do you ever self-prescribe a design project? maybe you go on assignment for the sake of being able to design with some freedom; you can’t stand looking at the terrible reality of a pre-existing product; or you just eat, breath, and sleep design? nicole meyer has tasked herself with creating one minnesotan lake logo per day. on your free-time do you re-fuel your creative juices with more design, or do you prefer to take a step back from the creative demand? do you have any self-initiated design projects or know of any that you have found inspiring?

i recently have come across some logos on brand new that have evoked some strong emotions — good and bad.

the bad news first //

why do zoos feel compelled to embody crude children’s drawings so literally in their logos? kids are the primary patrons of zoos, but does that mean that designs can’t convey imagination and creativity without getting out the crayolas? can playfulness be embodied with more sophisticated graphics that lend themselves to some very important applications at a zoo, like way-finding, signage, and exhibit information? if we expose our children to good design, perhaps there will become a greater appreciation for it and we will be able to live with less visual clutter. how do you feel about this visual approach… appropriate, expected?

the good news //

where do i begin with this wonderful makeover? the new logo has great personality with distinctive character that meets the client’s goals, while maintaining legibility. the typography has a great balance of detail and clean lines. i can see this logo being relevant for a long time. does this logo work for you? was it an improvement on the brand?

we have noted in the past how infographics have become a prominent tool to convey complex information. now infographics are taking on a life of their own, literally. they have grown from stationary charts and graphics to commerical-sized clips with integrated moving parts and voice-overs. is this current evolution adding value to the message? does the emotional invocation caused by music and voice inherently bias the information? sure they look great, but are they making the information more accessible? here are some well executed “infomercials” to demonstrate the grey area where information meets campaign:

if you are a typophile, letterpress lover, and/or sculpture admirer, then you will appreciate the work of june corley. her 3D letter collages simultaneously capture whimsy and sophistication.

with the popularity of dvr’s and devices of the like, in addition to the human’s dwindling attention span, product placement has been a topic of discussion. advertisers may be trying to subliminally promote brands, but what about the make-believe brands? fauxgo is a site that explores the logos of the fictional brands from the silver screen.