your logo needs to cost more than your lunch.
I always say that half of our job is education. And I love sharing, teaching and exploring with clients. After all - they don't have time for things like Twitter, Second Life or the latest branding trends.
But there's one thing that always gets under my skin. People's perception of logo value. I've been in countless situations, where an otherwise reasonable business person expects that a logo can be developed for $175. (As recent as last week!)
It's not their fault. They don't understand the time (or the life experience) that's devoted to the process of creating a new brand identity. They get it when it comes to sales collateral. Campaigns. Websites. Videos. But logos seem so simple and small, how difficult could they be?
Of course, we know better. So nothing but big smiles when I discovered this excellent post on why your logo should cost more than your lunch...
Labels: branding, design, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 5:35 AM
5 comments
yesterday is so today
70's and 80's are the new 90's. But if you love graphic design from the 20's through the 80's, then you'll love this gallery of retro-design.
Labels: ads, creativeinspiration, design, illustration, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
0 comments
putting hearts together one at a time
Really cool business card design for a couples therapist. From mmcgreevy, via Twitter.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:03 AM
0 comments
be just like obama
With the new Logobama automated Obama logo maker, anyone can have a winning presidential-candidate-style identity. Just upload your photo, and click your mouse. Presto. You've been Logobama'd! Stylish suits and bowling skills may cost extra. Found first on ToddAnd.
Labels: design, identity, politics, viral
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
0 comments
design is dead. we can all go home now.
After making 364 kabillion dollars on design, Philippe Starck says design is dead and that he's retiring. He claims that “I was a producer of materiality and I am ashamed of this fact.”
How ashamed, Philippe? Then why don't you give everything back? Come live in my house, and I'll live in one of yours. Ok?
Labels: architecture, design, interior design
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:17 AM
1 comments
new twitter logo!
The sun wouldn't come up if we didn't have at least one post about Twitter each day...so here it is: Twitter changed their logo. In case you were wondering.
Labels: branding, design, identity, twitter, web2.0
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:36 AM
2 comments
in march, you can wear your banana hammock swimsuit in nyc
Design Miami is coming to New York. So, we can only assume that everything else "Miami-style" will be acceptable for the month of March.
Design Miami has become the most awesome display of stuff you can't afford. And stuff that would look ridiculous in your apartment. And stuff that's completely inspirational. And now it's coming to New York.
Labels: design, interior design, newyork, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:09 AM
0 comments
websites: so yesterday.
A lot of people are chatting about how the website as we know it is doomed, and a thing of the past. That mashups, feeds and other tools have made full-on sites an unnecessary thing. You can see this happening slowly, already.
Modernista just put it into fast-forward, with the the launch of their new site. That's a screen grab of the site - in the upper left corner, in red. That's right - only a few pixels wide.
The first page lands on the Modernista Wikipedia page, or keeps the site that you've clicked from in the background. And they've used existing social tools to show you their work, their history, their news.
Uber smart concept, and a creative way to show what's possible using existing tools. Beats the hell out of those Flashturbation sites so common with the other big agencies. Totally, totally, awesome.
Labels: adindustry, design, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:24 AM
3 comments
a beautiful place for your stinky underwear
LG has teamed up with fabric designers from the Designer's Guild to create the most wonderous dirt removal machines that you have ever laid eyes on.
Until your friends come over and say, "oh, you're still rockin' with the Design Guild machine? That's so ollllld. I'm washing with the new Nike version." What? It could happen.
Labels: design, interior design, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:54 AM
1 comments
the single best business card at sxsw. maybe ever.
I've got pockets and pockets full of business cards. At a conference like SXSW, there are a lot of cards attempting to be great. Many try so hard to be "creative" that they just end up blending in. Or look like an invite to a party.
But Brian Shaler is different. Brian Shaler has reinvented. His card is pictured above. You're probably thinking that the back of the card has all of his contact information, laid out in a clever way. It doesn't. Just his name, backwards.
At a party, I was talking to Brian, and someone came up to complain. "C'mon Brian - I need a real card. I need a card with your email address, or something."
Brian's response?
"You have everything you need to contact me, on that card. If you can't find me by using that card, then we really don't need to communicate." (Or something to that effect, probably said more eloquently.)
Genius. Absolute, pure internet genius. And he's right. I'm not even going to link to him. If you want to get in touch with Brian, you have his business card, above.
Labels: design, identity, search, web2.0
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:52 AM
20 comments
now your shaving gel can glow like radioactive jelly
I'm running to Target right now, to check out some light-up shaving gel. I think my face could use it. And I hope that they also have light up deodorant and toothpaste.
The New York Times reports on one of the coolest packaging tricks that I've seen in a while. NXT, which hits stores this month, features LED lights in the package, that light up the product from the shelf. Ingenious.
I wonder what TSA will say about these packages, as we try and get through security. "No - it lights up to be cool. It's a light. On my shaving gel. Because they make it like that. It doesn't do anything else. It's shaving gel. What do you mean I need to follow you??"
Labels: design, package design, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:34 AM
2 comments
rest well. the major sites have been plotted to a train map.
Last night, as I fell asleep full of worries, one of my concerns is that I haven't yet been able to visualize the world's most popular websites as a Tokyo train map. Until now. Finally, someone has pinned down the most popular sites the one of the most popular train maps. Tonight, I will sleep well.
Labels: design, illustration, mashup, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
0 comments
packaging saves the day
The special edition of Grand Theft Auto comes with some pretty sweet packaging that even includes a GTA safety deposit box.
And the new NineInchNails release is available in special packaging, too. You can download the release for free - or spend more dough on NIN goodies. This gives a real reason for fans to spend money on something they can't download or trade for free. Sweet packaging. The $300 version even comes packed with a Trent Reznor autograph. Cool.
Who says package design for content is dead??
Labels: design, gaming, music, package design, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:22 AM
0 comments
chrome and fire and lense flares, oh my.
From the band that brought you the groundbreaking music video DANCE, comes a super rockalicious tribute to cheezy motion graphics.
DVNO is a sweet video celebration of chrome, fire, animated neon and everything else you still see on the small-time news channel intros. Awesome reminder of yesterday.
Labels: design, illustration, music, video
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:11 AM
2 comments
your logo doesn't need a lawnmower in it.
Just because you mow lawns, doesn't mean that you need a lawnmower in your logo. What if your company grows into a landscape design business? Or a green beautification business?
Seems obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many business people believe that their logo needs to tell the world what their business does. (It doesn't.)
So I smiled big time at the post by Attitude Design, Titled What your logo doesn't say about your business. Right on.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:52 AM
0 comments
a museum for beer and soda package design. in tennessee.
How we missed this on the Plaid tour this summer, I'll never know. We must have not seen the billboards. Tennessee - not only the home to Elvis' home - but also the home to the Museum of Beverage Containers and Advertising.
Where else would you find package design for Johnson Juice? (One would assume, healthy juice for your johnson.) Justus Johnson in our office probably lives on this stuff.
So sad we missed this. Although the website is an experience, itself. I so would have driven an hour out of the way for this. From quipsologies.
Labels: beverage, design, package design, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:28 AM
1 comments
best band logos ever
American Copywriter points to a list of the 25 best band logos, from Spinner Magazine. This was fun to click through. It's hard to choose a favorite - so I'll go with my heart. RIP, Joey.
Labels: branding, design, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:26 AM
1 comments
the history of tech logos
Here's a fun history lesson for Friday.
Neatorama has compiled a really cool archive of tech logos, showing their evolution and detailing interesting facts about their history.
Like, did you know that Canon was originally called Kwanon, named after the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Mercy? Amaze your friends with factoids about logos they probably never thought twice about! Be the life of the logo party!
Labels: branding, design, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
0 comments
get out of your element
One of the classic traps marketers fall into is making assumptions, strategies or decisions based on personal experience. "I wouldn't do that...so the audience for this product wouldn't do that..." We recently had a client who actually said "I don't use the internet that much - so I'm pretty sure my audience doesn't, either." (His audience was teens and 20 something males.)
We're humans. A multitude of cultures, personalities and interests. We're also born with this weird sense of thinking everyone else thinks just like we do. And that's not true.
At our agency, we're on a constant quest to learn and experience new things. To do something outside of our element. We even schedule occasional company "field trips" where our staffers get to partake in an activity that they haven't done before, or wouldn't likely do on their own.
AdLab has a great reminder of a classic technique to get outside of your element: Magazines. Magazines are a super way to experience a different audience on the quick. Visit a good newstand or bookstore, and browse the sections you don't normally browse. You'd be surprised at what you can learn about...humans.
Labels: branding, creativeinspiration, design, marketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:44 AM
1 comments
how a business card becomes a tool
When business cards can become toys, they transcend into objects that people desire. And keep on their desks. And show to their friends. And become a part of a conversation. That's when business cards become tools.
Check out this animated business card, using the simplest 'technology' possible to create a very cool effect.
Thanks Rob!
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
2 comments
data junkies, rejoice
Thought gadgets points to the most datalicious graph of every possible technique of displaying data. This could fuel your PowerPoint presentations for the rest of your lifetime. This could fuel the PowerPoint presentations of your future generations. Let data reign.
Labels: design, illustration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:43 AM
0 comments
can design make water in cans taste good?
Will people drink water from cans? What if they were really pretty? What if they were called canettes?
Fashion house Paul and Joe have apparently teamed with Perrier to make cans of pretty water. Same water, just packaged in designer, collector cans. Sometimes working in the brand industry is just plain embarrassing. Or is it just genius??
Labels: beverage, branding, design, fashion
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:46 AM
1 comments
really cool biz cards
Check out this sweet Flickr set of cool business cards. Thanks Leigh!
Labels: branding, design, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:47 AM
0 comments
blacker than black is the new black
Some really bored scientists have discovered how to make the blackiest black black. With nanotubes and magic beakers and science toys, they've scientifically proven this is the blackiest of all blacks. Blacker than dark black. Blacker than flat black.
No word on whether or not they plan on releasing a line of black jeans or cool black sneakers. I would really like a pair of black jeans that could immediately absorb all of the light of any room that I walked into. They should get working on that.
Labels: design, technology
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:25 AM
0 comments
what a beautiful place to crap
Paula Scher just designed the most beautious graphics on the most wonderful pay toilet ever seen by human eyes. It's located in Madison Square Park, in NYC. Hell, if it's got wifi, I might just set up and work from there next week.
They should just rename Madison Square Park to Paula Scher Park. This toilet is across the street from her Pentagram office. The park is also the home to the world famous Shake Shack, which sports a Paula Scher identity. And, she designed the identity for the park, too.
That's it. From this day forward, I'm referring to it as Paula Scher Park.
Labels: design, identity, newyork, outdoor, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:02 AM
0 comments
in the days before blogs and social media and the internets
Apparently, people used to read their news on these super large, poster sized pieces of paper, that were delivered to their homes by child workers on bikes. They were called newspapers.
The news was written at least a day before! The papers were so large, they were difficult to fit on a desk or kitchen table, and were printed in such poor quality, that the ink would rub off onto the reader's fingers.
If you'd like to learn more about these dark times, ToddAnd has a terrific post about the history of newspapers.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:49 AM
1 comments
that model looks like a cow
I love seeing behind the scenes from other agencies. DJ Stout from the world famous Pentagram agency just redesigned the Dairy Today magazine. (Dairy Today. Who knew? I've got to get me a subscription card.)
You can watch a cute clip from the photo shoot over at SwissMiss.
Labels: design, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
1 comments
you've been deputized.
File this under "wish I thought of it."
Introducing the design police. A full set of templates that you can print on sticker paper on your own printer, and then walk around town like a design sheriff. Fun stickers that allow you to call attention to bad design.
I so want to harvest this idea and create a different set of stickers. One that includes 3rd eyes, scars, bullet holes, Frankenstein plugs and blood drip. I could enhance outdoor advertising all day long. So much fun.
What do Design Police uniforms look like? I bet they're hot.
Labels: adindustry, design, outdoor, streetart, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:15 AM
2 comments
the coolest sales collateral at CES
Apartment Therapy points to a very funny promo handout promoting home servers at the CES show. Great conceptual, design and writing. Nice work.
Labels: ads, copywriting, design, tradeshow
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:56 AM
0 comments
does your store have soul?
Retail Design Diva went on a really fun and scientific shopping trip. They went down Madison Ave, for about 20 blocks. They weren't looking for bargains, or the latest fashions. They were looking for soul.
Most stores, as you might expect, felt very much like what Retail Design Diva calls "web stores" - "physical stores with merchandise, staff and everything you'd expect at a store, but operating as if they were little more then a Web site."
And only a handful had what they called 'soul'. That magic combination of product, ambiance, store design and clientèle that makes everything pop. Some of the winners on their trip included DKNY, Juicy Couture and Ralph Lauren.
I wish someone could fund them, and they could do a Manhattan-wide soul audit. And then turn it into a soul-shopping guide. That would be cool.
Labels: branding, design, pointofpurchase, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:29 AM
0 comments
screw architectural digest. punk houses kick ass.
File this one under "wish I thought of it." Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth fame teams up with photographer Abby Banks to put together a book that profiles houses with punk rock style. Can you say TV show? Hello, HGTV?
Labels: design, photography, pop culture, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:14 AM
1 comments
throw away your copier, the logo is old.
Xerox has rebranded. Before and after are pictured above. Lower case and understated is the new hot thing in corporate identity. Looks great, although I'm not crazy about the AT&T style globe they added. Details about the rebranding are on the Xerox site.
Labels: branding, design, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:03 AM
0 comments
signs, signs, everywhere are signs.
Eye Candy points to a sweet Flickr pool of sign photos. Signs can tell you so much about the culture and the times of their creation. One of my all-time favorite things to photograph, and view. This Flickr set is awesome.
Apollo sign above shot by Anglerove.
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, inspiration, outdoor, pointofpurchase, typography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:18 AM
0 comments
dwr does design miami
Design Within Reach writes about the Art Basel event and Design Miami that took place earlier this month in ummm, Miami. Some nice links to cool architectural firms, and lighting that you can't afford.
I'm still in awe of the Moore building, pictured above - which was apparently built for the 2004 event.
Labels: architecture, design
posted by darryl ohrt @ 1:42 PM
0 comments
sugary goodness that's art, too.
Later today, I want to photo document all of the sugary goodness that's graced our office this week (or what's left of it.)
As an inspiration (or just a reason to show beautiful yummy cakes), check out the Cake Girls. They're Chicago's hottest baking duo. Sisters Mary and Brenda Maher make the most awesomely delicious cakes you've ever seen. But if you want to taste the CakeGirl sweetness, you'll have to buy a plane ticket to Chicago. They don't ship. :(
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
1 comments
mannequins have copyrights
They are original creations, after all. And it turns out they're protected by copyright. You can't copy a mannequin's design, pose, paint, facial expression or other details.
I think it's also time that we have a Bill of Rights for mannequins. And hazard pay, for those poor plastic souls that have to work the Old Navy window.
Labels: design, fashion, productdesign, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:11 AM
0 comments
top rock posters of all time
Billboard Magazine has picked their top 25 rock posters.
I'm not sure what pool of posters they pulled these from, but it seems like there's quite a few missing. But that's just me, and I'm all pent up with rage. From designboom.
Labels: art, design, illustration, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
1 comments
wish we thought of this
Such an awesome idea. Compliment cards. Why not give someone a compliment everytime you hand out a card? Why not make these your business cards?
Of course, in the U.S., you can't actually tell anyone in corporate America that they look lovely today - because it could possibly be construed as sexual harassment. (Way to go, HR attorneys.)
Anyway, this would be an awesome business card concept for a church, health care or non-profit organization, with a slight copy twist. That is, if someone else didn't already think of it first. ;)
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
the fold is old school thinking
Hooray for ThreeMinds for writing an outstanding post on how "the fold" doesn't exist.
"The fold" refers to ancient newspaper-speak that was applied to early web design - where you don't want content to fall beneath the immediate area on the screen. Because users are too dumb to scroll. Well, that was the 1990's. People now understand how a website works.
At our agency, we've been designing "without the fold" for some time now, and are constantly educating clients, and other developers on our anti-fold beliefs. So I'm stoked to read Rod MacQuarrie's post.
Rod also points to some additional posts/articles at the end of his piece. One in particular, from Boxes and Arrows, has been a favorite link of mine to send friends in the industry.
So, three cheers to scrolling!
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:46 AM
0 comments
2010 olympic mascots: totally hot
The 2010 Olympic mascots are out, and they totally rock. More reason for the 2012 Olympic logo to run away and hide.
Everything about the Vancouver mascots is sweet. Their announcement website is awesome. They appeal to multiple audiences. They cross international/cultural lines really well. They're going to work beautifully with product and licensing.
You can even find out which mascot is most like you, by taking the quiz. (Apparently I'm Miga - which I totally disagree with. I so want to be Quatchi.)
Labels: design, pop culture, sports marketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:50 AM
2 comments
what you see on the tv could be real
It's fascinating to watch television and film's usage of computers, internet and technology. I'm stoked when I see shows like CSI use Twitter, and pissed when I see tv shows do stuff that's just ridiculously stupid.
And then there's the inspirational moments captured on film that make you say "I want that." These moments are created by awesome designers like Mark Coleran - a visual designer that specializes in the design of fictional interfaces.
Adverlab points to some other cool writings on the subject. It's interesting to note how designers like Mark can impact our desires - and ultimately, product that's brought to the marketplace.
I'm still waiting for that invisible screen in the air above my desk to be installed. In the meantime, I'll just pretend.
Labels: design, film, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:50 AM
0 comments
behind political poster design
Think political poster design is boring? That no creative thought goes into them? Check out this funny NY Times slide show on what those political posters are really saying. From Boing Boing.
Labels: design, outdoor, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:01 PM
0 comments
what product designers can learn from the kindle
We now have extremely high expectations for electronic hand-held devices. (Thank you, Apple.) And people are really not digging the new Amazon Kindle. Some have renamed the device the Amazon Swindle. Robert Scoble's review is just totally awesome. A must watch for anyone remotely involved in any sort of product design.
Labels: design, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:52 PM
0 comments
the place where all great ideas begin
Agency Euro RSCG Worldwide has produced a pretty sweet notebook. Made from napkins. Cocktail napkins. All neatly bound together, with a pen - to inspire your creative genius. Or flatter your drunken genius. It's up to you.
If you can't afford a bunch of napkins all bound together nicely, then you can play around at the promotional site - NapkinNotebook.com.
This would make an awesome gift for creative friends. It's going to be available at the MoMA store - soon.
Which reminds me - we're launching our ever popular Brand Flakes for Breakfast Gift Guide on Monday (cyber monday to all of us internet workers). Daily gift giving inspiration for your pleasure. Check it out next week, or in the meantime you can view all of last year's gift suggestions.
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, holiday
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
0 comments
awesome book cover designs
Sweet collection of cool book cover designs. From Boing Boing
Labels: design
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
those places with bound works of paper
Check out the stunning new identity for a library - in richie rich Darien, CT. Where most libraries are sporting logos designed by the librarian's brother's best friend, Darien gets an identity from C&G Partners. Totally refreshing. There's even audio from Steff Geissbuhler's presentation of the logo, to the library board, where you can see some of the thinking that went into the new identity.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
0 comments
Lynn Elliott Marketing sucks ass.
We see these counterfeit sites from time to time. And every time I hear about them, it's infuriating. Our media buying friends over at MediAssociates point to another vendor who completely copied their site.
The original is above. The plagiarized version is here:
Just one more reason to hire a reputable design firm to produce your collateral materials. MediAssociates is taking the high road, and enjoying the flattery. I'll take comfort knowing that eventually, Google will pick up on the headline to this blog post. :)
Labels: adindustry, design, smallagency
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:39 AM
1 comments
fonts by people, for people.
Check out this awesome collection of human crafted fonts and typography.
Found on Core 77.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, design, photography, typography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:38 AM
0 comments
best site intro sale promotion ever
I can't understand a word of this, and aren't familiar with the HEMA brand...but wow. Normally website intros suck ass and are meant for 2002 style sites. But this rocks. No really. Thanks Suzy!
Labels: branding, design, Flash, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:22 AM
1 comments