what do people think of...
Want to see what people think of brand logos, in a web2.0-licious way? Check out
brand tags. Enter your immediate thoughts as you're presented with the logo. Then, view the results in a wonderful tag cloud.
Here's what people think of Burger King. This will make for some great slides in a future presentation.
Labels: branding, identity, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:01 AM
1 comments
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
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
some awesome bimbos at the bodega
The bodega on the corner by our agency is filled with Bimbo products. And they always make us snicker. Brand Identity Guru points to this, and a couple of other funny and unfortunate product naming blunders, and wonders why they even exist.
Labels: branding, identity, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:24 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
the best creepy realtor photos
I know you're tired as all hell of top 10 lists - but this one's awesome. The Top Ten Worst Realtor Head Shots.
I still don't get why the realty industry is the only industry outside of Hollywood that feels a headshot will help their business. Or their brand.
Can you ever imagine anyone choosing a realtor based on looks? "You'll love this guy, Fran - he has the most excellent mustache."
From Coudal Partners.
Labels: branding, identity, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
3 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
brand tips from dunkin donuts
What do you think the Dunkin Donuts person wrote on Diana's cup the other day? Turns out it's a secret code for french vanilla, extra light. That's what Diana says, but we think the Dunkin Donuts girl is trying to tell her to F off.
And then yesterday, we witnessed proof that style guides really do matter. And how icky it feels to buy bagels at the joint with the wrong fonts.
Labels: branding, identity, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:26 AM
0 comments
what happened to the eco flag?
Back in the 1970's, there was a super big eco boom. I believe it was similar to what we're experiencing today, with 'green.' Before that period, (and before this spot) people proudly threw garbage out their car window. And there was a huge smokestack in every backyard.
There was a sweet green and yellow eco logo and flag that became the universal symbol of the movement. What happened to the sweet eco flag? Why did it die? Just wondering.
Labels: branding, green, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:20 AM
2 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
ruby tuesday re-brands.
Inspired. Jealous. Wow'ed.
Designer DJ Stout has accomplished a wonderful re-branding of restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday. And in a heartbeat, the place seems more inviting.
Labels: branding, design, food, identity, retail, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:40 AM
0 comments
gulf launches new branding
While driving to Boston yesterday, I got to see the installation of the new Gulf branding, along the Mass Turnpike. (Even the sign guy pictured above, was proud of his work!)
If you can't tell by the crappy iPhone photo, they've put their logo on a background of blue sky and clouds. On paper, it looks great. In application, I think it begs to be one of those 'higher than the empire state building' signs that you see along the highway in the midwest. Graphics of clouds appearing over actual cloudy blue skies seems redundant and unnecessary. Why not leave the Gulf logo alone, in this application?
(They've also implemented versions where the logo bleeds off the signs - which look great.)
Labels: design, identity, outdoor
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:19 AM
1 comments
more web 2.0 logos than your head can handle
Hope this doesn't give you seizures. Not sure why you'd need to watch this, but I'll file this under "just in case". In the odd event that you ever wanted to watch 5000 web 2.0 logos in 333 seconds, there's a video.
Labels: identity, video, web2.0
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
0 comments
cool biz card
Kevin Mitnick is a famed hacker turned security consultant. And his business card opens doors. Literally, if you know how to use it. Great idea.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:07 AM
0 comments
phallic logos for your summertime fun
Adland revisits unintentional (we think) phallic logos - with some new entries, like Modern Tvat, pictured above. If you like penises in your logos, there are even more here.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:14 AM
0 comments
ugly is the new black
Either really cheezy 80's new wave graphics just came back big time, or the 2012 Olympics logo looks like ass. I'll go with the latter.
Labels: design, identity, sports marketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:09 AM
6 comments
cool business cards
A collection of photographs of cool business cards.
Labels: branding, creativeinspiration, design, identity, typography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:14 AM
0 comments
a history lesson you can handle
Beyond Madison Ave points to the history of brands - a site where you can learn about the history of hundreds of the world's most recognized brands. Just in case you didn't have anything to do today.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:34 AM
0 comments
take off the "l" for love...
A lot of people noticed Google's special V-day Google logo, yesterday. A lot of people saw something missing. Others believe the stem is an "L". Personally, I see it as a sign that the NUGE is coming back. Or that he's holed up inside the Googleplex, having everything changed to the Googe.
Labels: identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:13 AM
1 comments
what if big brands went web 2.0
This has been all over the internet 3 times already - but just in case you missed it, someone's created web 2.0 logos for a few of the most recognized brands. Fun.
Labels: design, identity, web2.0
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:17 AM
2 comments
pepsi reinvents. again and again.
The Pepsi can will be going through constant change this year. According to Cie Nicholson, their chief marketing officer, they plan on coming out with new can designs every 3 to 4 weeks, resulting in at least 35 new can designs this year.
Assuming we're not just talking about xmas and 4th of July cans here, this is a big deal.
Grant McCracken writes an astute post on how now is a time where brands must "meet change with change." Beautifully put.
As one commenter points out, "the package is the one anchor for most packaged consumer products", which of course a lot of package designers and branding experts would historically, be quick to protect.
But this is a new era for brands. And things are changing at a faster pace than ever before. Pepsi's 35 cans may be a new benchmark. The next way to do business. Maybe it's time for your brand to be wearing a new sweater.
Labels: branding, design, identity, package design, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:25 AM
0 comments
letters rock out
The Society of Illustrators has what looks like a fab show, at the Museum of American Illustration. Titled Letter as Image/Image as Letter, the show features work from world famous illustrators like Gerard Huerta, the designer of the AC/DC logo. Going on now through January 27, if you're in NYC.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, design, identity, illustration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:13 AM
0 comments
new reason to shop at saks
Notcot and 30 grams point to a terrific case study/blog post, about the new identity that Pentagram designed for Saks Fifth Avenue.
Some amazing work. And of course, any client that will allow their design firm to chop their logo into bits, as a part of their new identity, can only be described as awesome. And, it works beautifully. The new identity launched January 2nd.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:01 AM
0 comments
something i never thought i'd see
An essay on the design and branding prowess of the Pet Shop Boys. I kid you not. And, umm - I'm pretty sure the author of this post, Adrian Shaughnessy, is spot on.
Labels: art, identity, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:22 AM
0 comments
how to be brilliant
I just stumbled across this outstanding essay titled 9 to 5 = average. It's a post that deals with the topic of passion. Passion for the
The author points out that being great requires sacrifice and devotion. And that being great isn't for everyone.
Reminds me of that old, fantastic quote by someone famous who I can't remember or attribute now: "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."
Send this to any design student that you know, any recent graduate, new job seeker, or burnt out co-worker looking for a career change.
Not to be a spoiler, but the piece closes with what I thought was a beautiful summation: "If you do choose to do it, don’t do it for your boss. Do it because it’s what you would do anyways. Do it because you love it."
Labels: design, identity, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:19 AM
4 comments
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