Gridiron League is a beautiful re-imagining of NFL team logos by Wes Kull. Even though I loathe the Patriots, that’s one tight execution.
Starbucks Rolls Out New Identity
There are no surprises with the new identity — actually, I take that back, I like the introduction of the surprising new bright green on the cup holder, it adds a nice touch of vibrancy — and everything falls in place with the idea of evolution. Nothing is a vast departure from the current materials people encounter at Starbucks, but it certainly feels new and re-energized.
It’s always interesting to see what a heavyweight like Starbucks does with an identity shift. Whether you drink their coffee or not (I don’t) you will most likely be affected by their design sensibilities due to their scale in the American consumer landscape. This is almost akin to McDonalds tweaking the Golden Arches.
I quite like the realignment. And I’m very glad Starbucks decided to realign instead of redesign. It takes maturity to recognize great design elements and showcase them instead of wipe the slate clean and start over.
“Where the heck were you when the page was blank?”
Looking at the end product it’s impossible to know the journey that the designer took, to appreciate what went into it. You don’t know about the constraints, the compromises, or external forces that shaped the design before you. Certainly the end user is not going to be privy to those details either, but as a designer critquing the work of another designer you should know there is more to it. No one is trying to make shitty software. They’re doing the best they can with the constraints they’re given and the talent they have. Not everyone is a maestro. Maybe these folks are just beginners. Is that how we welcome them into the fold? The point is, they’re making something. That’s awesome.
Remember, it’s rare to see contempt from a software designer or developer towards users. Most people making software are doing the best they can making something for you to use.
Cultural Cringe
In Australia, we have this thing called “cultural cringe.” I could go on and on for ages about the origins of this phenomena, but that’s why we have Wikipedia. Simply put, it’s when a society thinks pieces of culture (movies, fashion, ideas, art) are inherently better when produced overseas, and locally grown culture develops an inferiority complex. Other countries have it, but we’re much better at it here in Australia — stupid-crazy-good at it.
A few weeks ago, while being advertised to at full volume in a movie theater that I paid to be in, an Outback commercial played across the screen. One of my friends leaned over and said “we’re going to look back at these ads and be appalled at how racist they were”.
He’s right. Well, racist may be the correct term, but you get the idea (culturist?). Blaring didgeridoos. Silhouetted kangaroos. Blown out accents and safari jumpsuits. A flurry of boomerangs.
This is the world image of Australia. Cultural cringe indeed. That’s why I was surprised to see how Brand Australia decided to redesign the country’s overarching identity campaign:
Boomerangs? Really? I mean, it’s definitely clever with the allusion to an Australian map and all, but is this really the way to make a clean break for a country that’s been so completely stereotyped?
Might as well just throw another shrimp on the barbie, mate.
Stunning. I’m tempted to destroy a wall in my new house just to have these.
Bocci 22 power outlets distilled to just four shapes - Boing Boing Gadgets
