Archive for the ‘Design’ Category
Principles of graphic design
Posted by ehernandez in Design on July 9th, 2009
Graphic design is both a science and an art. It can be defined as the application of art and communication skills to the needs of a business. The ability to use words, colors and images to communicate is the jobs a a designer. Their art is visual-verbal expression.
The individual building blocks of graphic design (line, shape, color, value texture and format) demand a thorough education in and of themselves, and then an understanding of the comprehensive way in which they must seamlessly and organically work together to successfully communicate a message. To the untrained eye, choices about the various elements that make up a design may often seem mysterious or random; in fact, to many the primary skill of the designer is to make something look “right.”
Brand Identity: When should you refresh?
Posted by ehernandez in Branding, Design on May 29th, 2009
Some things are easy to change, and it’s obvious when they need changing. Light bulbs, toilet paper, underwear… brands? Brands, don’t fall into this category. When should you change your brand identity, and how much do you change it? Should it be a subtle refreshed or totally redesign? While there isn’t a scientific formula, there are several ways to know when it’s time for fresh eyes on your brand.
How old is your identity? How many years have you had the same brand? In a world where the career of a tv star can be measured in weeks, it’s a good idea to reassess your brand at regular intervals. I know you may be thinking, “What about brands that have been around forever, like Ford or Xerox?” Look around, even the big ones refresh their brands and logos over the years. The change might be as subtle as the width of a font or the shade of a corporate color, or it may be an extreme makeover.
What about the introduction of a new product or service, or meger with another company? These are all appropriate times to see if your brand is keeping pace with your company’s changes and current design trends.
Let’s look at how and why two companies redesigned their brand identities.