This is the blog presence of MIYO | STUDIOS - a creative firm specializing in Design, Branding, and Identity.
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.
In the age of low-cal low-carb fare, it looks like fried chicken is alive and well in Austin, Texas!
Pentagram recently posted a spread about the brand they've developed for Lucy's Fried Chicken and it's a fun mix of vintage style and contemporary design. I love the simple script logo and the accompanying monogram (in the shape of an egg, of course). The color scheme, too, is just vibrant enough to be fun and casual.
I came across this New York Times post comparing the evolution of airplane design and found it to be an interesting overview. Many of these I had never seen, so I thought it would be worth sharing.
Also, I must note that I miss the polished metal look of yesteryear. There's just something about the classic look of the metal planes that made air travel seem more special and elegant. Something to experience, rather than endure.
I always find it interesting to see how well-established brands, particularly for everyday types of products, go about the process of refreshing the look and feel of their offerings. Hence, the Ivory Soap update caught my eye.
I like the clean look of the new logo; and the vibrant colors used for the packaging of this classic, white soap will most certainly help it stand out on the shelves.
On the whole, I think the new look will prove to be successful in attracting the eye (and dollars) of consumers who: A) have never used Ivory, but might just try it out next time they need some soap; and B) had forgotten all about this white block of cleanliness that was part of their childhood.
As a fan of the television show Mad Men (what designer isn't, really?), it should not surprise me that my Netflix genie suggested I would enjoy the documentary film Art & Copy.
Indeed, the genie was right. What an interesting film this was -- particularly in light of the recent death of Steve Jobs. I think those of us in creative fields have been doing more self-reflection than usual this week, wondering what our own artful legacies will be in this world. In Art & Copy, the contributors -- most of whom are some of the most prolific and pioneering figures in advertising -- speak to the impact their respective work has had in the world of business and brand-building.
If you have any interest in learning more about the genesis of some of the greatest ad campaigns and agencies in the United States, I would recommend you take the time to watch Art & Copy. You'll hear about the 'Got Milk' campaign, Tommy Hilfiger's debut on the fashion scene, and the classic Volkswagen ads from the 1960s, among other interesting stories.
Oh, and you'll also learn about a young visionary's willingness to put his money where his mouth is, so to speak, in producing the ad to launch his company's new computuer in 1984.
Landor's re-design of Cheer detergent - the packaging and logo - was launched about a month ago - old news in today's speed-of-light media atmosphere. However, I was prompted to make this post because of the fun way that the new design was visually presented.
Most of the items in the image above, for instance, have little, if anything, to do with laundry, per se. (Though, now that I think about it, perhaps the concept here is to present the types of things that one might find in jean pockets after the wash cycle is done...?) Regardless, I love the colorful randomness of the objects included with the Cheer bottle. They are quite "cheerful", indeed.
Looking at this one photo makes me think that, perhaps, the next time I present newly designed brand to the world, I should take a page from Landor and go beyond the usual imagery and think about other (more imaginative) ways to illustrate the context of the brand.
According to Brandchannel: "After 18 months of development, Budweiser is getting a new logo, can and packaging design..."
The results of this process include updates to the Budweiser "bow." It has been given some new dimension, which certainly helps make the packaging more interesting, I think. But, my favorite part of this brand re-fresh is the incorporation of the crown symbol into the pop-top of the can.
As Mies van der Rohe said, "God is in the details," and that crown-shaped cut-out in the tab might be the one thing that survives the next round of re-design when the time comes.
In a time where online communications often trump personal interaction, this identity suite is I nice switch - focusing on tactile elements. And, really, what's not to love about hand-stitched stationary?
The clever integration of the missing "i" in the word "THINK" (or, "THNK") gives this otherwise straightforward identity a visual interest that is rooted in the variations that are possible in its application.
The overall aesthetic is understated, but colorful. It successfully conveys the Amsterdam School as an institution of creativity and expression.
