Redesign Valentines Day? Where do you start? The creepy cupid? The cheesy, over the top combination of red and pink, hearts and roses, teddy bears and love birds? Accepting a challenge from Public Radio’s Studio 360, the husband and wife design team at Under Consideration started with the classic heart shape. They approached the project as they would any redesign project and began by defining the problem and establishing goals. Once they determined their goals they went on to create a simple, universal mark to represent Valentines day. They then developed a new color palette and revamped traditions. You may like, hate or maybe even LOVE this v-day makeover. I personally am loving the new color palette, the return to home made cards and especially the “hand-branded” sticky notes used to leave unexpected notes on Valentine’s Day and maybe even all year for your special someone to find. Regarding the mark, I am a bit torn, I love the simplicity, I like the concept of starting with the heart, I appreciate that it also makes a “V” and enjoy the added benefit that the X-like shape reminds me using Xs to symbolize kisses. However, the mark in and of itself doesn’t give me the feeling of love or romance. But, regardless of how you feel about the final product, I think it is a great illustration of the rebranding process. Looking at the process in regards to such a well known, generic entity gives good insight into the process itself. For an in-depth look at the process check out the article on Brand New.
Posts Tagged ‘Brand’
A LOVE-ly Redesign
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010Brand Your Barcode, Too!
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009It makes sense right? On every package you design, you must designate space for the bar code. This is valuable real estate especially if the packaging is small. Design Barcode, Inc. has invented a process that allows a design element to be integrated into the bar code. With this technology instead of hiding the bar code, you can incorporate it into the design or just brand it appropriately. The possibilities are endless.
Crappy Logo?
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
When I first read the New York Times article about the new AOL logo on Monday, I thought to myself, “That company is still around? Who uses it?” Then I thought “That new logo looks like a dog poo.”
I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt as it is a very different kind of brand identity. It is described as “uniquely dynamic” and “a simple, confident logotype, revealed by ever-changing images. It’s one consistent logo with countless ways to reveal” on the AOL Corporate Site. It appears that the logotype will remain constant but the backgrounds behind the logo will always be changing in an effort to suggest the depth and extent of AOL’s content. Cool idea. Even kind of MTV like. But to me it falls short.
The logotype is boring, uninspired and does not make sense. Is it an acronym? Is it a sentence? It has a capital letter and a period. Is it a really a logo or is it just some keyed letters on top of a bunch of stock photos? Is it design or art? Is it’s purpose to generate a lot of attention and press because it is so bad?
At least there isn’t a drop shadow.
What’s a brand rollout without Pink Noise?
Monday, July 27th, 2009
This week one of our treasured clients, Bradley Angle, is throwing a brand roll-out party to announce the complete rebranding of their organization, a process we took them through over the past several months. We’re extremely stoked to see their new brand go out into the world, and thrilled to be invited to join in the celebration. Bradley Angle, after all, is an outstanding part of our community and we’re honored to support them. It’s all very warm and fuzzy.
Kurtis, however, has taken it to the next level.
You may or may not know this, but Kurtis is a member of Pink Noise, aka “A band that will make you believe.” When he heard about the party being planned, he jumped at the chance to perform and add that certain “je ne sais quoi” to the festivities that only a new wave 80’s band can provide.
It’s sure to be a blast—we’re dusting off our Robot and White Man’s Overbite moves, practicing our Slam Dancing techniques, and pulling those tight acid-washed jeans out of the back of the closet.
Congratulations to Bradley Angle on a new brand and an exciting new chapter in their organization!
When It Rains, It Pours.
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
I was combing the grocery store aisles last week because I needed salt for a recipe. I didn’t need just ANY salt, though. I wanted the very best salt. I saw a plethora of different brands, some name brands and others generic. The one that stood out, of course, was Morton’s Salt. It was packaged better, and featured a nifty little pour spout that the others lacked. Besides that, I’ve known since childhood that the round blue box contained the best salt in the world. How did I know that? Marketing, my friends.
The branding of Morton’s salt began in 1911 with a significant image that has evolved over the years, but essentially stayed the same. We are all familiar with the little girl and umbrella holding a box of salt pouring out behind her, amidst the rain. Her tagline is “When it rains, it pours.” Why? Because in 1914, Morton’s salt publicized their claim to fame: their salt contained magnesium carbonate, an anti-caking agent that allowed the salt to pour freely even in great humidity or rain. Today Morton’s salt doesn’t contain magnesium carbonate anymore; rather, it contains calcium silicate, an equally anti-caking alternative.
So that must mean that Morton’s is indeed the better salt, thus the higher price tag and much higher annual sales. Not too fast: upon reading the ingredients for other leading and generic salt brands I found that they, too, contain anti-caking agents which allow them to also pour freely in the rain. What is the Morton’s secret, then? Brand. Brand. Brand.
