When I think of brand identity designers there are a few names that immediately spring to mind. Names such as Paul Rand, Stefan Kanchev, Lance Wyman, Steff Geissbuhler, and Tom Geismar.
Having created iconic logos for Mobil Oil, New York University, Chase Bank, National Geographic, and many more, Tom Geismar is one of the most highly-acclaimed designers in the profession. He graciously agreed to answer your questions here on Logo Design Love.
To Tom, to Chermayeff & Geismar’s communications director Chris, and to you, thanks very much. Here’s the interview.
Like other years Studio Dumbar realised the identity of the Dutch Design Awards. Beside the design of posters and postcards they also did the art direction of the Award Show. Beautiful theatrical, playful and poetic, videos announced the several categories, white mummy like creatures walked the stage to handout the awards with mysterious soundscapes in the background. A very special experience, chapeau!
Het landschap van de Dutch Design Awards Dit is ons land. Onze haven. Onze polder. Alwaar een zefyr zachtjes door het rietveld ruist. Het land van zwarte Piet. Het land waar het edelhert Lidewij en het jong Gerius rustig grazen. Het land van hutten, boom en eik, van bei en vogelzang. Het land waar de koolhaas voortplant en de crouwel onvermoeibaar kraait. Het land waar Anton’s beekje stroomt; een waterval.
Dit is ons land. Het land van diepe dalen en hoge pieken. Het land van de pennestreek. Op een bedje van ideeën ligt de goudmijn. En er zijn beren op de weg; het kaft, de aasgieren, de jatmozen, de gladjakkers, het grote graaien, de jaloezieën. Het spel wordt gespeeld. De dromer, de fantast, de strateeg, de koning van het schaakspel. De hoogvlieger, de uitzondering, het koren.
Dit is ons land. Met hoog in de lucht, nog hoger dan de berg van eenzame hoogte, het gouden oog. Dit is ons land, Dutch Design Awards 2009.
Handmade in Maine using natural, high-quality ingredients, Portland General Store’s collection of grooming products for men includes items such as shaving jelly, lotion, soap, aftershave, and cologne, available in a variety of ultra-manly scents like wood, whiskey, and tweed. The store also has a wide range of body care products for women.
"I've always been interested in health and well-being, and that spilled over into the choices I made when I started Portland General Store, which focuses on high quality, organic, and vegan products using as few chemicals as possible. I also have a background in marketing, web development, and advertising, and a BFA in Illustration, all of which have been valuable assets to the growth of Portland General Store (all design, product development, and packaging are done by me). I've incorporated a vintage pharmaceutical look to my products that is reminiscent of the past when there might have only been one general store in town to get all of one's goods. I actually believe we're heading back to similar times -- as all of these large corporate chains collapse around us and oil prices go up, I believe more people will be living in small, walkable cities, or "yogurt towns".
Visited the Twining shop in the Strand for a meeting and spotted these in the cabinet behind glass. Not sure what era this packaging is from, but I could probably take a close guess.
The creative approach is something that sits between the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ I do things. It’s what separates me from someone else.
Albert Einstein said — “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” and he pretty much sums up my guiding principle — simplicity. My belief is that in a world of ever growing complexity, we all yearn for simplicity and honesty.
Strategically, this calls for communications that are relevant, sustainable and highly targeted. Content-wise, it needs to be to the point, concise and it needs to tell your story. In terms of form and aesthetics — it means I always strive for a clear and communicative visual language. This is further substantiated by my strong affinity for simple typography and clean, structured layouts. I ensure that the focus is on what you have to say first, and how you say it second.
You walk up to sculptures and discover that they have replicated your skin, your shape, your clothing. Are you that easy to copy? Not that unique after all, are you? Or are they a mirror? Are you looking at yourself from the outside, in, the way others see you?
Doppelgänger Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, Australia
