To further your journey into the wonderful world of creating identities, I present to you Brand New, a blog that in its own words discusses “opinions, and focusing solely, on corporate and brand identity work.” Groovy. I can’t say I always agree with their breakdown, but they almost always have good background information on the process and reasonings behind the (re)designs. You should by now be able to read their opinions but form your own opinion of the work.

On a related note, I’d also like you to add LogoPond to your design quiver. Basically a design gallery for logos, the site also offers up resources for you to check out. So check it out.

Kevin Cornell of bearskinrug.co.uk fame has a very interesting article dealing with the definitions of art and design that reach all the way back to week one’s conversation on the matter. Some initial snippets:

I eventually came to the conclusion, after many Art History classes, Graphic Design classes, discussions, and observations, that the basic difference between Fine Art and Illustration was their goal. I came to feel that Illustration sought to answer questions; whereas Fine Art intended to ask them.

This rang true to me, and what’s more, it fell in line with my sensibilities as a designer. Design and Illustration walk hand-in-hand because both look to solve a problem.

As he has developed and matured in his field, however, Kevin’s own definitions have evolved:

The subjective use of the title “Art” also led me to believe my philosophy was errant. My neighbors would call something Art that I would not. My dentist definitely has a different definition of Art than I. There are eminent scholars who have devoted their life to the study of Art, who I’m sure would roll their eyes derisively at the work I’d clutch lovingly to my breast. Would I be doomed to never call something Art until I had reached a similar echelon of study? Of course not. What I thought was Art, was at least Art to me.

So, after much mulling, I’ve arrived at a definition of Art that seems to resolve these inconsistencies.

Oh, the suspense, right? Go ahead and give the whole article a read. I’d be interested in your interpretations of his definitions. Do you agree? Disagree? What definitions are you willing to work with (at least for the rest of the semester)?

Consider your comments to this post (on this site) your answer to the quiz; as such, I’ll drop some points in your bucket. We’ll consider this quiz closed before the beginning of class on 3/7/07.

As promised, here are the links to the discussions that erupted late last year about Adobe’s plans for their new icons and branding campaign surrounding the Spring ‘07 release of Creative Suite 3. Be sure to read both sides.

The Icons
Adobe (sort of) on the new icons (pro)
Dave Shea’s take (con)
Veerle’s take (pro)
Jason Santa Maria’s take (con)

What’s your take?

Thanks to all for coming and participating in a fairly grueling two-hour session on the creative process tonight. Jason over at our friendly site North Temple has a relevant post about presenting your work and communicating with clients that fits nicely with tonight’s conversation:

And the ability to stand in front of two or several dozen stakeholders and defend your design is one that is required anywhere design is critical (really anywhere you’re being paid for your design).

Read the whole of his thoughts (Is that giving his post too much credit? I doubt it’s really the whole of his thoughts. But I digress.) here. How do you think that the points Jason raises will affect - if at all -the design process as you move through it?

Taking Critique

Sharing your work will, by design, open you up to critique. The web’s illustrator Kevin Cornell has a perfect write-up that deals with getting and taking critique. A sample:

When you’re first learning to take criticism, it can be very painful to hear. While it’s important to be able to emotionally invest yourself in art to make it meaningful, it’s also important to learn how to disengage yourself from it. When someone is offering criticism about your art, try to remain calm and objective. Imagine you’re looking at someone else’s work.

Substitute the word “art” for “design” and the message still holds true. Read the whole article here.

The point? I believe there is a metric tonne of truth in these two articles. Read them. Again. And again. Internalize them and allow the precepts to influence you as you learn and apply the design process.