..:: DIG THIS ::..

Via Kitsune Noir
Conceived by interior designer Michel Penneman and architect Oliver Hannaert, the Pantone Hotel, which has recently opened in Brussels, is undoubtedly the ultimate place of rest for synesthetes and the colour-conscious. Although I have become accustomed to the sight of Pantone mugs in every second gift store, I am quite in awe of this new project that forms a part of the Pantone Universe. Mixing colour therapy and design, each room corresponds to one of seven palettes: earthy/rich (chocolate), daring/fiery (fuschia), vibrant/intense (orange), cheerful/warm (lemon), captivating/esteemed/silky (pink), fresh/eager (green) and tranquil/exotic/exhilarating (aqua).

The actual interior design is relatively stripped back and minimalist in tone, which allows the individual colour palette utilised in each room to visually pop. If I were to visit the hotel in the near future, I think I would go for a pink room. There’s just something delightfully kitsch about the prospect of sleeping in a room that accords to a “captivating” and “silky” chromatic design.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

Via PSFK

Nike continues to create bespoke experiences for its customers. The latest example is 255 Studio, which boasts a talented roster of “design consultants” who mix sports, design and apparel to produce one-of-a-kind garments. Oh, and about those “design consultants,” they’re members of NYC’s No Mas, a group of creatives with an unmatched eye and passion for mashing up sports and culture.

The current “installation” is named “Hogar y Visitantes” (Home and Visitors), which sees No Mas focus its creativity on an apparel collection that celebrates baseball and its cultural impact. The “visitantes” team of garments draws on the travel experiences of No Mas members in baseball-mad countries, including: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Japan. Those cultural experiences are then translated into garments rich with cultural, historical, and symbolic influences from each nation. Similarly, the “hogar” team of garments consists of pieces that invoke the cultural, historical, and symbolic influence of New York City, regarded by many folks as the baseball capital of the world.

If you love baseball, culture, and clothing, then 255 Studio is a Hall of Fame visit.

..:: DIG'N THIS ::..

To say I am a fan of this man is a huge understatement. I would say he is a master.

I first heard of Aaron Draplin when he did a Layer Tennis match awhile ago, and have been checking in with him and his work ever since.

His work is super clean and totally original. His daily blog, is one I check pretty much everyday, first thing.

Go check his work out, and check his blog, the man gets it done!

DDC

Photo by Embry Rucker Photography.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

I have talked about this guy before.

But, he is just about to open up his new retail shop April 17th, so I figured we would check back in with the guy!

Check him out!

..:: THOUGHTS? ::..

Via Logo Design Love

Simon Manchipp, one of three creative directors and partners at London-based studio SomeOne, said on Twitter yesterday:

“Logos are dead. Yet we have been featured in the new book Logo Design Love as an example of how to do Logos.

“They are a hangover from old-school thinking about branding. There is no desire by the public for a new logo. They are simply an old-fashioned approach to differentiating products or services.”

Upon questioning, Manchipp explicitly meant, “…that symbols invented to accompany brand names are a waste of time, money and effort.”

I asked David Law, Manchipp’s partner at SomeOne (and the man who kindly submitted SomeOne’s designs for inclusion in my book), what he thought of his colleague’s statement:

“It’s something we have been debating internally for quite a while.

“When you look at brands like O2, its success lies in the richness and depth of its brand world (bubbles, blue grad etc.). This forms a flexible branded platform that is instantly recognisable — you could remove the logo and still know the brand. The logo in itself is not the ‘hero’.

“In the past, brands like IBM and FedEx traded on the logo as the ‘hero’. We see it even today.

“So while we all acknowledge that the logo is not about to disappear — and that it is still an important part of any brand toolkit — there is a case for applying more emphasis on brand worlds.

“The ‘favicon’ or ‘twibbon’ is now the equivalent of the ‘black and white fax’ that we all learnt (years ago) was the minimum requirement for a logo to be recognisable as. These are much smaller applications than we have ever had to deal with, and ones where traditional logos are struggling.

“Brands now ‘move’ as standard — being ‘Apple‘ implies all sorts of physics that lend attributes to the brand and do not rely on the logo to do everything.

“Lastly, the amount of platforms, media, applications (and now ‘experiences’) that need to be branded has multiplied significantly with technology. People simply get bored quicker and brand worlds allow the conversation to ‘flow’.

“Yes, the logo is the ultimate ‘rechargeable battery’ of the brand and is the final distillation of all the brand’s attributes BUT what we are debating (and we haven’t reached any conclusion) is that if the brand world is powerful enough, could the ‘logo’ simply be the company name designed in a simple, ownable way? Possibly, dare I say it, with no symbol to sit alongside it?”

Symbol or no symbol is a valid question, and one I talk about in my book:

“Sometimes your client just needs a professional logotype to identity its business. Use of a symbol can be an unnecessary addition.

“This is something you want to determine at the outset of the project. Ask your client if she has a preference one way or another. If the company is entertaining ideas about future expansion into other markets, it might be better to opt for a distinctive logotype, because an identifying mark or symbol might prove restrictive.”

Quoted from chapter 11 of Logo Design Love.

So while Manchipp’s initial “Logos are dead” quote might be over the top, it does raise an interesting debate.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

If you haven't heard yet, then really what are doing?

Banksy has a movie. Exit Through the Gift Shop.

It premiered at The Sundance Film Festival, and from what I am reading, its pretty good.

Cant wait to see it. In the meantime, check the trailer.

..:: iLIKE ::..

Not sure if its the Holiday season getting to me already or what! But, I am really digging this red!

I have been seeing it on some really great pieces and I have used it recently with great results.

Its kinda like the go to standard of the Pantone system really.

Go get it!

..:: DIG THIS ::..

Via Wooster Collective

Great piece on Ryan McGinness by Upper Playground.

"You have to learn the rules, before you break the rules."

Thanks Aimee / Marc.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

Via Format Magazine:

"Graffiti writer and graphic designer Nico189 introduces these awesome Pantonecans. Although strictly for personal use i.e. you cannot buy these, nor is this project affliated with Pantone, it does not take away from the minimalist approach to the design. It’s also somewhat refreshing to see how Nico189 has married the science of color standardization (Pantone) with something so underground and non-scientific (graffiti)."

Loving this blend of commercial graphic design style with Underground street art culture.

..:: LEGEND ::..

Sorry I have been so busy to post lately, but I have been working on new things like crazy.

And while I was doing research for a recent project, I found this. Worth the watch.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc. from Chris Cairns on Vimeo.

INSANE!
Happy Friday!

Props to Derek for sending this my way!

..:: THOUGHTS ::..

For over 20 years Freshjive has been a mainstay in the street wear game. And its identifiable logo has been there for the whole ride.

But, things change.

"Freshjive embarks upon one of the world's first anti-branding campaigns, in which they will be stripping their logos from not just the outside of their garments, but from the labels themselves."

In an exclusive interview with the Hundreds streetwear blog, Klotz states:

"Throughout the years I've become uncomfortable with this business of branding and brand identity. I'm not the type of person that buys something for the brand name. I've also never done a very good job at creating a captivating identity to our own brand logo. Also, within the streetwear culture, the promotion of a company's brand has become downright silly to me. What's amusing is I still really enjoy designing gear, graphics, and even logos. But when I see kids wearing company logos it reminds of people who are trying to be a part of a "tribe" or "gang", as if they need to be part of something, which seems to go against the idea of individualism in style."

Not sure how I feel about it. I mean, me, I wear a plain white or black shirt everyday, so I may actually wear it, but is it really a smart move for business?
Will younger kids spend the money when nothing really distinguishes the brand?

Thoughts?

Huffington Post

..:: iLIKE ::..

I'm a baseball fan, been my whole life. I love the heritage of the game, the classic tales and classic stadiums.

I am also a huge of the classic imagery of the game. Logos, uniforms, hats, all of that!

So, no surprise that I am loving this font!

Fenway Park

So many fun uses, not just the old baseball stuff, but others as well.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

Shepard Fairey from Arkitip on Vimeo.

A great video of Shepard Fairey, and his creative process.

..:: GIANT ::..

Mike Giant Interview from David Mongan on Vimeo.

I have done a spotlight on this dude before,
so if you follow this blog, you guys should know who he is by now!

Go check out Rebel 8, support this guy!

Here is a really great look at him just being him.

One of San Francisco's finest doing what he does.

ENJOY!

..:: DIG THIS ::..

I found this while surfing around the other day. And maybe I am behind in telling people about this. But, whatever. Its genius.

Layer Tennis

Its explained on the website like this:

We’re hosting a series of live design events called Layer Tennis. The season wouldn’t have happened without the support of Adobe® Creative Suite® 4, the weapon of choice for Layer Tennis players and creative professionals everywhere.

We'll be playing matches using video, animation, sound, photos, type and lots more, but the basic idea is the same no matter what tools are in use. Two competitors will swap a file back and forth in real-time, adding to and embellishing the work. Each artist gets fifteen minutes to complete a “volley” and then we post it to the site live. A third participant, a writer, provides play-by-play commentary on the action, as it happens. A match lasts for ten volleys and when it's complete, Season Ticket Holders tell us what they think and we'll declare a winner

Go check it out.

..:: SNEAK OF THE WEEK ::..

Now I will admit, this weeks SOTW may not be the best eye candy for some of you. But the idea is down right brilliant!

These shoes, made by SeaVees are a celebration of the PANTONE color matching system. These pictured above are pms 322.

They have a full collection, and are releasing more and more based on the success of these.

If your a designer/shoe freak, these are a must have.

..:: COOL ::..

I haven't done a spotlight on people for a little while.

But, I wanted to spotlight this guy.

jeffstaple

Creative Director of Staple Design. Reed Space, and everything cool.

Everything this guy touches, turns to gold.

I could go through and spotlight his endeavors, but it would be easier for you to just go and check it out for yourself.

If you are familiar with sneakers, then you already know who he is.

I would say, if you are looking to have a career in design, follow this guys career.

At very least, follow his blog.

..:: COOL ::..

You all know I am a huge fan of "street art". And I am also a huge fan of documentary films. So its no wonder I am into this! I found out about this documentary the other day. Looks great!

Roadsworth
Is a Montreal based graffiti artist, known for using the street itself as a canvas.
And has become quite the celebrity lately.

Watch the trailer, cant wait for the release.

Go to his site, repeat, enjoy.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

CHECK IT!

The North Face Purple Label. It’s made in Berkeley California, but made specifically for Japan. Here’s some of the Summer Line which will hit specialty shops soon.

If you get the chance, you got to pick some up.