Quiksilver is never a really very big brand in Canada (at lease since I came here to study). Perhaps it is because their cloths are mainly targeted to people who do wake boarding, surfing, and other water sport, which there aren’t many places in Canada can let people to do it. That should be the reason why their business only focuses on Vancouver within Canada. The thing I want to say is their logo of their women clothing line – Roxy. Roxy’s logo is from by two copies of the Quiksilver logo, which forms a heart. I think it is just brilliant because in this case it keeps the connecting of these two companies but in the same time it converses the totally boyish logo in to a totally girly logo. I think they did a job on the designing the logo.
Quiksilver and ROXY
Appropriate brand extensions?
Radio Energie is series of stations in Quebec which play Top 40. Over the last year they decided to release an energy drink product to correspond with the station. This type of brand extension fits the nature of the station, young and exciting, not to mention with over energy drink sales of about $2 Million a year in Quebec, Radio Energie had an opportunity to take a chunk out of that market. So far they have done it successfully, selling twice as many cases of drinks as compared to their objectives, and while all these energie drinks have provided students like me with the ability to stay up, it is also an excellent to promote the radio stations at the same time. I got about 60 cans of this stuff when I volunteered at the recent Cassies, and I'd like to thank them for helping me complete my rebrand project. I love you guys!
Personal branding
Anyone can do it! and should, according to an article from Elle Magazine. It discusses how branding yourself forces you to "emerge from your comfort zone and start exploring the real you." It worked for 32-year-old Meenu Chhabra from Toronto, a successful business women who has just landed a position at a pharmaceutical company based in Geneva. She says her secret is personal branding, it helps her choose jobs that "fulfill her interests and play to her skills". If you know what you're good at and what your needs are you can market yourself to clients and employers. I like the fact that an article like this was published in a magazine that targets young women, many of which are starting their careers. They also mention that it can benefit one's personal life, as the goal of personal branding is to attract your ideal- whether in business or in life.
So maybe the moral of the story is that even though we've done those "self-branding" projects one too many times the past couple of years, there's something there that we should take with us when we leave OCAD. There's an importance in knowing yourself as a designer in order to get jobs and to be able to grow as artists. ... So i guess, here's to branding!
REITMANS
We all the horrible ads on the subway but that print ads don't match up the t.v ads.
Ones tacky and the other is tastefully tacky ....
there is an inconsistency within their marketing team.
Anyone want to guess which office is the picture showing?
I still remember if we want to change a brand, we have to concern on the logo, the lighting and how people can see the logo strongly on top of the building.This is Dior head office in Japan. You can see there is a star on top of the building. This architecture is very attractive as people can see it far away, the whole thing is lighting up the street. However, i believe you don't see the words on the logo, right?
Not much people knows that dior's logo is a star, but people will just remember the wording. In this case, the wording can't show very successfully therefore even it is a nice architecture, but this is not a good branding solution.
Hair Straightener Packaging
Shown in the picture are 2 different Hair straighteners. The top ( bespoke labs T3 Narrow wet or dry) is a top of the line ceramic flat iron infused with tourmaline that retails from $249-299. The bottom is a flat iron by Torlen, with ceramic plate that retails for $119. Both are considered professional straighteners, but as a consumer who doesn't know anything about flat-irons, packaging is can really influence the decision. The t3 iron's packaging looks really high-end, with embossed lettering and image of the iron. the quality/finish of the box is smooth with low sheen. The Torlen on the other hand, package is really crap. The package is bland, the bankground colour uses a No-Frill's yellow (yet they call it Pure Gold), and if you look up closely, you can actually see the image of the iron is pixelated. Though the regular consumer may not realize these small things, I think its important for companies to realize that packaging tell a lot about the product.. and not just hire a 15 year old who knows how to use a little photoshop.Go Leafs Go!!
According to Leafs’ GM John Ferguson, the blue and white with the simple Maple Leaf logo represents the team’s rich heritage and tradition also it looks clean, classic and strong.
I believe Maple leafs are always one of the strongest symbols of Canada.
It’s been changed quit a lot in about 80 years, means people are still crazy about this hockey team and always pursuing changes and better development.
The current Maple Leafs logo is a modernized version of the original 1927 logo, which was designed after the logo of Canada's 1924 Winter Olympic hockey, team the Toronto Granites and Canada's national symbol.
Painted Turtle Wines
Painted Turtle Wines is a Canadian winery based in British Columbia. They offer a range of 4 wines, ranging from Merlot to Sauvignon Blanc at around $12 per bottle. Their slogan is "No worries, no hurries".
While they do have a pretty sweet logo/type design on their bottles, the real interesting thing about them is that they're donating proceeds from their sales to habitat protection in BC, in order to protect... you guessed it... painted turtles.
The wine's not bad either, check them out at www.paintedturtlewines.com
This is Not a Bomb
As most of you may know that this past Wednesday there was a bomb scare at the Royal Ontario Museum. What has come to light as of last night, however, is that it was an OCAD student that was in fact responsible for the incident that shut down the ROM, its surrounding area and streets, and an 600 dollar a plate AIDS gala.
The Integrated Media major and his final project for his advanced video class are the direct cause––intended or not––of a OCAD class project, a day later, he is now suspended from our school and is wanted for questioning by police. Although statements from OCAD have been released saying the project was in no way supported by the school, two instructors have also been suspended at this point.
Now I know not everyone is thrilled with the new ROM's architectural expansion, but really, just what was the point of this "art installation" gone bad ? The Student has told the press that he was inspired by Marcel Duchamp's "readymade" pieces and that he wanted to make a piece about recontextualization: the idea that the context changes the meaning of a piece of art; in this case, something that is "quite clearly not dangerous, but when you put it in a different context the viewer recontextualizes it": a fake pipe bomb, and fake YouTube videos showing its fake explosion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olYjeFFnKFY
I'm sorry buddy, but how stupid do you have to be? In a time when the world is "ripe with terrorists" and everyone is already on edge I feel there are a million better ways to pay homage to Duchamp then place a fake bomb in the a public place. Oh, and leaving a post-it note on your so-called art peice stating "this is not a bomb".... not a legal loop hole.
What ever happened to painting?
Female Bird
Sephora retail is doing extremely well since they launched their store in North America. With triple digit growth for the last five years, Sephora is one of the fastest growing retailers in the US. Their sleek black and white logo is very distinguished within the retail market, very modern and classy. I was wondering what the logo referred to: Sephora is rooted from the Greek word Tzipporah which means "bird" (female) in Hebrew. The name is from the Bible, the name for Moses's wife in the book of Exodus. i find this very interesting, the relation from Hebrew, bible to modern day cosmetic retailer.
You want what you want when you want it.
My recent project about making ad for Blackberry gave me a chance to research on this high-tech hybrid of gadgets. People's tendency toward go smaller and getting what they need whenever they want fuels the development of gadgets like Blackberry.
What I'm focusing on this log is how people's life style affects the brand and it's creation.
people racing around with high-tech gadgets, while juggling their many daily tasks. Life has only continued to speed up. In fact, we may often feel we're caught in a tornado. At times, our lives seem to be whirling out of control. When this happens, the competing demands of work, home, and family may seem more than we can handle. In purpose of helping reducing their stress by speeding up the process, high-tech gadgets like Blackberry has appeared and occupied the market. It's a creation of brand sorely satisfying people's needs.
This vodka is for you
The Brand Thing.
I'm realizing more and more that branding organizations, companies, people and the like is a very difficult task. When you're beginning the process, you have so much freedom, so many ideas and directions but the clock begins ticking. To make strong decisions at every step of the way does require alot of confidence in your work and your design solutions. Furthermore, to know beforehand how long this process will take you is almost impossible--and this is where I find this to be very complex. I get approached by people here and there and they ask me if I can brand them, or their company. (I'm not trying to sound established, I'm not at all) I've done it a few times and failed miserably, I believe. Of course it was a learning experience, but the time wasted was well over my head. What I found to be really annoying was the lack of understanding on behalf of the clients who thought things could easily come together and "oh, just make it look nice." It's insulting when you're trying to become a better designer and all your clients want is for you to entertain them. It reminds me of the other day when I went to the Dentist and asked her to dance for me. It's just plain pathetic and I think we all get this treatment from time to time. But luckily, I learned more about the process in this class and I'm beginning to understand exactly what our roles are as designers (and advertisers...maybe) I believe it's important to work hard at it and to keep in touch with other designers to see what they're and how it's working out for them. In the end, I think you've achieved your goal if you can clarify, simplify and communicate the message to the viewer. Oh, and let's not forget to have alot of fun doing it.
It's been fun, gang. It's been really fun.
Green' peace.
Talk to your Daughter before Unilever Does
A friend showed me this Adbusters ad spoof yesterday. I was really surprised to find out that Unilever owns both Dove and Axe. The companies both have such different perspectives on the way women are used in the commercial world. Dove has rebranded their whole image around the fact that all women are beautiful and should not be superficial, whereas Axe uses women as sexual objects. The whole tagline of the spoof is, 'Talk to your daughter before Unilever Does' as these images that are represented by one corporation can 'confuse' a young girl about what woman should be. I would also like to add that both companies have had huge success and both have really good commercials and effective marketing campaigns. I guess that’s just the advertising world, because most people would not even know that the two companies were related in any way.
Square Watermelons
Shikaku suika (square watermelons)
It’s interesting how doing things differently can grow into popularity. A farm in
Besides their curiosity value, square watermelons have some genuine practical benefits. They are easier to stack and package than the round fruit and they are less likely to be damage in transit.
CN Logo
Most of my blogs from the start have had to do more with talking about what attributes designers should have to be considered "good designers" rather than talking about design itself. We are approaching the end of the semester and once again, i just want to leave you with another reminder of what good design should be. We all know about the "CN" logo and we've all heard that it was considered a ground breaking solution in the history of design. Now why is it exactly that? Well I could go on all day on what the reasons might be but that i think is unnecessary. The point is that it is what it is because it is just absolutely flawless. From the geometrical aspect to the visual aspect, it represents a work of art. Again fellow designers let us all thrive to design solutions that will be showcased in the wall of fame years from now. We can do it.
Japan
I don't know if this kind of thing is too rude but I am going to talk about Japan as a brand. This sort of concept came to me when I was browsing Engadget and noticed that Japan has now developed a ROBOT that can cook meals, greet people for breakfast, and have hands so soft that it may grip bread. The funny thing about this is that Japan's identity has been about being technologically superior to other countries and in popular North American media, robots are always seemingly the ones that will be the end all to humanity. Japan has branded themselves as pretty much the ONLY country in the world to produce robots to do tasks like this. ( There are MORE examples but I'll focus on this one )
The link to the article is here: Robot with soft hands
Now the fact that they are focusing a lot of attention on robots it is scary how back in the late 70's early 80's Japan had produced many animes with robots as friends, or robots that were so life like, people befriended robots rather than other humans.
You may be reading this and saying to yourself, "Japan isn't a brand... it's a country dumbass" or "you can say the same about Samurai's and Japan..."
If you look at any country and try to find something about them that distinguishes their identity from any other country I can say that everyone of you will agree that Japan's identity is about technology. If you ask me it's only going to be a few years before you start seeing large Gundams being the main military weapon of Japan...
thus the end of the world.
CiRCA
It seems like as soon as this club opened, it was all I heard about from friends, work colleagues and people at school. Circa has managed to unite the gay community and the very heterosexual Richmond entertainment district by offering events catering to both demographics, and themed rooms to suite every taste. It seems to already have a cult following as the next generation of nightclubs in Toronto, and it will be interesting to see how it fairs in the coming winter months.
If cover wasn't 20 dollars, I would have been already. I guess for now I'll have to be satisfied with everyone's crazy stories.
Fit for a Palace
Evian has been able to maintain a very posh reputation in terms of their water products, skin care line, etc...
The purest water from the French-est Alps or what have you, was in actual fact a very clever branding strategy.
Not only were they very clean and neat in their brand identity (logo too), but they separated themselves from your average water, seemingly becoming "the" water of water bottles. From there, celebrities helped the products status, much as how Starbucks rose to fame. Evian is the urban, chiq water to have, and will always be that way to some. Now, allow me to introduce a product on behalf of Evian. The new Palace Bottle is said to be the next best thing seen in trendy restaraunts and nightclubs across the world. A decade ago, package designs lasted an average of about seven years, according to some experts, but now that cycle is down to about two years. The rise of the internet and the decline of traditional television is another driver of this trend. Evian is continuing to raise the stakes. Is it safe to say that designers are going as far as to design products that fit as hoemm decor or pieces of furniture? That is definately the impression Evian's new Palace Bottle gives off, but no doubt it shall do well in all those fancy Toronto venues too expensive for us students to shmooze.
Google Rocks My Socks
I am a person who uses Google religiously, whenever I need to find something, or have a random question I turn to Google. So today, while I was using my favourite search engine I wondered to myself, how is Google viewed as a brand? I think they display a fun and friendly image that makes people want to use the site. Their themed logos for major holidays make the site seem inviting, but still simple and uncomplicated. It’s fast, direct and provides quality resources. The name and logo work well together, contributing to the humourous side of the brand, while maintaining a serious side that shows the company cares about what it does. I think it’s a great brand identity that really represents what the company stands for.
An awesome piece from Herb Lubalin
This is one of the amazing logo designs that have become to be one of my most favorite logos ever. Herb Lubalin, who is one of the best logo designers in the world, created this logo in 1965. This piece is awesome. It is the best logo because of its intelligence of finding the hidden meanings over and over. First when I saw this logo, I found the word “MOTHER” written in capitals and the exaggeration of the letter “O” inside the word. Second, I found a figure shaped as a fetus and realized that the “O” and the figure inside the circle of the letter reflect the figure of an expectant mother. It is the child inside the mother’s womb. When I found the hidden meaning and the over reflection of the blending of the words with the image, I was so impressed. The most amazing thing that overwhelmed me was when I found the image of a fetus was a modifier of a mark, “&” and the word “CHILD” in a small size inside the space of “&”. Finally, I realized this logo is named as “Mother and Child”. Overall, the logo includes all the aspects and values that are considered as the most key points while doing graphic design. I can see the hierarchy of each word, symbolic and iconic representation, a strong concept as each of the words themselves represent and the brand identity. For me, it is perfect and I don’t even think that I can find a fault with it.
AA - tagline/commercial
I found a American airline commercial which is broadcasted online on the new york times website.Its really funny, I find it interesting how they can use employee's (productivity) vs.trust component to promote an airline. At the end of the commerical the tag line is " More people to more destinations than any airline".My answers is, I don't think so. American Airline has received many complaints and other law suits, over past years. I just don't think that its necessarily true to their brand and service they provide, the tagline does not match. Compared to British Airways, the fly everywhere the have hundrends of destinations that they fly to. American Airline on the other hand, has its limitations and i think AA should be more specific on where they fly customers. There tagline could state that AA flies all over north america. Just a suggestion.
Funny commerical.Yeah they have fast flights but there tagline does not reflect their services.
Brands and their ability to hide.
If nobody has ever been to Cole Haan, you should go. If nobody know's that they are owned by Nike, you do now. You would never think that a sophisticated Brand, such as Cole Haan was owned by Nike: the store is very different, the people working are very different, the floor is carpeted, the employees are nice, the shoes and jackets are good and the overall class of the place is nice. Nike has done such a great job at developing sub Brand equities within their larger groups, so good that nobody would ever know except for the fact that some Cole haan shoes/boots are made using Nike technology. So when you surprisingly ask, "Wow, Nike technology?", the employee then let's you in on a secret, "We're owned by Nike". The ability to have such difference in brand character is great, oh, did you know that Far Coast (Bay and Bloor) is owned by coke?
2012 Olympic Games Are Going To Be ... Jagged?
This is the logo that was created over the course of a year for the upcoming 2012 Olympic games in London. This logo has to help raise £2bn of private money in order to pay for the games. I'm not positive of exactly how much £2bn is in Canadian dollars, but I know it's a lot, and to that I say good luck. They're going to need luck because apparently the masses HATE IT. People have gone as far as comparing it to the logo of a children's show from the 70's and 80's called Tiswas.
The concept was to create something young, edgy and hip, inspiring by the belief that London is. "anything but bland." Frankly, I don't see it. Nothing in this logo says cool, hip, trendy or more importantly, sports or competition. Personally, I see eighties dance party. If this logo was talking to me I'd be hearing, "Hey! Come on over to London, we're having a crazy party, we're going to listen to 1980's pop music and dance ... and oh yeah, something about the Olympics, ... I don't know ... we might be hosting a notorious sporting event." But of course this logo isn't talking; it's sitting here in all of its technicolour glory hoping that someone somewhere donates cash to the 2012 London Olympics.
Mercedes-Benz Acoustic Logo
Mercedes Benz is adding a new spin on their brand image by having introduced on Nov 1st, their first ever acoustic logo. The sound is supposed to put focus on the star as a Mercedes Benz trademark. “Our new sound logo is going to make the Mercedes-Benz brand not only visually, but also acoustically distinctive, and thus more quickly recognizable,” says Dr. Olaf Göttgens, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. “This acoustic trademark is a perfect fit for Mercedes-Benz — it is emotional, elegant, and unmistakably associated with our brand.”
The acoustic logo is a neat idea but there is something quite eerie about the young child's voice. The original track is based off of young choir boys from the 1990s. In my opinion it is haunting and reminiscent of something found in a horror film, not quite in sync with the sophistication of Mercedes Benz.
