As a professional in the creative industry, it’s important to be influenced by our surroundings. After all, our goal as designers, developers, writers and strategists is to influence people. It is our job to elicit a reaction or emotion out of people after they’ve consumed something we’ve created—all with the hope that our audience buys a product, tells a friend, successfully fills out a form or tweets something about us.
Brand Identity: What Factors Make a Good Logo?
There are many areas of graphic design that I have ventured into within the last couple years: book cover design, website design, broadcast storyboarding, environmental design and much more. Out of all of the areas, my favorite by far is brand identity design. There is a certain thrill and satisfaction that comes with designing an iconic symbol for a company. That company has put their faith in you to design the face for their entire organization and to differentiate their brand from their competitors.
What makes brand identity design the most challenging is the fact that the icon you’ve designed is usually the first and last thing a person sees during their experience with the brand. There are many things that factor into making a successful, everlasting icon that can (and hopefully will) be used for decades to come. One of my favorite designers, David Airey, summarizes it best:
The Art of Logo Design | Off Book | PBS
I love when a new short-documentary comes out about brand identity design–especially when high-profile designers backup the very philosophies I preach to clients. Hearing other professionals reiterate my philosophies towards identities helps remind me I am still sane–even though some clients would beg to differ.
Jay-Z a Graphic Designer?
Just released this week, the newest team in the NBA has released their new identity. The former New Jersey Nets, now the Brooklyn Nets, are crossing the Lincoln Highway to their new home in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center.
Their new identity… Designed by JAY-Z. Say what?!?!?!
That was my first reaction when I read the headlines. But I actually like the new identity. I think it fits well with the attitude the New York borough exudes.
jcpenny rebrand
The new jcpenney logo, which combines the elements that have made jcpenney an enduring American brand, by evoking the nation’s flag and jcpenney’s commitment to treating customers Fair and Square. The square frame imagery will be evident throughout all of jcpenney’s marketing, to remind customers to frame the things they love.
Fresh Impressions on Brandmarks (from a 5-year-old)
A great example of why a company’s logo MUST be simple. The more simple it is, the more memorable it is.
Rebrand: DC Comics
I love this redesign. The concept behind the “DC” wordmark is spot-on. You be the judge. Below is an article from DC Comics website by blogger Brandy Phillips on the redesign.
Honest Logos by Viktor Hertz
This is an awesome set of Flickr photos by Viktor Hertz …
An idea for a series with honest logos, revealing the actual content of the company, what they really should be called. Some are cheap, some might be a bit funny, some will maybe be brilliant. I don’t know.
Coca Cola Blunder. Again? Really?
Hasn’t Coca Cola learned their lesson about changing their product? In 1985 Coca Cola introduced a new formula for their soda, which only lasted a Read More
Redesigning NCAA Football Uniforms–Bad Idea or the Future?
This past weekend was the long-awaited opening weekend of college football. Finally some football? No more bad press about the OSU Buckeyes and the “well-polished” Jim Tressel, or the increasing number of college players who are suspended for Read More