In high school a few friends and I started a band. We called ourselves “Volaticus” and knew we were on the brink of rock band fame and glory. Shortly after our first gig we had designed up a logo and were dreaming about making t-shirts and stickers. Unfortunately Volaticus never survived past its second performance.
Many times when we’re dreaming and beginning new ventures, the first thing we think of is the visuals that will represent us. While we should be developing our substance, we pour our energies into our appearance. In our visions of grandeur we get the right clothes, the coolest gear, a cool logo and shiny website, before we’ve even booked a gig.
“Meeting a person who wrote a masterpiece on the back of a deli menu would not surprise me. Meeting a person who wrote a masterpiece with a silver Cartier fountain pen on an antique writing table in an airy SoHo loft would SERIOUSLY surprise me.”
- Hugh McCleod “How to Be Creative”
Sometimes those things are necessary – it’s hard to start an online business without a website, and sometimes a logo or name gives your crew something to rally around – but we often spend more time developing the bells and whistles, rather than developing the core of our plan, our skills and our identity. And in my experience, if you’re printing stickers before you have a gig, that’s all your band may ever become.
My wife’s been ordering Dutch children’s books for Olivia (they’re supposed to help her learn Dutch, but I can guarantee you she won’t be the only one in the house learning from these). In the process I’ve been learning about the classic books that Anna and many other Dutch kids have grown up with. There are several Dutch authors and artists that have gained worldwide renown for their children’s books. One such artist is Dick Bruna.
“Things must be as simple as possible.”
Best known for his “Nijntje” (or “Miffy” in the English version) books, Bruna has sold more than 85 million books which have been translated into over 40 languages worldwide. His books are characterized by simplicity. Simplicity in imagery and in text. With Nijntje (which is the toddler’s way of saying “konijntje”, little rabbit), he had very little means with which to express emotion, only two dots and the cross of the mouth. A perfectionist, Bruna would sometimes spend an entire day perfecting a single image.
“I want to make lots of room for their own imagination.”
Below is a short interview with Dick Bruna, where he talks about the importance of simplicity. Also, check out his bio.
Yesterday I watched Helvetica the documentary. A movie about a font?!? Well, depending on how you’re wired, it might be a lot more interesting than you think. I know it sucked me in (but I guess I’m a bit of a nerd, so don’t my word for it). Here’s the trailer.
I’m obviously a typomaniac… I can’t explain it, I just like looking at type. – Erik Spiekermann
Watching this film, I was surprised to find how widely-used Helvetica really is. The typeface celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007, and has been the go-to font for many graphic designers ever since. Spiekermann put into words the disease inflicting most of those interviewed, these men and women had an incredible fascination with type. Maybe you can relate, maybe not, but I got a kick out of listening to so many nerds speak so fondly of the intricate details that make Helvetica so beautiful. It’s cool that some people care so deeply about the typefaces that we are all so surrounded by yet take so for granted.
It’s a letter that lives in a powerful matrix of surrounding space. Oh it’s brilliant when it’s done well. – Mike Parker
One of the beautiful things about Helvetica is the negative space surrounding its characters. I first came to love Helvetica when I started making decals. We had a plotter that would cut the letters and shapes into sheets of vinyl, then we would “weed” out the excess material, leaving just the decal behind. Working with Helvetica was great precisely because of the negative space. Weeding out the material between and within Helvetica letters, unlike many other fonts, was always quick and smooth.
If you want to check out this film, you can find in on youTube or iTunes. While you’re at it, take a little quiz to find out what font you are (I was Helvetica, what are the chances?).
Hopefully as you see advertising, print, and digital media, you’ll take note of some of the fonts used, and have a little more appreciation for the beloved Helvetica.
When I was in the sign-making business, I enjoyed analyzing company signs and billboards. I noticed that the simpler the sign was, the more it would get noticed. If a sign was filled with small text, multiple logos, and lots of slogans or contact info, the message would get lost in the shuffle.
Less was always more.
I’ve heard it said that essential to art and design is elimination. The best art pieces are those in which all the excess has been chiseled away so that all that’s left are the essential elements.
I recently watched this short video by Dan Heath (co-author of Made to Stick) about creating effective PowerPoint presentations.
“If you say 10 things, you say nothing.”
The challenge as a presenter or communicator is to clarify the point you want to make and not let it get muddled up by distracting unnecessary details. The challenge with visual design is making sure every element on the page is there to support your message, and removing the merely decorative pieces from the page.
Next time you’re preparing to give a talk, designing a newsletter or business card, take a minute to see if you can remove any elements to communicate your message more clearly.
I’ve usually thought, probably like most people, that creative people are born creative. Amazing musicians and artists can’t help but be amazing. And if you don’t got it, you just don’t got it. (And man, that August Rush kid had it! ….I got so irritated by that movie…). So I would poke around, hoping to chance upon some divine inspiration to launch myself into creative stardom, hoping that I “had it” in some medium.
But lately I’ve been reading some stuff by some of those “amazing creatives,” and they seem to agree (surprise surprise) that creativity is not so much about the inspiration, it’s more about hard work. Really really hard work. I would dismiss it, but these folks seem to know what they’re talking about. (You’d think they’d try to attribute their skills to their genes, to discourage the rest of us from trying to catch up, but maybe the threat of hard work is a big enough obstacle…).
I’m hoping to spend more time practicing my craft (I’d rather call it “playing”, sounds more fun). I’m excited to see what we can create as we work hard to develop our crafts
The above was today’s “playing”, based on a type style by Mario Hugo and the quote above by Hugh McLeod.
Friends, I’d like you to meet my first eBook!
Download “Newslettering” here. (in some browsers, right-click to save)
When I joined Youth With A Mission in 2002, I realized that one of my most important tasks, though not in the “missionary” job description, was communicating with friends, family and supporters about what I was up to. Because partnerships were essential – in finances, prayer, and encouragement – communication was also essential.
Though many dread this kind of communication, as a public speaker and graphic designer by trade I enjoyed creating newsletters and other forms of communication.
This 30-page eBook is my attempt at sharing what I’ve learned through my experience of creating newsletters, as well as my study on the subject of communication and many conversations with friends and supporters.
YWAMers and missionaries, this was written for you, I hope you find it helpful.
It’s free, so read it, share it, reproduce it, trash it, whatever. I hope it’s value for you is far more than the price.
Download “Newslettering” here.
With love,
Brent
I enjoy the process of designing a logo – understanding what the client wants their logo to represent and putting the pieces together in a simple and memorable icon. I spent my mid- to late-teenage years cutting vinyls and installing them on vehicles and signs, so I can appreciate the use of simple images and lines. With the increase of web-based businesses, the possibilities for a logo design have greatly increased (if you don’t have to be able to photocopy a logo, you can use a much wider range of textures, images and colors), but I still enjoy the simplicity of basic iconic logos. Recently I realized that not everyone intrinsically thinks that simple logos are beautiful, so I thought I’d let you into my fascination.
Recently my friend Steven asked me to design a logo for his new business, Kansas City Carpet Care. Steven had a really good idea of what he wanted – a logo representing a younger, fast-paced, hard-worker that was easily recognizable to the public eye for future marketing. He was fairly specific about the equipment he uses, so I wanted to be sure to give the feel of industrial cleaning equipment. I also knew that he would need this logo for his website, business cards, print materials and his vehicles, so it needed to pass the “black-and-white” test.
Brainstorming and doodling is the most important part of my process. I started off with pen and paper, trying to get the figures right. I decided to incorporate bubbles (because, as you can see, “bubbles=clean”). I spent some time on the cleaning equipment, trying to keep it simple, yet not make it look like a lawn mower. I liked how the curves of the figure’s arms and legs gave the logo a feel of forward motion.
Once I settled on a main idea, I traced it in Illustrator and touched up a lot of little symmetry errors in my sketches. I then added colors (blue felt fresh and clean).
I sent Steven a few different logo options, he opted for this one. He loved it! Thanks Steven, I really enjoyed working with you!
Hope this gives you a little appreciation for my love of logos and the process of designing a logo. (And if you live in the Kansas City area and need some carpets cleaned, I know this great guy, hard-worker, honest…… 
