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1.1 Interior of 017's Downtown, Vancouver location designed by Gair Williamson Architects
From the outset, 017 planned for their online storefront to act as an integral component of their revenue, in addition to playing a leading role in developing their reputation internationally. They sought to create a highly considered e-commerce experience that mimicked how they conceived the ideal in-store experience: modern, minimal, and streamlined.
Reaching 017’s core demographic—younger luxury consumers who primarily interact with information on their cell phones—we understood that creating an identity that translated to mobile and online mediums was critical.
1.2 Campaign photography by 017 for seasonal collection
When we began working with 017 in 2015, we were working with a blank slate. All that existed when Practice Practice was brought on board was a set core principles and a guiding philosophy, well-defined commercial objectives, a lease to a high-traffic area in Vancouver’s historic Gastown, and myriad contacts with established and emerging high-fashion designers.
Practice Practice was responsible for branding, e-commerce website design and development, and digital and social media marketing strategy.
017’s dedication to an innovative, progressive aesthetic and emphasis on diversity in representation dictated our approach to constructing the branding and identity.
1.3 Letterhead and business card design
The boutique celebrated the avant-garde, emerging, and experimental in fashion, but sought to remain nimble and versatile enough to appeal to a broad audience.
We collaborated with 017’s art director, writer, and founders for the duration of this project.
Before embarking on this project, we had a two-day discovery workshop to unearth what principles would animate 017’s branding approach to a highly competitive retail environment. The information unearthed in this synergistic process and countless ensuing conversations informed each major deliverable and the foundation of 017’s identity.
1.4 In-store display of Helmut Lang clothing & Arena Homme+, Dust Magazine, 032c, & System Magazine
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If 017 was to have substantial and immediate impact culturally and commercially, the first step would be creating a logo that could effectively communicate their distinct vision.
This logo would have to timeless, modern, and memorable—across a variety of mediums. As such, we deliberately avoided using an overly intricate design, electing to locate and accentuate the elegance that lies in unvarnished simplicity.
1.7 Black background with white logo
Our final design for the logo utilized a redesigned Helvetica typography. We went for a pared down and straightforward aesthetic, which we determined would not need to be modernized five or ten years in the future.
1.8 Shopping bag design. The Instagram handle is displayed on one side and website on the other.
017’s logo was simple enough to act as both a primary logo and monogram. It retained its cache equally online, on mobile, and in print, signage, campaigns, and store collateral.
Regardless of logo size, format, or presentation, no details were lost.
In designing 017’s online platform, we sought to create a simple, intuitive and responsive site that took cues from 017’s branding and planned interiors and seamless shopping experience.
However, after 017’s initial launch, we discovered that over 60% of visitors were visiting the site on mobile. Consequently, we chose to reiterate 017’s home page, designing a mobile first website and then transferring this design over to desktop.
We continued to monitor and respond to 017’s stated KPIs for their website, routinely optimizing and revising the design and user experience. Additionally, we created a simplified backend and CMS to ensure that website was highly usable internally without the assistance of a developer.
The final iteration of the web design was decidedly minimal.
By adding a blog section to 017, we created a means for the store’s staff, creative director, and other contributors to organically contribute to the boutique’s emerging brand story.
We imbued the website with a modular function whereby blog posts or new arrivals—or some combination of both—could be featured on the website’s landing page.
Integral to 017’s initial growth was a successful social media strategy. Due to the fact that 017 did not possess any customer data, we created several tests using interest targeting and email list targeting to obtain pertinent data that could inform 017’s web strategy.
This research altered us to centralizing our digital marketing efforts to Instagram, dictating that this highly visual platform would generate more consistent profitability and drive an outsized number of engagements.
2.4 Neon signage in Gastown, Vancouver
Our final deliverable to 017 was a cohesive identity and branding package that allowed them to create systematized marketing materials and provide a cohesive branding experience for consumers across all touch points.
017 garnered an overwhelming positive reaction to their website and quickly acquired a loyal customer base.
2.5 HYPEBEAST article post about 017's campaign
As customers started sharing 017 content and products with each other organically, the store solidified a unique position within contemporary cultural conversation, simultaneously achieving its commercial objectives.
Our Instagram-centric social media strategy achieved a 5.1 return on ad spend over years, and 92% of new users discovered 017 through Instagram’s platform.
The store is now regularly featured on Hypebeast and Highsnobiety, and retains a devoted following locally and internationally.
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