Identity lovers rejoice! This is one of the most complicated sections, as there are many worthy nominees. You can suggest a standalone logo or a larger identity program; it can be corporate or brand identity; and it can be old or new.
A friend works at the Noguchi Museum, a place many people haven't heard of--but i think their identity is fantastic. The letterhead is elegant, his business cards are well designed and very practical (his job requires him to work frequently in Japan, so his contact info is repeated on the back in Japanese characters). And the whole thing is efficient (all in black and white and grey) very much like the artist's work. I believe Pentagram designed it.
Sadly they don't seem to be using it well, as i don't see the logo anywhere on their website.
Noguchi Museum
What are we suggesting a logo for? I'm a bit confused.
On Jan.29.2008 at 12:12 PMTwo of my favourite examples of "flexible" identities that actually really work.
Bruce Mau's work for the NAi (though the site really doesn't do it justice). Most of the collateral work (which i know isn't necessarily designed by BMD) is just stellar.
And Wolf Ollins work for the Tate. The original (I believe) 'flexidentity'...
On Jan.29.2008 at 01:48 PMI have always thought the Washington State University logo is very original, especially for a University.
I don't know who designed it, but I love the way they successfully made the initials into the shape of the mascot.
I think any book talking about logos and identity have to look at Malcolm Grear Designers. Their mark for the Presbyterian Church USA is really pretty incredible. I also love the new mark they did for Vanderbilt University about 2 years ago. Check them out here: http://mgrear.com/mgd02.cfm
On Jan.29.2008 at 03:30 PMLandor's BP identity package?
BP's explanation of their brand
Landor's Case Study
My favorite identity program has to be Lance Wyman's 1968 Mexico Olympics. It has so much spirit.
Overall, I'm a fan of Chermayeff & Geismar's work, particularly the US Bicentennial symbol. Their work for Abraham & Strauss is still so fresh. It looks like North or Made Though designed it last week.
On Jan.29.2008 at 06:06 PM» IBM
» Nike
» Cingular
» Apple
» BP redesign was genius
» NBC
On Jan.29.2008 at 09:08 PMI hadn't even thought about religious identities. I remember when the Chicago-based ELCA "rebranded" and thought of it as really well thought out: clever use of negative space, and mission.
Can't find out who was responsible for its design.
On Jan.29.2008 at 09:52 PMAnother one that is more on the illustrative side, but beautiful translations.
On Jan.29.2008 at 10:23 PMDarrel, see here.
Josh, you may be kidding, but we are actually planning on including it. Few identities have polarized viewers in such a way. Decades from now, I do believe we will all still be talking about it -- for better or worse.
On Jan.29.2008 at 10:34 PMOtl Aicher's 1972 Olympic program is pretty impressive:
http://flickr.com/photos/tvvork/sets/72157594335169821/
On Jan.29.2008 at 11:32 PMSticking with the recognizable, who else could put three (almost) circles together and be globally recognizable. Opinions aside about the company, the mark is unmistakable:
Armin:
Sorry for sounding dense, but I'm still not sure what the book is about. Sounds like you're writing a book? And including various design icons?
I'm guessing there was a past post that explained all of this. I guess I missed that one.
On Jan.30.2008 at 04:21 PMDarrel, sorry, I sent you to the wrong link. See HERE.
On Jan.30.2008 at 04:34 PMAh! Thanks, Armin. Congrats, btw. Sounds like a great project. NOW I'm understanding these posts. ;o)
As for logos, I'd love a more historical span...go WAY back (well, as far back as graphic design goes, I suppose...).
Some brands/logos that seem to have a solid history:
3M
IBM
Almost any Auto Manufacturer
Media companies (Record labels, Broadcasters, etc.)
I think a solid historical collection would stand out a bit better from the umpteen "LOGOS VOLUME 23" type books that clogs the shelves.
On Jan.31.2008 at 09:31 AMIn the spirit of "The Mouse" posted by Chad K, (regardless of your feelings towards what either stands for) I'd include the nazi swastika, and the christian cross. Both extremely powerful brands.
On Jan.31.2008 at 07:12 PMhttp://www.siue.edu/MUC/Site%20Art/Starbucks.gif
On Feb.02.2008 at 01:18 AMDutch Police Force
France Telecom
Cingular
EU 2004
YWCA
Apple
London Underground
Fortis
Citibank
FedEx
C Broadcasting
Sprint
Iridium
Seed Media Group
Bank of New York (not Mellon)
Sensata
Bravo Network
Trio Network
Motorola (Symbol)
Wolters Kluwer
London 2012
Munich 1972
Mexico 1968
Montreal 1976
Saks
Amersham
The New School
Knoll
Herman Miller
MoMA
Orange
KLM
BAM (Brooklyn)
Paley Center for Media
Tate
Song
SF Opera (Landor, not Pgram)
New Museum
Unilever
(RED)
Crafts Council (old type in the C, not new type)
Macmillan
The Walker
NBC (logo)
ABC (logo)
CBS (you know the years)
Mobil
American Bicentennial
IBM
Westinghouse
Museum of Sex
Monterey Bay Aquarium
OK, I'm stopping.
On Feb.05.2008 at 12:41 AMOk, so I lied about stopping.
Also, the Presbyterian Church logo.
On Feb.05.2008 at 12:44 AMWhat about this image created by the French graphic designer Raymond Savignac. This has always been a favorite.
From a purely aesthetic perspective, though seemingly obscure (rather than choose well known, but virtue of being well run companies) my favourite logo must be Oyama Hibikinosato (PAOS). Incidentally their website was very recently translated into English. http://paos.net/english/work/ooyama.html
Identity Manual… This has to go to the Japan railway group. I was fortunate to of had acquired their CI manual, simply stunning! I’ve been told it was from the CI-unit of Dentsu, could anyone clarify this?
Identity Programme, Mexico'68. Although briefly working under Peter, Internally Mexico stuff was scarce and understated mostly because of its age; but what I did see was magnificent.
On Feb.05.2008 at 11:25 PMFrom a purely aesthetic perspective, though seemingly obscure (rather than choose well known, by virtue of being well run companies) my favourite logo must be Oyama Hibikinosato (PAOS). Incidentally their website was very recently translated into English. http://paos.net/english/work/ooyama.html
Identity manual… This has to go to the Japan railway group. I was fortunate to of had acquired their CI manual —simply stunning! I’ve been told it was from the CI-unit of Dentsu, could anyone clarify this?
Identity Programme, Mexico'68. Although briefly working under Peter, Internally Mexico stuff was scarce and understated mostly because of its age; but what I did see was magnificent.
On Feb.05.2008 at 11:29 PM
This is such a difficult subject. Is it in terms of form and design? The recognition (Coca-cola or Nike)? Nostalgia? Are these all fair game.
I think it goes without saying, anything by Paul Rand
On Jan.29.2008 at 11:25 AM