Spiekermann - Putting Back the Face into Typeface

Erik Spiekermann - Putting Back the Face into Typeface from Gestalten on Vimeo.

Social Brand Platform

Today, people are more interested in what a brand can do for them. Great brands are discovering that logos or advertisements are losing relevance, and instead put their efforts into creating social brand platforms that invite participation and create value in authentic and relevant ways. The real reason the Gap logo failed was that it wasn't backed by any of this; the same goes for Tropicana and the rest.

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Emigre

Today I drove to San Francisco with my daughter Lily to see the final day of the Emigre exibit. While I was attending Art School in the late 90's, Emigre Magazine was a huge inspiration to me. With their experimental typography and their informative articles Emigre always pushed me to be a better designer.

The story of Emigre is also the story of the Bay Area. Founded in 1984, coinciding with the birth of the Macintosh, Emigre was one of the first independent type foundries to establish itself centered on personal computer technology.

During the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, graphic design was experiencing one of its most exciting and transformative periods. The Apple Macintosh computer had been introduced, design schools were exploring French linguistic theory, the vernacular had become a serious source of study and inspiration, the design and manufacture of typefaces were suddenly opened up to everyone who could use a computer, and for the first time in the United States, New York City was no longer the place to look for the latest developments in graphic design. And in Berkeley, California, across the bay from Silicon Valley, Emigre magazine, like no other, recognized the significance of the events and became both a leading participant and a keen observer of this innovative international design scene, generating a body of work and ideas that still resonate today.

Check out Emigre

Human Centered Design

For years, organizations have used Human-Centered Design (HCD) to arrive at innovative business solutions. Funded by IDE as part of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in collaboration with non-profit groups ICRW and Heifer International, IDEO has specially adapted this process for NGOs and social enterprises that work with impoverished communities around the world. The resulting HCD Toolkit helps organizations understand people’s needs in new ways, find innovative solutions to meet these needs, and deliver solutions with financial sustainability in mind.

Learn more about HCD.

The COP15 identity

The COP15 identity is the result of a logo competition held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. It’s created by two very inspiring Danish designers, Troels Faber and Jacob Wildschiødtz, working under the name nr2154.

“The winning proposal is a striking and at the same time both simple and complex symbol. Simple because the symbol is a stylized globe. Complex because the visual expression allows for a host of interpretations.”
— Comments from the Jury

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Sustainable recycled cardboard packaging

Nike works with 2x4 Design Group in Beijing to create sustainable recycled cardboard packaging for its clothing and sneakers! Designers Zak Klauck and Emile Molin had the honors designing an all-cardboard (and a tiny bit of ink) package for Nike to stash their shirt, windbreaker, and shoe combo in. To fulfill both of the fundamentals central to the project, the wrap is constructed out of recycled cardboard with universal graphics printed on each package, the specifics (model, shoe size) written in on each by hand.

Brokelyn

Identity for Brokelyn.com, a blog about living, eating, and shopping on the cheap in Brooklyn. Designed by The Heads of State.