Context

The District - Interview

1.     What makes a successful identity?

Thought, hard work, a bit of magic, perseverence and the odd
metaphorical (or in some cases actual) bloodied nose. That is what
'makes' a successful identity, the characteristics of a successful
identity are creating something that transcends fashion, challenges
people, and forms an emotional connection with people, that sounds
awful, but you get my point. I compare a good identity with a good
record, the ones that have lasting power are they ones you don't like
the first time you hear/ see them. 

 2.     Can you list any clichés in identity design?

Contrived post rationaling, over rationalising or simply no
rationalising at all. 

 3. What are your most admired logos/identities and why?

Flying logo for Gatwick Express (Hedger Mitchell Stark). A beautiful twist.
Kaffe Coffee shop (Felix Lobelius). Fit for purpose.
Apple. An obvious choice, but awesome.
Channel 4 (Lambie-Nairn and the developments and sub-brands since).
The flexibility and the way it has grown is just brilliant.

May get a different response on a different day.

Paul Rand Quotes

I have found some quotes from Paul Rand to use throughout my context work. 

‘A logo is less important than the product it signifies; what it means is more important than what it looks like.’

‘Design is everything. Everything!’

‘Design is the method of putting form and content together. Design, just as art, has multiple definitions; there is no single definition. Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated.’

‘Providing, meaning to a mass of unrelated needs, ideas, words and pictures - it is the designer's job to select and fit this material together and make it interesting.’

‘Simplicity is not the goal. It is the by-product of a good idea and modest expectations.’

Eagleclean -by The Partners

Eagle Clean is a small London cleaning company which needed an identity that would engage prospective clients such as offices, restaurants, bars and clubs in a particularly uninspiring sector. The Partners used Eagle Clean's rubber gloves to develop a playful graphic device on signage and uniforms. The logo comes to life online as the gloves clean the screen, making it spotless to the viewer.

CONTEXT - Outcomes

Here is a plan of what i intend to produce, the outcomes are relevant to my three chapters.

Craig Oldham

Craig Oldham's work for D&AD uses comparison through language to communicate an effective brand identity. The repetition of these word comparisons when placed in relative environments builds up the identity and links them all together. D&AD's bold yellow on black colour scheme also helps to make the identity stand-out.

Context - Icons

Here are some initial designs for the three icons for my context publication.

Context - Format

Logo
Application
Promotion


I am designing icons to link the three chapters together, this means the icons have to be similar to form an underlining identity, but different to create a clear contrast and division between each. Research into icons for the three is not easy, as logo and application are such vast areas, however promotion seems to have a relevant icon of the pointed star circle.

Context - Format

For the format of the context publication, I feel a standard book isn't doing my subject any justice and can be pushed much further in terms of design and relevance to the subject matter.Here is an updated idea for the format, I intend to split the outcome in three to coincide with the three chapters; Logo, Application and Promotion. For Logo I will produce a small book, with a simple logo and text page layout, this enables the book to be read at fast-pace, almost like a small review book of logos. Logos are icons that are designed to be noticed and understood instantly.
The Application chapter will take the form of a product, as most applications of identities are positioned on packaging and products. This is still under construction but the use of certain materials such as cellophane wrapping and the addition of design elements like barcodes and prices will make the outcome more product like. 
The final chapter; Promotion will take the form of a series of posters and flyers. These are mediums which constantly promote identities so their inclusion in my book is more than necessary. The large format to small format posters/flyers will add a good range to the format of my context publication, as identities are not limited to one format and almost always adapted over a range of medias and applications. 

Context book mock-up

I have created a mock-up of my context book, titled; Innovative Identities.
To fit in with the subject of identity, i have created a logo for the book and branded it throughout.

Bojan Stefanovic - Logoholik Interview

i emailed the man behind Logoholik, here is the interview. 

1.     What makes a successful identity?

It has to (1) communicate the proper message towards the target audience, (2) evoke the right feeling and call to action, (3) try not to blend/confuse with over crowded competition, thus (4) make some sort of impact in order to (5) stand the test of time.
 
2.     Can you list any clichés in identity design?

I do not want to see any more swooshes, shining balls, little stick figure people with joined hands or smiley faces incorporated in any identity, anywhere (although, am guilty by all charges in the past :)
3. What are your most admired logos/identities and why?

Everything that Moving Brands (http://www.movingbrands.com) created - for the simple fact - i think that's how the future identity systems will look like.
From the oldies, established ones of course: apple, coke, shell, yellow pages to name a few (even though a ton of marketing money has been invested in building those brands, countless air time certainly positioned it's value in our heads, the bottom line is that they are such good identities from the start...  )
From the recent ones, i really like new identity for the city of Melburn. Very bold, refreshing and brave move.

Cheers,
Bojan Stefanovic
Belgrade, Serbia
http://logoholik.com

CONTEXT PRESENTATION

Here are the slides from my context presentation.

LogoHolik

LogoHolik are mass logo creators, their ability to produce logos at pace is an interesting addition to the context book. I have contacted them for interviews.

Dotflo

Dotflo create some really interesting and exciting logos, I feel their inclusion in the context book will add a different type of logo compared with that of Paul Rand.