When visiting Brand New again this week, I came across a redesign that I actually had not even noticed. Mozilla Firefox, the web browser of choice among most of my colleagues and peers, has redesigned their icon for version 3.5. This is a perfect example of how subtle changes to a design may not be noticeable right away, but evoke a slightly different set of emotions for a more modernized product.
The brief asks very specifically for an “evolution” vs. a redesign - color, overall shape and layout and generic continents were to all remain the same. More “modern” items include the shape of the tail, meant to feel more 3D, additional texture for both the fox and the earth, and an overall simplification of detail. Once I read all of this, I was able to appreciate the changes a lot more and especially liked the way the fox’s tail wraps around the globe - it’s interacting more with the globe and feels a little less aggressive without the very “fiery” tail.
Alex Faaborg is a Principal Designer on Firefox, and also has a blog post about the general evolution of technology product brands. Each of these well-known brands has experienced a great deal of change over their launch. See a few examples below, and check out Faaborg’s post for more detail.
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Windows
OS X
In response to the question “Why bother fixing something that isn’t broken?”, Faaborg writes, “In a marketplace that is focused on products that are newer, faster, lighter and shinier, design work is inherently perishable. Part of this is larger trends and fashion… and part of this is simply ongoing visual change as an indication of overall progress.” This thinking can be applied to virtually any brand, and presents a strong case for revisiting either logos or brand elements to keep materials looking fresh.
I always thought that I was attracted to Tim Burton’s movies because of his quirkiness (not to mention the fact that Johnny Depp has been in 6 of his films), but then I realized it might be the typography on the posters and DVD covers for his films that I like. I made this realization when I saw the promo for the film “9″ that is coming out, appropriately, on 9.9.09. All that is on the promo on Apple’s site is a 9 (shown above), but it is in typography that screams Tim Burton, so I had to click the link to the trailer. The 9 harkens back to an almost Nightmare Before Christmas (or more recently, Corpse Bride) type treatment, which I admire and immediately recognize despite the fact that I have never actually seen that movie.
I was surprised that I was able to tell this movie was by Burton by just seeing that one number. I guess years of seeing his work have given me the background information to add content to the visually appealing letter form.
The uniqueness of the typography begs the question: did Tim Burton create it himself? I am aware that Tim creates sketches for his movies, and has done illustrations, so the idea of him creating his own type is not far-fetched. MoMA is having an exhibit on Tim Burton’s work starting November 22, so I’ll have to check it out and see if I find any typography.
I’d recommend checking out the trailer for 9–the movie looks like it will be interesting. Also, check out the info about Burton’s upcoming exhibition at MoMA.
It’s that time again! I was at a very odd juncture in time, indeed, in which I found myself without much to talk about (at least that’s what my beef would say). Possible blog topics included boy wizards (July 15th!), the mating habits of the migratory skipe, and the difference between cormorants and diving ducks (does anyone know?). Sad muggle! Then, it hit my brain-dead self in the… brain.
With weekend plans intended to raise my IQ by a few points to compensate for my increasing post-college illiteracy, I decided I would write about my awesome weekend quest to see the highly-educational Green Porno Season 2, at the IFC Center a.k.a. Isabella Rossellini dressed as a limpet.
A closer look should tell you that Short Attention Span cinema is actually an opener for some fabulous Asian films, a throwback to my long lost days as a gallery docent. As I shouted (to no on in particular), “I LOVE Kung-Fu!,” I realized I meant it a little more than anyone my age or gender should be allowed, leading me to ponder my deep and endless love for modern Kung-Fu cinema.
But wait!—with the invention of much more entertaining and creatively-enabling mediums such as the keytaur, most Kung-Fu movies made past that golden era are terrible. My friends are all like, “But, Kari, those things bore me to tears due to their social irrelevance/old-fashioned-ness and I’d rather spend my time meeting my soul mate at a rooftop bar.” Fearing that Isabella and I would miss our date together, I had to verbally comprise the following fantastic voyage:
Five Fun Kung-Fu Movies That Don’t Put Non-Kung-Fu-Movie-People To Sleep*
The Matrix
The One says “I know Kung-Fu”… therefore, the movie must be about Kung-Fu. Oh, and there’s some philosophy crap in there to sweeten the plot.
Kill Bill, both volumes
Hell hath no fury like an actress scorned by Ethan Hawke. Quentin Tarantino right before he sold out.
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior
Ridiculous in a way that only Kung-Fu can master.
Kung-Fu Panda
I guess I could have put some Japenese animation sort of thingy on here, but that would have been too obvious. Not that a movie with “Kung-Fu” in the title isn’t obvious… haHAhahAHah… ehhhhh….
Any of the movies at IFC…
… Which will be preceded by Green Porno! … Which will also serve doubly as (1) a date (2) a defense against cultural and literal illiteracy, deluding some to join an obscure pub trivia team, only to get kicked off the team for actual illiteracy… not that that has or would ever happen to me.
* I use the term “Kung-Fu” loosely here, as I am too lazy to list off other fighting styles, such as flying-crane tsunami.
I recently stumbled upon a new design package for Nabisco’s Oreo and Ritz line at Target. At first glance I wasn’t sure if my eyes were tricking me or if the brand underwent a rebranding. I did some research and discovered that Baker Associates created this exclusive packaging for Target. The packages will only be available for the summer.
I’m glad that it’s a summer package exclusively distributed in Target stores only. I think if this was a rebranding for the products I would be disappointed. The consumer market has been oversaturated with retro/vintage rebranding. It is being overdone in the packaging industry. The letters feel constrained within the circles and there is no fun left in them.
One of the better summer packages this year comes from Coca-Cola. The cans are engaging and makes you want to collect them all. The package maintains that classic Coke feel without overdoing it.
Ads for the new film Public Enemies have been catching my eye lately, and not just because of Johnny Depp! I really like the custom typeface for the film, created by Neville Brody and Jeff Knowles of Research Studios. It’s bold and mechanical, yet has a softness that keeps it balanced and approachable. The typeface is inspired by graphic art of the 1930s, during the era of New Deal programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Here are some WPA posters I found in the Library of Congress’s collection, where you get a sense of the sort of typefaces they were inspired by.
CR Blog has a nice review of the project, along with some great title previews. Looking forward to seeing it on the big screen!
The iconic style of Alexander Girard, best known for his textile designs for Herman Miller, has been all over the web lately. Girard’s style has been the subject of a microsite for House Industries that sells a set of fonts as well as various products inspired by his work. And most recently, his easily recognizable prints and patterns have been adapted to a capsule home collection for Urban Outfitters. The 16-piece collection includes various products from duvet covers and shams to pillows and curtains. Check out the whole line for yourself right here.
Being from Michigan, in a town outside of Detroit, I have had a particular interest the recent, and not so recent, downfall of the American auto industry. Detroit, and Michigan in general, has been suffering for a long time and the recent economic crash has been the final nail in the coffin. Being a designer I am particularly interested in how design will play a roll in the hopeful facelift of Detroit and the auto industry.
After Chrysler and General Motors both filed for bankruptcy I have been curious to see how they will repair their image to the American public. Will they rebrand or rename?
GM has started a new campaign called GM re:invention. The company has launched a new website along with radio, TV and print ads to support the campaign.
Check out below for the ad that debuted in the beginning of June right after GM filed for bankruptcy, which was developed by Deutsch.
The tag line is: “Because the only chapter we’re focused on is Chapter One.” The first commercial pulls on all of America’s heartstrings with images of a rising sun over Detroit, blue collar workers, people overcoming adversity and football. Though this is an interesting response to their current state of affairs, I am not sure how long it can really be effective. According to this Time magazine article, phase 2 of the campaign will be more aggressive. I am interested to see what is to come from the American auto industry, not only in their branding but in their cars.
I love typography and antiques. When I see them together I can’t control myself. So of course when I found one set of antique brass stencils, I had to buy another one. They are so much fun and practical. I make birthday cards or signs whenever I can.
Summer is the time of the year when I get homesick. Not Christmas, not New Years, not even my birthday, it is summer, when I want to go to the beach and I long for the days when I lived near the beach. (I grew up in Valencia, Venezuela where one can drive 45 minutes, including traffic and tolls, to get to this beach. 80F degrees year round).
So, about two weekends ago, trying to find “a reasonably close-by beach” I ventured to the beaches in Sandy Hook, NJ. I expected the typical summer overcrowded dirty beach. But I thought, oh well, the beach is the beach, it is salty water, sand and sun.
To my surprise and delight, what I found was an ample, not crowded, noise-free, clean beach. AND, I saw Horseshoe crabs for the first time in my life.
