ZEN BRANDS | THE CALLIGRAPHY OF NOTHINGNESS: THE MU KOAN.
DRAFTING ABSTRACTION — THE MYSTERY OF PRESENTING NOTHING AND ABSENCE OF PRESENCE. In our brand work, we’re always looking at how to “be there,” how to “present,” how to offer solutions that are about context, place-making, certainty of premise, a real promise and...
THE CODE OF THE MESSAGE | THE DESIGN OF THE ALPHABET
THE ILLUSTRATION OF THE MIND: FROM THOUGHT TO WORD IN DESIGNED LETTERFORM LINGUISTICS | ALPHABETS AS BRAND VOCABULARIES. Working on hundreds of logos and corporate identity packages, in decades of design and brand development for clients around the world, over time...
Could you design your building like the Universe?
THINK COSMIC: ARCHITECTURE AS A PLACE-MAKING MAP OF THE UNIVERSE: THE CIRCLE OF HEAVEN AND THE SQUARE OF EARTH - DESIGNING PLACES OF DEEPER SYMBOLISM. It’s true that every place has a symbolic value — every place has a sensation of personalized relevance, resonant...
NINTENDO NEBULA | DESIGNING GAME WORLDS
STORYTELLING NINTENDO BRAND DESIGN FOR NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS, GAME BOY, SUPER NINTENDO, VIRTUAL BOY AND ULTRA64. OLDER, LEGACY GAMING SYSTEMS are becoming more popular, as in antiquated coolness, old hip as new, dope software. Even Atari shows up in...
Brand Gesture | What story does your hand tell?
THE SECRET HAND SHAKE, THE CARD WELL PLAYED, THE CONVERSATIONAL ALLUSION? MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME EARLY TO WATCH WHAT PEOPLE DO WHEN THEY SPEAK. In fact, we used to walk together and she’d say — “what do you think they’re saying?” “See those people over there, what are...
WEAVING IDEAS | THE SYMBOLISM OF THE NEST
THE HORNET’S NEST OF INSPIRATIONS When I was young, till now, I have a profound fascination with insects. Really, arthropoda—insecta, arachnida and crustacea. That’s insects, spiders and crab-like creatures. Those hard-shelled creatures of earth, air and water. I...
MEDITATIONS ON SIR RIDLEY SCOTT: ENVISIONING ENCHANTMENT AND STYLIZING SUPERREALITY
Envisioning Enchantment and Stylizing Superreality.
LOGO JOURNALISM | DESIGNING IDENTITIES AND TITLING FOR MOTION PICTURE BRANDING
Designing Identities And Titling For Motion Picture Branding.
THE QUEST FOR FIRE: THE ETYMOLOGY OF BRANDING
IF YOU BELIEVE IN BRANDING — THAT AN OBJECT HAS MORE POWER AS A BRANDED ENTITY, THEN WHY WOULD THAT BE SO? There is belief at the heart of it. You believe, you love. It’s what you believe in as a brand agent, and what your audiences believe in as participants and...
BREATHING TIME | THE ALPHABETIC JOURNEY OF GIRVIN’s CALLIGRAPHY CLASSES
TO GO FORWARD, YOU GO BACK. WRITE WHAT WAS. In my own experience, the study of the craft of design — which is, as we have explored — the signing of persona and intention, message and visual character, personally interpreted. To presume that a designer acts as a kind...