..:: DIG THIS ::..

This is from one of my favorite blogs right now, Kitsune Noir

"...redesigns by Michael Tyznik, who I think did an amazing job of bridging the gap between design and potential security. His design includes ideas like a holographic strip, which not only makes it easier to tell the bills apart easier but could also be filled with a bevy of security features, I would assume. Inside the strip there are also embossed dots for the sight-impaired, something that current currency definitely doesn’t take into consideration.

This in my mind couldn’t be any better looking. It’s simple and bold while still giving a nod to the history of money in America. If you’ve happened to notice that there’s a lack of $1 you’re right, Michael suggests doing away with the $1 all together and replacing them with coins instead as it only has an average lifespan of 21 months. Kinda interesting, huh?"

..:: THOUGHTS? ::..

Interesting thoughts on Logo's and Branding via Drawer

YOUR LOGO IS NOT YOUR BRAND

A brand isn’t a logo. A logo is merely a symbol that represents the brand. Your corporate identity, the stuff found on letterheads and signage, isn’t a brand either. A brand isn’t the product or service that you make. So if a brand isn’t all of these things what is a brand?

A brand is how an individual feels about a company. It’s an individual’s feeling because a brand is defined by how an individual feels about the brand, not what the company wants an individual to feel. Sure companies can’t control how an individual feels, but they certainly can influence the feelings of an individual by properly communicating the qualities that make their brand special.

Have you ever had a client come up to you looking for design work, hoping that you could design them a strong brand? Maybe you thought you could, but you were wrong. Brands can’t be designed.

Read the rest of the story HERE.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

I'm diggin this new campaign!

The banana industry is probably not the first one you think of in terms of fun creative prowess, despite the fact that “banana” is one of the funniest words in any language. I also doubt that many of us are discerning in what brand of banana we purchase at the store, we simply grab whatever is stacked at the produce section. Nonetheless, one banana brand stands out from the rest, Chiquita. Their bananas easily identifiable by the blue sticker, which has been placed by hand on every single banana since 1963, and has been used as a promotional tool over the years. The latest sticker campaign, created by DJ Neff uses the shape of the sticker to create more than twenty kooky characters and serves as the basis for a significant online attraction. The rest of the work and a great interview with Neff can be read at design:related, a great case study for injecting fun into a brand.



Read the full story here.


Via Brand New

..:: THOUGHTS? ::..

Via PSFK

The Daily Mail reports that cereal maker Kellogg’s is planning to laser etch their logo on individual Corn Flakes in an effort to set themselves apart from imitations and generic brands.

A limited number of boxes with the laser toasted cereal will be put into production before they move foreword with branding some cereal pieces in every box. If it’s decided that it’s feasible, Kellogg’s may apply this questionable branding across a number of thier products.

The Daily Mail explains:

Kellogg’s embarked on the project to reinforce that they don’t make cereals for any other companies and to fire a shot across the bows of makers of ‘fake flakes’.

Helen Lyons, lead food technologist at the company, said: ‘In recent years there has been an increase in the number of own brands trying to capitalise on the popularity of Kellogg’s corn flakes.

‘We want shoppers to be under absolutely no illusion that Kellogg’s does not make cereal for anyone else.

‘We’re constantly looking at new ways to reaffirm this and giving our golden flakes of corn an official stamp of approval could be the answer.

Not really sure how I feel about this? THOUGHTS?

..:: DIG THIS ::..

The DieLine

Here is a great site for all things package design.

About Dieline: "Established in 2007 by Andrew Gibbs, The Dieline is dedicated to the progress of the package design industry and its practitioners, students and enthusiasts. Its purpose is to define and promote the world’s best examples of packaging, and provide a place where the package design community can review, critique and stay informed of the latest industry trends and design projects being created in the field. The Dieline has quickly grown into the most visited website on package design in the world, and has become the voice of the industry. It is an active sponsor of the Pentawards, the first and only professional design competition devoted exclusively to the art of brand packaging, further promoting the field.

The Dieline, and everything we do, is for the benefit of our readers. Without their continued support and commitment, these ventures would be impossible."

Check it out

And Follow them here.

..:: THOUGHTS ::..

The Sunday times reports

This could be huge!

I cant believe that the Love Irish Food people are actually claiming that they don't think they look like the same logo!

This could be a huge financial blunder on the parts of the responsible party.

Should be interesting to see how this develops.

Read more here.

..:: 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

..:: SPOTLIGHT ::..

If you follow the Bay Area design scene at all,
then this guy needs no introduction.

Benny Gold.

The man behind some of the best branding that's happening in the city by the Bay.

Brands like HUF, MASH*SF, REAL, 510 just to name a few.

The guy is one of the premium taste makers in the game, and with his own line not only looking solid, but selling out, and becoming a premium brand in its own right, his future is only going to get brighter!

Stay Gold.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

Being a huge fan of Conan O’Brien, I am very excited for the big switch!

On June 1st The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien goes live on NBC. And he has a great new logo to show for it!
Conan says this about his new logo,“I wanted a logo that acknowledged the long, rich tradition of The Tonight Show while still looking good on hats, T-shirts, mugs, lawn furniture, notebooks, stemware, urns, defibrillators, water bottles, cell phones, sports equipment, pens, vacuums, chimes and our new line of unisex cologne.”

I for one cant wait until he comes back, its been kinda boring during late night recently. Sorry Jimmy.

..:: DIG THIS ::..

Loving this color.

Pantone 3262.

So many uses, depending on what you pair it with it can be kinda 80's, or super modern.

Try it with a nice soft brown, and white, classic.

I have used it lately with great success, and in painting, I am using it mixed with pinks and gray tones. Looking really good.

Anyway. Have a great weekend.

..:: REBRANDING ::..

I have wanted to share my thoughts on when a company or brand should Re-Brand for quite awhile, But that's a really tough question. There will always be someone thinking "it looks better the old way", or "it looks to spacey" or "I don't get it", blah, blah, blah.

I think its best to re brand when its not working anymore. and by IT, I mean the thing that got you to where you are now, is no longer the core message. When you have grown, when you have made strides in another direction, offering a new service. When the company changes in a major way, maybe its time to update? Just sayin.

The Detroit Lions announced their new logo the other day, and this is an example of IT not working. Not only is the team needing to bounce back from a horrible season last year, but the city of Detroit is in need of something fresh, something new.

Lets hope that the new logo can help pull Detroit out of its slump, not only the team, but the city.