Opinion BY Armin

Toolin’ & Machinin’

Established in 1943, the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) aims to “help members of the U.S. precision custom manufacturing industry achieve profitable growth and business success in a global economy through advocacy, advice, education, networking, information, programs and services.” Citing a misunderstanding of American manufacturing as being in trouble, NTMA wants to make sure everyone understands that is not the case and that this community is thriving. With 50 chapters across the U.S., NTMA counts with nearly 2,000 members — “members” are counted as businesses not individuals — covering industries “from aerospace to electronics to nuclear power.” The new identity was designed by Atlanta, GA-based Matchstic.

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Opinion BY Armin

The Little Airship That Could

Established in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1983 and originally known as The Rainbow Society, the newly renamed The Dream Factory is “a charitable organization dedicated to fulfilling the once-in-a-lifetime dreams of Manitoba children suffering from life threatening illnesses.” Focusing its efforts on children from Manitoba, The Dream Factory has helped over 530 children in the past 19 years — Make-A-Wish Foundation, the biggest organization in this category, has helped 212,000 kids since 1980, just as a point of reference. This past November, The Rainbow Society changed its name to The Dream Factory and introduced a new identity designed by Winnipeg-based Cocoon Branding.

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A B-Side BY Armin

National Weather Association

Established in 1975, the National Weather Association is a “member-led, all inclusive, non-profit, professional association supporting and promoting excellence in operational meteorology and related activities.” From the press release: “The National Weather Association logo represents some of the most common meteorological conditions throughout the world, from sunny and dry to cloudy and rainy. The element of severity, centrally shown as a bolt of lightning, symbolizes the continued need to give greater attention to high impact weather and how it affects our planet.” The new logo was designed by Nesnadny + Schwartz. How cute and helpless was that old logo?

Thanks to Nick Piesco for the tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

National Potato Council

Established in 1948, the National Potato Council “was organized and incorporated to promote the greater consumption of Irish potatoes and to nationally represent potato farmers on legislative and regulatory matters.” At the 2012 Potato Expo the NPC introduced a new logo, the first change in its 64-year history. Story here. I have a dozen better things to post, but potato-themed blogging trumps good taste.

Thanks to James I. Bowie for the tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Young Epilepsy

Established in 1897, Young Epilepsy is “a national charity that supports the 112,000 children and young people under 25 with epilepsy in the UK.” Until November of 2011 it was known as The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy. The new identity was designed by Leeds-based Thompson Brand Partners. The star icon’s content changes to accommodate artworks created by students at schools operated by the charity. Story here.

Thanks to Marc Nijborg for first tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Oikos

Oikos is a Dutch NGO that believes “that everyone has the right to live free from poverty and to have the chance to develop and participate in society. We aim to achieve this by making changes in the Western world, which imposes unfair global trade rules and huge debts on developing countries.” The new identity has been designed by Edenspiekermann. Its concept: “Oikos joins hands for sustainable change.” More images here.

Thanks to Marc Nijborg for the tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Home Forward

Established in 1941, Home Forward (formerly known as Housing Authority of Portland) is the largest provider of affordable housing in the state of Oregon. On the new logo: “Vivid blue, green and featuring a ‘flourishing home’ symbol that combines the two colors, the new identity tells current and future residents, business partners, and community members that Home Forward is a progressive, positive enterprise committed to a better tomorrow, for the organization and especially for its residents”. Full press release here [PDF]. The new identity has been designed by Bend, OR-based Brand Navigation. A detail of the logo below (or after the jump) and a full case study here. This is one of my favorite icons of the year: simple, smart, and hopeful.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Educating Tomorrow

Educating Tomorrow is a “teacher-based coalition that believes our schools must take the lead in moving toward a greener future by providing our children and future leaders with an environmental education and exemplary environmental programs, such as school-wide recycling.” Their new identity, designed by New York-based Language Dept., is one of the 2011 projects of the fabulous desigNYC, a “group of designers and design advocates with the mission of helping nonprofit and community groups in need of design services connect with professional, pro bono design resources.” A few application images below (or after the jump).

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Opinion BY Armin

I’ll Toast to That. Not.

Established in 1924, Toastmasters International (TI) is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. TI currently has more than 270,000 members in over 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Among its notable alumni are actors Leonard Nimoy and Tim Allen, but it helps people in any profession and walk of life to gain competence in communication that, in turn, gives them the confidence to lead others. In August TI introduced a new identity, the first change in 70 years.

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Opinion BY Armin

Brewing one for the Homies

Established in 1978 in Boulder, CO, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is “dedicated to promoting the community of homebrewers and empowering homebrewers to make the best beer in the world.” It counts with 27,000 members. The AHA also publishes a bimonthly magazine, Zymurgy, and holds both a national-level homebrewers conference and competition. In turn, the AHA is a division of the Brewers Association, a “not-for-profit trade association dedicated to promoting and protecting amateur and professional craft brewers.” So: small, beer, awesome. Earlier this month the AHA introduced a new logo designed in-house.

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