Danlee Medical owner, Joni Walton asked for the creative team at Assante Design to take Danlee Medical’s achievements and overall feel, to inspire a redesigned logo for the company. We were not only excited, but ready to meet the challenge head on. After a few meetings and direction from Danlee’s staff, we were on our way with a new, leaner, meaner (not really) colored logo that represents Danlee’s look into the future of their company. Many employees and local creatives have given our team their feedback, and might we say it’s been both complimentary and constructive in every way. A big THANK YOU goes out to the super awesome, and always enjoyable staff over at Danlee Medical, where we joined forces to turn out an amazing end solution that we are VERY proud of.

After completing & seeing the 100 year ESF anniversary installation located in the ever so beautiful Moon library on SU’s campus, another member of the Onondaga Historical Association called upon assante design to help with their 100 Year Anniversary Traveling Timeline for The Girl Scouts. The installed traveling exhibit will be educating spectators & visitors all over The United States. The design consisted of many historical images and documentation placed into a time-line format that not only educated the public on the history of the Girl Scouts but also gave an aesthetic feel to the images. This project allowed us to display our artistic talents but also allowed us to become even more involved in another community project here in Syracuse. If this traveling exhibit comes close to your hometown over the next year on the road, please make time to see it if at all possible.

note:: This is the second installation/design/install project that assante design has worked closely with Media Finishings. Their attention to detail is top-notch & end results are perfectly done, not to mention the turn-around of these artisans being spot on… a big “thank you” goes out to Peter for working his magic in order to produce a beautiful piece worthy of mentioning.

In the beginning of February, 2011, Marty Furgal joined our team, and, after a few short months of bringing his “A” game, he graduated to the position of Assante’s new Senior Designer. Over eight years of hands-on production skills were in this kid’s resume and his eye for clean design complimented that. Marty has been a large contributor to the growth of our company and bringing what he did has enabled us to branch out to even more clientele, so Leonard Assante is very proud to consider Marty a part of his ever-growing team.

A man with his level of knowledge and talent is priceless, and Assante Design is lucky to have him joining the crew. Marty has given nothing but his best work for everything that has been put in front of him‚ and with a little bribe – a case of Pepsi or a handful of Reese’s cups – this kid brings it 110%. We’d like to welcome Marty on board. It feels good having you here!

Almost 2 years ago, Assante Design changed its suite number to 501 West Fayette’s version of the penthouse – the third floor – where we met one of Syracuse’s most talented photographers, Brantley Carroll. Soon after, Brantley decided to pack up and head for San Francisco after being in that room for over 10 years. With him on his way, we were VERY interested in putting ourselves into some new digs.

Now we miss Brantley but, once the key changed hands, the desks were carried in and leveled, the floors were sanded/cleaned/redone, and the window treatments were finalized, well, let’s just say this – Brantley who? LOL!

As in any studio that we are going to be spending many long days in, we knew we had to do it right so we threw a fresh coat of paint on all the walls; stripped/sanded and poly’ed these AMAZING floors; fixed, tweaked, adjusted, and cleaned all of these glorious SUPER-TALL windows; and, last but not least, turned our attention to the now-gorgeous exposed brick. We are 250 miles away from the area but can you say SOHO?

One thing Mr. Landlord made sure of is that we knew the super-awesome and just cool-as-can-be six lighting fixtures are to be left alone, and we agreed. As we moved rather quickly and got everything just as we imagined, we are now enjoying our view of downtown Syracuse, and, every once in a while, the floors will shake, the air will be filled with the sounds of a diesel engine, and we all hear a louder-than-life ole’ horn from the train/neighbor across the street.

Our new studio space is something else! We have continued to grow as a company in the past four years in this ever-so-cool downtown Syracuse area, and this move has helped us along greatly. We have plans to bring together both 301 and 302 by breaking a hole and putting a door in, but, for now, we‚ are busy as can be and we’d like it no other way! With caffeine in the fridge, Pepsi’s all around, Kabuki (our designing mascot) sleeping on the couch, and the air filled with miscellaneous music from who knows where, this space has quickly become a great place for our creative minds to brainstorm!

A little over nine months ago, Leonard Assante began dishing out blank skateboards to local artist in attempt to create one of the largest and sickest art exhibitions in CNY to date.

Over 70 boards went out into the big bad creative world and 20 have been returned and are now on display at assante design headquarters in the Delavan Art Center and Assante Design wants you to step up.

What are you waiting for? Get on Facebook and snatch up the concept: 7ply application today!

Roberts Office Furniture Concepts was recently featured in an article in Construction Contractors magazine. Our 301 studio space had an image insert in the article, as it was custom built by ROFC. Assante Design was also given the opportunity to put together the post-it branding elements for ROFC.

Check out the image and the article here : “The Best of the Best”

Assante Design has partnered up with Otto Media to offer clients a more rounded line of services from branding and print material to web work and media buying.

The Assante Design and Otto Media partnership creates a one-stop-shop giving our clients all the services their business needs without the Ad Agency price!

Press Release of One of Our Partnership Projects:

Bariatric Program Ignores Its Own Advice – And Gets Bigger

June 30, 2010 (Auburn, NY) – Carl A. Weiss III, M.D., Ph.D., has been leading Auburn Memorial Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery Center, a weight-loss surgery center, since 2005. After helping to change the lives of its patients for more than five years, the bariatric program is undergoing some changes of its own, including a new name and a new wing in the Hospital to accommodate its remarkable growth.

According to Scott Berlucchi, CEO at Auburn Memorial Hospital, the success of the bariatric program and the leadership of Dr. Weiss greatly contributed to the turnaround of the Hospital in 2007. Since then, Fingerlakes Bariatrics, formerly the Fingerlakes Weight-Loss Program, has more than doubled its patients and continues to grow. In fact, the Bariatric Surgery Center played such an integral part in bringing Auburn Memorial Hospital back to profitability that, in 2009, the Hospital was able to build four state-of-the-art laparoscopic and endoscopic theaters with the latest surgical technology.

Recognizing this growing demand, Dr. Weiss enlisted Otto Media (formerly Ottovonmo Productions) and Assante Design to develop and launch a new marketing campaign, as well as enter new realms of the web and social communities, as part of its rebranding effort.

“Otto Media and Assante Design understand these new concepts better than any other marketing organization that we’ve worked with thus far,” Dr. Weiss said.

The new campaign integrates traditional media with new Internet media marketing. It includes a new brand, logo, website, commercials and internet videos, and a new robust social media presence.

In addition to seeing the new commercial on TV, you can learn more about this multidisciplinary program and how to achieve significant weight loss success, as well as watch the commercials and videos, at the newly re-designed website, www.fingerlakesbariatrics.com, which will launch July 1. You can also visit the company’s new Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other social media pages.

The new hospital wing for Fingerlakes Bariatrics is scheduled to be unveiled in the fall of 2010. More information will be released closer to that time.

Assante Design was highlighted, along with Otto Media, for the rebranding of Fingerlakes Bariatrics at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

“As for the upgrades to the brand image, Fingerlakes Bariatrics hired Otto Media and Assante Design to launch a new marketing campaign and handle public relations. The program has a newly designed website, fingerlakesbariatrics.com, and will reach out on social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Digg and Twitter.”

View the full article here:

>>auburnpub.com

Article posted by CNY Link about the collaborative effort that made Say Yes Syracuse 2010 happen.

“Assante Design & Kocak Wordsmiths Ink, of Syracuse, collaborated with Salient Link, of Buffalo, to launch SayYesSyracuse2010.com, a free social networking website celebrating Syracuse and the Central New York region.

The project began in the middle of this winter complete with that economic gloom that hangs over even a normal upstate winter. As creative professionals the partners wanted to send some positive economic vibes out and see what bounced back.

Paul Kocak of Kocak Wordsmiths Ink had this concept, which he brought to assante design. Kocak was looking to return a favor to Assante, who had featured brief commentaries on marketing by Kocak on its website.

“I felt confident that leonard’s was the best shop to really make this thing shine in terms of graphic design.” Assante brought in Salient Link, who he knew from other website projects.

Salient Link added important interactive features that enable the website to be smooth, easy and welcoming for users. They all agreed on a site that was free of ad clutter with a life of its own.

The goal was to boost civic pride while promoting Syracuse and its surroundings as a land of economic opportunity with an inexpensive cost of living complete with many natural virtues. The plan also showcases the area as a creative hub.

Assante said, “naturally we want to use our own creative talents as an example. If it gets any of us work, fine. If it draws people to the Syracuse area, great. If it merely serves as a social networking venue to celebrate Syracuse, fine again.

In addition they wanted to have a loose parallel with the Say Yes to Education initiative in Syracuse, which is a national model.

Kocak Wordsmiths Ink, assante design and Salient Link consider it to be their contribution to the community.”

>>CNYLink Article

>>Post Your Own Yes!

Wow, we’ve had a busy couple of months! With the move to two new studio spaces and the surge of great new projects, we have had a jam packed year so far. We are still in the Delavan Center, but are now located on the other side of the building at 501 W Fayette Street, Suite 301. We also have a separate design studio in Suite 219. Give us a call if you want to stop by to see the new spaces. We’re always happy to show them off!

Assante Design
501 W Fayette St, Ste 301
Syracuse, NY 13204

“We’re never the cheapest,” says Till Hahn, 72, of Glasbau Hahn, makers of specialty glass in Germany. The firm has built display cases to house the Declaration of Independence in New York and the mummy of King Tutankhamen in Egypt. “Last year we had too little work, this year we have too much,” notes Hahn. Go figure. Go figure the cost of quality. (Brother, can you spare a diamond?)

Leonard Assante was featured on the front page of the Syracuse City Eagle. See what Ellen Leahy wrote about him and assante design:

What is it about Brooklyn? I mean, in the character it creates within its populace? Take Leonard Assante, who nine years ago, found himself in Syracuse, and never left. He’s got the heart and soul of a true Brooklyn Dodger, with a good measure of 21st century skills and street smarts.

“Where I come from you always return a favor,” Assante said. The man is an artist and designer, a visual communication expert and the owner of Assante Design, which is located in the Delavan Center on West Fayette Street in Syracuse.

Today’s clients
Any client of Assante gets Leonard’s brain trust. The guy thinks about your business all day and into the night. How to tell your story. The creative is not about hype, awards or the latest spin. It’s about truth telling, and old fashioned marketing: How to bring you, your business, your product to the market in the clearest, most efficient way that gets noticed in a world of messaging.

“No matter what the project at hand is, it has to be intriguing and it has to be effective,” Assante says.

He gets his whole creative team on it right away, too. He said, “No time wasted, I don’t want to miss the opportunity of a good idea right after a creative briefing with clients.”

Assante Design does create for big organizations and institutions such as Welch Allyn, JGB Properties, Cornell University and local hotels, but the firm also specializes in working with small business, and especially, start ups.

Although Assante Design has many out of state clients, the firm brings their print, promotional and production work to Central New York. Assante is adamant about keeping the work and the money in CNY. Working, thinking, breathing, shopping, investing in the local economy is his mindset. Syracuse First has a great saying and Assante lives by it “Buy Local or Bye Bye Local.”

In the beginning – strictly urban
Once you meet Leonard Assante, you will never forget it. He is the oddest mix of in your face and polite; big kid and the perfect gentleman; Very hip to today, yet a throwback to the post World War II American Dream values.

He says he grew up in the streets… not the tough streets, rather the edgy urban scene that the streets portrays.

He sees every little bump and the cracks in his environment. He likes to maintain his connection to that “It’s what I’m about,” he said. This perspective started very early from snappin’ ollies all over his neighborhood on a skateboard, and then, as a flatlander on a BMX bike. His sense of timing and balance got him a full-fledged Reebok sponsorship. He further expressed his senses in Total Distortion, a ratty zine’ he started in his basement at the age of 14. A little later on, he took his artwork to the streets in the form of graffiti, then into the classroom at the School for Visual Arts in NYC.

But that wasn’t enough, he worked on his portfolio doing freelance graphic design for any and all clubs in NYC… The Tunnel, The Roxy, Twilo, Palladium, Club USA, you name it, he did it. ALWAYS hustling the work, NEVER the clients.

Life in CNY
Assante, 39, is passionate about his young family. You can tell in the way he talks about his wife Amy, and 15-month-old son, Gian Michael. Amy was born and raised in Auburn and is owner of The Church Salon on East Fayette Street in Armory Square with longtime friend Jeff Church. As Leonard says, “My wife is gorgeous, both inside and out.” The couple met on Myspace. She feel in love with his photography; he her attitude. Leonard gets the six degrees of separation of Central New Yorkers and their generous, cynical ways. It is definitely home for him. He now gets his adrenaline fix by off-roading and rock crawling. He and a couple of his closest friends started the largest jeep club in upstate New York; www.cnyjeep.org. If you own a jeep, you have to check it out.

Need solid & effective visual communication for your business?
Contact Assante directly at creative@assantedesign.com, call the team at 315.470.0404, visit the company’s Web site at assantedesign.com or just stop by and visit his space at the Delavan Center on West Fayette Street. The Assante team is always ready to introduce themselves to the work they create, the spaces they’ve reinvented, or the mindset of what creative stuff they are working on that day. At Assante Design, “it’s creative, it’s effective, it’s all good.”

>> Syracuse City Eagle Article

It is said that in Bhutan a handshake is no small gesture. Two hands are cupped over your hand; the greeter’s head is in a half bow. Very deliberate, very present, fully engaged. Think of that as you greet a prospect or client. Online or in print. Are you giving an attentive handshake? Or going all digital? (Not that there’s anything good about that.)

Do you like animals? Do you like art? Then come to Pawcasso 2010, an annual event to raise money for Spay and Neuter Syracuse (SANS), a non-profit, low cost spay and neuter clinic.

The event features a silent auction of fine art by, for and about animals. It’s a great opportunity for artists to show their work to the public and help the effort to fight pet overpopulation. This year Pawcasso will also feature an extended student art section and a private reading area with nationally recognized Animal Communicator Colleen Nicholson.

It all goes down…
WHERE: Palace Theater on James Street in Eastwood
WHEN: Saturday February 27th, 5-9pm
$10 donation at the door

For more information please call 315.422.7970 or visit their web site at www.spayandneutersyracuse.org

February Mixer!

Please join us for the next Syracuse First Member Mixer hosted by Strong Hearts Cafe, a local fully vegan restaurant with delicious sandwiches, soup, breakfast, desserts, snacks and MILKSHAKES!

This month’s events features experts on the power of social media.  Social Media platforms enable you to create relationships with your customers outside of normal business happenings. It can be very cost effective marketing too.

WHERE: Strong Hearts Cafe / 719 E. Genesee St. / Syracuse, NY 13210 / 315.478.0000
WHEN: Tuesday February 16 /  6pm – 8pm  (presentation will begin at approx. 6:30)

This event is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about the power of Syracuse First and the Buy Local movement.
*There is a suggested donation of $5 to help off-set costs of food and beverage*

Brand new “Locavore” t-shirts will be available for $10

Branding is the sum total of a company’s identity — from its name and logo to every piece of communication, internal or external — to every encounter every customer or potential customer has with it. A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. It’s important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand. After all your brand is the source of a promise to your consumer. It’s a foundational piece in your marketing communication and one you do not want to be without. Your brand resides within the hearts and minds of customers, clients, and prospects. It is the sum total of their experience.

A Logo does not make a brand. Many companies struggle with the challenge of building a strong brand and get caught in the myth that a logo is a brand. We like to challenge that myth. A well designed logo and corporate identity is important but it is just the starting point of building a strong brand that will attract potential customers. Brand strategy impacts all the potential contact points and experiences you have with your customer and is much more than your logo.

How you communicate with your customers. What level of service & support you provide them. How you engage them and meet their needs also are important aspects of your brand. Building a brand takes time and a step by step strategic approach. assante design will continue to move forward for all new startup businesses that contact us for their identity, brand and print material. When we sit with potential clients, we not only take into consideration their budget but their ability to stand behind what we build for their visual representation as well. It’s not as complex as many may tend to make it seem. At assante design, we live, breathe and strive for constant upkeep of our brand in this marketplace. Give us a call and see what assante design can do for your business.

Whatever happened to location, location, location? It moved online. Website visitors want content and they want it now. It’s grab and go. But what is content? It invites, asks, converses, answers, whispers, cries, suggests, nudges. Content is show and tell, happily married to each other (or at least in a civil union). Content is word + image + imagination + invitation. And it happens by design.

“You talkin’ to me?” Yeah, it’s one of the most famous lines in cinema. But do you remember that Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver was talking to himself in the mirror? I do that a lot in my so-called marketing. We all do. (Hey, you have to start a conversation somewhere somehow!) T.S. Eliot said that a poem is not even finished until someone reads it, even if it’s only the poet. So if new-business buzz is all about conversation, let me say this: if it’s a mirror I’m talkin’ to at least let it be one of those two-way gizmos, like in police interrogation rooms. Eavesdroppers and voyeurs invited. (Am I finished?)

Paul Kocak • Kocak Wordsmiths Ink

www.kocakwords.com

Last month, assante design brought to everyones attention that we were sending out our first email newsletter… we had no idea it was going to be embraced by so many local businesses.

With the  launch of our brand new e-mail newsletter, it brought four big local names to our creative table to discuss new projects.  We already created new relationships and have rekindled some old ones. The email blasts are opening our eyes to what can be achieved with not just viral marketing but word of mouth as well.

If you wish to receive our newsletter, click on the following link to be taken to the newsletter subscription page.

http://assantedesign.com/newslettersignup/

We look forward to connecting with more of you!

Assante Design is continuing to grow, and expand it’s reach into the world wide web.

Last month we launched our brand new e-mail newsletter, and it was met with great success.  We already have created new relationships and have rekindled some old ones.

If you wish to receive our newsletter, click on the following link to be taken to the newsletter subscription page.

http://assantedesign.com/newslettersignup/

We look forward to connecting with more of you!

An initiative of native-Syracusan Chris Fowler, Syracuse First aims to encourage residents to think before they purchase something. We all know that Upstate has seen better days, and we agree that rebuilding a healthy local economy starts with supporting local businesses.

>>SyracuseFirst.org

After taking stock of all the work we’ve done in the past year, and how happy we are with it, we decided it needed to be showcased in a totally redesigned website. This site will be constantly updated as we complete our newest work, so stay tuned. Our collateral materials have also been redesigned with the theme of our work environment. Being housed in the Delavan Center provides unique and comfortable surroundings, and made for an easy subject to design around.

Companies throughout Central New York and around the country who recognize the importance of partnerships and customized solutions are turning to specialized design firms like assante design. With this increase in demand, we’ve decided to expand into new digs within the Delavan Center located in Downtown Armory Square. The Delavan Center has been great for us creatively as well as convenient for our clients. The added space will allow us to concentrate on customer service, and provide additional space for client meetings and presentations. The expansion is taking place this week, and the studio will host an open house and its first client showcase in the near future.