Scottsdale, AZ, June 20, 1997 -- The Scottsdale-based retail design firm formerly known as Associates in Architecture & Design, is using its’ sought after talents to better communicate their own identity with an image change. Now known as AAD, the company creates “interiors, architecture and identity” that their clients report significantly impacts retail sales. AAD’s clients range from Disney, Warner Bros. Studio stores, Planet Hollywood, Universal Studios’ Jurassic Park (Hollywood) and Islands of Adventure (Orlando) to Host Marriott Services for whom they are redesigning airports concessions nationwide. AAD’s work for FAO Schweetz was recently recognized by The National Association of Store Fixtures manufacturers (NASFM) with a Grand Prize. The firm has also been named one of the nation’s top ten design firms by Visual Merchandising and Store Design and one of the top 100 firms in the U.S. by Interior Design magazines.

The first project to be completed under the new name is “Follettown,” a flagship design for Follett Bookstores on the campus of the University of Illinois. Other projects currently underway include: a large retail project for Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Florida; FAO Schwartz in Las Vegas; Citibank’s “bank of the future;” a new roll-out project for Disney; several food courts for Host Marriott Services’ Grapevine (Texas) and Ontario Mills (Southern California) and a new Brickyard Authentics store for Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The previous formal, spiral, block AAD logo, designed with grey and black with claret accents has been totally revamped to reflect the company’s forward thinking and creative spirit. A new color scheme of wheat and Prussian blue with cadmium yellow accents and taupe lettering has been adopted. The new graphics are distinctively more casual and contemporary, yet retain a creatively decisive, corporate attitude. All printed matter is issued in three-over-two style with knock-out reverse lettering on a distinguished, heavy-toothed stock. The actual AAD logo was created in a handwritten lower-case style font. “Our inspiration for the name and image change was simple,” said Carl Schaffer, “We encourage our clients to change their image every ten or so years - - so why not take our own best advice and change ours?”

Since partners Carl Schaffer and Mike Steveson purchased the company from David Udkow and Bill Weikart in 1992 the company has grown significantly to a staff of over 60 with billings that last year surpassed the $6 million dollar mark. Today, the company is one of the most sought after designers to provide architectural and interior design services for a large number of high profile clients in the retail and food service industries. AAD has earned a reputation for creating imaginative environments that attract enormous consumer attention and generate successes that often exceed the projections of their prestigious client base. Registered in 50 states, AAD specializes in providing architectural services to roll out new retail concepts worldwide. Large scale projects for Disney, Citibank, FAO Schwartz, Warner Bros. Stores, Planet Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood and Host Marriott Services are among the more than 400 yearly undertakings that have brought the company to international prominence.
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