Introducing the Merge Portal Framework

Tired of boxed solutions that aren’t a good fit for your business’s web development needs? Stop force-fitting and start saving both your time and money with the Merge Portal Framework.

The Merge Framework consists of a core set of multilingual-ready programs that can make up the foundation of many Merge-developed websites. These programs include a dynamic page designer, ecommerce solution, content management system as well as numerous other programs.

Unlike “package” or “boxed” solutions, the Merge Framework was designed to be built upon, accommodating for a client’s business logic and needs rather than forcing the needs of a client to conform to the software. Because the Merge Framework is a foundation piece, it not only spares clients the additional cost of standard development processes, but it also offers sites seamless updates and upgrades as enhancements are introduced or desired.

The Merge Framework is a custom-built solution, completely done in-house at Merge. Merge does not outsource work or use outside contractors...when you work with Merge you are working with our dedicated team that has focused their time and effort into building enterprise grade products that work for you.

The Merge Framework is in use by a select group of organizations, both large and small. Some of our latest launches on the framework include: Harley-Davidson Dealer Marketing Engine, TransUnion’s MDA Lending Services, the Erikson Institute, Culinary Classics, and the Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s “EDGE” website.

MERGE WINS GRAPHIC DESIGN USA 2008 PACKAGING DESIGN AWARD

Merge recently was selected as a winner of the Graphic Design USA 2008 Packaging Design Awards for its retail packaging design for the game Cahootie^TM. Both the outer packaging design and game itself incorporates vibrant graphic illustrations and custom die cuts, giving it strong shelf appeal and attracting it’s ‘tween market. In addition to the packaging design, Merge developed the Cahootie corporate identity, website, and other pieces of sales collateral. Cahootie is sold nationwide, in stores such as Limited Too, Hallmark Shops, and Amazon.com.
View Cahootie Projects

2008 Spotlight on Identity Projects

Near the end of every year, we like to look back and review some of the projects that helped define the time spent at Merge. In this section, we showcase a few of our favorite identity projects that involved developing identities from a purely blank canvas. In each case, our clients very easily explained to us what services or products their companies provided, no problem there. However, when it came to defining their corporate personality and describing truly who they were and how they wanted to be perceived, the answers were a bit ambiguous. Merge pushed these companies to dig deep and accurately and insightfully verbalize the “who” part of their corporate story. We then took this information through our creative process— researching, examining, brainstorming, discussing, sketching, designing, reviewing—and ultimately pulling our ideas and concepts through to fully realized corporate identities.

Vision Aquatics, Inc. specializes in creating custom-designed physical rehabilitation therapy pools. Incorporating the most advanced technologies into their products, Vision Aquatics is truly the leader in their field. They had the product, they just needed a corporate identity that supported it and that resonated strongly with their diverse audience of therapists and end consumers.

Key concepts around the VA corporate image included:

• strength, expertise, advanced technology, emphasis on research and development
• streamlined movement, flow, flexibility, realization of benefits quicker than competition
• custom solutions, customer service, value and fine craftsmanship

The final VA identity builds upon these ideas, using a color palette that not only relates the brand immediately to the therapeutic pool industry, but also represents Vision Aquatic’s progressive approach to technology (aqua) and it’s strength and dependability (navy). The oval “wave” bug is used with the type treatment, as well as a stand along graphic throughout their collateral.

180 North, a division of OnPoint Partners, Inc., connects finance professionals with hiring managers in the Chicagoland area. They pride themselves on their dedicated approach to placing candidates, building lasting relationships with hiring managers, and working to truly find the perfect fit between the two. When 180 North came to Merge with the need to develop their corporate identity, we listened and extracted key differentiating characteristics of the company’s goals, personality, and hopes for the future. The final 180 North identity combines a sense of spark and urgency (lime green) with a solid foundation and sense of trust and commitment (gray). The identity utilizes graphic elements that all abstractly revolve around pin-pointing high quality candidates, making connections, and the intersections of talent and opportunity that create successful staffing situations.

Adverdian, a company that provides simple, multi-channel asset management, production and local media buying solutions for national brands, looked to Merge to develop their corporate identity. From initial company naming through to the final corporate logo and subsequent marketing collateral, Merge worked to convey professionalism, technology-driven expertise, and ultimate media efficiency in a single mark. The final Adverdian corporate identity uses yellow and orange to communicate energy, vitality, and proficiency while the gray represents a solid foundation, strength, and dependability. The logo bug is comprised of an abstract “A”, symbolizing the corporate first initial, as well an upward trending pointed mark that conveys peak performance. The remaining bug element, a mirror of the abstract “A”, doubles as a check-mark, symbolizing positive action and execution. The Adverdian font is solid, enduring, and commands attention.