Background: Our team was approached by Bolton Academy to develop a line of apparel that would ignite school pride and foster a sense of community among students, faculty, and community.
Objective: The primary goal was to create a staff shirt that captured the essence of Bolton’s culture while promoting climate enthusiasm in the building and a sense of staff pride in the community.
Approach:
1. We began by conducting extensive discovery of Principal Mincey’s vision, desired outcomes, purpose and existing branding to ensure our designs aligned seamlessly with the institution's ethos.
2. Collaborating closely with our artist, we gathered feedback and insights to inform the creative direction of the project.
3. Our design team crafted a diverse collection of art concept’s themes, each featuring unique graphics, slogans, and color schemes inspired by Bolton’s heritage and spirit.
Implementation:
1. Through a series of design iterations and presentations, we fine-tuned the design to capture the vision of the message in a simple way.
2. Leveraging sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices, we ensured that each garment not only celebrated school pride but also upheld environmental and social responsibility.
Results:
1. The shirt received overwhelmingly positive feedback from Principal Mincey, expressing pride in wearing garments that encapsulated the spirit of Bolton’s climate and culture.
2. The staff picture was published on the school website and may be selectively posted on social media assets.
3. This shirt project fosters a noticeable increase in school spirit and engagement, as evidenced by the group picture.
4. Staff, parents and students loved the I 
Bolton design so much that it was adopted for the 5th grade t-shirt design as well with a different shirt color.
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce has earned it's Five- Star Accreditation, the highest designation achievable by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce has earned the distinguished ACCE “Chamber Of The Year” among chambers internationally.
Our team was commissioned to provide a recognition solution targeting organization, executive board, chamber champions, business leaders, Gwinnett County elected officials. We worked closely with CEO Nick Masino and SVP of Marketing & Communications Lisa Sherman to develop a coveted and meaningful recognition to capture this milestone making the intangible, tangible.
Recognition targeting such a broad scale of recipients can be rather challenging considering display space, type of awards, perceived value and more.
In collaboration with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce team, CSI built the concept and delivered a championship ring as the solution to make this coveted recognition tangible for all recipients.
Papa John’s Case Study
Client: Papa John’s International
Solution: Premium KPI-Driven Recognition
The Challenge
Papa John’s needed a scalable way to recognize General Managers and Franchisees for outstanding KPI performance—without losing personalization or prestige.
The Solution
We created a Celebration Award experience designed to feel earned and memorable, including:
• A personalized recognition letter
• A Lucite award with modern, premium appeal
• A high-perceived-value presentation box
The Impact
• Praised by market presenters for ease and professionalism
• Valued by recipients for quality and personalization
• Reinforced pride, performance, and brand alignment
Why It Works
Intentional design. Premium presentation. Recognition that feels meaningful.
The Takeaway
When recognition is elevated, it becomes a motivator—and a symbol of excellence.
What an exciting opportunity for our team to participate and contribute to fostering a message around performance, outcomes and engagement.
Values-Driven Recognition with Lasting Impact
Zaxby’s
Client: Zaxby’s
Solution: Associate Recognition & Brand Reinforcement
The Challenge
Zaxby’s wanted to recognize associates who exemplify strong values and deliver exceptional customer service—using a solution that felt meaningful, personal, and enduring.
The Solution
As a branding and recognition thought partner, our team created a custom journal designed for daily use. The journal featured a subtle debossed Zaxby’s logo to elevate perceived value and a custom insert message from the Chief Operating Officer, aligned with the recognition theme “Show It Done.”
The Impact
The Takeaway
Thoughtful design turns recognition into a daily reminder of values, pride, and performance.
Case Study: Fostering A Culture Of Recognition
Project Overview
Each project our team is commissioned to deliver is unique and often complex—shaped by budget constraints, tight timelines, product limitations, and competing priorities. These challenges are where we thrive. We think differently, applying passion, creativity, and strategic intent to consistently over-deliver meaningful results.
The Mission
The objective of this project was to translate sincere appreciation to every school bus driver for the critical role they play in safely transporting students to and from school each day. With more than 2,000 drivers, the challenge was twofold: identifying a meaningful, customized recognition solution within a limited budget, and ensuring production and distribution aligned with Bus Driver Appreciation timelines.
Our Solution
Our approach focused on three guiding principles:
Relevance: Select branding tools that authentically represent the drivers’ role in student safety
Durability: Provide quality items built to withstand daily use on the job
Recognition: Create a personal acknowledgement that reflects who they are—caring professionals who shape every student’s first impression and final memory of the school day.
The final solution included:
A personalized card from the team, expressing heartfelt appreciation
A die-cast school bus keychain featuring a unique spring-forward mechanism, symbolizing progress and motion
A durable, lidded plastic tumbler inspired by America’s favorite cup—produced in iconic school-bus yellow for everyday utility
Outcome
The curated set delivered both emotional and functional value—honoring drivers with thoughtful recognition while providing items they could use and enjoy daily. The result was a high-impact appreciation program that balanced scale, budget, and meaning—proving that intentional design can elevate even the most complex recognition initiatives.
Case Study: Campaign Mission
The goal of this campaign was to foster a genuine sense of associate appreciation while encouraging sustainable, desired behaviors among drivers and distribution associates.
Our approach to associate appreciation begins with utility. We intentionally design around product solutions that integrate seamlessly into daily organizational functions while reflecting the culture, climate, values, symbolism, and milestones that define the organization. When appreciation aligns with real-world use, its impact is amplified.
Our Solution
To ensure relevance and authenticity, we surveyed individuals in similar job roles to gain insight into products that best supported their tasks and responsibilities. In close collaboration with the client’s leadership team, we identified solutions that complemented work/life balance and extended positive organizational messaging beyond the workplace and into the home.
The result was a curated collection of keepsakes that told a cohesive story of the transportation experience:
A comfort blanket, symbolizing warmth, care, and the organization’s appreciation
A premium hot/cold tumbler designed for daily drive-time utility
A high-quality cooler, supporting long hours on the road and everyday use
Each item served as both a functional tool and an emblematic reminder of the organization’s gratitude and values.
Outcome
Client feedback confirmed that all product solutions were exceptionally well received—a priceless affirmation of thoughtful design, intentional partnership, and impact-driven execution.
Client: School Leadership
Role: Thought Partner | Concept Development | Design Strategy
The Opportunity
School leadership sought a meaningful way to tell the story of academic excellence—one that delivered daily utility, strong brand impressions, and high perceived value. The goal was to create a tangible asset that empowered ambassadors of the school’s mission while honoring its long-standing tradition of excellence.
Our Approach
Serving as a thought partner to the principal, our team focused on identifying a solution that would be universally useful, emotionally resonant, and subtly branded. The concept needed to work across audiences while authentically reflecting the culture, pride, and achievements of the school community.
The Solution
We developed a custom-designed umbrella—selected for its broad usability and extended visibility—then elevated it through intentional design details:
The Impact
The final result was an overwhelming success. The umbrella became a high-impression storytelling tool—blending function, pride, and visual narrative—while reinforcing the school’s academic excellence and strengthening connection among its ambassadors and broader community.
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Case Study: Brand Awareness Utility Solution
Challenge
ANZ sought to strengthen its thriving mortgage division by building goodwill and enhancing customer retention through a meaningful customer gift. The solution needed to meet key criteria including affordability, security, everyday usefulness, and ease of fulfillment and shipping.
Solution
ReturnMe® key tags proved to be an ideal fit. Directly relevant to home ownership, the tags offered a practical lost-and-found service while reinforcing ANZ’s commitment to protecting what matters most to its customers.
Benefits
Customers received a purposeful, personalized gift that conveyed care and foresight. The solution went beyond a traditional giveaway—strengthening trust and deepening the bank-customer relationship through real-world utility.
Results
Customer response exceeded expectations. The overwhelmingly positive feedback led ANZ to reorder the key tags for three consecutive years, affirming the program’s success in driving satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term engagement.
