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UnderConsideration is a graphic design enterprise that runs a network of blogs, publishes books, organizes live events and judged competitions, and designs for clients.

Online

FPO (For Print Only) / Celebrating the reality that print is not dead by showcasing the most compelling printed projects.
Art of the Menu / Cataloguing the underrated creativity of menus from around the world.
Quipsologies / Chronicling the most curious, creative, and notable projects, stories, and events of the graphic design industry on a daily basis.
Speak Up (2002 – 2009) / Discussing, and looking for, what is relevant in, and the relevance of, graphic design. Archives Only.
Word It (2003 – 2010) / Encouraging creative diversity in the community through monthly, one-word challenges. Archives Only.
Brand New Classroom (2010 – 2011) / Providing a space for critique and opinions on student identity work. Archives Only.

Publishing

The 2010 Brand New Awards / 2011, self-published.
Flaunt: Designing effective, compelling and memorable portfolios of creative work / 2010, self-published.

Events & Judged Competitions

Brand New Conference / A one-day event on the development of corporate and brand identity projects by some of today’s most active and influential practitioners from around the world.
Brand New Awards / Celebrating the best identity work produced around the world.
FPO Awards / Celebrating the best print work from around the world.

Writing

Graphic Design, Referenced: A Visual Guide to the Language, Applications, and History of Graphic Design / 2009, Rockport.
Women of Design: Influence and Inspiration from the Original Trailblazers to the New Groundbreakers / 2008, HOW Books.
The Word It Book: Speak Up Presents a Gallery of Interpreted Words / 2007, HOW Books.

Graphic Design

Department of Design / Designing corporate and brand identities and full development of printed and digital matter for clients.

BY David Weinberger

Large Ticket to Malta, Please

Does XL mean Excel? Up, up and away? Beating expectations? Getting ahead? To be superior? To surpass? Or does it just mean extra-large?

Recently, Excel Airways rebranded themselves as XL with the help of London-based Brandinstinct. Although there are several blue airlines out there, Jetblue being the most obvious, I think the XL planes still look fresh and vibrant. Owning color isn’t just about using it, it’s how you use it. Overall I think they did a good job with the design although I’m not crazy about the .com in the mark. As far as Excel vs. XL, Excel had already used XL in certain situations so going completely to the two-letter version was probably an easy decision. Also, owning a two-letter name is great if you can do it. Think GM, GE, HP, BP and VW. All very recognizable.

Two previous uses of a two-letter XL

Before and after photos from jetphotos.net

Jet Blue uses blue a bit differently

The secondary graphics do seem like they could have used a bit of refinement. They seem to be referencing travel routes and I like the thought but some of the curves and transitions are poorly executed.