syamo

         We engaged in a transformative project with Sublimed, a music label originally led by DJ and producer Giuliano Stutz. Our goal was to craft a brand identity that reflected not just Giuliano's personal style but also the broader vision of Sublimed as a label encompassing various artists and genres.

          Sublimed's rebranding journey started with an existing logo, which Giuliano liked but saw potential for refinement. Our challenge was to evolve this logo while keeping its essence intact. The design process involved an in-depth exploration of musical elements and Giuliano's artistic identity. The final logo is a blend of musical symbols and the letter 'S', representing Sublimed.

          It includes a musical staff and elements resembling a turntable, symbolizing the label's connection to music production and DJ culture. This involved representing the dual meanings of 'sublime' – as an adjective denoting grandeur and beauty, and 'sublimed' – in a chemical context, signifying transformation. The challenge was to encapsulate these concepts visually, aided by AI technology. The 'sublime' aspect in our design aimed to capture the awe-inspiring, emotionally potent qualities of music. We sought to create visuals that evoke the profound and often overwhelming beauty that music can embody.

          This was not just about aesthetic appeal but also about conveying the depth and emotional resonance that Sublimed’s range of music genres can inspire in its audience.On the other hand, 'sublimed', in its chemical sense, refers to a transition from solid to gas, bypassing the liquid state – a process of transformation and elevation.

          In our visual representation, this concept was translated into imagery that symbolizes the transformative power of music. We utilized AI technology to create designs that convey this sense of elevation and transition, reflecting the way music can transcend the ordinary and transport listeners to a different emotional or mental state.

          These dual themes were integrated into Sublimed’s branding across various platforms, including digital album covers and promotional materials. The AI-driven design process allowed us to explore complex patterns and color schemes that could visually represent the sublime and transformative nature of music, ensuring that each piece resonated with the essence of these concepts.

Design: syamo
Illustrations: syamo / Midjourney
Typeface: ES Build / Extraset

          We embarked on the ambitious Catch Tracking project to revolutionize fishing record-keeping in Ticino. Our mission was to transition from the traditional paper-based system to a digital solution that enhances efficiency and user-friendliness for fishermen.

          The Catch Tracking app, developed as a digital alternative, offers a multitude of features designed to streamline the fishing experience. This includes a comprehensive digital tool for measuring catches, interactive maps to track fishing locations, and detailed user profiles that offer valuable insights and statistics. These features collectively simplify the recording process for fishermen and assist authorities in managing fishing data more effectively.

          Key to the success of this project was maintaining a balance between usability and the traditional processes of recording catches. We were careful to ensure that the digital transition did not disrupt the established workflow of fishermen, whether they were experienced or novices, tech-savvy or not. This approach aimed to make the adoption of the digital solution as seamless as possible.

          During the development, we conducted extensive research, including field studies, surveys, and user interviews, to understand the needs and pain points associated with the existing paper-based system.

          This research was instrumental in defining user personas, user journeys, and the features that would be most beneficial in the app.

          One of the primary challenges in this project was to digitize the existing paper-based process without altering the fundamental user experience. We focused on understanding both the human and technical aspects of this challenge, which was crucial in developing an appropriate digital solution. The app's design was carefully thought out, from the information architecture to the wireframes and high-fidelity mockups. We chose a color palette that was neutral yet recognizable, ensuring a smooth user experience with a consistent and cohesive design system.

          In conclusion, the Catch Tracking project represents a significant step forward in the modernization of fishing record-keeping. By combining the traditional aspects of fishing with the convenience and efficiency of modern technology, we have created an app that not only simplifies the task for fishermen but also enhances their overall fishing experience. This project is a testament to our commitment at syamo to developing solutions that are not just technologically advanced but also deeply attuned to the needs and preferences of the end-users.

Design: syamo
Images: Dipartimento del territorio
Texts: Dipartimento del territorio
Illustrations: Dipartimento del territorio
Typeface: Monument Grotesk / Dinamo Typefaces

          At syamo, we were given the opportunity to create a unique brand image for Kulma, a bar in Lugano established by long time friends Sami and Rawi.

          Our task was to develop a brand that would resonate across various aspects of the bar, including its exterior, interior, and social media presence.

          The name "Kulma," meaning "corner" in Finnish, was inspired by the bar's location at a corner in Lugano and Sami's Finnish origins. We embarked on a journey of exploring the Finnish alphabet, intrigued by its unique characters, which led to an inspiration for the brand's visual identity.

          Our design process involved focusing on the key elements that define Kulma's location - the street, the bar itself, and the nearby river. We abstracted these elements into their linear forms, developing a concept that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Considering the topographic bird's eye view of the bar's location, this perspective helped in creating a logo that not only represented the bar but also its unique positioning in the city's layout.


          The resulting design was an iconic "K" that assimilated these concepts, combining elements of the bar, the streets, and the river, while also integrating aspects of the Finnish alphabet.

          The project extended to various aspects of branding, including designing distinctive signage, menus that captured the interior's color palette, social media posts, and posters for events. Each of these elements was crafted to maintain a consistent and recognizable brand identity for Kulma.

          At Studio Syamo, our work on the Kulma project demonstrates our expertise in creating a comprehensive and cohesive brand identity. We focused on ensuring that every aspect of Kulma's branding, from its logo to its social media presence, was not only visually appealing but also deeply connected to its story and ethos, providing customers with a memorable experience.

Design: syamo
Images: Yuki / Kulma
Texts: Kulma
Typeface: Neue Haas Grotesk / Linotype

          This project was driven by the ambition to infuse digital innovation into archaeology, a field traditionally reliant on analog methods.Color Terrae is an AI-powered application designed to revolutionize the archaeologist's workflow, transitioning from paper-based to digital processes.

          Its primary function hinges on AI technology for color detection, enabling archaeologists to capture images and associate stratigraphic units with specific Munsell color codes. This feature is pivotal in the identification, analysis, classification, and description of archaeological layers.

          The app's user interface is intuitive, featuring a main area called 'Diary', a camera function, and a 'Dig Mode' for outdoor use. 'Diary' serves as a combined notebook and photographic archive, where users can record notes, voice memos, and save images, all organized into recent, lists, and all sections for efficient retrieval.

         Initiated in late 2020, the project saw its first demo release and testing phase in February 2021 in Lugano, Switzerland. The development journey transitioned from initial pencil sketches to digital designs, utilizing tools like Adobe Illustrator for logo and brand identity, Sketch for wireframes and prototypes, Xcode with Swift UI for app development, and Core ML and Python for the AI color detector.

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          The app's technical prowess lies in its ability to analyze images pixel by pixel, matching them with one of the 1000 hex color codes learned by the AI. These codes are grouped into 100 color units, each corresponding to a Munsell color, thereby aiding in the accurate classification of archaeological layers.

          Our approach was not only to introduce a technological solution but also to ensure that the transition from paper to digital was seamless and did not disrupt the archaeologist's established workflow. Understanding and addressing both human and technical challenges was key in devising this digital tool.

          Color Terrae represents a significant leap in digital innovation for archaeology. It exemplifies our commitment  to blending user experience design with advanced technology, delivering solutions that are not only efficient but also enhance traditional practices with modern digital capabilities.

Design: syamo
Code: syamo
Images: syamo
Texts: syamo

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