Transmoflection

I came across the Winter Olympics 2010 site today, and while I am still deep in the warm and fuzzy cave of denial that Winter 2008 is coming, I like what they have done with the graphic identity for the 2010 games. And I think with something of this nature, which such global reach, allowing the designers to share the evolution and the story of the process is really quite nice.

So what is Transmoflection? It is a word they devised by the welding of Transformation, fusion, motion, reflection, and connection.

I love the art, the simplicity, and yet there are interesting and fun components to it as well. The tree with the traffic light hanging off of it, it shows some thought and creativity.

I think the most difficult thing about this task is that you are designing for something two years out. Will the same trends apply, will it look stale at that point? I don't think so, because of its depth and texture, I think it can help take that next step in design. We have seen for the past year or so, this organic growth of spirals and design creeping over or around images or text, but this is taking that to the next level, incorporating some purpose and meaning to those elements. Adding texture, but not just for the sake of texture, but something that has meaning, and is a true reflection of the environment.

Kudos team Vancouver 2010, I think you did a beautiful job!

I don't care who you are, that's funny!

I have been really cautious to post any political positioning on this site, but when I came across this, I thought, I don't care who you are, or are voting for, this is funny. It reminded me of the past winter when I was in Itally and saw some little flags posted in dog excrement, the copy of the text being in Italian, I have no clue what it said, but thought that is was interesting there as well. I hadn't thought about using that method as an advertising ploy though. So in steps Greg Beauchamp, and uses the concept to express his political view.

I am not sure how else this could be used, but perhaps there is something to this concept, what if the poop wasn't real, but was plastic? Would that constitute littering?

Check it out at: http://creativity-online.com/work/view?seed=f23ec9e5

This particular flag is referring to a candidates Economic policy.

Logo-evolution

As you may know, I love logos! Especially when you get to see how they evolve over time. What I have heard over the years, is that companies should revisit their logo ever 7-10 years. Even if that is just to say, "yep, still perfect!" So it is interesting to see what kind of modifications that these companies are making. Perhaps tech companies need to revisit every 3-5 years. Some very subtle, others extreme home makeover edition.

So, I thought amongst the candidates on the Best Ad blog, I thought I would do a few of my own logo-evolution awards....and the winner is.....

Most extreme: Goes to my favorite Apple, and while there were some major contenders here, they win for innovation hands down. Their first logo just didn't encompass that, so because they embraced who they were authentically as a company, they get the win.

Consistency: Goes to our friends at General Electric. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I am a fan of the logo it is decorated and yet still feels a bit modern with a bit more feminine feel to it.

Most Improved: I have to give this on to FedEx. They successfully shortened the name without throwing the whole world for a loop, and they used color to identify ground and air. For a type only logo, I think they have done well. Playboy gets a close second for creating a mark that even young girls today still embrace, which I have never quite understood, but to each his/her own.

Evolved, really?: This one is my very hardest to award, but I just am not feeling the love for Nestle. And with my love for chocolate, at bit disappointing. I am just not feeling the whole bird thing. And it isn't so much feeling like it is keeping with the times, or truly embracing the past either.

Most frightening: Goes hands down to the Nokia company. Even for a fish logo, this one is freaky. 

So what are your thoughts, agree, disagree? or agree to disagree?