About this project
Ground Up Designers LLC is an interdisciplinary design studio based in Brooklyn, New York. Our three partners, Lana Zellner [Architectural Designer], Kristen Svorka [Interior Designer], and Tayef Farrar [Multimedia - Graphic Designer] teamed up to form Ground Up Designers this past April. Stemming from our desire to meet new people, introduce ourselves to the world, and get to know our community, we have designed a book, a digital map, and a party. All together this interactive project is called 'Built + Branded'.
About the Book
The goal for "Built + Branded" is to showcase the best designed small businesses in the five Brooklyn neighborhoods surrounding our studio; Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene and Bed Stuy.
As designers, we are naturally intrigued (and often impressed) with the design decisions business owners make every day. Within the book we showcase what WE find to be the most interesting aspects of the businesses in our community; their identity and architectural design. We break down why we think these businesses have achieved a successful corporate identity and what other business owners can learn from them. The book is approximately seventy pages and includes big, beautiful photos of our surrounding neighborhoods and their twenty-five best designed businesses.
If we reach our minimum goal we will AT LEAST be able to print enough books to reward our contributors, as well as provide 5 book stores with 10 books each. The more funding we raise, the more books we can print SO KEEP THOSE PLEDGES COMING! We would LOVE to be able to get 100 books to the public.
About the Digital Map
The digital map will be available as an online companion to the book. The map will showcase each of the businesses from the book, providing contact information and photos for each. But this is just the beginning. We hope that this map will continue to grow through the contributions of people interested in suggesting other locations to us- the places they find to be the most interesting in their neighborhoods.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Where is the best place to take a dance class?
Where is the best place to grab coffee and enjoy some free wifi?
Our hope in designing this interactive map is to bring to the surface all of the hidden treasures in our community. The more people that get involved, the better the map will become! So, tell us, what do you love about living or working in Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Fort Green, Clinton Hill, or Bed Stuy?
About the Party
The party is our way of adding some real conversation to all of this, and to meet the faces behind the book- the community businesses and the contributors to the project.
At the party you can pick up your copy of the book and be one of the first to play with the digital map! Additionally, you can drink beer from local breweries, eat snacks from local restaurants, listen to local music, and of course, meet your neighbors! It should be an all around good time!
The party will take place Friday - November 12th 2010 at LaunchPad (721 Franklin Avenue)
$10 requested donation at the door (if you didn't donate through kickstarter)
Follow along!
Official Website
Our Blog
Facebook
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FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 10, 2010.
Pledge $5 or more
You’re on the guest list to the Party! (don't pay at the door) Come meet your neighborhood designers, small business owners, and fellow contributors!
Pledge $10 or more
You’re on the guest list to the Party AND you are listed in the ‘Thank You’ section of the book.
Pledge $20 or more
THE MAP PACKAGE - You are invited to add your favorite place to the map! Additionally, you are listed in the ‘Thank You’ sections of the book & map (and you’re on the Parties guest list)!
Pledge $30 or more
THE POST CARD PACKAGE - This package includes everything from THE MAP PACKAGE, as well as a set of 10 Neighborhood Post Cards
Pledge $40 or more
THE POSTER PACKAGE - This package includes everything from THE MAP PACKAGE, as well as an 18” x 24” poster showing the Map with each local business marked on it.
Pledge $50 or more
THE BOOK PACKAGE - This package includes everything from THE MAP PACKAGE, as well as a copy of the book!
Pledge $60 or more
THE VIP BOOK PACKAGE - This package includes everything from THE BOOK PACKAGE, plus, you are a VIP at the Launch Party (that means you get to drink for free).
Pledge $100 or more
THE BRANDED PACKAGE - This package includes, everything from THE VIP BOOK PACKAGE, plus a design consultation from our Graphics Department! OR A custom made T-Shirt - designed by our Graphics Department.
Pledge $250 or more
THE BUILT PACKAGE This package includes everything from THE VIP BOOK PACKAGE, plus a design consultation from our Architecture Department! OR The 'Mix-Match Lamp' designed by our Architecture Department.
Pledge $350 or more
THE GROUND UP PACKAGE This package includes everything from THE VIP BOOK PACKAGE, plus a full design consultation from Ground Up Designers - Graphics & Architectural Departments! OR The Custom T-shirt AND the 'Mix-Match Lamp'
Pledge $500 or more
BEYOND THE GROUND UP PACKAGE This package includes everything from THE GROUND UP PACKAGE, plus a Custom Designed Logo or A custom designed Lamp
Project By
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Lana is an architectural designer interested in the communicative power of design. Her work explores the stories a product or piece of architecture tells to the public. She has always believed that these stories can be found hidden within the details, leading her into extensive professional experience in facade design and technical envelope detailing. From lighting to furniture, apartments to opera houses, Lana uses texture, materiality, and technical connections to push the linguistic attributes of the built environment.
