Jump if you're from 'Sconnie!
Everybody knows what Wisconsin is famous for: beer, cheese, the Packers, and of course cartwheeling men! The governor just revealed the new state logo, much to the dismay of myself and others.
March 23, 2009
March 9, 2009
And the winners are . . .
ReBrand's list of 2009 award winners for redesigned identities is now up! They showcase the original identity, the redesigned version, and some results as well as a summary of the process and results.
In the 2009 Best of Awards, check out ICFJ's redesign for its color palette and business system, and LOVE 146 for its complete overhaul– from name, to story, and overall emotional quality. Awesome.
The story of a brand
What does origami have to do with athletic apparel? The history and greater story of the ASICS brand is told in an incredibly imaginative and captivating way– all through the universally inspiring medium of paper.
Origami In the Pursuit of Perfection from MABONA ORIGAMI on Vimeo.
March 4, 2009
What's in a name?
David Airey is a Northern Ireland-based logo designer with an extensive portfolio and an affinity towards process. Upon perusing his site, I stumbled upon the logo design for Miskeeto, a socially-minded web design firm. Not only is his process interesting (he reveals his process for each piece in his portfolio), but the name is fascinating as well:
Miskeeto is dedicated to working with clients ... to improve the world in some way. The company name, in fact, comes from the quote, “If you ever think you’re too small to have a big impact, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”
March 2, 2009
Styling Google
Apparently, style guides can exist more than in just paper or digital form. Meet Marissa Mayer, Google's in house styler, who ensures that every piece of information Google puts its name on is consistent with its brand identity and message. Whether it's "avoiding first- and second-person pronouns" because it sounds like Google is "picking words for [its users] or avoiding "gray-on-gray text" or italics because they are hard to read on screen, Ms. Mayer stands guard as the reinforcer of Google's ubiquitous search engine and related internet tools.
While Google is known to modify its wordmark according to holidays or special events– today it is celebrating Dr. Suess's (Theodore Seuss Geisel) 105th birthday– it is otherwise stringent in its use of language, color, and style to keep its brand identity consistent and clear. Ms. Mayer plays an important role in this brand consistency, even if its means being looked upon as a "zealous copy editor or meticulous art teacher." While some question her plans for the future (is she leaving Google?), she is clear on one thing: "she and a team of designers are creating a style guide so that she can quit repeating herself." Get the point?
February 25, 2009
A little bit o' history
A brief and interesting article that speculates as to the history of branding as well as outlines why it is important– both as a brand and for consumers as they sort through loads of visual information each day.
February 16, 2009
Visual weightlifting
Powerful symbolism can speak volumes and carry your product, company, and service to success. Understanding how humans use symbols to sort through visual information is critical to creating a simple, memorable, and unique logo symbol. Maggie Macnab analyzes two logos you are likely to be overwhelmingly familiar with: Apple and IBM. These two symbols cater to completely different audiences and it is evident in the shape, form, and meaning they employ.
Read Ms. Macnab's article, The Apple Core vs. Linear Logic at aiga.org.
February 9, 2009
Like water for chocolate.
Mastering the metaphor may be the key to some great logo ideas. Understanding the idea of a metaphor is critical to using it. George Felton's HOW article, Master the Metaphor, helps to explain the different types of metaphors (pure or fused) and different ways you might come about some visual metaphors for your company. The 'metaphors in a grid' exercise we did in class should get you thinking, but this article has great tips as well, including:
Put your client's product (or the benefit we derive from it) into these formats to help you make connections and create images: "It's like a ____."
"It's like a ____ for your ____."
"Think of it as _______."
"If it were a ____, it would be a _____."
If you called the product something else, what would it be?
February 3, 2009
Boxers or briefs?
A design brief is a written explanation given by the client to the designer at the outset of a project. As the client, you are spelling out your objectives and expectations and defining a scope of work when you issue one. You’re also committing to a concrete expression that can be revisited as a project moves forward. It’s an honest way to keep everyone honest. If the brief raises questions, all the better. Questions early are better than questions late.
A Client’s Guide to Design: How to Get the Most Out of the Process (AIGA, 2007). View entire guide (.pdf)