Unlock Character for Gunlocke
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Architects and interior designers striving to put their mark on the spaces they design
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Creating harmonious, productive, and inspired workplace environments
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Revealing possibility, productivity, imagination and integrity right in the brand’s name with GUNLOCKE CHARACTER.
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As a manufacturer of custom, high-end office furniture, hidden away in Upstate New York, Gunlocke needed support in communicating their unique, handcrafted and relentless commitment to delivering pieces that are well-built and rich in character.
For ambitious Architects and Designers, only Gunlocke is truly devoted to creating harmonious, productive, and inspired workplace environments that reveal life’s character. GUNLOCKE CHARACTER reinforces the concept of individual achievement and reintroduces the beauty of Gunlocke design by revealing possibility, productivity, imagination and integrity.Optic Sky worked on our brand video. Photographer Grant Taylor shot stills for our showroom activation. Lincoln Barbour photographed interiors and the furniture for our product work, and Rhea Anna shot the advertising imagery with models.
Brand Activation:
Integrated Campaign
My Roles:
Creative Direction
Art Direction
Collaborators:
Robin Lohkamp (CW), Karrie Gurnow (AD), Ian Maroney (Dev), Grant Taylor, Rhea Anna, Lincoln Barbour (Photo), Optic Sky (Video)
This Character Lives Here video set the tone for the new brand manifesto and told Gunlocke’s story in their showrooms and at Neocon.

Gunlocke had stringent rules regarding their photography for collateral and advertising, which we thought was too sparse and clinical in its approach. To reveal the true form and function of their beautiful pieces, we encouraged the company to allow us to include humanity within the imagery for advertising, from people representing the professionals that would utilize the furniture to props on their furniture to better depict how the furniture would appear in real life.
“Refresh and energize an over 100 year-old brand. That is a tall order and the challenge we gave our friends at Truth Collective.
The Truth Collective team did outstanding work. They brought a fresh perspective to our story. Working with and challenging members of our organization, they retold our story with words and visuals that not only conveyed a compelling story to our customers, but captured the pride and passion our people have for their work. They maintained the 100 year-old heritage of craftsmanship, honesty and integrity that are core values in our DNA, visually telling the story in a fresh and modern way that stirs your emotions and is relevant to a more contemporary world. Their work created a timeless story that positioned the Gunlocke brand for the next century.
John, Bob, Jeremy and their team were true partners in the journey. We value the relationships as much as we valued the work we did together.”
— Don Mead , President (retired), The Gunlocke Company, EVP, HNI Corporation