we’re all familiar with the old adage “if you want something done right, do it yourself.” this article highlights several examples of unsolicited web redesigns. there is so much bad design or lack of any design, it is hard to resist the urge to redesign so many things. what are some things you would like to see redesigned, with or without the blessing [and payment] of its owner?
it seems that celebrities are on a kick to diversify there resumes lately. JAY-Z designed the ny nets logo, justin timberlake has taken on interior decorating, and now drew barrymore has made her foray into the wine business. this introduction has been met with a lot of industry skepticism, especially the package design by shepard fairey.
generally speaking, i think there is a lot of opportunity in the spirits category to have fun with the package/label design. i don’t think the barrymore label is offensive, but i also don’t think it is all that memorable and most definitely won’t have any shelf presence. i am sure that they were trying to separate this product line from the actress, but they hired shepard fairey… use that resource to its fullest! here are a few examples of beverage packaging that walks that fine line of simplicity, personality, and good design:
[package 1, package 2, package 3, package 4, package 5, package 6]
as the limitations of web typography dissipate, there is becoming an increasing number of font options with their windows/mac applications. this article provides an explanation of font rendering and why there are type constraints in different platforms. hopefully these insights will make it easier for you to choose fonts for your next web project.
we’ve all heard it: “i want my brand to be as recognizable as apple/target/coke.” there are a few variables that give these brands their stature such as budget and time; but what really gives them the greatest advantage is that they put their design foot forward first. this article discusses the inherent success of this strategy as it applies to facebook, although the aforementioned brands illustrate the value of this seemingly secret ingredient at its best.
apple has brought the aesthetic influence of deiter rams and paul rand to their products that give them the “gotta-have” factor. and their commercials with humanized computers have been rehashed and parodied into oblivion.
target is introducing a new store concept called the shops at target. these rotating boutiques feature free-standing brands with products for all parts of your life, and of course they aesthetically live up to the designer/target collaborations like liberty of london and missoni.
coke has found a way to apply their timeless brand in new ways evidenced by a recent promotion with the classic coke bottle re-design.
