Collaboration That Works

Recently BatesMeron was tasked with developing the 2012-2013 Seed & Vegetative Catalog for Sakata, an independent breeder of premium bedding plants, pot crops and cut flowers. Our heads were filled with snapdragons and daisies for months, but after diligent planning and designing we had produced a beautiful catalog that Sakata loved.

But before we could become busy bees with the design process, Sakata came to us with a specific vision of what they wanted their new catalog to look like. We were all ears.

Sakata knew that they wanted the front cover to incorporate the design elements of plant tags they had used (and loved) in the past. They also came to us with a specific color palette that followed trends of the 2012 spring fashion report. With Sakata’s input and BatesMeron’s creative insight, this was quickly becoming a great client/designer collaboration project.

To bring new life to their plant tag images, we scattered spring shapes across the cover. Using different leaves, blossoms and petals, along with beautiful curves that create a swirling vortex of flowers, we were able to create an energetic and unique catalog cover that definitely stands out.

We continued to spread the feeling of spring throughout the rest of the catalog by creating a sense of depth using varying transparencies and gradients. The spring palette Sakata provided was used to divide plant sections, and different flower shapes were used to bullet lists.

We love using our skills to create brands and collateral for our clients—but it’s also exciting when the process is collaborative. Sometimes clients come to us with a rough idea, a few elements they would like to see utilized or maybe even a color palette. Regardless of what the client brings to the table, we do our best to work together to sharpen, render, create and pull together a beautiful masterpiece that both parties are proud of.

Below you’ll find selected pages from the inside of the catalog. Enjoy the collaborative design!