The late Milton Friedman, who shaped the University of Chicago's economics approach during his 30 years there. AP/Wide World photo
Inside academia for the past 25 years, Ronald Reagan’s Washington, and even Margaret Thatcher’s government, the Univ. of Chicago’s Dept. of Economics enjoyed rock star status, racking up Nobel Prizes like records gone platinum and producing a superstar, the one and only Milton Friedman, whose influence on economic policy has been unparalleled. With its free-market philosophy, the “Chicago School” has maintained its dominant image as a libertarian stronghold, providing the rationale for a very small governmental role in the economy.
Now, after the…
“It’s a branding opportunity that’s unparalleled.” Patrick G. Ryan, the CEO of the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid committee, holds monster hopes about marketing this big city. Why?
Chicago wants to be the site for the 2016 Games, so it wants to impress the IOC. It’s a huge sales job. And I ask: What’s not to love? Chicago is elegant and gorgeous.
The problem: The Chicago experience for most of these IOC members meant changing planes at O’Hare. What’s worse, they know only outdated stereotypes–of Chicago being this grimy, big industrial city that has gangsters like Al Capone. They have no idea Chicago…
I gathered some thoughts from the designer community on the visual identity for Chicago’s Candidate City status for the 2016 Olympics. The points made constituted a tidy list for marketers and designers to consider (read: argue about) when they formulate a logo. Brand and visual identity analysis of the Chicago Olympic logo:
Are the elements in the symbol gratuitous or do they mean something? Does it make direct reference to the subject’s established visual language? The new star is not gratuitous, as it is the shape of the stars that adorn the official flag of the city of Chicago.
Designers say a…
Last week, Chicago mayor Richard Daley unveiled the city’s new logo to go with its exciting new status as “Candidate City,” moving up the bidding ladder from “Applicant City” for the 2016 Olympics.
VSA Partners created this logo, which is actually the second one. The first one was a skyline torch unveiled last year. The story goes like this:
In the beginning was the torch. It was created in the image of the gods of the Olympics, in the spirit of the everlasting flame. It represented the blue of Lake Michigan, the green of Chicago parks, and the sun over the city…
This is the story of a little billboard in the humble Midwestern town of Chicago. It all started back in 1961 when Bernard Heerey purchased a building in the Gold Coast. Four-stories tall and overlooking the bright and energetic intersection of State and Rush, it saw many many people go by. When the neighboring buildings were torn down, Mr. Heerey saw a chance. This new expanse of bare brick wall was perfectly suited for advertising. Mr. Heerey rented out this space and then helped the billboard shine. He added more lights and expanded its size.
The only problem with this plan…
