The award-winning graphic designer decodes why the simple shapes of a logo can have such great impact. “Design can be a lonely thing,” says Michael Bierut in the second part of this exclusive Design Indaba interview. “As you acquire that skill [in design] you are actually making yourself less normal than regular people.”Designers are sensitised to things other people don’t even notice, he says – the way the curves of a typeface echo each other, for example, or the subtle changes in a logo.
Michael Dell, founder and CEO of the namesake computer company, hosted a SXSW panel on entrepreneurship that included Carley Roney, co-founder and Chief Content Officer of XO Group (parent company of The Knot), Stephen Kaufer, co-founder and CEO of TripAdvisor, and Jeff Housenbold, CEO of Shutterfly. Each of these panelists is currently featured in Dell’s latest campaign New Beginnings, which tells the story of the humble places where businesses begin. The panel, entitled Beginnings: A Panel About Entrepreneurism with Michael Dell, covered everything from from starting and scaling a business, trying to balance work and life (or “the work life imbalance” according to Roney), innovating beyond the startup phase and corporate reinvention.
Lippincott and Hill Holiday have partnered on a report that describes and ranks the top brands of the Human Era, those that “act most human based on the characteristics of authenticity, empathy, and vitality.” Social tools enable people to truly “see” what an institution actually is. And consumers crave relationships where businesses view them as individuals — and respond in a much more transparent, personal way than ever before. Read here
Great TED talk on new approaches on typography and tools. “It takes four seconds to make up your mind about a typeface, and about eight minutes to explain why, in detail. It takes about ten years, give or take a couple, to figure out why all the print typographers moan that there’s more to Good Typography than a nice typeface; they’d say it would take as much to explain the whole thing. Gerry will attempt to do it in 44 minutes, leaving just enough time for a joke about old typographers.”
During the final episode of Mad Men season 6 they revealed the new identity for Sterling Cooper and Partners advertising agency. With a new logo “SC&P”, the rebrand honors the company’s original partners Bertram Cooper and Roger Sterling Sr. The agency introduced its new logo through a press release. No design credit was given. “A name can mean a new beginning, a chance to see yourself as you would dream to be, and to leave the baggage you have accumulated over the years behind,” SC&P partner Don Draper said in the statement. “At least that’s been my observation.”
I stumbled across the video today and had to share. “Back to the Start,” which features a Willie Nelson cover of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” and was created by Creative Artists Agency, tells the story of one pig farmer’s journey from running a huge industrialized farming compound to the farmer realizing that he needed to farm using more-sustainable and humane practices.
Hhelp those hit by the Oklahoma tornado by representing the Sooner State. A pixelated Oklahoma with creme water-based ink on a super-soft Heather Red American Apparel tee. Tagless tee with custom-printed size tag. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross. Designed and printed by United Pixelworkers Pre-order yours here.
In response to the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, Print Aid was created to assist recovery efforts in New York City. The store showcases various NYC-based artists that were asked to create a poster design based on the theme of “light.” With a 100% of the proceeds going to the Mayor’s Fund for Hurricane Relief. Prints will be added daily and will be available in limited editions of 50, now through December 2, 2012.
Just in time for the holidays, Tad Carpenter has written and illustrated a new book. It’s a fun story about how Santa gets the post-holiday blues … When the toys are all made, the presents handed out, the Christmas cookies eaten, and the stockings unhung from the chimney with care … Santa is miserable. His reindeer and elves can’t lift his spirits, and even a vacation with Mrs. Claus doesn’t do the trick. Will Santa ever feel like his old holly-jolly self again? This quirky, funny, and completely unique picture book by author/illustrator Tad Carpenter will appeal to kids and parents alike.
We have always loved this quote from Steve Jobs and have made it our mantra. “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
Movember is a month-long event raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives. Since 2003 Movember has raised $300 million! and most importantly, opened up the conversation about men’s health issues. Come on, grow a ‘stache’ for November for fun AND a good cause.
We’re working with sign painter extraordinaire Ken Manthei on all the Gourdough’s Public House interior graphics that we created for them. Ken does amazing work and it has been a pleasure working with him on this project. You can check out some of Ken’s other work here .
A project that we have been working on for the The Down Syndrome Foundation of South Texas.
The Down Syndrome Foundation of South Texas invites children of all ages to attend with their families for a day of fun. They especially want to celebrate the children in our lives with Down syndrome and help promote awareness for the cause.
For all the Halloween fans out there looking for a fun run to participate in….
A Halloween themed 1 mile or 5K Run/Walk + costume contest that we helped create the logo and swag for will be held at Railroad Park (535 N. Main St. Schulenburg, TX) on October 6, 2012 at 5:00PM. This event is dedicated to bringing people together and creating camaraderie while being dressed in the funniest, spookiest and silliest costumes. Tons of shenanigans and family fun guaranteed! Pets and strollers welcome (please leash pet’s and pick up all waste). Find out more here.
When Texas Monthly approached us with a small project to clean up their current homepage, we couldn’t resist not to help the national magazine of Texas. The main task at hand was to establish a better grid for displaying their content. Second task was to make the page more visual with photography that would engage their readers in more ways then just text links. The before and after shots are below.
Ilove Invisible Creature’s style and especially dig these toys they created for the Sasquatch! Music Festival. I couldn’t resist not to buy this set for my son.
Rework was written by Jason Fried and David Heinmeier Hanson of 37 Signals. Personally, I introduce this book to every aspiring creative/idea maker/entrepreneur. It aims to rewrite the rules of succeeding in our business lives with a fresh, down-to-earth approach.
The business world is changing and books like Rework are what are going to help you adapt. Because after all, if you stand still while everyone moves forward, you’re going to be left behind.
The van wrap that we designed for EcoClean’s Free Delivery service made its maiden voyage today. The reusable garment bag was also a fun project that we helped Ecoclean with on their rebrand. The wrap was printed at Cerqa Prepress in Austin, TX & the garment bags were printed by The Green Gamento.
We’re working with sign painter extraordinaire Ken Manthei on all the Gourdough’s Public House interior graphics that we created for them. Ken does amazing work and it has been a pleasure working with him on this project. You can check out some of Ken’s other work 
A project that we have been working on for the The Down Syndrome Foundation of South Texas.
For all the Halloween fans out there looking for a fun run to participate in….
Ilove Invisible Creature’s style and especially dig these toys they created for the Sasquatch! Music Festival. I couldn’t resist not to buy this set for my son.
The van wrap that we designed for EcoClean’s Free Delivery service made its maiden voyage today. The reusable garment bag was also a fun project that we helped Ecoclean with on their rebrand. The wrap was printed at Cerqa Prepress in Austin, TX & the garment bags were printed by The Green Gamento.