Global citizenship is not a novel concept. Every time there is a war, we hear a call for unity. Musicians come together to make tribute songs and donate the proceeds to charity. We are the world, indeed. Today I received an e-mail about a design competition. Adbusters is asking designers to create a world flag, free of words. The imagery should portray unity. I can’t help but be skeptical about the design of a global flag that unites global citizens. I want to believe.
Last year we worked on a “Brand America” project, where the goal was to improve the image of…
This line is in the Requirements section for a marketing communications job at Facebook. They’re also looking for more designers and a user interface engineer.
Why?
They’re introducing a new design and have been allowing members to preview the new features and functionality by navigating between the new and current versions of the site. 100,000 members already offered feedback, and access to the new design will gradually become available to all of its users.
The changes?
• An expanded “Wall” section to integrate feeds about friends, with ability to leave comments
• Third-party apps are simpler
You can:
• Test an app before deciding to add it…
Question: What do “Supernova,” “Doodles,” and “Jawbreakers” have in common?
Answer: They’re all branding design trends.
So says brand expert Bill Gardner, president of Gardner Design, one of the nation’s top branding firms, with clients that include Fortune 500s such as Chrysler, Hallmark, Cessna Aircraft, and Kroger.
Gardner released his sixth annual report of logo trends in GD USA, a national design magazine. The report discusses 15 trends found all over the world and provides insights on how they may influence customers.
One trend, “Facets,” is composed of logos that remind the viewer of highly polished gems. Another is called “Animotion.” These moving logos are…
It’s always interesting to me how marketing and PR firms “do” their corporate identity. Forever telling their clients how it’s done, how do they fare when they choose to do what they do with their websites and collateral?
Case in point:
Bock Communications, the only U.S.-based PR/marketing firm focused on the global wireless telecom industry, changed their corporate identity, which was designed to mirror the agency’s three defining tenets:
1. Bock is a luxury brand
2. PR and marketing are art forms
3. Growth is organic
Will it blend in the brand blender? Let’s see…
I guess they mean it when they say they are a BOUTIQUE…
Putting politics aside and focusing on the analysis of Walmart’s new logo, wordmark, and tagline, I noticed that the latter echoed some other tagline, one that consists of two short sentences with a parallel structure, each starting with a verb and featuring one of the 25 reasons why people buy (save money).
Save money. Live better. (Walmart)
Expect more. Pay less. (Target)
It isn’t just the language that’s being copycatted. Walmart’s new starburst echoes competitor Target’s bull’s-eye, with its clean, bright look. Attempting to update its image beyond the logo arena, Walmart has also copycatted Target by changing its corporate uniform for store…
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…
By definition, I am a copywriter, which means that I’m supposed to hold the written word above all, particularly when I’m working with an art director! By dictate, I should secretly feel that design is just a way to pretty up an ad and frame my perfect words perfectly. Well, this might get me kicked out of the copywriter’s club but not only do I not feel that way, I’m also jealous of designers.
I’m envious of how design communications on such a pure level. Words take a more active, intellectual engagement, while design communicates effortlessly. With the
right colors, shapes and…
