May 2010

Iiiiiiiiiin the red corner, we have one of the biggest global brands, sentinels of search, magicians of maps and wizards of Wave, one of the most recognized brand names in the world, weighing in at an annual revenue of $23 billion, ladies and gentlemen, I give you….Google.

This blog aims to educate readers about both dated and present trends and essentials relative to brand identity design.  The focus of this post is the signature (or mark) logo which, whilst not a new technique to designers, has regained popularity in recent years. 



Signature Brands

Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of direct mail. I've received some great pieces in my time - only a few months ago I got a razor from Woolworths. Nice touch. The mail, not the razor. But if you're going to spruik direct mail like Australia Post's 'Open Up To Mail', and you're going to spruik it to marketing folk, then really, your data needs to be water-tight.

In this digital age of computer-generated graphics and typography, it's refreshing to discover designers and typographers who still believe in the advantages of working by hand to produce unique and innovative work.  No longer relegated to designer's sketchbooks, illustration has emerged as a dynamic vehicle for visual communication and is being employed in a variety of industries including music, fashion, packaging and entertainment.

If you want to take a look at a pop act who is also an expert in marketing, then you don't need to look much further than Lady Gaga.

In the history of music, there have been some great self-marketing acts - Madonna, Michael Jackson, Sex Pistols, Beatles, Eminem - groups and artists that have their very marketing built into who they are, and their image and route to market is as important as their music.