Background
Off-road sport is under pressure. Rising fuel prices, environmental concerns and noise are restricting opportunities for enthusiasts. People have to go far away of urban centres to ride their bikes which is time-consuming and complicated.
New transport solutions have to take these issues into account, and KISKA believes that ‘plugging’ an alternative power source into an existing design is not an effective way forward. In short, people need a whole new riding experience, not just a new product.
Sports will come closer to the cities when a younger target group for the first time has the possibility to try offroad motorcycling. New target groups like mountainbikers and trialbike riders will therefore get in touch with this bike. Furthermore, the traditional KTM target group has an easier access to their beloved sport. In other words we will see a wide range of bikers that make their first step into offroad riding.
Approach
Taking account of this width of potential customers, we developed a crossover design concept that quotes elements of different genres. This gives KTM the opportunity to finetune the tonality of the motorcycle according to the application area.The KTM Freeride completes a logical chain of products by filling the space between bicycles and motorcycles. The product launch is supported by a complementary, KISKA-designed web site and other collateral.
Result
The KTM Freeride electric bike transfers the values of environmental friendliness and green transportation to the road. Living up to the KTM motto ‘Ready To Race’, it is truly ‘ready’ and in production. Weighing only 100kg, its KISKA bodywork contains a powerful electric motor that delivers the performance of a 125cc two-stroke bike. The result for the rider is awesome performance and fun, with many ‘green’ advantages.
Benefit
The KTM Freeride is opening new markets to KTM, thanks to its combination of the KTM racing pedigree, exciting dynamics, and wide availability to a new, younger market including first-time riders. With an exciting web site to attract widespread interest, the project shows what can be achieved when client and designer share the same vision.
If you would like more information please contact Steve Masterson!
Background
Following changes in EU regulations, which allowed younger people to ride higher capacity motorcycles, a new market was created. KTM approached KISKA to research, understand and develop a new product targeted at this segment.
Result
The KTM 125 Duke emerged as KTM’s first road-legal 125. It reflects the established KTM values of fun and ‘ready to race’ but also responds perfectly to the aspirations and expectations of the target group.
Benefit
Although the launch programme is still rolling-out, the KTM 125 Duke has already appeared in countless magazines and blogs and SOLD OUT. The Brand Ambassador Program has seen 500 inscriptions. The website www.125duke.com attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.
If you would like more information please contact Steve Masterson!
Approach
KISKA went into the field and profiled the lifestyles, needs, wants and expectations of 15-18 year-old street bikers across Europe, to gain an understanding of their attitudes and expectations, their desire for individuality and self-expression, and their wish to have fun with friends who shared their passions. KISKA took the results of the interviews and focus groups and used them as the basis for the subsequent design development and marketing. Part of the marketing campaign included the ‘Brand Ambassador Programme’ featuring youthful riders.
Click here to watch the video..
Result
KISKA created a new rule book for the X-Bow. By adapting many of the design and engineering techniques used in the KTM motorcycle family, the design team was able to combine performance and road holding that were as close as possible to those of a KTM motorcycle. With no roof, front bumper, air conditioning or airbags, the X-Bow is amazingly light (800 kg) and uses the sort of carbon fibre monocoque previously only used on cars costing more than ten times the price. The entire project, from planning to completion, took just 18 months, because KISKA had all the necessary resources under one roof, from market research, product design and engineering optimisation to brand communication, video and print marketing, PoS support and more.
Approach
KTM is all about performance. This quality, which underpins KTM motorcycles, was used to set the theme for KTM's first car – the radical new X-Bow. And because purity of design defines the KTM approach, every feature on the X-Bow had to be functional with no superfluous content to distract the eye – a race car with a street licence.
Background
Back in the early 1990s, KISKA helped KTM to become a pure motorcycle brand. It has since become Europe’s second largest motor cycle company and the fastest-growing. Mindful of Europe’s ageing population (the average age of a bike driver is 47 years) KTM decided to create a sports car that would reflect its brand values and ensure the future growth of the company. KISKA was asked to create a design that adhered to the ‘naked' concept of KTM’s on-road and off-road motorcycles and generated exceptional driving pleasure for a new target group.
Benefits
In March 2007 KTM and KISKA celebrated the world premiere of the X-Bow at the Geneva Automobile Salone. The feedback from car race fans and the media was incredibly positive. Within the first four hours, 50 cars were sold. In June 2008 the first X-Bows were produced in Graz, where they are still being produced.
If you would like more information please contact Mark Blackwell!
Background
Part of Harman Group, AKG is one of the world's leading manufacturers of headphones and microphones. It approached KISKA to help it maintain its leadership position in the face of growing market pressure.
Approach
The KISKA project team began by working with AKG management to identify the competitive pressures facing the business. Using this information, the team developed a plan of action that set out a number of targets and objectives for change. The process involved close collaboration with AKG personnel at all levels. They helped the KISKA team to understand every stage of AKG’s product development, marketing and distribution processes to help develop a targeted global research program.
Result
The research showed that AKG’s position was perceived as ‘somewhere in the middle’. The KISKA team took this information and used it to sharpen AKG’s brand and product propositions. It then redefined the products, their positioning and communications developing a Visual Product Language process. In this way KISKA was able to create a new product architecture that was implemented across both consumer and professional product ranges. Complementary new corporate design, product collateral and marketing communications enabled AKG to project and promote its values of ‘sound quality’, ‘robustness’ and ‘ease of use’.
Benefit
The benefits of the collaboration with AKG can be seen in the success of a number of its new products. For example, K701 headphones achieved 200% percent of target on launch. In 2009, KISKA’s work on AKG’s K430 and K450 mini-headphones received the Red Dot Award for product design.
Achievements such as these show how KISKA helped AKG to redefine itself by unifying its approach and becoming ‘one brand, one message’. Today, AKG continues to gain improved international brand recognition and brand value through its overall design and branding, with consequent benefits in sales.
Background
Gasteiner mineral water is one of Austria’s leading brands in the hospitality sector. No market stands still, however, and faced by growing competition Gasteiner approached KISKA. The project was to rethink the Gasteiner brand and strengthen its presence in the market.
Approach
KISKA ran a number of workshops with Gasteiner management which demonstrated that, although Gasteiner water came from crystallised snow, consumers viewed ‘water as water’. Faced with this, Gasteiner asked KISKA to undertake a complete rethink of the product portfolio, from design and development to a new brand strategy.
The tool KISKA used was IDD – Integrated Design and Development – a blend of understanding, creativity and analysis that brings client and design closer together and delivers exciting results. Arising from the rethink, KISKA found that Gasteiner’s brand values, on which future success would be built, were ‘purity, clarity, simplicity’.
Result
Key to capturing more of the market was better differentiation through a simple visual theme that would convey the message ‘purity, clarity, simplicity’. Gasteiner water came from crystallised snow and this was their advertising approach, so we decided to redesign Gasteiner’s bottles to look like mountains, to symbolise the purity of the water. The Gasteiner logo and label followed the same theme.
Watch the new Gasteiner website HERE!
Benefit
Winner of the iF Product Design award, the new bottle “(…) makes Gasteiner’s basic values comprehensible and perceptible at one glance,” according to Wolfgang Kubinger, Gasteiner’s Marketing Director. The new bottle has also been awarded the Austrian National Prize for best packaging, and the Tradeshow Marketing Award. KISKA has also been awarded the Salzburger Landespreis for Marketing, Communication & Design in the Corporate Design class for its corporate logo for this very satisfied client.
If you would like more information please contact Thomas Rothauer!
Background
KÄSTLE is an Austrian company that’s dedicated to making skis of the highest quality. In 2007 its new owners decided to restore the brand, which had been neglected for 10 years. The task that faced KISKA was, in effect, to revitalise the brand. Yearly changing styles, fragmentation of the market into micro niches, lack of real innovation, overflow of designs, every day an aggressive price offer from a different brand and a very short selling season – these were some of the challenges.
Approach
To restore a brand which was off the market for more than ten years, you need a very strong concept. According the motto “Breaking the rules is making the rules!” KISKA knew that we had to change the whole setup completely. To change just one of the ingredients would not have been enough. Our approach:
- Long lasting products instead of yearly changing models
- very reduced and easy to understand model line-up
- just two main colours – white and black
- one iconic design pattern to clearly differentiate from others and make the skis recognizable: the Hollowtech
- simple and reduced graphics that underline the price premium position
- the same style and design elements throughout the whole communication material from ads to POS material
- a real book instead of a cheap catalogue
- an ad campaign that created both: attention and desire
- a ski stand that’s worth the name…
Result
It took a lot of effort to define and execute a design strategy that helped Kästle to express its different approach and market position. KISKA was able to position the new range of skis for maximum impact and profit using a powerful brand identity that could be applied to all future products. Intended for sporting, passionate and experienced skiers, the new identity showed Kästle skis as premium products. It was extended to all aspects of the KISKA-designed marketing programme, including corporate design (logo, stationery, documentation, web site) and product graphics.
Benefit
The benefit was phenomenal: from the start of the project to the number one position in the high price ski segment within two years selling more than double than the second best competitor. Its refreshingly different products and collateral could be seen in 360 specialist shops within 24 months of launch, invariably with high brand awareness in the relevant target group.
We congratulate Kästle for its tremendous success and their believe in a radical, forcing and differentiating design strategy.
Approach
KISKA quickly found that Stiegl had a confusing brand appearance. If the company’s image and products were to be refined to develop more sales, the company needed a single focus to communicate the Stiegl brand. Having identified the problem, KISKA recommended an action plan which would bring all future activities within the new brand positioning. The preparation included workshops with the owner, the executive board and general management.
Background
Stiegl is the beer that Mozart drank. It is one of Austria’s biggest and oldest private breweries, established in 1492. Wishing to maintain its leadership, Stiegl came to KISKA with the request for new glasses. During their workshop with us they realised that their brand is strong but that that differentiated. They decided for an analysis of its existing market positioning and recommendations for the future as well as the generation of a new brand and design platform that would drive future strategic growth.
Benefit
Customers now have a clear perception of Stiegl and its values. So do the decision makers who decide whether to include Stiegl in bars and retail premises. Different packages for each segment, with premium packages for hotels and standard packages for other locations, help to satisfy niche markets. In addition, Stiegl is developing new ‘gastro’ customers and its sales team is finding more opportunities for the business. As Marketing Manager Torsten Pedit says, “KISKA managed to interprete our brand in a modern way. Our new glass series has many USPs which are responsible for high recognition and presence in the hospitality industry.”
Result
Among the ‘tools’ which were developed for the new initiative were different hospitality packages (Premium vs. Basic) for the different hospitality locations (würstel booth vs. five-star restaurant). Furthermore we developed a series of new glasses, a new dispenser for use in bars, a range of other sales tools, and accessories for waiters. A new flagship store, the Stiegl Terminal at Salzburg Airport, completed the package. Complemented by a programme of strategic communication, as well as exhibition stands and PoS displays, the new approach unifies all Stiegl activities and products and ensures that the company benefits from a single, powerful brand image.
If you would like more information please contact Thomas Rothauer!
Approach
When Atomic made a real innovation – a ski with two layers who would distribute the skier’s weight to the back and to the front of the ski in order to adapt perfectly to changing slopes – the challenge was to make it visible. First, they developed Atomic’s core concept – ‘adaptive control’ – as their theme and used it to underpin product design throughout the range. Once this approach was visible across all products, the team then turned their attention to communicating it more effectively. The result was a powerful marketing and communications campaign that communicated the unique harmony between ski and skier that only Atomic could deliver at all skill levels. The campaign used a broad portfolio of media, from a 3D animated video to PoS displays, featuring the new D2 Doubledeck ski.
Click here to watch the video..
Background
Atomic has a reputation as the market leader in skiing. Its painstaking attention to detail and innovative technology enable competitive skiers to shave fractions of a second off track times and become world champions. With some of the world’s finest products and most competitive users, it makes sense to choose a world-class designer, and KISKA has worked closely with Atomic since 2007. As well as developing design solutions for the Atomic brand and skis, KISKA has been helping the company to take the next step forward by making its innovation more ‘visible’ at the point of purchase.
Result
The D2 Doubledeck ski project demonstrates how KISKA is making Atomic’s innovation ‘visible’. It also shows how the partnership between KISKA and Atomic extends from concept design and engineering to media management, video production and beyond.
The new D2 Doubledeck ski adapts to changing slopes, variations in snow, and individual user skills. Its variable radius and adjustable flexibility are achieved by the use of two layers, or decks: the upper (Control) deck which distributes the force applied by the skier in every movement; and the lower (Adapter) deck which adjusts automatically to the geometry of the snow. The KISKA design displays these characteristics at a glance.
Benefit
Atomic launched the D2 Doubledeck with outstanding success. It sold out on launch, even during a poor snow season. It continues to be the market leading ski.
Benefit
Over the years KISKA has helped RIKA move from being a product-driven business to a modern, image-sensitive vendor. In November 2009 the partnership between both companies was recognised with a prestigious iF Product Design Award for RIKA’s ‘Topo’ stove. With a further exercise in positioning delivered in 2011, Karl Riener, CEO and owner of RIKA, says “It would be too early to name exact figures for the success of the new positioning, but I can say now that it is an important part for the future success of RIKA.”
If you would like more information please contact Gerhard Wipplinger!
Approach
Using the IDD process, the first stage of the brand project was to undertake market research. The results enabled the project team to identify priorities for the brand positioning, and these led to the creation of the visual design elements. The findings were also fed into the product design process to help develop the portfolio. KISKA subsequently handled communication design as well as brand strategy and positioning, helping to move RIKA from a position as a stove company towards its current position as a brand.
Result
Today, RIKA stoves are perceived as setting the pattern for the industry, satisfying customers’ needs for excellence and reliability. KISKA continues to be involved in all aspects of the business, developing the full range of wood and pellet stoves and delivering solutions in communications design, including exhibition stands, marketing materials and web sites.
Background
RIKA, a long-term KISKA customer, is one of Europe’s leading providers of high quality wood-burning and pellet stoves. The relationship began in 1998, when KISKA was approached to design the company’s stoves, an involvement that continues to this day. In 2009, with an ambitious plan for growth, RIKA asked KISKA to extend the relationship and help to develop the RIKA brand and differentiate it from competitors.
Background
Braun is a premium brand for electrical appliances, and a name that is recognised and respected around the world, especially in the area of personal grooming. Eager to tailor its new products to personal preferences it commissioned KISKA to find out how, and why, shaving preferences differed in age, culture and personality. For example, why do 70 percent of men in Italy prefer to trim their body hair compared with 20 percent in England?
Approach
KISKA recommended qualitative interviews with various target groups to observe their daily habits and the features in existing products that truly appealed to them. In this way the research team could identify different personalities, list their likes and desires, and explain what each type would want from its grooming products.
Result
The research programme included individual interviews to assess attitudes and tastes, and group tests of a wide selection of electric shavers with different features and functions. The results were collated and analysed to identify technologies, features and design aspects that appealed to the target groups, and then used to sketch out some preliminary design approaches that brought all the positive aspects together in some exciting concepts.
Benefit
The results from the research can be seen in the newly launched range of “Cruzr” products by Brown.
If you would like more information please contact Steve Masterson!
Background
With its home fitness products available in five continents and over 75 countries, Kettler decided that the best way to extend its market leadership was to combine a strong brand with innovative design. KISKA was perfectly positioned to help in both areas, thanks to its in-house research and design teams. The challenge was to sharpen a known brand and transmit Kettler's values in a new product language so that it was seen as part of a desirable lifestyle and enabled customers to express their attitudes toward fitness.
Approach
KISKA believed that the way ahead for Kettler was to combine stylish new designs and a new attitude to exercise with a number of structural and engineering innovations. Together, these changes would reflect Kettler’s brand values of sturdiness, durability, innovation and ‘Made in Germany’ quality. The new reduced design themes were based on a new color code in white, black and silver and expressed dynamics and performance through their lines and alignment. This new product language could also be extended into marketing and sales collateral so that customers enjoyed a consistent brand experience.
Result
KISKA used its Visual Product Language (VPL) process to express Kettler’s unique product quality and brand characteristics at a glance, i.e. we analysed the whole product range and developed a clear and consistant product language. KISKA creativity and Kettler expertise created a number of new products that were launched at the prestigious ISPO in 2010 and 2011, the leading European trade show for sporting goods and fashion.
Benefit
The new Kettler fitness products project the company’s new personality and values in a clear and attractive way. Two of them – ELYX cross-trainers and TRACK treadmills – received awards at Plus X 2010, the world’s largest expo for technology, sports and lifestyle. Kettler was also nominated as the most innovative brand for the fitness devices category.
"Our collaboration with KISKA is contributing considerably to our success,” says Oliver Gützlaff, head of Kettler’s Global Product Management Sports division. “This was evident in the extremely successful launch of our new GOLF home trainers and the excellent sales figures which followed.”
Background
KTM is the second largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe with a double digit growth in production and sales since 1992. IIn 1991 KTM went bankrupt. The company was sold and the new owner asked KISKA to rebuild the brand.
Approach
KISKA worked with KTM to realize the “less is more” design strategy. The reduction to the bare essentials optimizes the performance of a motorcycle – above all in racing. That is why KTM machines are fitted with high quality, light, tried-and-true parts. Therefore every KTM includes everything the rider needs to enjoy a radical and sporty motorcycle; this applies equally to the communication material on and around that experience.
KISKA is responsible for market and target group related research, brand positioning, all design related issues such as the distinctive design of all bikes, the product graphics, the whole communication and advertising campaigns as well as trade show booths and shop systems.
Consistent
"The great success of KTM is based on the consistent and targeted communication of the brand message, across all brand relevant media channels, with the product design as the creative framework “, says Paul Friedl, partner at KISKA. “If it succeeds to keep the right brand message at the front of people's mind, depends mainly on the continuity and homogeneity of brand communication.”
Ready to Race
…this is a philosophy that has always been at the very center of all of the company's development and brand communications activities. Every KTM must be ready to win points in the brutally hard world of racing – and do it straight from the showroom- without tuning and without any costly or complicated adjustments. And finally: every member of the KTM design team is “Ready to Race” – each KTM bike is directly developed and designed by the target group.
Result
KISKA is responsible for the development and maintenance of the whole KTM appearance since 1992. KISKA gave the brand the distinctive and unmistakable “Ready to Race” feeling.
“We helped KTM to develop the unmistakable brand characteristic all KTM bikes have”, highlights Gerald Kiska. “The challenge on the design is to transfer the brand philosophy, we developed for KTM, into the form of innovative motorcycles. It is a must to communicate consistently the core values `Extreme´, `Pure´, `Performance´ and `Adventure´ surrounding the core brand message `Ready to Race´, that has to be transported in message and tonality through all the visual elements.”
Click here to watch typical KTM videos directed by KISKA: KTM Superduke, KTM Superenduro, KTM Supermoto
Click here to watch the new KTM Website!
Pure
KISKA worked with KTM to realize the “less is more” design strategy. The reduction to the bare essentials optimizes the performance of a motorcycle – above all in racing. That is why KTM machines are fitted with high quality, light, tried-and-true parts. Therefore every KTM includes everything the rider needs to enjoy a radical and sporty motorcycle; this applies equally to the communication material on and around that experience.
Watch the new KTM Website!
Benefit
"The great success of KTM is based on the consistent and targeted communication of the brand message, across all brand relevant media channels, with the product design as the creative framework “, says Paul Friedl, partner at KISKA. “If it succeeds to keep the right brand message at the front of people's mind, depends mainly on the continuity and homogeneity of brand communication.”
Ready to Race is a philosophy that has always been at the very center of all of the company's development and brand communications activities. Every KTM must be ready to win points in the brutally hard world of racing – and do it straight from the showroom- without tuning and without any costly or complicated adjustments. And finally: every member of the KTM design team is “Ready to Race” – each KTM bike is directly developed and designed by the target group.
Sharp
“We helped KTM to develop the unmistakable brand characteristic all KTM bikes have”, highlights Gerald Kiska. “The challenge on the design is to transfer the brand philosophy, we developed for KTM, into the form of innovative motorcycles. It is a must to communicate consistently the core values `Extreme´, `Pure´, `Performance´ and `Adventure´ surrounding the core brand message `Ready to Race´, that has to be transported in message and tonality through all the visual elements.”
Click here to watch typical KTM videos directed by KISKA:
Approach
The KISKA team conducted a competitive analysis and also studied the technical aspects of product dispensing systems. It sought an approach that combined sensuality and quality with practicality and durability, while expressing Hagleitner’s values and commitment to ‘innovative hygiene’. This research led to a further request to undertake some design development for a new dispense system and the marketing communications to launch it.
Result
Innovative in shape and creative in its use of materials and textures, the new Luna 2.0 series of product dispensers reflects Hagleitner’s commitment to the values of a clean, pure and modern bathroom. Product marketing materials as well as a microsite designed by KISKA are helping Hagleitner to share this message across a wide range of trade and public media.
If you would like more information please contact Gerhard Wipplinger!
Background
The Hagleitner Group is a leading supplier of hygiene products, with 155 partners in 54 countries. Wishing to extend its coverage of the hotel and hospitality markets, Hagleitner asked KISKA to provide a creative solution that adhered to the principles established by company founder Hans Georg Hagleitner: “The hotel bathroom is more than a functional area. Sensuality and aesthetics make it distinct … a place of complete intimacy where people want to feel comfortable.”
Background
With the aquisition of Augustin Network and Quehenberger Logistics two traditional Austrian companies have been united under one roof. In this way, one of the leading companies in transportation management and logistics have been created. This corporate new start should be reflected in the communication by adapting their two websites and integrate them in a common web presence.
Approach
We had to convert the brand values into the digital world. First of all we organised some workshops with the the management where we came up with the objectives of the websites. We helped with the definition of the overall communication strategy which was the basis for our online communication. We then identified the target groups and defined their requirements and wishes which led to the creation of the online concept.
Website Augustin Network
Website Quehenberger
Website Augustin Quehenberger Group
In order to have good pictures for the web the KISKA team organised photo shootings from a 30 m crane, from where we took pictures of the trucks.
See HERE a short video of the photoshoot.
Result
From conception to realisation including project management, content generation, screen design and definition of technical features KISKA presented the brand digitally in a consistant way. E.g. on the Quehenberger website an animation of the parcels was generated.
It was important to create a trendsetting common technical basis of all websites with a singular Content Management System. All locations, offers and languages have been integrated on a strong website and e-services have been installed.
Benefit
„At KISKA, they work very strategically and question things in workshops. The result is a clearly structured and consistant appearance“, says Maria Hacks, Head of Marketing & Communications of the Augustin Quehenberger Group.
Background
Having worked with RIKA for years in product design, in 2007 KISKA started with a review of their communication design. RIKA wanted to stand out in the market through their Corporate Design and thus distinguish themselves from other furnace manufacturers.
Approach part I
First, we revised the logo. From the nondescript bonfire, we developed a romantic flame in front of an orange background in a gray technical framework that simultaneously conveys warmth and professionalism.
We conferred this new graphical element to the booth, which consisted of huge orange walls and the logo. This reduction gave RIKA a very confident look. 2009 we revised the product photography. We created pictures of them in a moody atmosphere that gave a human train to the technical products. Through the images, the product benefits were visualized, at first only in the catalogue, in a second step also on the website.
The website was modernized and restructured in 2010 as a consulting tool.
Approach part 2
2011, the strategy to position RIKA as an innovation and market leader was further expanded. The owner, Mr. Riener, was given more prominence together with the company’s values such as tradition and sustainability. In addition, the catalogues got a high-quality look. We designed them in magazine format in order to convey emotion and comfort and illustrate the convenience of the furnaces’ handling.
We refined the website and developed it to an informative tool with a confident look.
This new self-confidence and positioning as a premium manufacturer hit its peak with the newly developed claim "The Oven”. It is not just a message, but a promise that extends over the catalogues, the website and the stand. It is underlined by the cover design of the brochures (great headline against a gray background) which is unique in this industry.
Result
Today, the company's corporate design and all means of communication illustrate the market leader position of the Austrian company and convey the product benefits to the customers in a simple and emotional way. RIKA stands out from the mass of furnace manufacturers and has been transformed from a product-driven company into a true brand.
Benefit
Kiska helped RIKA to move from a product-driven to a modern brand company. Karl Riener, CEO and founder of Rika said: "It would be too early to give a precise figure for the success of the repositioning, but I can already tell that it is an important component for the future success of RIKA."
Kiska has been working with RIKA for years also in the field of brand consulting and product design.
Background
The traditional company SUFAG has achieved a leading world market position in the snowmaking business. It is the official product partner of the FIS.
The premium supplier struggled with the problem that their premium position was not shown clearly in comparison to their basic brand ARECO. In order to differentiate better also from the competitors and to grow in the future they wanted to change their brand appearance in the relevant target market.
Approach
In order to plan their growth and brand strategy, we analysed the company’s brand positioning in a brand workshop. It was decided that their brand appearance should shift from traditional to a modern, sporty-dynamic image.
Based upon that, we started developing a new logo. Although only a minor facelift was intended, it turned out that the existing logo was not in line with the newly derived brand positioning anymore. From all the logos we presented to SUFAG they chose the most dynamic and sophisticated one. This was a first step towards a new high qualitative appearance. We further developed a new typography for the product brands and defined the photo style.
On the occasion of the market launch of one of their products, we designed the key visual for the communication campaign: a skier racing down a perfectly primed slope which symbolizes the performance and snow quality by SUFAG was integrated in our development of a reference catalogue, sales presentation, product sheets as well as in the website.
Result
KISKA managed successfully to sharpen SUFAG‘s brand values and their appearance to become very high-tech and sporty-dynamic which reflects what they are: a premium snow making company. They don’t look mediocre and humble anymore but show their qualities by a distinct and high quality communication.
Background
Founded in 1941 as a family business in Liechtenstein, HILTI has since become a global corporation. It is one of the leading companies in fastening technology and develops products of laser measurement technology, direct mounting, drilling, installation, engineering, construction chemicals and wood processing for professional use. HILTI tools are among the most stolen on construction sites.
When KiISKA won the pitch for HILTI in 2005, the new business unit "measuring systems" was being created. It was necessary to transfer the previously defined product design guideline to this new product area and to develop it further. Since this is the most future-oriented and innovative sector within HILTI, the design should be equally innovative. On construction sites, it is necessary to convince customers that respond mainly intuitively and pragmatically to design. In addition, all design elements are constantly subject to an endurance test.
Approach
It was necessary to anchor the brand HILTI at the customer via the product design.
Based on the Product Design Guideline from HILTI we developed a Visual Product Language. By defined color schemes – black bumper and black handling zone on a red product – and recurring form elements a strong recognition factor was generated. Furthermore, KISKA was involved intensely in the area of product handling and conducted several studies.
When you implement design in the field of measuring systems, you move in an area of tension between high precision of the sensors and robustness that has to meet the demands at construction sites.
The successful results in this business unit led to the fact that we became active also in the business unit of “installation systems” and designed two rail systems. The aim was to transfer the clearly identifiable HILTI character on these systems.
Result
The challenge was to maintain the defined HILTI design language while creating a stronger brand image. KISKA has succeeded in highlighting the HILTI values "Outperform" and "Outlast" especially in the area of robustness and accurate impression. The innovative ideas regarding the handling of the products increased the market advantage of the company.
The red dot awarded "Rail System MM” increases the entire installation speed through clever details and rugged design, while the "Mounting System Photovoltaic" established HILTI in the fast growing solar market with their own solution.
Benefit
As the overall productivity of HILTI is strongly dependent on the product segment "measuring systems", the innovative designs increased the company’s market advantage. The improvements in handling and ergonomics increased the product acceptance.
The company from Liechtenstein reaps each year the renowned red dot and iF Awards. 2008 they got four red dot awards in the unit measurement systems. 2011, a rotation laser and a multi-detector designed by KISKA won the red dot product design award. In the same year, the company won the special Gold iF product design award for the mounting rail system MM. "With MM HILTI shows how to combine precision design with practical additional benefit. Comfort for the artisans, practicality and security, everything is combined in this product and deserves an iF gold award", said the jury.
Background
adidas is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second biggest sportswear manufacturer in the world.
The Germany based sporting goods company seeks to help athletes of all skill levels achieve peak performance with every product the company brings to market. Therefore they continuously improve the quality, look, feel and image of their products and prove to be a leader in trends.
The company signed a three-year strategic partnership with KISKA and KTM because of the creative consultancy’s know-how across many different industries, which results in a unique combination of technology and product design.
Approach
adidas entered a strategic partnership with KISKA and is working on innovative products in order to help the brand foster its leading role in innovation and as trendsetter in sports. KISKA is very good at making the uniqueness of the brand and the technology within the product design both visible and coherent.
Objective
"We look forward to the challenge to support adidas in further developing its leading role as a trendsetter in sport. Each of us has a great passion for sport - that is the foundation for authentic sports products for athletes, "says Jakob Pietsch, Client Relationship Manager of KISKA.
Background:
The world recently passed the tipping point where more than half the population lives in cities rather than rural areas. More than 4,5 billion of us – 60% of the world‘s population – are predicted to live in cities by 2020.
Cars however have been tailored to the wide open German Autobahn. What help are all those horse powers and luxurious trimmings when stuck in a city traffic jam? .
Cities are getting bigger, are cars getting smaller? Shortage of space, increasing travelling times and toll charges for big vehicles speak for alternative modes of transport.
If you need further information please contact Steve Masterson.
Approach:
For KISKA it’s clear that a new „urban mobility“ can not be achieved only with an electric drive. We know that it’s not disruptive enough to just install an electric motor in a conventional car. The mission has to be to reduce weight. The smaller and lighter the vehicle, the more useful and efficient it can be combined with any propulsion system.
Without weight loss no reasonable, emission-free mobility with the current and future state of battery capacity and propulsion system will be possible.
If you need further information please contact Steve Masterson.
Result:
KISKA specializes in lightweight construction and material technology which derives from designing motorcycles and various other forms of transporation. We are independent and use our expertise in design and engineering to solve transporation challenges. Knowing that lightweight is not a fashion but an attitude and within this new type of thinking lays a new type of integrated solution. We use our inside out thinking in order to anticipate changes within various industries associated with moving people from A to B.
If you need further information please contact Steve Masterson.
Background
Franz Haas GmbH has designed, developed and manufactured production lines for wafers and biscuits since 1905. Employing over 1,000 people, and with customers around the world, Haas is renowned for the reliability of its systems and the performance of its technical support specialists. It remains a family-run business to this day.
In 2005, the company’s management decided to position the business for growth. This strategy would require better ‘visibility’ for Haas, together with the renewal of its identity. KISKA was asked to modernise all aspects of Haas, from the design of its machines to the way the company was presented and understood in print and other communications. The key premise was a design that proves feasibility and efficiency in production.
Approach
Creating a consistent design for the Haas family of some 200 production systems was a challenge for KISKA. As well as adapting to multiple configurations, the design would have to satisfy rigorous national and international requirements for hygiene and safety. As a first step, the project team undertook a detailed analysis of the market and competitive products; further analysis compared the Haas view of itself against external perceptions of the business.
The end product of this research was a new ‘Visual Product Language’ for Haas. This comprised a number of complementary design elements that would unify the appearance of all Haas products. It was brought together in a detailed design manual which would be used as a guide to the design of all new systems. In parallel with the new hardware ‘language’, KISKA created a uniform logo system for the parent company and its subsidiaries. This would be used in the design of all communications material.
Result
The new brand appearance was first presented in April 2005 at the International Trade Fair for Packaging Machines and Appliances (Interpack) in Düsseldorf, a key industry event.
Communication design
Today, the new visual identity structure is regarded by Haas management as vital to the success of the business. It acts as unifying theme under which newly acquired companies join the Haas family. It also enhances global brand recognition and differentiates Haas from its competitors.
Product design
It is the same for KISKA’s product design structure. Revealed across a range of new systems, it boldly embeds the Haas identity in customer locations, communicating the values of Haas every day. The design shows that Haas provides complete, integrated solutions for every requirement.
Benefit
Over the years since they were revealed, KISKA’s designs have delivered a number of continuing benefits. They have enabled Haas to rationalise colour, material use and component count to enhance system performance and reduce manufacturing costs. Continuity in both corporate and brand identity has achieved further savings. Strong customer loyalty has also been achieved by visually communicating the Haas ‘Unique Selling Proposition’ across all Haas companies and daughter brands.
“The new design was implemented across a range of new production lines that act as representatives of Haas with our customers and communicate our values,” says Thomas Breg, Head of Group Marketing at Haas. “Our customers could always acquire everything they needed from one source – and now they can see this promise take shape, thanks to KISKA’s great visual solution.”
Approach
From the start, the project team decided to use a number of techniques and manufacturing processes usually associated with science and engineering. These would help the designers to feed ideas and changes into the concept development process, making it leaner and faster. For example, design of the interior and the exterior was combined in one process, while KISKA’s many years of expertise in automotive and motor cycle design, engineering, and lightweight materials enabled it to find additional creative and engineering direction for the project. The result was an approach that eliminated traditional barriers between car and motor cycle design.
Result
The e-vehicle that emerged from this process featured many unusual design elements that underlined Opel’s commitment to innovation and the environment. “The ground breaking idea was to create a cool, sexy experimental vehicle that goes beyond traditional cars and motorcycles ensuring maximum driving pleasure", says Sebastien Stassin, Managing Partner at KISKA. “We feel more than delivered on this,” he adds. “With the launch of the Rak e the pioneering days of the original Opel brothers continue!”
The exciting Opel concept vehicle is just 1.3 metres wide (slightly over 4 feet 3 inches) and seats two people in ‘tandem’ configuration for superior aerodynamic performance and energy efficiency. The clear canopy, which combines the functions of roof and windscreen, gives 270-degree visibility with no blind spots. Its clever hinge arrangement ensures that it maintains a low profile even when open. Finally, a version limited to a maximum speed of 45 km/h would satisfy the requirements of most European countries for use by 16-year-olds.
Background
The Adam Opel AG has a long tradition of environmental awareness supported by extensive research and development. In 2011 the company launched the Opel Ampera, the first electric vehicle in Europe for everyday use.
In order to even more meet the needs of young people for excitement and affordability, Opel invited KISKA to join it in the search for an exciting electric vehicle that would interpret ‘modern urban mobility’ in a visionary way. The challenge was to package Opel’s exciting technologies and revolutionary design approach in an appealing experimental car study for the Frankfurt Motor Show. The result of this extraordinary and exemplary cooperation is a unique concept and starts a new era for both, Opel and KISKA.
Benefit
The Rak-e was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show (15-25 September 2011) and attracted large crowds to the Opel stand. According to Friedhelm Engler, Director of Advanced Design GM Europe: “A great design team from Opel and KISKA worked in an integrated and seamless way. With KISKA we found a supplier that challenged our high standards. The results of this collaboration speak for themselves.”
See here a video of the Rak e at IAA.