Tag: branding

Guest Lecturer at SCAD Atlanta: Typography

Post author By catnormoyle
Post date July 27, 2011
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Recently, I was asked to visit SCAD Atlanta and lecture about typography and branding. The students at SCAD, under the direction of Cotter D. Christian, were preparing personal portfolios for their work in interior design. During my visit at SCAD, I prepared a lecture that introduced different typeface classifications, showed examples of how to mix type, and discussed beginner principles regarding expressive type. We also worked in Illustrator and had fun with some beginner type exercises.

The class seemed very appreciated of the information so I thought it might be a good idea to share the lectures with others. My sources for creating these lectures include Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton, Designing with Type by James Craig, and A Type Primer by John Kane. The lecture also includes some student work from Georgia State University.

There are so many things regarding typography and branding that are relevant for designers in other fields to apply in their own work. Whether you are an interior designer, industrial designer, or a graphic designer – type and brand is everywhere, especially when it concerns communications.

Learn type anatomy
Begin to identify different typefaces and type classifications
Learn how to mix type styles within a family
Learn how to adjust kerning and form ligatures
Try creating expressive type by adjusting scale, placement, spacing

Tags anatomy of type, branding, classifications of type, expressive type, graphic design, interior design, SCAD Atlanta, typography

The Importance of Company Branding and Market Communication

Post author By catnormoyle
Post date July 25, 2010
No Comments on The Importance of Company Branding and Market Communication

Let’s talk branding and design. I wrote a blog last year that came up in my thoughts this week as I worked through some design problems with logo development.

The Advantage of an Established Corporate Identity in Business Development During a Recession

Corporate Identity can be defined as the “persona” of a company, designed to communicate and facilitate business objectives. It portrays a common ownership of business philosophy and culture that alludes to a company’s internal workings as well as public perception. We can often see these values in branding—most tangibly noticed through logos, typeface, color palettes and supporting assets assembled within creative guidelines. However, a well-developed identity system becomes most profound when it reaches a sophistication that endorses trust and reliability. It should communicate ideals that are forward-thinking and adaptable by developing a strong foundation that can anticipate new trends in market and evolve seamlessly with change.

Recessions, more often than not, unkindly point out corporations (both small and large) that are incapable of adapting quickly and comfortably to evolving market climates. A refined identity system can be the best business development tool your company can develop. If established appropriately it should nurture the methods and philosophies of the company through corporate design (logos, colors, etc – most static of the three components, however flexible), corporate communication (ads, PR, collateral – should be anticipating and evolving with time), and corporate behavior (internal values, lifestyle, and culture – should continue to mature with time). Most importantly, a company’s identity should create assurance with individuals that is functionally beneficial as well as emotionally rewarding.

Tags branding, corporate communication, corporate identity, design, Greenplate, logo

Seven Day Plastic Challenge Educates Consumers on the Over-Consumption of Reusable Plastics

Post author By catnormoyle
Post date July 20, 2010
2 Comments on Seven Day Plastic Challenge Educates Consumers on the Over-Consumption of Reusable Plastics

Greenplate is a non-profit organization “seeking to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. GreenPlate uses funding to educate consumers and restaurateurs so they might change buying and usage habits.”

To find out more about the organization, check out their website.

The Seven-Day Plastic Challenge is a fun way to learn about the prevalence of disposable plastic in our society and steps we can take to reduce our use. The event hopes to educate people on how to limit their use of plastic through change in habits. Plastic is designed to be used repeatedly and not for just one-time.

Some steps to reduce your everyday consumption include:

avoid straws!
avoid plastic (one-time use) drink bottles!
avoid plastic bags… use reusable bags at the grocery store!
change the “to go” habits… don’t take the Styrofoam cups and plates.
at the supermarket… don’t buy products that are packaged over and over again.
in your house, don’t buy disposables.
recycle!

Tags branding, Greenplate, identity, logo design, The Seven-Day Plastic Challenge