| Product | Vancouver's premiere venue for up-and-coming and renowned classical performers |
| Project | Various Season Campaigns |
| Scope | Concept + Design, Writing, Illustration, Art Direction, Printing + Fabrication |
A non-profit organization that brings up-and-coming talent as well as the most renowned performers from around the world to Vancouver, the Vancouver Recital Society is known for performances marked by a unique intimacy which audiences find both captivating and engaging.
The Vancouver Recital Society's relationship with Subplot Design began with the 2007/2008 season campaign, which brought the VRS's unique personality to life and highlighted the sense of closeness and intimacy that the audience finds with the performers throughout the season. The audience-member's silhouette was literally filled with awe, wonder and similar emotional responses while highlighting the season mantra, "Intimate Performances that will Captivate You". The theme was carried through he brochure, a promotional cd, and advertising campaign featuring close-cropped artist photos to highlight the intimacy of the performance.
2008/2009 required a bold new campaign for an exciting season. Witty double-entendres in embellished script typefaces speak to unique aspects of Vancouver Recital Society performances and hinted at a more provocative intimacy. Subscribers received an intriguing envelope labeled "We're taking it off?" with a payoff insert explaining "Up to 30% off if you subscribe now." A display easel was sent to subscribers, containing cards for each performance of the new season, allowing recipients to interact with the piece and ensure it stays visible all season long. The campaign concept was carried onto multiple pieces, including brochures, postcards, special offer inserts, envelopes and letterhead.
As part of being increasingly responsible with the available sponsorship and production dollars for 2009-2010, Subplot created the "All Performance, No Nonsense" season campaign, which celebrates the vast wealth of musical talent without a 'wealth' of production value. Bold typography shouts out various messages about what you will and will not get from the VRS: you will get an inspired performance; you won?t get hyperbole and rigamarole. You will get numerous subscription options; you won't get hassle and confusion. The colour palatte is stark and modern while the typography recalls screenprinted posters. These themes are evident throughout the season brochure, promotional postcards, advertising, banners, and programmes. By keeping production values at a minimum, integrating information and smart design, Subplot was able to cut printing and finishing costs by over 50%.
The 2010-2011 season needed to boldly proclaim the VRS’s mission to bring top musical talent to Vancouver. Focusing on the largely young new talent – not to mention a few outstanding veterans – the new campaign celebrates a whole host of new "stars" to be discovered by the discerning concertgoer. Full of playful wit and whimsy, the campaign comes to life across the season brochures, targeted direct mail and newspaper ads with “constellations” created for each musical act, and sprinkled throughout the brochure. With fun headlines from “We’ll have you seeing stars”, to “The stars won’t stay out forever”, the tone is lighthearted, colourful and celebratory.
