Touché! Neither dog poop nor bad font choices should be taken lightly. What is your favorite font of the week? Hopefully it’s not ComicSans. I don’t think it’s even part of my collection anymore an only fun for a second in 1999, here’s why… Read the rest of this entry »
He almost singlehandedly convinced business that design was an effective tool. [. . .] Anyone designing in the 1950s and 1960s owed much to Rand, who largely made it possible for us to work. He more than anyone else made the profession reputable. We went from being commercial artists to being graphic designers largely on his merits. –Louis Danziger, graphic designer
Why is Brand Identity Important?
Joe Mansueto says it best with his intro statement on the Morningstar websites’ “About” page:
When he founded Morningstar, Joe Mansueto recognized that investors don’t just need financial information—they need it in a form they can understand and use. Effective design is a core strength of our products. Considering everything from how we present information online and in our publications, to how people interact with our software, we work to create experiences that enlighten investors by using thoughtful, precise, and logical information design.
The origin of our logo
After five years of successful growth, Joe felt it was time to rethink how we visually communicated our brand. He decided the logo was the first place to start. He’d read Paul Rand’s A Designer’s Art and admired the impactful logos Rand created for IBM, UPS, ABC, and other established companies. In 1991, Joe contacted the 75-year-old designer, who finally agreed to do the job for $50,000, with half paid up front.Four months later, Rand sent back his sketches along with a final design that played on the source of the company’s name—the last line in Thoreau’s Walden, “The sun is but a morning star.” To this day, Joe considers the logo the cornerstone of our corporate identity and one of the best
investments he made in the company. (1991)
The true value of a brand is immeasurable if the client sees it. The artist will always see it if executed to its full potential.
SuepHdesign 2017
The Fine Art of Designing for Museums: Why graphic designers are ditching their agency jobs to work at MOMA.
In an art museum, graphic design usually takes a back seat. It’s the practical cousin to the main attraction; the wayfinding arrow that points you towards the sculptures, the block of text that helps you understand what you’re looking at. Design can be utilitarian, sure, but it also plays a bigger role. “We always want the art to be the star, but design can help with that,” says Damien Saatdjian, an art director at the Museum of Modern Art’s graphic design department, where he and a team of seven other designers create and maintain all of the museum’s graphic communication. This includes more than you’d think: from pamphlets and websites to mugs, totes, and exhibition wall text.
The studio, which is sandwiched between the conservation science lab and digital media team, is just a few rows of cubicles. Compared to the soaring ceilings of the neighboring galleries, the space is small and modest. The walls are scattered with potential designs, color palettes, type options, and layouts for upcoming exhibitions.
At any given moment you can find the team at work on up to eight different exhibition displays, while simultaneously handling marketing materials, retail goods, and any random piece of design ephemera that’s thrown their way. “We do anything and everything,” says Ingrid Chou, the department’s creative director. To some, this might be overwhelming, but to Chou and her team it means they can have an impact on nearly every department at MoMA. “We actually have a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening in the museum,” she says
On the day I visit, the team shows me a long-term project they’ve been working on to redesign the museum’s retail items. On the back wall of the studio, sheets of paper printed with ideas form a grid of MoMA-branded goods. One printout shows a tote with MoMA’s logo crumbled haphazardly at the bottom. “It’s reflecting the clutter inside the tote bag,” says senior designer Danielle Hall. Another mock-up shows a T-shirt with half the MoMA logo peeking out playfully behind the pocket.
Most of MoMA’s graphics are constrained by its branding (in this case Paula Scher refreshed the identity template, and the logo was redrawn by Matthew Carter), but designers get to experiment when it comes to special exhibition designs. Every year, MoMA hosts around 12 special exhibitions—major shows from artists like Picasso, Cindy Sherman, and the upcoming Robert Rauschenberg. “That’s where we get to be a lot more expressive,” says senior designer Eva Bochem-Shur.
Designing for the exhibitions begins with research. First the curators share their thesis, then it’s up to the designers to translate that vision clearly and effectively. Sometimes that means keeping the design understated and letting the graphics act as a quiet backdrop for the art. Other times that means creating a bespoke typeface (like the one inspired by the handwriting of filmmaker Tim Burton, for his MoMA retrospective) and figuring out how to creatively present information on the walls. “Ideally it’s a collaboration,” Saatdjian says of working with curators.
Designers start their work on computers and finish in the galleries, which means the museum itself is often an extension of the team’s studio. The spatial aspect of exhibition design—how colors, type, and size work at scale—often means a designer will have to totally retool their design once it’s on a wall. “We’ve all gotten really good with tape measures,” Bochem-Shur says. It’s physical work, too—a departure for most of the staff, which has spent their careers working on screen.
The majority of the designers are agency transplants from firms like Interbrand, Pentagram, Mother, and Bruce Mau Design. The switch to the art world, for the most part, was a deliberate effort; instead of clients the designers here work with curators, and instead of fractured teams, they tend to work together to solve problems. The small group lends itself to open discussions about creativity, art, and what’s working and what’s not. “It’s not as competitive,” Hall says. “I think it leads to better work in the end because you can bounce ideas off each other.”
Ultimately, the appeal of working at MoMA comes down to the purity of designing for art. It’s the notion that they’re making something that isn’t just about selling an object (though that’s part of the job), but selling ideas and education, too. “We’d rather sell Picasso tickets than Nike shoes,” says Saatdjian.
Source:
yes I too would ditch the gig gently for MoMA❤️
I came across this eye catching article my friend had posted to FB and I knew it was going to be interesting since she usually posts things I wish I had found first. So when I opened it I was pleasantly surprised how David Sedaris -esk it was. Written with grit, humor, honesty and completely relatable. […]
Another beautiful Image from – Noisy Pilgrims – via WordPress.
Micano Home and Garden Decor has been in business since 2003 and is located in the Midtown District of Reno Nevada. If you haven’t been there tour the shop here before you go then head down to Micano and see Sam. You will love the cultural decor, tribal art and reclaimed furniture. Sam works with many local artist’s and a large amount of Micano’s merchandise is local art from #Nevada artist’s.
“If you like rustic, tribal, funky, or organic decor come by check us out. We have lots of unique lamps, wall art, fountains, and more metal art pieces than anyone else in town. 25 percent or so of the art is from right here in Reno. Shop local, shop Micano’s.” ~Sam Sprague
Sam recently contracted SuePh Photography for a Google 360 Virtual Tour | See Inside the interactive tour below
Now that Micano has their Google 360 Virtual Tour this is how their listing comes up on Google Searches. He tells me he had a new customers come down the first day it was published. Want to engage YOUR customers? Call me for a free consultation
and learn more about Google Maps | Google Business Photos.
Carter Bros. Ace Hardware is located in the Midtown District of Reno Nevada
Ace Hardware is committed to being the Helpful Place for hardware, plumbing, tools, grills, garden and more by offering our customers knowledgeable advice, helpful service and quality products. -Tim Carter
They recently contracted SuePh Photography for a Google 360 Virtual Tour.
See Inside
by Jennifer Slegg, June 19, 2013
The Google Local Carousel beta test that we saw last month is now rolling out to all U.S. users, Google announced. While the carousel has been used on tablet devices since December 2012, the carousel style results being available on a desktop is a much newer change.
With the new style of carousel listings, when a user searches for a local results, such as a restaurant or hotel, instead of the traditional vertical listings most users associate with Google search, there is now a horizontal carousel which features thumbnails, ratings, as well as the number of Google+ reviews. Users can then scroll sideways through the listings to see more results.
One of the positive things to this new carousel style for local results is that businesses who might not rank in the top two or three required to see the results above the fold, can now see their business featured very prominently, complete with an image. However, there is no guarantee that your business will be one of the ones chosen to show in the carousel. Google search ranking algorithms also apply to the listings in Google Maps in determining which businesses are featured in the carousel.
This will also mean it is that much more important for a local business to ensure that the thumbnail used for their local business listing is one that not only represents their business, but is eye-catching enough to draw searchers to their listing. Interestingly, Google’s algorithms will also decide which photo is used, although exactly what algorithms are used as unknown at this time, but they do suggest using high quality images on your Google business listing.
Google’s local carousel is only available in limited verticals at this time, with hotels, restaurants, and bars being amongst the verticals included. They do say that they are looking to expand this by experimenting with different designs and interfaces.
This is currently being rolled out in the U.S. only at this time and is only available in English.
Google Maps in partnership with the New York Central Park Conservancy have mapped the park to allow residents and visitor alike to experience the park from any browser or mobile device. Be there, find your way and experience our world in amazing HDR photography.
The Street View crew went all around park collecting 360-degree imagery of its trails, paths, and plazas, to bring views of both famous and little-known areas of the park to your browser or mobile phone.
See how the Central Park Conservancy uses Google Maps to help shape the visitor experience today. Learn more about the park at http://www.centralparknyc.org/
To explore more Google Maps projects visit their You Tube Channel
Google Maps: Mapping the world, one project at a time.
Google Business Photos: Mapping the world, one business at a time
New Year Resolutions
Make it a Great New Year!
Resolutions, some gruff at the idea while others embrace the challenge of making changes. January is the time when we think about how we are going to do things different and make positive changes in our lives. For example, lose a few extra pounds, read more, spend more quality time with our families. Whatever it is that you want to do different it is possible with a change of behavior. If you dream it, you can do it! For me, I decided to volunteer more this year. The Dolan Automotive Group gives so much back to the community, it has inspired me to volunteer and to get more involved in my community.
The big question is where do you start? Think of your passions and what really gets you excited? Remember to start small and create those attainable goals with your New Year resolutions. I chose to volunteer with the Sky Tavern Jr Ski Program. Instructing young children and instilling a love for winter sports I find to be very rewarding. My father was a volunteer with the National Ski Patrol Association when I was a kid. He volunteered every weekend with my brothers and me in tow to ski. I remember that he always had a smile on his face as I followed him all over the hill during his patrol duties. There was a great return on his investment of time that personified down to us. My brothers and I are lifelong skiers with a deep love of the sport and the outdoors in general. Now it’s my turn to give back and follow in my dad’s footsteps as I train to be an instructor this year and get certified to be volunteer ski patrol for the 2014 season.
Resolutions don’t have to be complicated! They may be as simple as being more courteous. For example inviting the person behind you in the checkout line to go ahead or perhaps holding a door open for someone. Whatever you choose to do, give it all you have and do it with passion! Have fun with your resolutions!
If you are interested in volunteering here are a few local non-profit organizations that are vital to our community
If you are interested in volunteering with Sky Tavern Jr Ski program Click Here.
If you are interested in volunteering with Reno Bike Project Click Here.
For general volunteering opportunities visit http://www.nevadavolunteers.org/programs.asp for more information.
SuePH 