Archive for gleam (company profiles)
Cool cool cool cool COOL!
Most. Creative. Homepage. Ever. It makes me want to cry a little..
In case the picture doesn’t link you: Johnson Banks
“let there be shimmer, it will always make you smile!”
j*
On the note of CG..
One of the very first design sites I came across was Platinum FMD back in first year. They are a studio in Brazil, specializing in computer generated images, but also have some awesome illustrations.
Their compelling images inspired me to be more digital-savvy. I am nowhere near their level of expertise, but I’m trying!
Some of my favourites:
On the note of that last one..
“let there be shimmer, it will always make you smile!”
j*
A look into the CG world
I would like to bring to your attention the fabulous world of Computer Generated Imaging (CG or CGI). This type of imaging is becoming more common throughout different types of media because it is fresh, crisp, and provides the viewer an extremely detailed and clean final image. This is most apparent when looking at models of cars. The majority that are CG are NOT photographs, thus allowing for the designer to not be limited to frame, size, or resolution. The opportunities are limitless when designing in 3D modelling and animation software, and once a model is complete, it can be used “forever.”
I bring you… Seventh Street Studio. A charged and dynamic firm, set in Birmingham, Michigan, whose work is impeccable, intriguing and eye-catching! Their work is so interesting, especially for those of us who are taking a love to Maya. One of the more compelling things on the site is the “SimpleCG” tab. ALL of these pieces of work are completely digital.. EVEN THE PEOPLE!! The work is so intricate and detailed.. must have taken them eons! Check out this example:
What is even more impressive, is the detail shot of her eyes/brow (look at the PORES!!):
Needless to say, their portfolio is full of pieces that are very well-fashioned. This next photo is an honorable mention just for you Joe! (it also reminds me of Chelsea’s memories poster and Michael Lundy for some reason)…
They also have an “Image design” section where they take photography and integrate it with digital imaging, or some other elements (illustration, etc.). They provide SUCH inspiration, it is just as scary as it is exciting to see that work like this is being completed.
Their full site can be located here: http://www.seventhstreetstudio.com
Hopefully you can spend the amount of time required to take it all in!
“Let there be shimmer, it will always make you smile!”
j*
Mucca
Their name is Mucca, they are from NYC and they are by far one of the most impressive companies I have encountered on my blog-viewing-adventure.
I love almost every one of their projects.. Their designs are so elaborate and fantastic: I’m assuming they only do work for clients with big budgets.
Their techniques are amazing, my favourite is the wood-burned logo for EN restaurant. The entire identity for this company was designed with a classic approach, providing an edgy, rough texture, enforcing the “natural” aspect of this company. The embossing on their business card is especially impressive.
Aside from their wonderfully-showcased design work, there is also a “case studies” tab that provides in more detail a synopsis on their designs for some companies. This is interesting, I love reading about how designers chose what they did, and more importantly why, and what it represents for the company. Design is so much more than just visual!
Speaking of visual identities, their most impressive work (I think) has been done for Brooklyn Fare. I was introduced to this website in class when it was used as an example of fantastic interface design, and randomly came across the design team behind it. The idea is fresh and fun, the etiquette of the company is communicated to me clearly and I haven’t even been there! I just came back from NY, but if I went again I would definitely check it out.
To conclude, this site has some big-name clients and some big ideas for them. They provide work that is nothing short of perfect, and unlike some design companies, their work is very clearly tailored to their clients’ needs, rather than providing a consistency with style pegged to their own company. (For example, the work from BRANCH that I previously blogged about is very consistent among all of their clients, establishing a set “style” or “brand” of design work for their name) I guess what I’m ultimately trying to say is.. Mucca leaves the element of question out there.. their ideas are so far from one another, you wouldn’t be able to peg a certain project to their name.
Everyone loves a good mystery. Nice work, Mucca!
More samples of their work:
Alot of their work has won awards! Most definitely check out their work for Country, their store design for Matta, and their work for book designs in Harper Collins. (Their website is built in flash, so I can’t provide you a direct URL to these projects!)
“Let there be shimmer, It will always make you smile”
j*
Website design innovation
Ok, well, not quite an “innovation” per se.. Moreso something so incredibly simple, yet powerful that caught my eye..
I was surfing blogs (again) and discovered a post about Branch, a quaint graphic design studio in London. I was drawn to their work because of their fearless ability to use huge type! (And they do so incredibly effectively)
Anyway, my point is, when I clicked on their site link, and selected “Click Here to Enter,” it opened in full screen mode.. Something I have never experienced before. It struck me by surprise on how all of my attention was immediately directed to them and them only, an extremely difficult thing to achieve online these days.
Kudos. Check it out:
http://www.thelondonbranch.com/branch.html
“Let there be shimmer, It will always make you smile”
j*
company profile anyone?
Given that this week’s theme is blogs, I would like to share a few! I am influenced by simple, modern and sleek designs, companies that strive to create honest, raw and original work for clients.
There are a few websites I would like to share that demonstrate excellent examples of this..
1) logo <3
I learnt about this website today and I’m not going to lie, I have spent a good portion of my evening surfing it. I really can’t believe I haven’t seen it before. The content is everything I’ve ever dreamed of in regards to super-awesome logo design, books, blogs, samples, critiques, cool facts and much more. Don’t be alarmed by the red hearts, the site really has a lot to offer!
Check it out here: http://www.logodesignlove.com/
2) local logo <3
This website is that of an Edmonton-based company named Freckle Creative. They have quite an awesome repertoire. I was introduced to their company while reviewing the winners of the 2008 Advertising Club of Edmonton awards (http://www.adclubedm.com).. they won an award for their work on an annual report for Lakeland Credit Union.
Check out their full portfolio here: http://www.frecklecreative.ca/portfolio.html
3. long-distance logo <3
Last but not least, everyone should check out the ultimate company in logo design. I can only imagine what it would be like to work here.. This company is based in NYC and has the most examples of what kind of design I would love to do. Maybe one day I will meet Michael B. My favourite recent re-branding they have done is for the Museum of Modern Art.. brilliant, elegant imagery fused with an identity system so solid, you’d think it was a subway map.
MoMA samples
This identity is flawless, engaging and designed to cover vast sorts of media. I am inspired.
This concludes the first entry on blogs and/or favourite inspirational websites for logo design. Until next week…
“Let there be shimmer. It will always make you smile.”
j*
(All images copyright to their respective owners!)
