Saving the Canvas, Saving the Art, Saving the Story

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The art community in San José, California is evolved, involved and organized. Public art installations and murals play a significant role in the downtown landscape as almost any area lacking visual interest is seen as a possible canvas. This art community is especially vibrant at San José State University.

The San José State Art School building is located 35 feet from the Student Union building. This location is convenient for student artists – close to book store supplies, student resources and dining. However, when construction began on the new Student Union building, this location would become less than ideal.

Better Than Blue

In September of 2010, in conjunction with the San José State University Student Union Renovation and Expansion project, construction workers erected an eight-foot-high wall surrounding the Student Union construction site. The internal debate over the splintered eyesore of a barrier began almost immediately and requests from the Art Department to do something with the great plywood wall were made early and often. The school rebutted. The planks were painted. Blue. The students of San José wanted something more – something better than blue.

An extracurricular art club, the “Dirty Brushes” , saw an opportunity to create a public art piece and the blue wall was perfect for a large-scale mural project. The project know as “Better Than Blue” began in April 2011 with a small grant from the Student Union. More than 100 art and art history students would come to be involved in painting more than 45 different “self-portraits” of a diverse selection of famous artists on the blue wall.

Saving the Canvas

When exterior construction completed in 2015, the painted wall was scheduled to be demolished and discarded. Thysse stepped in. We knew the wall needed to be saved. It was artwork that needed to be preserved, it was a story that needed to be told. We hired a crew to carefully dismantle the wall, individually wrap each 8’ tall panel, place them into shipping containers and ship them to a local storage facility.

Almost a year later, as the interior construction on the Student Union was being completed, Thysse began the process of restoring the “Better Than Blue” wall by unpacking and sorting through the salvaged panels. We chose 30 panels that were in the best condition and hired a local artisan craftsman to properly restore, preserve and frame the pieces for display.

omg. These were my fav thing about campus

In August, 2016, a week before fall classes began, Thysse came in and installed the restored panels. When the students returned, the artwork that once adorned the construction fence they passed by everyday, the artwork they assumed had been lost and forgotten about, the artwork that reflected the San José State culture had once again appeared on the site. This time, inside and permanently on display on the walls of their Student Union.

Who Trusts Thysse With Their Brand? – Oregon Community Bank

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The need for a corporate rebranding is usually a realization that comes from within the organization. Perhaps it starts with a logo that has begun to feel dated – a mark that doesn’t translate well to modern website and social media platforms – a mark that doesn’t properly reflect the company’s self-image. Perhaps it starts with an evolution of the company’s message and direction. Perhaps it starts with a new, energized vision of the company’s future. For Oregon Community Bank, all of these things occurred at about the same time and in 2014 they wondered …

Where do you go? How do you begin?

Oregon Community Bank turned to the branding team at Thysse. We began with a thorough examination of the existing visual brand elements, and OCB’s future plans. We then organized a series of Thysse-led employee charrettes in which we guided internal discussion focused around exposing the existing company culture and visions for the stakeholders’ outward messaging.
Thysse used this information to develop a complete rebranding that better fit an overall “Feel Good Banking” message and community mission. The finished deliverables not only included all visual identity assets (logo, typeface, color palette, print collateral, interior and exterior signage), but established the brand family for future OCB community branches.

“We were not only impressed with the end result, but the process in which Thysse employed during our rebranding process. They made it a truly collaborative effort by coming to us and leading sessions that drew out our thoughts, wants and needs. Thysse then took what we said and made it real. In the end, they effectively encompassed who we are as a bank and who we are as a brand. Simply put – success.”
– Elyse Smithback, Vice President at Oregon Community Bank
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SAVING THE CANVAS, SAVING THE ART, SAVING THE STORY

The art community in San José, California is evolved, involved and organized. Public art installations and murals play a significant role in the downtown landscape as almost any area lacking visual interest is seen as a possible canvas. This art community is especially vibrant at San José State University.

The San José State Art School building is located 35 feet from the Student Union building. This location is convenient for student artists – close to book store supplies, student resources and dining. However, when construction began on the new Student Union building, this location would become less than ideal.

BETTER THAN BLUE

In September of 2010, in conjunction with the San José State University Student Union Renovation and Expansion project, construction workers erected an eight-foot-high wall surrounding the Student Union construction site. The internal debate over the splintered eyesore of a barrier began almost immediately and requests from the Art Department to do something with the great plywood wall were made early and often. The school rebutted. The planks were painted. Blue. The students of San José wanted something more – something better than blue.

An extracurricular art club, the “Dirty Brushes” , saw an opportunity to create a public art piece and the blue wall was perfect for a large-scale mural project. The project know as “Better Than Blue” began in April 2011 with a small grant from the Student Union. More than 100 art and art history students would come to be involved in painting more than 45 different “self-portraits” of a diverse selection of famous artists on the blue wall.

SAVING THE CANVAS

When exterior construction completed in 2015, the painted wall was scheduled to be demolished and discarded. Thysse stepped in. We knew the wall needed to be saved. It was artwork that needed to be preserved, it was a story that needed to be told. We hired a crew to carefully dismantle the wall, individually wrap each 8’ tall panel, place them into shipping containers and ship them to a local storage facility.

Almost a year later, as the interior construction on the Student Union was being completed, Thysse began the process of restoring the “Better Than Blue” wall by unpacking and sorting through the salvaged panels. We chose 30 panels that were in the best condition and hired a local artisan craftsman to properly restore, preserve and frame the pieces for display.

OMG. THESE WERE MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT CAMPUS

In August, 2016, a week before fall classes began, Thysse came in and installed the restored panels. When the students returned, the artwork that once adorned the construction fence they passed by everyday, the artwork they assumed had been lost and forgotten about, the artwork that reflected the San José State culture had once again appeared on the site. This time, inside and permanently on display on the walls of their Student Union.