Design Crit

Definitely one of the best iPad app magazines out there. Except for the heavy Cadillac sponsorship. But would have to say that even the Cadillac ads are well designed.

what’s up with the random cowboy model kit?  James Bond, the cowboy?

this thing blows those talking digital cards…ok so you can’t customize the message…but you can’t say this about the digital versions:

“Put da needle on da record…”

a post card from Korea with a tongue in cheek message around how to report spy activity.

Ok, so this is a old vintage crazy graphic.  Not sure what to make of it. Even though a picture is worth a thousand words, sometimes its just a few WORDS that really shed light to the context.

Here are some captions that change the thought:

“i wish this babysitter would go home”

“don’t move, let me shoot that fly off your shoulder”

“there’s a really bad man behind you wanting to steal your rasta hat, i gotchya back”

any more???

ID’s first cut at judging media in 1999.

“minus ten”. A look back 10 years to see what was going on. I’ll pick out what I feel got Stuck in Time, good or bad design that was clearly of the moment. Ahead of Time will be a look at something that had brought some insight to the future and finally, the Test of Time will soon be design classics, at least imho.

Issue of ID before the Annual is always light, not very many ads from the consultants as they we all saving their pennies for the Annual.  Regardless, I was able to find a couple of nuggets.

John Maeda was making jaws drop in 1994 with Reactive Square, Flying letters and in then in 1998 with Tap, Type, Write.  This stuff is still great and WAY Ahead of Time. Its a shame that it only runs on a PowerPC.

Oh, and look at young John back then!

Heres something that i think i used to like.  The Motorola iden phone was clearly a memorable design.  But does it stand the test of time?  I believe it’s Stuck. Those damned ellipses again!

From ID Magazine, June 1999.

Arnell Group did the design of the new Tropicana package.  Seems like a lot of people hate it, so much that they are going back to the old design. Designers like it, most of my non designer friends don’t.  Arnell in ID Magazine seems to think that the client made the wrong call saying “you (consumer) like Grovestand, and they (Tropicana) didnt want to do it anymore. So you went to the store to get Grovestand and it wasn’t there. What does that have to do with design?”  He claims this is a “shopability” issue, not design.  I wonder if he had the insight to make a point to the client that us consumers liked Grovestand BEFORE he got paid?  I’m sure he got paid quite a bit for that work, IF Arnell said, ‘hey we think the consumers want Grovestand, so we’ll save you a lot of money, not do the work, but charge you 50% of the proposed fees for the advice!”

In the end, the clients ARE responsible for making decisions, regardless of what famous consultant is providing the advice.  That’s a big part of why I’m getting a taste of being the client…I know that I have the ultimate responsibility and accountability for decisions that get made, regardless of who might be whispering in my ear.

Google this, lots of passionate dialog on this.

 Loading ...

I’ve spoken to a few people about the Olympic graphics campaign in Chicago, the consensus, nice, but not strong enough and memorable.  Chicago, Tokyo, Rio and Madrid are in the final four.  Read through the meaning of each logo and cast a vote.

Tokyo: “The Tokyo 2016 logo takes the form of a traditional Japanese knot known as “MUSUBI”. It integrates the five Olympic colours into a motif of colourful and decorative knotted strings which have long been utilised in Japan to signify blessings during times of celebration.”

Madrid: “A bright and colourful open hand that, in the words of its author, represents “unity among the different cultures, people, and nationalities that coexist in Madrid.” As well as “a friendly greeting where one appreciates the freshness of Madrid and its people.”

Rio:  “The Sugarloaf Mountain was chosen as a symbol, representing the natural richness of Rio de Janeiro. According to the ROCOG, the design as a whole conveys a heart shape, representing Brazilians’ passion and enthusiasm for sports.Through its mirroring effect, the symbol also forms a stylized clover.”

Chicago: “a unique six-pointed Chicago star represents a compass pointing in all directions reaching out to the world. Each point represents an Olympic value: Hope, Respect, Harmony, Friendship, Excellence and Celebration. The warm colors represent the flame and the sun, the cool colors represent the green parklands and blue waters of Lake Michigan.”

 Loading ...

With Experience design being the popular next thing in design, here’s some fun stuff from the world of graphics. Can graphics alone change and enhance the consumer “experience”? It certainly has a big play on our emotions, it can make you smile, feel sick, get angry…so I would say yes it does. Graphic designers, get on the experience design bandwagon. (maybe you already are!)

This bag looks like it could hurt. Great concept for this nail biter product, whatever it is.

YKM is a department store equivalent based in Turkey. They sell home furnishings/appliances and clothing. I imagine they have a line of athletic wear.

With all the homeland securtiy going on, dont go to the bank or any government agency with this one!

see more of my thoughts on “experience design” here.