Category: News

Who We Are – Greater Public Studio (GPS):

Based in the dynamic city of Tampa, Greater Public Studio (GPS) is an art and design studio that specializes in art direction, brand strategy, visual identity design, hand-painted murals, and installation design. With a remarkable understanding of the power of visuals, GPS empowers businesses to create captivating and cohesive brand experiences.

Decoding Visual Identity:

Visual identity design encompasses the visual elements that embody a brand’s essence, including its logo, colors, typography, imagery, and overall aesthetic. It serves as the outward face of a company, instantly conveying its values, personality, and narrative to the audience. Visual identity holds immense power in capturing attention and creating a lasting imprint on people’s minds.

When forming a visual identity from a design perspective, several key considerations come into play to ensure a cohesive and impactful brand representation:

• Brand Essence: Understanding the essence and core values of the brand is essential. Designers should delve deep into the brand’s mission, values, and unique selling points to create a visual identity that authentically reflects the brand’s personality and resonates with its target audience.
• Target Audience: Designers must have a clear understanding of the target audience demographics, preferences, and psychographics. This knowledge enables them to tailor the visual elements to appeal directly to the intended audience, fostering a stronger connection and resonance with the brand.
• Consistency and Coherence: Consistency is vital in visual identity design. Every element, from the logo to the typography and color palette, should work harmoniously together. It is crucial to maintain a cohesive visual language across various touchpoints, such as websites, packaging, and marketing materials, to create a recognizable and memorable brand identity.
• Uniqueness and Differentiation: In a competitive market, standing out from the crowd is crucial. Designers should strive to create a visual identity that is unique and distinct, helping the brand to carve its own space and differentiate itself from competitors. Incorporating innovative design elements or taking a fresh perspective can contribute to a memorable and impactful visual identity.

Justice Studio is an in-house art studio program led by NOMAD Studio, operating within juvenile detention facilities in Pinellas County. The NOMAD team works closely with youth who are currently detained or committed by the state of Florida’s Department of Justice. They strongly believe that communities should have access to community-driven resources that expand opportunities for artistic and creative expression. By fostering these behaviors, they significantly contribute to the mental well-being of young individuals and help them develop healthier and more appreciative habits.

At Greater Public Studio, we firmly believe in the power of creative freedom and the boundless potential that lies within acts of self-expression. In collaboration with Justice Studio, we have curated a special collection of apparel aimed at nurturing creativity. The mission is to highlight the importance of reading and establish connections between contemporary art, music, and their historical roots. The design of this capsule collection serves as a guiding path, leading others to explore inspiring individuals and artistic techniques. Ultimately, the aim is to celebrate creative freedom and self-expression, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique perspectives, discover influential figures and artistic methods, and contribute to the ever-evolving world of creativity.

This collection capsule features apparel and accessories. 

CHECK OUT THE DROP HERE!

Greater Public Studio, located in Tampa, FL, is not your typical graphic design agency. While we excel in traditional design work, our expertise extends far beyond that. One notable project we recently undertook was the design and production of an asphalt mural for the new River Walk on Cass Street—a venture that truly exemplifies our commitment to community engagement.

Teaming up with Anthony Freese, we collaborated closely to envision and manage the creation of this asphalt mural in downtown Tampa. The project was supported by the Downtown Tampa Partnership, an organization dedicated to fostering the development of the downtown area. The asphalt mural’s purpose is twofold: enhancing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists while serving as a way finding element that seamlessly connects both sides of the River Walk. 

Located at the intersection between the Tampa Museum of Art and the Straz Center, the River Walk experiences a brief interruption. To address this issue, our mural acts as a guide, facilitating the smooth transition for individuals navigating this particular stretch. Inspired by the mesmerizing Hillsborough River, the design of the mural resembles a vibrant flowing river, thoughtfully incorporating arrows and directional elements to lead people to the continuation of the River Walk. This mural is called River of Color.

Notably, River of Color is not the sole piece of art adorning the vicinity. Adjacent to the Tampa Museum of Art, you’ll find the Stay Curious mural, an impressive 430-feet wide mural that encourages individuals to explore and embrace their creative side that was created by TesOne and Bask. When conceptualizing  River of Color, we took into account the interplay between colors and design elements, ensuring a harmonious visual experience for passersby.

At Greater Public Studio, our specialization lies in hand painted murals, and asphalt murals are no exception. We have successfully designed and managed the production of numerous safety-oriented crosswalk murals, aligning with the city’s vision of “Vision Zero” that aims to eliminate pedestrian and cyclist fatalities through improved road safety measures.

Greater Public Studio was commissioned to provide creative direction, design and installation at Kodawari Studios, a Yoga, Bodywork and Wellness Center located in South Tampa. A hand-painted interior mural with the invitation to “come home before you go home” was added to the studio, which elicits a thoughtful conversation about the connection between mindfulness, wellness, and the creative process.

The Oxford Languages dictionary defines mindfulness as a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Mindfulness is sometimes combined with a yogic practice, further aligning the mind and body. But it can also be applied to a wide swath of daily practices or as a general way of approaching life; being conscious or aware of things outside of ourselves. Dissecting that idea further, it’s important to note that mindfulness is not only about awareness, but also acceptance of the thoughts, feelings and sensations that arise, creating within ourselves a judgement free zone.

For many artists, developing a creative practice that is centered around acceptance can be an integral step toward producing work—particularly if the artist is creating a new body of work. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian American psychologist, commonly associated with positive psychology, introduced the concept of “flow,” which describes those moments of complete absorption we experience while engaged in a challenging task. Flow is often associated with the creative process. Artists describe being “in the zone” as work pours out of them smoothly and without regard to time. Csikszentmihalyi explains that the flow state occurs when one is engaged in a task that is challenging yet on par with one’s skill level—that sweet spot that requires enough concentration (mindfulness) without being irritatingly difficult or mind-numbingly easy. He argues that people are at their most happy and most productive while in a state of flow.

Greater Public Studio is excited to announce the launch of its first GPS Spring Apparel Collection. Featuring a series of fresh graphics designed for the versatility of work and play. The collection of t-shirts, hats and a tote bag reflect the Studio’s professional yet playful spirit. 

At the heart and soul of Greater Public Studio is the work. The work and the team’s work ethic lay the foundation for the brand, allowing it to speak for itself. Naturally, the studio’s first apparel collection reflects this ethos of labor– designed to be effective workwear on the job while stylishly transitioning into comfortable gear during those off-the-clock hours. 

As consumers of contemporary street culture themselves, producing merch and apparel, particularly graphic tees, was an obvious and essential outpouring of Greater Public Studio’s creative passions. But it’s also a chance for the team to step away from the creative demands of client projects and focus instead on holding space for their own fun, playful, collaborative process of design. A chance to make products they like, that they’re proud to wear– on and off the job– and a chance to invite the public to share in that passion.

This first apparel drop features various iterations of the company name in sometimes quirky, or unexpected fonts, alongside fun graphic illustrations of tools, characters and meaningful brand taglines like “Think Like Artists, Solve Like Designers,” and “Good People, Great Spaces.”  It’s full of eclectic playfulness and oodles of charisma. The collection explores new design sensibilities while remaining firmly on brand– it’s evident the process of creating the apparel was as fun as it is to wear. 

Oftentimes, when we think about the impact of murals, we think about it in terms of community – building, beautification, or placemaking. The less discussed topic of the economic impact of murals is well worth exploration. Starting at the highest level first, let’s take a look at the economic impact of the arts in general. According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts (for profit and non-profit) are a $876.7 billion dollar industry (4.2% of the nation’s GDP, in 2020). To put these numbers in perspective, America’s farms contributed 0.6% of the GDP the same year. Computer and electronic product manufacturing accounts for 1.6% of the United States’ GDP. Interestingly, the construction industry contributed 4.3% of our GDP last year. 

In 2015, Americans for the Arts produced Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5), its fifth economic impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences. It found “When patrons attend an arts event, they may pay for parking, eat dinner at a restaurant, enjoy dessert after the show, and return home to pay the babysitter. The study found that the typical attendee spends $31.47 per person, per event beyond the cost of admission. AEP5 also shows that one-third of attendees (34 percent) were not from the county in which the arts event took place. Their event-related spending was more than twice that of their local counterparts ($47.57 vs. $23.44). What brought those visitors to town? Two-thirds (69 percent) indicated that the primary purpose for their visit was to attend that arts event. The message is clear: a vibrant arts community not only keeps residents and their discretionary spending close to home, it also attracts visitors who spend money and help local businesses thrive.” (https://files.floridados.gov/media/697914/nationalfindings_summaryreport-1.pdf) 

Validating these findings with a local example, and one specific to murals, the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival had an economic impact study done in 2019. The study found that 36.7% of non-local attendees (out of county) reported SHINE as the primary purpose of their visit. Local event attendees (from Pinellas County), reported spending an average of $61.88 per person, per day while enjoying the murals. Because viewing the murals is free, the largest spend went to food and beverages at local bars and restaurants, while other spending was directed at retail stores, entertainment/recreational activities, gas/transport and parking. For out of county visitors, which made up 68.6% of attendees, these numbers were even higher. In total, the study found that between direct and in-direct spending, this one event created $2.1 million in economic impact for Pinellas County. (Destination Analysts, 2019 SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival Event Economic Impact Analysis).     

What’s important to consider also is that when the event is over, the murals remain. Locals and visitors alike participate in year-round walking, biking and self-guided tours of the murals. The art is free and accessible to all who wish to visit. The beneficiaries of those visitors continue to be the local bars, restaurants, retail shops, galleries, museums, and parking garages surrounding the artwork. Murals stimulate local economies on multiple levels. Even without an annual festival, commissioning an artist or agency like Greater Public Studio to paint a mural directly supports a local creative, generates economic impact for the business receiving the mural and quite likely its neighbors. So, when discussing the arsenal of reasons why murals add value, remember that beyond the beautification and community engagement, there is a great economic value add as well. 

Why do you need to hire one of the best web development companies in Tampa?

Hiring one of the best web development companies should be your primary concern if you plan on impressing your audience with a killer website. Even though hiring may seem simple at times, it sometimes necessitates some good ol’ R&D. Hold up though, you should wait a minute and think if hiring a website development company Tampa is the right thing to do. 

Five Crucial Reasons Why You Should Hire a Website Development Company in Tampa

Do you want a bangin’ website for your organization? Here are some top reasons why you should hire the best website development firm in Tampa.

Custom Design

A personalized website will significantly help you more than a standard website, whether your goal is to boost visitors or make online purchases. Let’s face it, if you don’t take the time to care about how you look, who else will? Why don’t we work together and  develop that dream website you’ve always wanted. Greater Public Studio will adapt the layout and features to you and your brand’s needs.

Visual Properties

Why stay with the norms when you can chill with the cools?

Web design is a crucial aspect of web development after the functionality. Form follows function, get it ; )

The web designer is in charge of your website’s layout, navigation, graphics, color scheme, and other visual elements. Every component of your website will be taken care of by a skilled web designer. A seasoned web designer is insightful and enjoys showcasing a variety of designs.

Also, the designer will literally make your website look and even function outstanding. Aside from that, the web designer will also take care of all website components. It is necessary to ensure that your website’s page load time is maintained. The website’s page load time is among the most important ranking considerations.

Greater Public Studio has had the opportunity to create art for a variety of clients within professional sports and other sports related businesses. Murals celebrating Tampa Bay’s championship level teams, a sculptural installation for the love of sport, and identity packaging for a local spot designed for sports fans  are just a few examples of recent GPS projects centered around the intersection of sport and art. Athletics and the Arts have often been perceived as polar opposites. Both in professional and recreational terms, they are sometimes viewed as parallel paths; one defined by discipline, training and physical sacrifice and the other seen as free-spirited, unpredictable and unstructured. In our education system, kids are often defined by these binary options of becoming an athlete or being a theatre/band/art kid. From a young age, it’s implied that we should choose one path or the other. 

            In reality, the similarities and the symbiotic relationship between sports and art is valuable to understand. Athletics and art are both proof of life- evidence of our humanity. They provide a cultural watering hole, so to speak—a place to gather around a shared interest, to bond over likes, dislikes, and the newest developments. The experience of both can create an instant connection with someone you share nothing else in common with. But more than that, sports and art both require control, practice and sacrifice. Artist and athlete, Matthew Barney explores this concept with his Drawing Restraint series which advocates that growth only occurs through resistance. For an artist to “compete” on a professional level, one must devote themselves to their practice in the same way a professional athlete does. 

            The book Common Practice also explores the relationship between art and sport, specifically basketball. Hypebeast’s Keith Estiler points out that “the need to rehearse, discover and explore through the act of doing makes these two very different ideas of perfecting one’s craft very similar.” Interestingly, in the early years of the Olympics, competitors were awarded medals for the best sport inspired art. From 1912 until 1952, there were five Olympic categories for the arts: architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture. It was an integral part of the original vision for the Olympic games, according to its founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin. He felt that a true Olympian was not only athletic but also artistic (Stromberg, J. 2012, When the Olympics Gave Out Medals for Art. Smithsonian Magazine.)

Harnessing the power of art to engage new audiences.

Greater Public Studio (GPS), led by artist Jay Giroux, has collaborated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to create a new mural celebrating the two-time world champion team. The multidisciplinary art and design studio sourced a highly visible wall at BAR HWRD, a popular sports themed bar in Tampa’s SoHo District for the location of the mural. The design features custom lettering that reads “Go Bucs” highlighted in graphic splashes of team colors and the image of a football player preparing to throw a ball. Viewers can even take the mural into another dimension by viewing it through the free Artivive app, which animates the artwork, creating a 3D effect complete with the illusion that the player’s arm is about to launch the football. 

The Bucs marketing team originally reached out to Tampa artist Leon “Tes One” Bedore, who then made the connection between the team and Greater Public Studio. GPS has completed multiple athletic themed projects, from mural design and  installation to brand identity and sculpture. It’s an important part of the design studio’s strategy. As Tampa grows and finds its identity as a sports oriented city, “sports can serve as a way of bridging the gap with a younger demographic,” Giroux explains. “Being exposed to artwork while attending a sporting event introduces art to people in a way that feels familiar.” As an athlete and artist, Giroux understands the opportunity to impact an audience that might not regularly find themselves in an art museum or gallery. Infusing creative elements into athletic environments is a savvy way to build new art appreciators. 

Do you want your brand, business, and products to be discoverable among the masses? What’s the secret sauce to make that happen? 

It starts with working on the right marketing and a well-executed content creation services in Tampa. The right content delivers the right message to the right people. It heavily influences the business’s growth and takes it to new heights.

To do this, hiring a studio or agency that can provide content creation services is the way to go. One thing GPS understands and likes to do is create well-planned content and then curate that content to audiences specific to demographics and their needs; in a tasteful way of course. If you also want content creation services in Tampa, hire a reliable and reputable studio that can fulfill your content requirements.

In this post, we’ve covered a base for you on how content creation boosts the overall growth of a business!

Why is Content Creation Important?

Content is one of the most critical aspects of inbound marketing practice that brings three times more leads. Content creation not only generate new leads but retains old customers to build brand loyalty. Here is why creating eye-catching content is essential:

• Establishes Your Brand: It takes time to build a brand. However, posting content on social media channels makes your brand recognized among audiences. 
• Generates Leads: Consistent content across all the social media platforms defines your area of expertise. You build trust with your audience, converting leads to potential customers.
• Boosts Brand Equity: The right content can help you produce more awareness, which leads to greater brand equity. This can lead to increased sales and offer a high return on investment.
• Establishes Trust & Expertise: You are projected as an expert when you create content for a specific field. The audience seeing the authentic information, trusts you as a credible source.