new address!

Hi Everyone!

After much thought and a strong urge to talk more design, I've decided to move the blog here.

Enjoy!
-A

Coding

Web coding = intimidating.


It's always been on my list of things to learn, it just always...drifted mysteriously to the bottom of the list. It was too complicated, too time consuming, too... boring.


As it turns out, coding is none of these things! Over the past few weeks, I've kind of fallen in love with coding (no, I have not gone mad). It's the perfect balance of right-brain and left-brain functionality and totally satisfies my OCD tendencies. It's a complex puzzle that magically produces interactive artwork. Crazy.


So how did I go about learning code? And for free, no less? I asked friends and colleagues the best way to learn, thinking I'd get answers like "take class XYZ at ABC and you'll be set"... not the case. Most people that learn coding teach themselves. They read tutorials online, look at code from different websites, and try to understand and recreate it. Total trial and error. Not my cup of tea. I wanted to learn code and I wanted to learn it now. 


Begrudgingly, I went through tutorial after tutorial, making notes, copying code. At first it was (literally) another language; but after awhile, I noticed patterns and the designs these patterns produced. I learned how layout works on a website (hint: not at all like InDesign). I'm no Google developer, but I managed to lay (what I consider) to be a pretty solid foundation for my portfolio site (once I master Java and Flash it'll be outta site--pun intended).


So where did I find all of this coding knowledge? A bunch of places:
- To get warmed up, I highly recommend Jessica Hische's and Russ Maschmeyer's video tutorial: Don't Fear The Internet. This gives a great overall context of coding and is guaranteed to make you laugh.
- The World Wide Web Consortium is the golden standard. They literally write the rules of web coding. Their tutorials are dry, but informative.
- HTML Dog was my favorite. Both the HTML and CSS tutorials were explained in a no-nonsense, informal tone that made the concepts easy to process.
- Finally, I recommend downloading Firefox (if you don't have it already) and it's plugin, Firebug. This allows you to inspect code on any website. Once you've completed the first three tutorials, Firebug is the best tool to help demystify websites and their methods of coding.


Note: There is such a thing as bad code. Read up on the rules (make sure all tutorials are dated recently) or chances are your website won't work, or worse--fellow coders will identify you as a messy coder (gasp). I made it through Jeffrey Zeldman's Designing With Web Standards and am all the better for it (just try to ignore his smart ass sarcasm).


After completing all these steps, you can start building your own website. Speaking from experience, this is really the best way to learn code. I only understood 'containers' and 'padding' when my logo ended up in the bottom left corner of my site rather than top left. The growing pains might be frustrating at times, but it's certainly worth it. I used Dreamweaver, but there are a ton of free programs out there (some are on your computer already--Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac)).


How have you learned web coding? Are there any other good (free) tutorials out there? 

c/o marketingprofs.com 

c/o don't fear the internet

c/o don't fear the internet

georgetown tobacco

I love it when I find well-designed things in DC.

I'm always complaining that there aren't enough creative people or design resources here, so when I stumble upon an aesthetically pleasing gem, I'm beyond thrilled. After spending some quality time at this place in Georgetown for a fantastic happy hour, we wandered into Georgetown Tobacco just down the street. I immediately made for the back of the room to smell all the different jars of tobacco flavors. In most stores, the tobacco is kept in aluminum tins with tape labels--not much creativity. Not so at Georgetown Tobacco! They had the most lovely, vintage-y tobacco labels. They reminded me of those old Absinthe ads that college students plaster all over their dorm rooms (but a bit more original, obviously). I asked the sales guy where they came from, and he said some previous employee had drawn them. Incredible! Wouldn't that be a fun bonus to working in a tobacco shop. Anywho, I thought it would make for a nice blog post, especially since many of my posts thus far have been on larger projects.

What do you think of the labels? What feelings or memories come to mind when you look at these?

URBN

Like every other 20-something female, I am head over heels for Anthropologie.

The feminine clothing, the seemingly-vintage home goods, the stellar store design and installations. Every time I walk into a store, I'm greeted by wafts of lavender-lilac-something goodness, distressed driftwood, and high ceilings. I almost feel more at home in an Anthropologie store than I do in my own apartment (still a work in progress). 


I have to wonder, how much does the actual store affect my purchases? Would that Cherimoya caftan look just as enticing in--gasp--a mall? Would I pay $168 for it under florescent bulbs? I'm prone to say probably not. I'm the first to admit that I'm more or less hypnotized by this place from the minute I step through the vintage looking doors. I imagine myself looking effortlessly chic on every imaginable occasion, inviting friends over for afternoon tea and using my french countryside vintage-esque plateware, and then curling up in my hand-dyed, original comforter for the night (reading first-edition classic novels, no less). Like the Kooples in my last post, Anthropologie has defined its target market to a T, enabling them to sell not only their products, but the lifestyle that these products may (or may not) promise.


It's no coincidence. I stumbled upon the company that owns and manages Anthropologie, a firm called URBAN, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Predictably enough, the also own Free People, Urban Outfitters, Terrain (nature & gardening goodies), and the new wedding line, BHLDN (notice any patterns forming?). On their website, URBN explains that "our established ability to understand our customers and connect with them on an emotional level is the reason for our success". I would say this more or less nails it. Almost every company is begging for the means to make an emotional connection with a customer. This ensures they keep coming back, for the feeling. URBN even goes so far as to say "The emphasis is on creativity. Our goal is to offer a product assortment and an environment so compelling and distinctive that the customer feels an empathetic connection to the brand and is persuaded to buy". Again, I have to agree. This is exactly what happens when I step into an Anthropologie (shopping at Urban Outfitters leaves me with panic attacks). This is how URBN's brand of stores have become successful- because they sell a particular feeling with their products, and because people actually enjoy spending time in their stores. In recent years, this phenomenon has become more commonplace (even Wal-Mart is changing its store layout and design). URBN has been practiced this from the company's inception and has obviously reaped the benefits.


Although I've discovered URBN's sneaky branding tricks,  you can be certain I'll be drooling over their Fall 2011 catalog and budgeting appropriately for fall must-haves from their stock. Because honestly, I'm willing to pay the extra money for the experience. I want to be mesmerized by the store installations made out of clothespins and I want to feel like a character out of an 18th-century novel. And that is successful branding.


What other stores compel you to come in and shop? Can this same feeling be translated to online stores? How does this affect the American concept of malls? Are there any stores that should in fact avoid this branding tactic?

photos courtesy of URBN, Terrain, and ohhellofriend

the kooples

a fashionable friend of mine working abroad in london tipped me off to this trés chic french clothing company that just debuted in the uk. oddly enough, the koople's clothing is actually british-inspired, citing "military elegance, 'crombie' coats, and tailored three-piece suits" as some of their key collection pieces.

the really neat thing, however, is how the company has marketed and aligned itself to consumers. they use real-life (and insanely gorgeous) couples as models. they've recorded short films of the couples describing how they met, what they love about the other person, etc. that are so simple and genuine they make your heart melt. especially when spoken in a faint french accent. usually these candid videos seem contrived and uncomfortable but before i knew it, i had watched all eight couple features before my morning cup of tea. my guess is that the brand began with this theme in mind--after all, 'the kooples' sounds mysteriously similar to 'the couples'. on the company's website, they even feature an editorial that showcases various couples throughout history: john and yoko, kate moss and pete doherty, elvis and priscilla.

not surprisingly, the brand emphasizes genuineness and quality (isn't that what we all search for, in clothing and in relationships? ;). they evoke memories of savile row, david bowie, the age of rock--and aim to capture and recreate the feelings of britain's past. they've even gone so far as to establish a record label to round out this genuine rocker image. they include lists of their favorite local events and artists so that you too, can not only wear these insanely hip clothes but also have the edgy musical tastes to back them up. if only the model-esque boyfriend/girlfriend was provided as well!

overall, the kooples has made their brand a lifestyle that extends beyond trendy clothing. the kooples main mission is obviously to generate profits, but they've made customers feel as though they are each individual, important members of something bigger than just a fashion label. when we're bombarded with commercials, advertisements, and new trends daily--how do you set your company apart? many companies, similar to the kooples, are pushing this element of buying more than just a product. you shop and purchase for the experience, the lifestyle. when you buy from the kooples, you are part of a unique group. you share their musical and artistic interests, their fashion sense, their outlook on life, even their social values. the experience lasts longer than just grabbing a jacket off of a hanger and swiping your credit card. 


and this is what companies--both fashion and non-fashion alike--strive to do: connect directly with consumers and create a loyal following that lasts beyond that initial purchase. you not only buy the pants/shirt/coat, you buy the vibe, the feeling. and the odds are, you'll come back--again, and again. because you feel like you are supporting this kooples vision of individuality and genuineness.


what brands are you loyal to? why? how have other companies employed techniques similar to those of the kooples?

photos and video c/o the kooples

design thinking

after a fantastic happy hour with social media savvy colleagues last week, two of which gave a brief intro to design thinking, i decided it was finally time to include the concept here.

i've been following design thinking ever since a friend of mine that i took architecture classes with told me that she was a) not going back to architecture grad school b) working at a design research firm instead and c) was thinking about earning...her mba?! certainly she had gone mad.

in fact, my friend was under the spell of design thinking. design thinking, as fast company describes it, is "a proven and repeatable problem-solving protocol that any business or profession can employ to achieve extraordinary results". there are four, seemingly obvious, key steps involved: defining the problem, brainstorm all options, refine results, and pick the best. while these steps seem obvious in the problem-solving process, the details in each are a bit different from your everyday problem solving.

design thinking emphasizes being an active agent in the problem solving process; to think so far outside of the box that at first, people may think you've gone a little crazy. when defining the issue, design thinking focuses on identifying the true challenges at hand rather than what others (namely, clients) perceive to be the problem. this defining step is heavy on the observation (hence, active problem-solving) and also stresses the importance of constructing an accurate problem statement. fast company's mark dziersk describes the goal of the definition stage: "to target the right problem to solve, and then to frame the problem in a way that invites creative solutions." crucial for moving onto step 2.

next comes the brainstorming. many companies are routinely stuck in tunnel vision and fall into the trap of solving challenges the same way, every time. design thinking curbs this habit and encourages new and creative ideas. collaboration is key in this step to identify the most promising opportunities.

step 3 is developing those promising opportunities. in this stage, it's essential that participants keep an open mind and forget historical precedents. mistakes are encouraged (with of course, the hopes that an extraordinary answer is found as a result). ideas that seemed absolutely impossible yesterday can suddenly become feasible after a few hours of discussion and detail.

next of course, is stage 4: pick the favorite, and implement it!

so there you have it, design thinking in a nutshell. i recommend googling design thinking...there are some awesome articles out there that outline concepts and give great examples. ideo is a well-known firm headquartered in palo alto, california that is an enthusiastic advocate of design thinking, and napkin labs just created an app that helps clients manage their social marketing venues using ideo's design thinking. tim brown, ceo and president of ideo, gives a great talk on design thinking, on TED here. not surprisingly, this method of problem solving is used commonly in the design world--and it could definitely be applied to branding challenges.


have you used design thinking? how? do you find it realistic and practical?

photo courtesy of red hat

photo courtesy of ideo

photo courtesy of ideo

photo courtesy of napkin labs

photo courtesy of napkin labs

ok go: branding a band

ok go has built a reputation for making unbelievably creative music videos.


their here it goes again video makes creative use of treadmills and the contraption from this too shall pass is something every child in the world dreams of constructing in their living rooms.


these unique and elaborate videos have become a part of their brand that conveys quirkiness and humor, as well as a certain uniqueness that is nearly extinct in the world of music videos (britney, i love you, but all your videos are the same. even ten years later).


a friend sent me ok go's latest video today (a collaboration with google, best viewed with google chrome), for "all is not lost". i was blown away.

how do they think of this stuff?! while the creative theme throughout the video is mezmerizingly good, one of the most intriguing things about this video is how it incorporates viewers. viewers type in a word at the beginning of the video--and ta da! ok go forms your words at the end of their video with elaborate dance moves. being a tech/marketing/design/social media junkie, i go crazy for this kind of stuff. by including viewers and fans in their video, ok go creates a personal relationship by reaching every viewer in a unique way. in some ways, this interactive method reminds me of the post i did on interactive logos...is there anywhere social media hasn't reached yet?


what do you think of the video? are there any other interactive music videos out there?

metro maps

metro maps are everyday icons...


...though many people haven't the slightest clue that someone (usually quite talented) designs them. these maps define a city more than any logo ever could, and typically they exist for decades before they are redesigned. what's more, they're plastered all over every city map, guide book, billboard, and sign in their respective cities. i can attest to the fact that the shape and colors of the dc metro map is indelibly inked into my brain.


there's also an additional pressure to not only create a metro map that holds design credibility, but also one that accurately represents the transit system. after all, this is the map's core purpose.


washington dc (holler!) is in the process of updating their metro map this year. it is evident that the district is taking the redesign seriously... they re-hired the designer, lance wyman, that made the original map...40 years ago. he is now 73 years old. even the washington post recognized that "Wyman is embarking on a redesign that’s fraught with peril". though i wish i could provide a peek at the new map, i only have the current version, below. while it certainly serves is purpose, the map is beginning to seem outdated with it's thick, bold lines. dc is also constructing several new lines which alone, necessitate a redesign.

photo courtesy of washingtonpost.com

fast co design just published a redesign of london's tube map by mark noad. they cite that "according to research by nyu professor zhan gao, 30% of travelers choose the wrong route on the current london tube map, which has twice as many transit lines and is just as likely to be squinted at on a smartphone as gazed at on a wall". this brings up another valid point that designers must consider: how will designs look on an electronic device vs. print media? noad has cleverly chosen to split london's very rectangular map into sections, making it more manageable to view on mobile devices. he also "tries to 'square the circle' between geographical accuracy and visual simplicity -- and add additional usability updates like condensed typography that make the map easier to use on-screen as well as in print". below is the current london tube map, followed by noad's redesign.

what are your thoughts on the redesign? any suggestions for other redesign candidate cities?

images courtesy of fastcodesign.com

brands designed by their users

it is common knowledge that social media has significantly impacted branding efforts.


in the span of very few years, organizations have developed entire departments that focus on social media efforts that tweet, friend, and like all day long. social media is now a pivotal part of a branding strategy and is responsible for creating crucial bonds between consumers and organizations.


it's entertaining to think about the world before social media, when organizations would pay good money to hear the thoughts of their target market with surveys, focus groups, and market research. now all they have to do is tweet.


social media creates a personal relationship between consumers and organizations. it is a trend that is increasingly apparent today... people want to know what they're supporting or purchasing, where it's from, and who exactly is selling it to them. and they want to give you feedback. the consumer gains a significant share of the marketing and branding cycle because suddenly, they have a say. they have power.


in this feature by fast co design, a group of graphic designers have found a way to incorporate their consumers into a logo via social media. check out the logos, projects, and video below for more.


what effects could this have on branding? which industries or organizations does this branding method complement the most?

photos and video c/o fast co design

infographics are my favorite

interesting information + great graphics = infographics


i didn't even know there was a specific name for these, nor a group of people that are lucky enough to create them for a living. i have a nerdy love of information and interesting facts, so to add beautiful design into the mix makes infographics a borderline obsession for me. 


infographics may not directly relate to branding per se, but the concept is utilized by commercial companies, non profits, and government agencies alike to make complex (and perhaps boring) data more palpable and digestible. this in turn, can have an enormous effect on branding because information that would otherwise go unnoticed and unread is recognized by consumers. this is particularly compelling and significant when infographics support a cause, such as relaying messages to the public about the poor nutrition quality of an average school cafeteria lunch, or about how little it takes for community health workers to save lives in third world countries. plus, people like me would probably even hang a few infographics on a wall as artwork.


GOOD is a 'media platform website' that has all around awesome news articles, great writers, and best of all, stellar (and frequent!) infographics. find them archived here; below are some of my favorites.


has anyone ever made their own infographic? i've been brainstorming my ideas but haven't settled on one yet.

infographics c/o good.is

twitter

twitter recently turned 5.


i know it's been awhile since my last post... i've been settling into a new apartment that could not be more perfect and more friends have visited than i knew i even had. so moving on to the good stuff...


i'm on fast co design's listserv and the title of this email was "for twitter's fifth birthday, new grown up logos." it wasn't until i read this subject line that i realized, ohmygod. twitter's logo is...not good. as a recent convert to the social media site and as someone who visits it several times a day, i had never given the twitter logo a thought. until this faux rebrand by fast co design's rick barrack. click for the article here.




here are my favorites, from least to most favorite:

photos courtesy of fast co design

sva: mpa in branding

i love learning.


now that i've finished an undergraduate degree, my mind is starting to wander. what next? while an mba seems like the next practical choice, i can't help but yearn to do something more creative to complement my marketing + business degree. but without a solid portfolio and an undergrad degree in design, which options are feasible? i don't want classes that are  100% design, but i also don't want to be constantly crunching numbers or hearing lectures about lean six sigma. while those skills are inherently important to running a successful business, they do not carry the same fascination for me that branding does.


the school of visual arts in nyc has a program that appears to be exactly what i (and i'm sure many others) have been looking for. they describe it as a program that will "examine the relationship between design and strategy, and the power of design thinking as a way to combine creative skills with the problem-solving and decision-making processes of design and business." sounds... perfect?


quick facts:
duration of coursework: 1 full year
tuition: $16250. per semester + $6500. + $325. per semester fee  = $39975.
design background necessary? surprisingly, no.
acceptance rate: 20-25 students per year
typical post grad jobs: brand consultant, design manager, art director, brand manager + more


it keeps getting better... the program is structured for working professionals so students can continue their work while they study for a year. sign me up.

photos courtesy of the school of visual arts

starbucks

i have to admit, i can't get enough of starbucks.


the coffee & espresso aren't bad, the new cake pops are delicious (the pink one is the best), and their cafes are well-designed and cozy. i also like the fact that they avoid commercial and advertising venues for their marketing and branding, yet are still the most successful coffee shop chain in the usa. instead of obnoxious ads and other inyourface marketing tactics, starbucks used social media venues to communicate their rebrand and overnight, their stores were stocked with their limited time only coffee, snazzy new mugs, and new cups emblazoned with the new siren logo.


when starbucks redesigned their brand, i was elated. i love simplicity, and this new logo is pared down. if you look at the progression of logos, this trend is apparent. the logo has become almost what i would call elegant.


this logo also gives starbucks some leg room. without the word "coffee," the logo suddenly becomes international. starbucks has been opening stores worldwide already-i was able to order a vanilla bean frappuccino in buenos aires, argentina- and this logo will only drive starbucks more into the international market. 


there have also been rumors (starbucks' ceo howard schultz vaguely references it in the clip below) that the company is expanding beyond coffee and tea. i've heard whispers that they may even begin serving alcohol! i haven't decided quite how i feel about this, but if anyone can market it successfully, it is undoubtably starbucks. 


i certainly wouldn't mind cozying up in one of those  cushiony chairs with a glass of pinot noir.

photos & video clip courtesy of starbucks

2012 olympics

the olympics are a big deal.


the entire world watches, they only occur every four years (winter olympics excluded), and cities pay billions of dollars just preparing to host them. naturally, you'd like your country to have the most bad ass logo to slap on every uniform, banner, jersey, megaphone, commercial, swim cap--you name it. who doesn't love team spirit?


let's take a look at previous olympic logos:

photo courtesy of wikipedia

not bad beijing. the asian text, the drawing-very representative of chinese culture. love the bold red.

photo courtesy of mediabistro.com

personally, nyc is my favorite. madrid's, though classic, leaves something to be desired, moscow's is a bit boring, and i'm not sure what the rainbow is in london's (the tube lines? the thames?). i liked paris' initially, but i'm not sure what a heart has to do with the olympics. we're competing with other countries, not dating them.

and so, london is chosen for the 2012 olympics. and this is what they come up with:

photo courtesy of wikipedia

WHAT.

i actually had to read up (thank you wikipedia) to determine what this logo is supposed to symbolize. if london thinks that their logo obviously signifies "2012," they are mistaken. at first glance, this looks like modern art. i even threw out the idea that it might be a liberal interpretation of a portion of the western european continent. and though i am a huge fan of bright colors, i don't believe that sea foam green has ever been associated with the olympics in any way. and how does this relate to london? will this logo resonate with london's residents? i can't say for sure, but my guess is probably not.

moving on to my favorite country logo so far: canada has recently had a make over...

(all canada photos courtesy of fastcodesign.com)

 this is an olympic logo. canadians capitalized on the maple leaf, a symbol that always inspires great pride in their citizens. in the first logo, they've incorporated the classic colors of the rings to represent the olympics as a whole, and then continued to simplify until only the red maple leaf is left (third example). while the first is almost overwhelming (and let's face it, not very practical) the third is both simple and pragmatic. a modern interpretation of a classic- my favorite.

for more information on the canadian olympic logo and an inspirational interview with the designer, click here.

j crew

i haven't always been a fan of j crew.


however, i've noticed j crew has ditched its stifled prep for a style i define as 'edgy classic.' timeless pieces with thoughtful (and sometimes trendy) details that are polished enough for the office while being stylish enough for happy hour. perhaps its just the company's way of following the (now mainstream) 'hipster' trends, but the new j crew has caught my eye.


considering that most of my 20-something friends' wardrobes  (particularly business wardrobes) boast the j crew label, i'd say the company has done a pretty bang up job of marketing and branding themselves toward their target market. j crew knows what i want, before i want it.


it turns out, j crew can attribute much of its success to its current creative director, jenna lyons (the weekly emails, jenna's picks? ...ah, it all makes sense now). she's been with the company for 20+ years, originally hired as an assistant (!). it is jenna who has mastered this sought-after look of classic elegance paired with distinct personality.


i must admit, i had no idea who jenna was, nor did i do any research on j crew until i received the spring 2011 catalog. the models were wearing this mesmerizing shade of coral-red lipstick--and it looked amazing on all of them. the shade is nars' heat wave, and it boasts suitability for all skin tones. predictably, jenna was responsible for the seemingly minute style decision that defines the spring collection and emphasizes this 'fresh classic' ideal that has become j crew's brand. 


in short, effective branding is absolute. what at first glance may seem like a trivial design detail--a simple shade of lipstick--may define a brand far more than its supposedly significant branding and advertising counterparts. j crew has seamlessly and comprehensively communicated its brand to its market- even down to the shade of lipstick.

Photos courtesy of EnVogueMundo

thedieline.com

one of my favorite resources for design and branding ideas is thedieline.com, a packaging design site.


i kid you not when i say i have been lost in this site for hours. not only do they showcase well-known agency work (dupuis, product ventures, sterling brands) but also student work. packaging is such a crucial part of a company's brand and it's fascinating to see how brands have changed (or not changed) over the course of time. often times, packaging design defines a brand. what would tiffany's be without the turquoise box?


the site also features packaging designs from around the world; discovering how cultural differences manifest themselves in something as simple as packaging design is really fascinating. 


if you're pursuing a career in packaging design, the site also has an abundance of resources, such as job advice from professionals, industry news, and even job listings.


for those of you that are wondering, 'what is a dieline, and what does it have to do with packaging?' here is your answer (courtesy of wikipedia):


A dieline is used in graphic design as a placeholder for assisting in the proper layout of a document that will be diecut as part of the finishing process. It is usually placed into the graphic's computer file as a separate layer for sizing and orientation purposes. A dieline is usually not printed on the final piece but is used to determine correct layout.

photo courtesy of thedieline.com

the beginning

a creative mind in a corporate job.


i'm anneliese. my hope is that this blog allows me to explore what i love--design and branding--and allows me to share my enthusiasm with readers.


photography, architecture, graphic design, art, fashion, interior design--i love it all, and hope to touch on each of these topics here.


because i come from a business background, i also am fascinated by the intersection of design and business--namely, marketing and branding.


i know there are more creative minds in corporate jobs out there--populating your spreadsheets and powerpoint templates---i hope this blog will serve as a creative escape for you and inspire you to pursue what you love. 


here we go.