Friday, May 23, 2008

This Certainly Takes Me Back...



My brother sent me this link this evening. A series of goofy commercials, but my younger brother and I loved these Star Trek action figures and the Enterprise Bridge Set when we were kids.

Click Here!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Really Good Logos, Explained



A number of my logos were included in the recently released publication, Really Good Logos, Explained.

In “Really Good Logos, Explained”, some of today’s top creative minds critique and appraise over 500 examples of truly exceptional logos, and explain what makes them work.

The insight provided by the four contributing authors will be - like the logos themselves - succinct, specific and effective. Comments will range from explaining what makes each logo especially effective, to offering ideas on how the design might be further enhanced. The result will be a rare and insightful glimpse inside the mind of top creatives.

By understanding the logistics of good design, we are better prepared to create it. This book helps explain those logistics, by asking:

* What elements do truly effective logos have that others are lacking?
* What makes one logo more powerful - more attention-getting - than others?
* What tips and strategies can be captured from these examples, and used to improve current projects?

By providing short, specific and to-the-point observations from top creatives, "Really Good Logos, Explained" answers these questions and more.



The Judges:

Margo Chase - Founder and Creative Director, Chase Design Group, Los Angeles, CA. -
Since founding Chase Design Group in 1986, Margo has consistently produced and led award-winning work in many areas of design. Recognized worldwide for her skill with custom typography and identity development, Margo is dedicated to creating client success through high-quality, intelligent creative. Her vision provides the fuel for Chase Design Group's growth and achievement.

Ron Miriello - Founder and Creative Director, Miriello Grafico, San Diego, CA. -
Founded in 1982, Ron's graphic communication's firm, Miriello Grafico Inc. (MGI, miriellografico.com), has created world-class, award-winning communications for a growing national client base using its oneVoiceT branding approach. Inspired by old world traditions of craftsmanship and modern business ingenuity, MGI strives to blend beauty and function in everything it creates. From print and Web to multimedia and beyond, MGI delivers finely honed communications through designs that are tailored to meet clients' needs and contribute to the strategic growth of their bottom line.

Alex White - Alex W. White is the author of four books, including Thinking in Type and The Elements of Graphic Design, and numerous articles on typography and visual communication. He has completed his fifth book, Advertising Design and Typography, which will be released later this year. Alex placed two fonts among the fourteen winners in TDC2 2001. He was the senior faculty member in the Hartford Art School's graphic design program for 15 years and is an adjunct at Parsons, City College of NY, and FIT. White, who lives in Manhattan, has served on the boards of several arts and civic organizations.

Rian Hughes - Rian Hughes (devicefonts.co.uk), award-winning graphic designer, comic artist and typographer, has produced designs for watches, CDs, animated films and Hawaiian shirts for clients from Tokyo to New York. He is the founder of Device, a London advertising agency that provides design, custom type and illustration for advertising campaigns, record sleeves, book jackets, graphic novels and television. He has a cabinet of Thunderbirds memorabilia, a fridge full of vodka, and a stack of easy listening albums which he plays very quietly.

The Process:

Step 1: Only Really Good Logos allowed.

Our four esteemed authors will first judge all submissions and select approximately 500 logos to appear within the book. Only logos fitting of the book's title will be chosen (i.e. really good ones).

Step 2: Then they are explained.

Logos selected to appear in the book will then be critiqued by at least three of the four contributing authors. Their comments will appear next to each logo, as will the name of the creative firm and client.

Comments will be honest and to-the-point, ranging from 2 to 5 sentences.

Author remarks will range from explaining what makes each logo especially effective to offering ideas on how the design might be further enhanced (see sample page design for examples).

While it is true that, in order to appear within the book, each logo must be judged to be of above-average quality, it is also true that design is subjective. Therefore, comments may range from high praise from one author, to gentle criticism from another, resulting in a book that provides an insightful exchange of ideas, as well as a rare glimpse inside the mind of top creatives.


My work appearing in the book:








http://www.reallygoodlogos.com