On 7 Holyoke Street sits a local dining destination that boasts of a cult-like following. Clover Food Labs, opened in 2010, serves an environmentally friendly menu of locally sourced items. Pioneered by MIT graduate Ayr Muir, Clover operates on a distinctive and engaging brand experience that is demonstrated in all aspects of the restaurant.

The impact of Clover is immediate upon entering the white rooms of its building: the two-storied inside is bright, fresh, and invigorating, illuminated with sunlight penetrating through the store’s vast front windows. Customers dine on long wooden tables to the sounds of crawling bass lines of the restaurant’s atmospheric music. The design strikes a balance between spare and minimalistic, yet warm. Thematically coherent, the inside becomes an all-encapsulating experience.

As Ayr Mui and I sit at the front counter of Clover, sipping tea, he elucidates Clover’s core value of transparency. “People should be able to see their food, and where it came from, and who made it—a sense of nothing hidden.”

The design cleverly literalizes Muir’s value of transparency with an indoor space that is completely open and devoid of partitions. Menu items are painted in black along the walls in honest, unassuming handwriting. At the same time, the notion of transparency is also conveyed in the way the restaurant operates. As customers enter the restaurant, they are immediately greeted by a member of staff, who smiles brightly and writes down orders. The casual, social atmosphere minimalizes the boundaries between those who work and those who dine.

“Here, inside this place, the only thing that brings color is food and the people,” Ayr notes. “Clover is built for interaction.” Indeed, with stark white walls, the restaurant becomes, in a sense, a theater intended to be activated by all the bustling customers and workers within. This makes explicit that at Clover, it is not just the service that matters, but also those who are served.

“I want the brand to convey a real New England ethos.” Ayr further points out. “A do-it-yourself ethos. A sense of ‘we-can-and-want-to-figure-things-out-ourselves.’ Self-reliance. No real fear of the unknown.” Indeed, the success of Clover’s unusual yet delicious menu items comes from a constant evolution shaped over time by devoted attention to customer input. From his very first food truck, Muir kept a keen eye on what people liked, and changed his menu accordingly. “The truck was a test venue. We transported a lot of what we learned to the actual restaurant,” Ayr states.

Transparency. Interaction. Innovation. It is no wonder Clover garners such a faithful client base. Right in Harvard Square, Clover stands as a visionary restaurant that transforms the traditional consumer experience with a clear, bold execution of their values through service, operation, and design.

The 2012 Outdoor Retailer show has come to a close after a successful few days of flurried activity out in Salt Lake City. Soldier had the privilege of unveiling a new tradeshow experience for Canada Goose at the OR show. We were beyond excited to reveal this latest project for CG to thousands of attendees and Goose retail partners!

The sustainable design and execution of the new tradeshow booth at OR represents the heritage and craftsmanship that Canada Goose was founded on. Using materials such as reclaimed snow fence and blackened steel, we worked hard to seamlessly flow together many years of product excellence into the space.

A superb vibe reverberated at the Goose booth, which was noticed and appreciated, by CG Senior Marketing Manager Nathan Wiszniak. “This all looks and feels so right, just the perfect launch into the New Year for Canada Goose,” he said. Soldier also delivered new spaces for shows in Florence, Munich, Berlin and Copenhagen.

Next stop: SIA in Denver, where Soldier will be delivering the newly created Canada Goose Consumer Experience to another global audience!

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market has officially kicked off, as retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and media from around the globe have gathered at the Salt Palace Convention center in Salt Lake City, UT.

Bobby Riley Founder of Solider Design

OR is by far the most important Outdoor show in North America, and in some cases, the litmus test for new gear, campaigns and technologies. Innovation is the name of the game on the floor, and some emerging trends we have picked up on so far are include: DWR-coated down insulation INSIDE jackets and sleeping bags (Congrats to Sierra Designs for winning Gear of the Show from Outside Magzine), “anti-outerwear” soft-shell jackets with hardshell attributes like water and wind proofing, “frameless” goggles for enhanced visability, hybrid insulated jackets that have breathable, stretch panels for increased range of motion AND modular boot systems that can be modified to “pack down”.

Mountain Hardware

New, upgraded booth at Outdoor Research

OR also welcomed some new brands from the Action Sports sector this year, including Burton, Quiksilver , Von Zipper and Stance…adding an element of edge to the show for sure.

Quiksilver Mountain Division

Here are a few of our top picks from the show so far…stay tuned for a full report in the Active Section ASAP!  –Jeanine Pesce

Patagonia Bivy Down Jacket in Bandana Blue

LOLË  Atelier Jacket in Pearl

Ikat Prints at Prana

Timbuk2 Full Cycle Series

The North Face Diez Insulated Pullover

Lifefactory Water Bottles Flip Top Collection

Moving Comfort Urban Gym Sweatshirt

Mammut Thrill Trip Hardshell

Fjällräven Anorak No. 8

We are also presenting our F/W13 Color + Megatrends on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Marriott (across from the Salt Palace) in Salon A @ 11:00am. Hope to see you there!

Our commitment to this deep bond, that brands must forge and nurture with the world at large, drives us each and every moment. As we embark on our own studio journey in 2012, we touch down in Berlin, Florence, Salt Lake City, and Denver this month as portions of our work take flight into the public domain. We are unveiling the global strategy, retail system, and complete environment execution plans for Canada Goose at several international trade shows. We have much to share within and beyond this and invite you to join us.

“Tell me it can’t be done… I’ll give it everything I’ve got to prove that it can.”
-Lance Mackey

Q: Name please?
Megan Campbell

Q: Where are you from and how did you end up around here?
Austin, TX. After I got married in June, we decided to go on an adventure and live somewhere new—and Boston sounded exciting!

Q: What are some of your frequently visited websites?
Design Inspiration, Buamai, and Etsy.

Q: Do you like guns? How many guns do you own?
I’m from Texas, I must right? …..One. An old BB gun…lame I know!

Q: What made you apply for a design position at Soldier Design?
Soldier has guns. BIG ONES. and…I felt a strong connection to the style of design and inspired by their values and creative thought process.

Q: What do you think about Soldier now you are here? Are you disappointed by the lack of guns?
Every project excites me, the atmosphere is great, and I love working with everyone here! We have become a little family. I’m not at all disappointed.

Q: Since you’re new to Boston and are now well travelled, what one piece of advice would you give someone who lives in your hometown?
You only live once.

Q: And what would you recommend to someone who is visiting the area for the first time?
Eat at Mr. Bartley’s and go BIG. Milkshake. Juicy cheeseburger. Sweet potato fries.

Q: How about respected musical artists?
Gillian Welch, Norah Jones, Ray LaMontagne, Drive By Truckers, Allman Brothers, Skynyrd, Free, the Stones, and Led Zeppelin.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?
Hike mountains, float rivers, and drink beers.

Q: Describe yourself in one sentence using only three words.
Passionate and tenacious.

Q: What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Bacon and milk.

Q: What are two true things about you, and one lie?
I have lived in Italy, I’m a thrift store junkie, and I hate coffee.

Q: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Ummmm…..

Q: Can I kick it?
All day, EVERYDAY.

Harvard Square is full of historic buildings that too often go unnoticed by its pedestrians—student transplants, native Cantabrigians, and year-round tourists alike. Just a stone’s throw away from Soldier Design’s office on Brattle Street sits a historic building constructed, in 1969, by world-renowned architect Benjamin Thompson. Known as the Design Research Headquarters, the cantilevered, five-story, glass facade building won the 25-Year Award Design in 2003, granted by the American Institute of Architects for its innovative and modern design that at the time redefined retail architecture.

Today, we know the building to house Anthropologie, while its previous inhabitant, Crate & Barrel, remains ever fresh in our memories. Yet, if we rewind back to late 1960, we discover that the Brattle Street building was originally conceived for a lifestyle store of the same name, Design Research (D/R), which was a revolutionary and wildly popular modern design household goods franchise that the architect Thompson himself had established in 1953. Though the D/R franchise fared well throughout the United States, the company proved to be particularly successful—and even culturally iconic— in its Brattle Street location.

The brand’s success at this specific venue drew on the interaction—the synthesis—of product and architecture to create an exciting consumer experience. In the late 1960s, the building’s modern glass facade jutted conspicuously from its brick and clapboard surroundings. Alluring in its uniqueness, the building symbolized the new, the hip, the brave, and the modern.

Meanwhile, the wall-to-ceiling glass facade transformed the building into a giant display case. Thus, the merchandise—in its strong visual impact and arrangement within the space—performed a crucial function as it activated the space. D/R’s product aesthetic was electric, zestful, even daring. Looking from the street outside, neon colors and bold, zigzagging patterns punctuated the otherwise brick-and-clapboard architectural environment of Harvard Square. At night, the store became all the more vibrant, as light and color radiated through glass and cast an otherworldly glow onto the surrounding street.

Image of interior with products. Photo via Cool Hunting

Indeed, the building seemed to “come alive” in many respects. Looking through the glass, the perusing customers, the upbeat spirit of the employees, and the vivacious colors and prints of the merchandise, collectively resulted in a space that was wholly enlivened and animated. The Design Research Headquarters transcended its role as a retail store. In its optimistic and bold aesthetic, D/R became a social hub, replete with human interaction. It was a place to see and to be seen, as inside, customers lounging on sofas would spark conversation with other shoppers nearby, while those examining glassware on the ground level waved greetings to friends passing by on the street.

Thompson’s idea was not to sell a product, but rather, an attitude towards design. He aimed for a store that generated excitement, that brought to the Square an invigorating consumer experience. Indeed, Thompson achieved this end, by smartly conceiving an architectural piece that worked hand in hand with its merchandise, whose glass facade allowed for the store to become a part of the street itself, and for its bold merchandise to vitalize and draw consumers from without to within. Thus, the Design Research Headquarters houses a great historical example of how product and architecture can interact, coming together to establish a strong brand identity.

*****

Image of book cover and D/R merchandise. Photo via Cool Hunting

To read more on the topic, buy the recent Design Research Book here.

For the past year and a half, Soldier Design has been working in close collaboration with Warrior, the industry leader in lacrosse and hockey gear, in order to plan and conceptualize product design, development, advertising, and apparel. Paul Rabil, the number one ranked professional lacrosse player in the world, signed with the company to produce a signature line, and has teamed with Soldier Design to develop a new logo that encapsulates, defines, and embodies the essence of the Rabil brand.

Just as a general may be king of the battlefield, Rabil reigns on the lacrosse field and floor. Drawing from the forms of military rank insignia, the Rabil logo evokes authority, anchored in the strong, determined silhouette of the chevron. It is bold, fierce, and powerful. The overall geometric structure is as clean and mathematically precise as Rabil’s maneuvers on the field, while angular and zigzagging lines evoke his sonic agility. Like Rabil, his logo leaves a memorable, relentless impression.

Introduction | This year, much as in previous years, some brands may be staring into the abyss, while others will do exuberantly well. And while we can’t offer any help to defaulting nations or bankrupt companies, we do believe that there are more opportunities than ever for creative brands and entrepreneurs to deliver on changing consumer needs. From Canada to Korea. Hence this overview of 12 must-know consumer trends (in random order) for you to run with in the next 12 months. Onwards and upwards:

In 2012, department stores, airlines, hotels, theme parks, museums, if not entire cities and nations around the world will roll out the red carpet for the new emperors, showering Chinese visitors and customers with tailored services and perks, and in general, lavish attention and respect.

Read RED CARPET in full (including examples from Hilton, Starwood and Harrods)

Expect to see consumers take advantage of new technologies and apps to discreetly and continuously track, manage and be alerted to, any changes in their personal health.

Read DIY HEALTH in full (including examples from Jawbone, Ford and Lifelens)

In 2012, not only will consumers continue to hunt for deals and discounts, but they will do so with relish if not pride. Deals are now about more than just saving money: it’s the thrill, the pursuit, the control, and the perceived smartness, and thus a source of status too.

Read DEALER-CHIC in full (including examples from American Express, Nokitum and Daitan)

Brands will increasingly take back all of their products for recycling (sometimes forced by new legislation), and recycle them responsibly and innovatively.

Read ECO-CYCOLOGY in full (including examples from Dell, Nike and Garnier)

Will coins and notes completely disappear in 2012? No. But a cashless future is (finally) upon us, as major players such as MasterCard and Google work to build a whole new eco-system of payments, rewards and offers around new mobile technologies.

Read CASH-LESS in full (including examples from Google, PayPal and Square)

The majority of consumers live in cities, yet in much of the world city life is chaotic, cramped and often none too pleasant. However at the same time, the creativity and vibrancy of these aspiring consumers, means that the global opportunities for brands which cater to the hundreds of millions of lower-income CITYSUMERS are unprecedented.

Read BOUP in full (including examples from PepsiCo, NCR and Aakash)

Anything that makes it downright simple- if not completely effortless- for consumers to contribute to something will be more popular than ever in 2012. Unlocked by the spread of ever smarter sensors in mobile phones, people will not only be able but increasingly willing, to broadcast information about where and what they are doing, to help improve products and services.

Read IDLE SOURCING in full (including examples from Street Bump and Waze)

Why to consumers, brands that behave more humanly, including exposing their flaws, will be awesome.

Read FLAWSOME in full here.

Thanks to the continued explosion of touchscreen smartphones, tablets, and the ‘cloud’, 2012 will see a SCREEN CULTURE that is not only more pervasive, but more personal, more immersive and more interactive than ever.

Read SCREEN CULTURE in full (including examples from Sky, 8ta and Huawei)

It’s never been easier for savvy consumers to resell or trade in past purchases, and unlock the value in their current possessions. In 2012, ‘trading in’ is the new buying.

Read RECOMMERCE in full (including examples from Decathlon, Amazon and Levi’s)

While cultural differences will continue to shape consumer desires, middle-class and/or younger consumers in almost everymarket will embrace brands that push the boundaries. Expect frank, risqué or non-corporate products, services and campaigns from emerging markets to be on the rise in 2012.

Read EMERGING MATURIALISM in full (including examples from Diesel, Johnson & Johnson and Sanitol)

Consumers are used to being able to find out just about anything that’s online or text-based, but 2012 will see instant visualinformation gratification brought into the real and visual world with objects and even people.

Read POINT & KNOW in full (including examples from Starbucks, eBay and Amazon)

Q: Name please?
A: Joshua Rama Jevons

Q: Where are you from?
A: Rensselaer, N.Y.