going for Gold' (moving) Olympic Stamps Turin 2006 in assignment for TPG Post. Further the 'SeARCH' book; a publication on prominent Dutch Architects SeARCH was selected.

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September 3rd 2006
Project: Design corporate identity Delta Lloyd
Solar Initiative has been working on the introduction and repositioning of the corporate identity of Delta Lloyd (Insurances, Asset Management and Bank) together with Proof Communication. The assignment consisted of a graphic identity and lay-out system to be used for internal and external communication tools, as well as internet appliances. (Also look at www.deltalloyd.nl)

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August 1st 2006
Awards: Solar Initiative receives 3 Red Dot Awards
Solar is proud to announce that it has been awarded 3 'Red Dot High Quality Design Awards' for the international Red Dot Design Competition 2005 / 2006. In the category editorial design two publications were awarded: 'SeARCH', a publication on one of the most prominent Dutch architecture offices, SeARCH Architects and for the publication 'The Power of Simplicity', commissioned by paper wholesaler ModoVanGelder. In the category corporate design Solar Initiative received an award for the design of a series of 'moving' stamps in honour of the Olympic Wintergames 2006 in Turin, commissioned by Royal TPG Post.

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