/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/iogo-nano-bubbles-banner.mp4 BUBBLING WITH INNOVATION Designed to age up the brand and capture the adventurous Gen Alpha demographic, this design maximizes a small pack format by amplifying the cool factor for a category-defying snack. It fuses the iÖGO Nanö legacy with high-energy visuals that pop on the shelf. CLIENT Lactalis Canada PROJECT iÖGO Nanö Bubbles RELATED […]
“Predicting the future” is not as daunting as it might sound. If you’re paying attention, the future is already here. For the past ten years, we’ve shared potential future scenarios brands and marketers should note as they consider new initiatives. Many of these potential futures have become reality: for example, in 2018 we explored a
Think Ahead for 2025: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know Read More »
Brand strategy and positioning are like a compass and a spotlight for your business. A compass guides decision-making and operational actions, keeping you on track toward your goals. A spotlight highlights your unique strengths and values, helping you clearly stand out in a crowded market. This blog explores the top trends shaping brand strategy in
The Top Trends in Brand Strategy and Positioning Read More »
Trends in novelty retail experiences are redefining how brands connect with consumers. These immersive and unexpected spaces offer a sense of discovery, tapping into customers’ desires and behaviors. In this blog, we introduce some of the latest trends in novelty retail experiences and explore how they may be shaping the future of retail. Multi-sensory Retail
Novelty Retail Experiences: Trends and Predictions Read More »
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HEADER-1.mp4 Communicating Kindness The power of stories builds awareness for the Petro-Canada CareMaker’s Foundation. CLIENT PetroCanada CareMakersFoundation PROJECT CareMakers Website RELATED SERVICE Visual Identity DesignCorporate CommunicationsWeb Design, Content StrategyContent Production THINK As a relatively new organization, the PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation wanted to build awareness of their purpose: supporting Canadian family caregivers. The cause is one
PetroCanada – CareMakers Foundation Read More »
The wellness industry has been growing rapidly, with technology solutions such as wearables, personalized products such as 3D printed vitamins, and in-home gym and workout equipment. In the retail sector, hot trends in healthy lifestyles are changing certain categories and creating new ones. In today’s blog, we’ll explore how trends in wellness are reshaping health-focussed
How the Huberman Podcast is Influencing Retail Read More »
Exterior signage is your brand’s calling card to the world. It’s a simple element with a massive impact, a visual cue that tells people who you are, what you stand for, and what they can expect inside. In this blog, we dive into why exterior signage matters and how it works. A-Pillar of Brand Identity
The Impact of Exterior Signage on Customer Connection Read More »
Dentistry is one of the most aesthetic of the medical professions, so it’s no surprise they lead the way when it comes to clinic design. Modern dental practices have moved away from the sterile, often tired-looking office spaces towards bolder and brighter settings that merge function, hospitality, and style. Ultimately, dentists have proven that interior
How Dentists Are Leading The Way in Healthcare Clinic Design Read More »
No topic has been more buzzy over the last year than advanced AI such as ChatGPT and Dall-E. Apple’s recent announcement of the launch of Apple Intelligence adds another opportunity for marketers to explore how AI could support better customer experiences. Apple’s devices and user experience have always accelerated shifts in customer behaviors – will
Apple AI, Let’s Get Personal Read More »
It’s always fun to wrap up a year with a retrospective on the most interesting brand stories. However, 2023 was not exactly a fun year. With the overwhelming number of gravely serious events unfolding around us, good news has been hard to come by. In our look back on 2023, we won’t avoid some of
The Best and Worst Brand Stories of 2023 Read More »
In the previous blog, we explored how culture influences creativity, starting with inspiration from the continent of Asia. This time, we’re heading to Europe, a place where packaging design has a long and fascinating history. European packaging design is known for its versatility, combining both classic and modern styles of design. It’s a diverse world
What can CPG brands learn from packaging design in Europe? Read More »
Starting a business is like building a house – there are some fundamentals you must get right to ensure it stays standing and provides a foundation for the future. From building a business case to naming and branding, this toolkit will help entrepreneurs and indie brands build a solid foundation. This easy-to-follow worksheet will help
Indie Brand Launch Kit: How to Set Your Brand Up for Success Read More »
Successful brands understand their true value is not a product or service, but the consistent delivery of an idea that resonates with their consumer. Nike sells empowerment, not shoes. Apple sells innovation, not computers. Sephora sells self-expression, not cosmetics, and so on. But simply identifying a powerful position is not enough. How consistently and authentically
Brand Implementation: What it is, Why it’s Important, and How to Succeed Read More »
Social media is constantly evolving. Something as little as removing the number of likes can make a big difference in the way users respond to a post. Just when marketers feel like they figured it out, a new platform, a new trend, or a tweak to the algorithm switches it all up again. Today, we’re
Social Media Trends In Retail Read More »
Every other day, you read a headline about labor shortages hurting restaurants and hospitality. In some places, companies are recruiting 14-year-olds, while others are offering big signing bonuses. Many restaurants are closing their doors several days a week because they don’t have enough staff to stay open, further hurting businesses that have managed barely to
The Future of the Hospitality Industry Read More »
The GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards are an annual celebration of the “designers and architects who improve our quality of life and the built environment.” Now in its 14th year, the first round of winners were recently announced, and SLD is proud to have been recognized with awards for our work with bbtease, Maxwell House,
SLD Takes Home Four Awards at Grands Prix Du Design Read More »
From fitness and nutrition to sleep and mindfulness, wellness means something different to everyone, and COVID-19 has led a lot of people to place a renewed emphasis on living happier and healthier lives. This trend is not going away, even post-pandemic, and as such, consumers are looking for holistic and inclusive offerings from the health
Exploring the Future of Wellness Brand Experiences Read More »
In North America, demographic changes are creating a more diverse customer base. This means brand strategy and marketing needs to become more inclusive quickly. But some marketers are nervous about making mistakes trying to speak to audiences with different experiences. Today our guest is Puja Prakash, a graduate student at OCAD, completing her Master’s in
Why Authenticity and Inclusivity Must Go Hand-in-Hand Read More »
Already trending before COVID-19, online shopping for groceries and other consumer packaged goods has skyrocketed during the pandemic. As CPG brands look ahead, many are asking how sticky this new behavior will be, what they can do to stand out on a virtual shelf, and how to approach their own e-commerce sites. This study will
E-Commerce for CPG: Key Consumers & Emerging Behaviors Read More »
If video games weren’t hot already, the pandemic sent gaming through the roof as more kids and even adults searched for something fun to do during lockdowns. Even as economies open up and the bump eases, video games are, now and forever, a deeply entrenched part of young people’s lives. Retail brands hoping to engage
Retail and Video Games – Exploring What’s Possible Read More »
