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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. 

 

There are more trends you can read about at logolounge.com, but of these select few, what do you think? We tend to have a negative connotation with the word "trend", but in the article Bill Gardner says that we should consider trends to be a report of where logo design is headed. Studying trends can help reveal our growth, and thus allows us to move further. What's your take? Let us know what you think about these growing trends. Really… the good, the bad and the ugly. birdsong gregory wants to know!

To learn more about our Charlotte Advertising Agency, and Charlotte Graphic Design visit our website at birdsonggregory.com!

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! 

 

To get more tips and learn more about our Charlotte Advertising Agency, stay tuned here each week, and check us out online at birdsonggregory.com. 

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!

Most designers I know have an intense love for typography. I am no exception. The fact that I'm a combination designer and illustrator might give you a hint as to the kind of typography that really gets me excited. Hand drawn, ornamental, and illustrated typography. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE clean and simple type, but deep down there's just a yearning for the whimsy and fun that illustrative type brings to the table. I was doing my usual search for new inspiration and came across this beautiful alphabet by designer Jeanie Nelson. The delicious color palette, witty imagery, and unique illustration style is enough to draw anyone in, non-designers included. The design is charming and alluring not only because of its pineapples, mermaids, dragons, and panda bears, but also because it pays tribute to historical ornamental typography from a fresh and modern perspective. Perhaps this is a project I'll have to tackle myself. birdsong gregory fans stay tuned.
 

As the newest addition to Birdsong Gregory, I felt it appropriate to start off my blog by sharing one of my more recent and most interesting resources for graphic design from my design library. Naive: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design, a recent release from Gestalten, is full of strong design and beautiful illustration. It explores the "extraordinary renaissance of Classic Modernism, from the 1940s to 1960s in contemporary graphic design" by compiling and showcasing recent work from designers who are working in this style. I give the book the official design nerd stamp of approval and I continue to be captivated by the work it contains. We at Birdsong Gregory are always keeping our eyes open for inspirational gems like this one, so be sure to stay tuned for other recommendations.