I missed this video making the rounds online in the last couple of months, so I thought I would share it here, as well.

This is a presentation by Saul Bass to Bell System executives pitching a new identity for the company. It’s a bit long (27 minutes), but very interesting.

In this age of Photoshop and computer mock-ups, it’s fascinating to see how a firm would go about presenting their work in context and making the case for the concept.

This is good stuff - enjoy!

*camille

Communicating the story of your brand and business need not be complicated. In fact, quite the opposite is true. A simple, straight-forward, easy-to-grasp story will capture your target audience and give them the information they need to understand what you do and why.

The elevator pitch is simply for elevators…

*camille

I’ve confessed this before, but…I really do love a fun coaster…

This holiday-themed set is enjoyable primarily because they come pre-stained with a wet glass ring (actually, a varnish). It’s a fun touch that makes an everyday item more unique.

*camille

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival features graphics designed by Pentagram. As with most events of this type, the design standards were used for everything from print materials to environmental graphics to merchandise.

I appreciate the way in which the ‘motif’ (for lack of a better word) was effectively used in the film catalog - incorporating the fragmented aesthetic into limited areas of the book. And, I think the overall concept made for some interesting design opportunities throughout the different media.

*camille

I recently (and finally) watched the film Waiting for Superman - a film about the educational system in the United States and the woefully inadequate way it serves too many of our children.

The film was eye-opening to say the least.

With the impact of the movie still fresh in my mind, I was pleased to come across this post in my RSS feed. Once again, the power of design has revealed itself to me.

The well-presented concept of teachers “connecting the dots” for students, inspiring their dreams, and nurturing their potential - along with a happy orange-y yellow color scheme - gave me back a bit of the hope that was drained by my movie selection.

Just as there are designers who care deeply about their craft and strive to express authentic meaning in their work, there are certainly educators who approach their profession in the same way. Perhaps, these are the same teachers who would appreciate this design effort and use the bright imagery to remind them of the amazing legacy they leave with each student who passes through their classrooms.

*camille

No, this really has nothing to do with branding. But, the creativity, skill and process needed to create these formidable - yet somehow delicate - sculptures is certainly something to marvel at.

Bicycle chains and other garden variety chain links molded into the human form…Simply amazing…

Click the link to see several more images.

*camille

I have never seen anything quite like these colorful dimensional graphics, created by Moscow’s Sicksystems.

The pieces of each composition is carved with a scroll saw, then hand-painted. The result is reminiscent of a cross between totem pole art and something that could be found in a Transformers movie.

The image of the sneaker piece above was one that I found particularly creative. But, click the link to Core 77 for lots of other examples. Great stuff.

*camille

Behold the beautiful black and white identity for Meier Seefeld, a women’s clothing boutique in Austria. The combination of the compact script wordmark and classic images from the ski slopes communicate the accessible, yet upscale, feel of the brand.

Looking at something as elegant as this - who needs color?

See plenty more images at the link…

*camille

This is simply a great video I had to share. It’s about, well…the joy of books. Enjoy!

*camille

Canada’s Segal Center commissioned these colorful posters to start their 6th season of theater. The designers, Mookai, were given “carte blanche,” as they put it, to interpret the subject of each play as they saw fit.

The result is a colorful array of interesting prints that are works of art in their own right.

*camille

I came across this New York Times post comparing the evolution of airplane design and found it to be an interesting overview. Many of these I had never seen, so I thought it would be worth sharing.

Also, I must note that I miss the polished metal look of yesteryear. There’s just something about the classic look of the metal planes that made air travel seem more special and elegant. Something to experience, rather than endure.

*cf