DESIGN BRIEF
DUNDER MIFFLIN HISTORY & DESIGN BRIEF
DUNDER MIFFLIN HISTORY & DESIGN BRIEF
COMPANY HISTORY
Dunder Mifflin Paper Company (also known as Dunder Mifflin, Inc.) is a fictional paper company in the television series The Office. The Scranton, Pennsylvania Branch of Dunder Mifflin serves as the main setting for the series. The company was founded by Robert Dunder and Robert Mifflin in 1949. The stock symbol is DMI. There are multiple branches throughout America, many of which have been shut down due to the success of the larger chains. In 2010, the company went bankrupt and was bought by Sabre. In 2012, Sabre was dissolved and the company became Dunder Mifflin once again. As of Finale, the CEO of Dunder Mifflin was David Wallace. *
The last episode of The Office (Finale) aired on May 16, 2013, which is over 5 years from today's date.
PROBLEM
Dunder Mifflin is not a well-known company and is behind its major competitors in terms of technology. *
For years, Dunder Mifflin was a dying company that was unable to compete with modern chains such as Staples and Office Depot. The company still used traditional salesmen rather than the Internet, causing most customers to leave for the nation-wide chains, and was unable to adapt to an increasingly paperless world. *
REAL LIFE PRODUCTS
In November 2011, Staples Inc. announced that they are selling their own product of manufactured paper under the "Dunder Mifflin" name, under license from NBC's parent company, Comcast. The Dunder Mifflin products are produced and sold by Quill.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Staples. The brand expanded its paper product line beyond manufactured paper in November 2012. As of July 2018, Quill.com no longer carries the products, listing them as having gone on “permanent vacation.“ **
DESIGN BRIEF
My intentions are to treat Dunder Mifflin as a "real" company that exists in current times. Below is the Design Brief, which I created based on what we know about the fictitious company:
Business Name
Dunder Mifflin Paper Company also known as Dunder Mifflin, Inc.
Dunder Mifflin Paper Company also known as Dunder Mifflin, Inc.
Location
Headquartered in New York, NY but there are multiple branches located in smaller Northeastern cities. (The show's setting was the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch)
Headquartered in New York, NY but there are multiple branches located in smaller Northeastern cities. (The show's setting was the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch)
History
"The company was founded by Robert Dunder and Robert Mifflin in 1949. The stock symbol is DMI.
There are multiple branches throughout America, many of which have been shut down due to the success of the larger chains.
"The company was founded by Robert Dunder and Robert Mifflin in 1949. The stock symbol is DMI.
There are multiple branches throughout America, many of which have been shut down due to the success of the larger chains.
In 2010, the company went bankrupt and was bought by Sabre. In 2012, Sabre was dissolved and the company became Dunder Mifflin once again.
As of Finale, the CEO of Dunder Mifflin was David Wallace." *
Services / Products
1) Paper and paper products. **
2) “It's basically a Staples, just not as big.” **
3) “Dunder Mifflin Incorporated provides its customers quality office and information technology products, furniture, printing values and the expertise required for making informed buying decisions. We provide our products and services with a dedication to the highest degree of integrity and quality of customer satisfaction, developing long-term professional relationships with employees that develop pride, creating a stable working environment and company spirit.” *
2) “It's basically a Staples, just not as big.” **
3) “Dunder Mifflin Incorporated provides its customers quality office and information technology products, furniture, printing values and the expertise required for making informed buying decisions. We provide our products and services with a dedication to the highest degree of integrity and quality of customer satisfaction, developing long-term professional relationships with employees that develop pride, creating a stable working environment and company spirit.” *
Strengths
The company still uses traditional salesman, developing long-term professional relationships. *
Weaknesses
1) The company is lacking in web presence and online ordering capabilities. *
2) The company is facing an increasingly competitive marketplace. **
2) The company is facing an increasingly competitive marketplace. **
Target Audience
Corporate customers, business to business sales.
Competitors
Staples, Office Depot.
Sources
(*theoffice.wikia.com) (**en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunder_Mifflin)
(*theoffice.wikia.com) (**en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunder_Mifflin)
RESEARCH
I looked at the branding of the known competitors and other companies who are leaders in the paper business. I added their logos below as well. I always check to see what styles are popular in the client's industry, especially if it is not a field that I am not very familiar with. This research helps me in the design process. Do you notice any trends in the designs shown above?
ORIGINAL LOGO
The original logo typeface is "Impact", which is an outdated (and previously overused) font.