BRANDING | Abu Dhabi
It is always interesting to see how cities go about branding themselves to the outside world. Abu Dhabi does so with a mix of beautiful imagery and effective typography.
*cf
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In the world of brand development, it is important to stay current and the BLOG is the place where you can take a look at some of the interesting things going on around the world.
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It is always interesting to see how cities go about branding themselves to the outside world. Abu Dhabi does so with a mix of beautiful imagery and effective typography.
*cf
It occured to me the other day that it has been awhile since I've seen a non-BP "energy" company television ad.
Admittedly, I don't actually watch much tv these days. That said, on the sporadic occasions when I have turned on the tube in the months since the Gulf spill, I've been bombarded with the faces of concerned BP engineers during every commercial break. But the thoughtful, trusty scientists of ExxonMobil...? *crickets*
That led me to ponder: Did the other oil companies pull their ads to avoid soiling their brand with the woes of competitor BP? If so, it makes sense.
In the minds of many consumers, the proverbial Oil Companies are all just variations on a theme. A disaster caused by one means guilt-by-association for the entire industry. It's an interesting situation to consider, not only for the oil industry but for others as well - pharmaceuticals, food producers, auto manufacturers, etc.
If the ExxonMobil ads were pulled immediately, was it simply part of a strategic disaster plan that was triggered into action? Do other industry leaders have similar plans in place? If not, are they now in development? And how long will ExxonMobil wait before reinstituting its ad campaign?
Perhaps in the future, we'll know the answers to these questions. For now, though, on a micro-level - what does this mean for your industry? What's your plan if your competitor screws up in a big way? Are you prepared to ride out the storm?
*cf
*Image via Huffington Post
Yogurt shop storefronts are all the rage these days - from mom 'n pop stops to the Pinkberrys of the world. tcby joins the fray with a fresh new identity and store concept.
Click the link to Brand New for an in-depth critique of the logo and some insightful process images. There are some rejected logo options that may have been stronger, more unique marks, but something spoke to the client and they went with what you see here.
Have a look and decide for yourself - what would you choose?
(Note: I'm partial to options 3 and 4 down the page...)
*cf
As someone who loves to read, I have thoroughly enjoyed the evolution of library spaces over the years. As noted in the linked @Issue article, libraries can and have become "community living rooms" and are being designed as such.
Library spaces are no longer simply places to research or study or flip through the pages of a favorite book. Now, patrons want to grab a comfy chair to scroll through their iPad, and neighborhood groups want a nice space to hold a meeting.
The library "brand" - the way we envision the entire concept - has shifted to become a much more dynamic and engaging idea. Opportunities abound for new ways to use the local library as a way to convey a message about an entire community.
*cf
The new graphics for Miller High Life beer are a nice example of how important a few subtle changes can be in refreshing a brand's look. In this case, the overall result is a more contemporary, simplified look that is well-executed through Miller's various lines of packaging.
Click the link to see how the not-so-drastic revisions to the logo above (blue is old, red is the new logo) make a huge difference in the look and feel of the brand.
*cf
"...special occasion packaging and quirky targeted audience marketing helps to attract a lot of media buzz and excitement, yet allow Coke to reassure loyal customers that the “touchpoints” of its brand identity will always be there for them."
Design is everywhere, as they say. Have a look at 4 designers' re-envisioning of their respective state plates. This one from California is certainly illustrative...Enjoy!
*cf
There is something to be said for using to design as a tool to communicate a brand when staff (and funds) are lean. Making the choice to invest in a strong logomark and a thoughtful, consistent messaging strategy is one of the most important decisions a smaller organization can make. As this article points out, good design can "move people to act" - whether that be in the form of offering a donation, or hiring for a service.
On the designer's side, there is great reward in working with smaller organizations to help them develop their brand through creative means. The clarity and efficiency that comes from a concise brand idea can become an invaluable asset to an organization as it evolves and grows over time.
Good design can indeed contribute to the greater good.
*CAMILLE
Images and color communicate in ways that verbal messaging cannot. So, when it comes to developing your brand – or that of your clients – consider design as an integral part of your overall brand equity*...
Continue reading the latest MIYO STUDIOS article at Fuel Your Branding
This is a nicely updated logo and color story for Caribou. It gives the company a more modern aesthetic that refreshes the look of the brand.
That said, I do find the execution of the moose icon to be less successful than the rest of the logo. In looking at it, the "legs" seem to be the incongruous piece. I would have opted for a more refined, tapered profile which would be better interpretation of the leg and hooves.
Overall, however, this was a nice re-branding effort for the second most patronized coffee chain in the country.
