The Art Of The Mark

“A successful mark is one that engages viewers and allows them to play a small ‘interactive’ mind game with it.” – Gregory Thomas.

The reading this week talks about the art of the mark. It details the steps that a good designer takes to ensure that his or her design comes across in the best way that it can. In the reading Gregory Thomas goes into depth about redesigning a logo. This relates to the exercise that we will be completing this week as, at the request of Padraig, we are going to be redesigning the Myer Logo.

I quite enjoyed this reading. Especially when G. Thomas commented on qualities one needs in order to be able to design a logo or trademark. To quote him, he stated that “to design a symbol or trademark, it is important to understand that without a knowledge of typography or drawing your design may have the shelf life of an overripe banana” I completely agree with this statement. After all, you cannot expect someone with no previous experience in any design field to be able to create a design now, can you? Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that I’m awesome because I can draw and stuff, I’m simply stating that with this idea in mind it means that the field of people that can enter the design world is narrowed.

Anyways, I’m rambling. To continue, in the reading G. Thomas spoke about different aspects that can influence a design. Such as:

Line
Figure Ground
Shape
Pattern
Letterform
Contrast
Image Field
Perception

These are important in design because slight differences such as a sharp line instead of a curved line can change the entire meaning of a design. I think that this idea appeals to me because similar aspects are applied in art.

I also liked the idea that design could be placed into categories, and could be developed using a set criteria. It adds the element of further organization and planning. I don’t know about everyone else but I know that unless I have a strict and organized plan I tend to drift off into completely different areas and I just don’t get anything done. NEVER GOOD.

I am very interesting in the idea of being able to revamp an old idea and create something not completely different, but new and fresh from it.

How does the reading of Pittsburgh Children's Museum P38-41 & Metreon - Sony Entertainment Centre P66-67 connect to the exercise of the jewellery shop?

Both the design briefs for the Pittsburgh Children's Museum and Metreon had variations of the products that were wished to be produced. Also, they detailed what the company wanted to express through the use of their logo designs. This concept can be linked to the Jewellery Shop Exercise that we did due to the fact that in the Jewellery Shop Exercise we were asked to explore the needs of the Jewellery shop and what they might want to express through the use of their logo.

Revenge Of Brand X

Branding.
What exactly is it?

I thought I had a sound grasp on the concept of what a brand was. However, after reading this sample chapter I came to realize that I didn’t know as much as I thought I did. This reading boosted my clarity on the subject of what a Brand actually is.

This reading also brought to my attention the main ‘rules’ as such, that I need to follow in order to create a brand that will appeal to the public. In particular, it clarified that the brand, is not intended primarily for my enjoyment and is meant to focus on the people that the brand is supposed to be targeting. It is intended to appeal to them.

I think that this reading in particular is going to have a large impact on the ‘products’ that we produce this year in class. Also, on an individual level, I think this reading will be able to help to gauge better as to what I need to produce so that I can appeal to my intended audience.

EDIT

Interesting little question to consider:

How would you apply Frankel's Prime directive to a plumber?

If you think about it, it wouldn't be all that hard. Frankel's Prime Directive is that 'Branding is not about getting your targets to choose you over your competition. Branding is about getting your prospects to see you asthe only solution to their problem.' To put it simple, all that a plumber would have to do in order to make his company seem like the only company to be able to fix it's viewers problems would be to make a logo or slogan that appeals to all of the people that need plumbers.

For example, maybe a slogan like "The only one to trust, when you're plumbings gone bust." Something that communicates with the viewers and "Touches their minds, and their hearts"