»  Lauren's Blog

I've always been the "artsy girl". Ever since I could hold a pencil I've loved to draw, so naturally a career path oriented towards design and illustration seemed right for me. I began as a fine artist but fell in love with design upon entry to The University of Georgia where I earned my BFA. After graduation I spent a year working as a designer and illustrator for an advertising agency in Columbia, SC. When I started looking for a permanent position I made a list of agencies whose work caught my interest. birdsong gregory was up at the top of that list. Joining a team of forward thinkers and brilliant designers made an exciting move to Charlotte that much more compelling. 

My philosophy as a designer is this: design is art. To me this means that creative thought, craftsmanship, and good looking design / aesthetics are all equal parts of the equation. Design is not just about being able to use the software; designers are artists. Here at birdsong gregory, our work reflects this philosophy because we care about the details. To see our work and learn more about our process, you can visit the birdsong gregory website, or stop by our office next time you're in downtown Charlotte. We're pretty awesome.

Final information to leave you with: In addition to my love affair with art, design, and illustration, I enjoy running. I also like treasure hunting in antique stores, vintage design and typography, barbecue chicken nachos, and of course, UGA football. Don't hate.

birdsong gregory knows great design, and this is an awesome resource! The noun project's mission is to "collect, organize and add to the highly recognizable symbols that form the world's visual language" and share them in a fun and easy way. Symbols from the noun project are free to download and use. They're well designed, fun, and are a pretty cool way to communicate across all cultures and languages. Check them out here!

Being the kind of designer that I am – geekishly in love with everything art/craft/design related – I've been captivated by letterpress printing for some time. I love the artistry of each hand printed piece and there's just something incredibly different about its unique tactile quality – and even in its limitations. Designing for letterpress requires a different way of thinking for a designer because it doesn't work with all of Photoshop's flashy bells and whistles like gradients and drop shadows (which, I tend to think, are overused in the graphic design industry anyway).

I was actively on the hunt to purchase my own letterpress machine for at least three months before I found this beauty. While it might need just a touch of TLC, I can't wait to see this thing restored and back to its former glory. The photos you see above reflect the machine's condition upon purchase, and just a little naval jelly took that bit of surface rust right off. Once the rollers and trucks are ordered, we're in business to print.

As birdsong gregory is in the process of updating our brand, the purchase was timed perfectly. Our creative department is so excited at the prospect of using this beautiful piece of machinery to experiment with a few pieces of our new collateral system. More to come, so stay tuned to see our progress!

The world's largest coffee company unveiled it's fourth version of the logo in 40 years yesterday. Starbucks says that this fresh new look goes right along side a new direction for the company, as it makes it's way back from the tough economy. 

The first three versions of the logo have helped Starbucks build it's brand recognition. Therefore, the company now feels that they've come to a place where they no longer need to reinforce their name, so they took it out though it had always previously encircled their iconic siren. She too received subtle updates, as the icon's facial features appear slightly softer, and her shape slightly leaner. On the Starbucks website Mike P., Senior Creative Manager, says " We enhanced her form in subtle ways, smoothing her hair, refining her facial features, and weighting the scales on her tail to bring the focus to her face." It's here also that we find a video of CEO, Howard Schultz, explaining their new updated look. The company plans to bring it to stores in March to coincide with the it's 40th anniversary. 

Starbucks says this logo facelift will also better suit their new direction, with expansion beyond coffee into a wider array of business lines, and into more international markets. "Starbucks will continue to offer the highest-quality coffee, but we will offer other products as well - and while the integrity, quality and consistency of these products must remain true to who we are, our new brand identity will give us the freedom and flexibility to explore innovations and new channels of distribution that will keep us in step with our current customers and build strong connections with new customers." says Schultz.

As birdsong gregory has been involved with brand development and brand revisions (small and large) with many of our clients, it's very interesting to watch large companies like Starbucks move forward. Change, more often than not, keeps a company relevant; even if the changes are subtle. 

Tell us what you think about the new logo! With most change comes resistance, as we've already seen in articles on the web, but we believe that with time, people become more comfortable, accept, and understand changes like these. After all, is anyone really not going to recognize this iconic figure as Starbucks Coffee? We don't think so. 

While people awaited the descension of the beautiful Waterford Crystal ball in Times Square this New Year's Eve, another unveiling of sorts took place. The emblem for the 2016 Rio Olympics was presented for the first time to the public, and immediately brought controversy. 

Rio-based Design firm, Tátil, says that their logo "translates the Olympic spirit and the nature, feelings, and aspirations of the athletes, Rio and the cariocas," according to the official guff. "Different countries, athletes and peoples are joined in a warm embrace – in an individual and collective move, which at a second glance, reveals one of Rio’s most beautiful icons, a vibrant Sugar Loaf, radiating joy, unity, celebration, and friendship." 

Despite the restrictions imposed by the London organizers, Tátil presents an online case study where they walk through their strategy, reveal sketches and mood boards, and discuss the challenge they embraced. 

However, articles have surfaced all over the web debating accusations of plagiarism. A story in the Washington post, following up on Brazilian media reports, discussed the similarity of the Rio 2016 logo to a logo done for the Telluride Foundation, a US non-profit. Tátil's Fred Gelli tossed any likeness up to coincidence and noted that the broad concept of people embracing each other is not novel.

 
Read more about the development of the emblem, and decide if you like it for yourself. It may not be a logo to rival the work of the famous Otl Aicher, but let birdsong gregory know your thoughts!

For all you faithful readers and blog enthusiasts, you'll remember (or can refer back to) my series called "The Designer's Classroom". Back in July, I introduced  you to one of my favorite Designer / Illustrators, Luke Bolt, and I cannot wait to continue the series with my next subject. Consider this post "Chapter Two", and get excited about Brent Couchman! Brent has been on my list of favorites for a while. His fun, vintage style is right up my alley. Most of you know of his work, even if you aren't a huge design geek like me. He's the man responsible for much of the gorgeous collateral and identity work we've come to expect from Fossil. He certainly has a way with clean and colorful design. His knack for typography and charming illustrations make it easy to see why I'm so fond of his work. He uses subtle textures brilliantly and has a smart and whimsical design sense. Check out more work from Brent Couchman on his flickr page, and prepare yourself for more to come in this series! Until next time, tell us about some of your favorite designers, illustrators, and typographers! We always love to hear from you. 

We don't like to brag, but we're pretty awesome too!! So check out our Charlotte Advertising Agency at birdsonggregory.com!

As the official type nerd of the office, I'm always excited to learn about new typefaces; and I'm happy to report the new one from Hoefler & Frere-Jones. The name is Forza. It's a san serif face based on the rounded rectangle, and is described by H&FJ as "caught in between typefaces that speak in a singular, powerful voice, and versatile ones capable of expressing many different moods". It was commissioned by Wired magazine to work as their editorial workhorse, and the result is engaging and distinguished. With its many different weights, Forza offers a "range of voices" for designers to choose from. It's definitely an updated interpretation of a font style (the study of the rounded rectangle) that has lasted over two hundred years. Well done! I can't wait to explore its possibilities. birdsong gregory grants the seal of approval! 

To learn more about our Charlotte Advertising Agency, visit us at birdsonggregory.com! We're excited to work with you.

By now I'm sure you know how much I love type and illustration, so when I came across this beautiful illustrative alphabet I knew I couldn't keep it to myself. Jessica Hische, Brooklyn based designer, is responsible for these exquisite letters. She started a blog called the Daily Drop Cap, an ongoing project in which she posts a new hand crafted illustrative initial every day. These are a group of 2 color letterpress prints, and can be found at jessicahische.com. My own illustrative alphabet is in progress, I'll keep you posted! In the meantime, check out beautiful graphic design from birdsong gregory at birdsonggregory.com. 

Most designers will agree that creating a logo for a client is one of our most exciting tasks. Being able to visually represent a company is a great challenge. There are so many articles for designers and clients about the importance of this piece of design, and all that goes into creating it, but I was intrigued by this article from LogoLounge.com. It's all about the trends in logo designs of 2010. The examples above are only a few of the group they discuss, but lets take a look through them.

1. PARTS:

This trend is all about iconic pieces (or "parts") that come together to create the silhouette of the whole. From a distance it's one thing, and closer up it reveals more information. This particular example's objective is to visually represent the statement "We the people form this nation". It's a smart visual solve of a more organic concept.

2. GHOST:

This trend is all about engaging the viewer. Gaining the viewers attention in a visual world is such huge challenge for a designer, so this trend forces the viewer to engage with the logo if for no other reason than to confirm what they're seeing. It's soft and subtle, but in a way that demands attention. Interesting concept, huh?

3. CUBIST:

The inspiration for this trend comes from a place that shouldn't be surprising. Fine art has always been an influencing factor to designers, and I believe that the best design comes from a knowledge and background in fine art. There's a certain visual pleasure in reducing images down to their essence, thus the appeal of cubism.

4. BOX-UP

The terminology is pretty obvious, as is the reason this trend is so popular. It can be difficult for a designer to balance the importance of typography and symbol for a company's logo. Enlarging the pair to be sure the type is legible can throw the symbol into the dominant role, and reducing the size to make sure the symbol isn't too loud can make the type too small to read. Using a literal box insures that it's all together in a package. 

5. STAINS:

This trend is another example that calls for the attention of the viewer, often times in a second look. The blurred edge creates motion. The immediacy of these marks creates an impression of authenticity and humanity. It looks hand crafted, not computer or machine crafted.

6. DUST:

This trend understands the importance of subtlety. The stippled effect creates almost a whisper that can produce different tonal levels with its density. There's kind of a sparkle about this kind of technique. It creates the illusion of motion with hard edges. The most obvious connection for inspiration is that of an airbrush.

7. FESTOON:

Another trend that's about creating motion, the festoon trend accomplishes this by using streamer like elements (almost as if they are blowing in a breeze).The key to this graphic solution is that the elements have a diminishing point. They also often use overlapping and transparency to accomplish the goal and push the mark a little further. This trend evokes a free spirit and lack of control that's visually interesting. It's lighthearted and festive.

8. PIXEL:

This trend is inspired by the digital building block, the pixel. Small elements come together to create a larger result. The same idea is executed in pointillism. Dots of color create the whole picture. The challenge for designers with this one, is making it new. I found this example particularly interesting because of the warped perspective of the pixels, which ads another layer with dimension. It's an interest and different way to do pixels. 

While doing research for a project for one of our new clients here at birdsong gregory, I came across a designer's dream resource. The Library of Congress has dedicated a section of its online space to house a beautiful collection of WPA (Works Progress Administration) posters. 926 of them to be exact. The LOC has not only provided relevant archival information for each poster, but has also included hi-res TIFF files that can be downloaded free of charge! Some of the most beautiful typography and illustration you've ever seen is all in one place! This collection can bless any designer with much needed inspiration and visual reference. Thank you LOC for this addition! 

For a while now I've been researching and studying designers who are also illustrators. It seems like they would be the best kind of designers to learn from because our skill sets are so similar. This week, the subject of my study has been Luke Bolt, a designer / illustrator for Gardner Design in Wichita, Kansas. I can really appreciate his energetic and whimsical style. He uses shape beautifully, and he has a knack for color. Some of my favorites of Luke's work though, are definitely his logos. Check them out! I find that no matter how far you think you've come as a designer, there will always be twice as much left to learn. birdsong gregory is dedicated to that growth, and excited to move forward and make our work even better by the day. Design nerds stay tuned; there's more where this came from!

I was cruising The Dieline and came across this beautiful student package design for Ilford 120 film. Ilford is one of the only film companies today that still manufactures 120 film but the rise of the consumer 135mm film and more recently and powerfully, digital photography, has diminished the popularity of 120 film. Student designer Linna Xu says "the design of this package reintroduces and encourages the use of analog film technologies. The reusable packaging of the film functions as a pinhole camera, which provides individuals with a way of exploring analog photography without the cost of having to buy an old medium format camera. It also re-introduces a mindset and manner of working that is completely different from that which comes with fast-paced digital imaging technologies." Not only is this piece innovative and fun, but it's very well thought out. This is a package I wouldn't want to throw away. Good job Linna!

Stay tuned for more of the latest in packaging design from Charlotte Advertising agency birdsong gregory at birdsonggregory.com!