Pattern Pulp

Patterns & Branding in 2014




Branding Round Up 2014

Successful branding almost always weaves in a notable texture to accompany the logo. It sets a subconscious and relatable vibe. Here are a few fun collaborations, product lines and branding exercises of note. Enjoy!

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1. Neon Trees’ pattern-tastic music video, Sleeping with a Friend.

2. When Missoni met Converse and they made beautiful kicks together.

3. Piol’s made to measure banner tanagrams.

4. The Phillips Gallery through the lens of camo & instagram.

5. Safari Sundays’ shape shifting brand video.

6. Shoes and body paint with Janine Rewell x Minna Parikka.

7. Buried in Blackberry email. Using repetition as messaging.

8. Bugaboo taps Warhol for their strollers.

9. Polkka Jam expands to calendars, bedding, table wear and paper goods.

10. Truck Club’s ingenious patterned suitcase boxes.

Branding: Examining Trunk Club




3trunk club1trunk club2trunk clubIn New York, you move a lot. I’ve packed my bags eight times in the past 12 years. It’s sort of funny, every time I look at my credit report, I oddly get nostalgic. The list of addresses laid out ever so clearly, mark the timeline of my personal and professional evolution. With moving, comes mail. Lots of mail. Your mail, past tenant’s packages, your neighbor’s coupons… I’m actually amazed that everything important (except for a tax return or two) has found it’s way to me over the years.

Yesterday, I got a mailer from Trunk Club – which was addressed to the previous tenant. Before tossing it into recycling, as I don’t typically don’t shop for men’s clothing, I was drawn to the pattern, and, to the velvet-smooth paper stock.

Trunk Club as a brand is an interesting concept, one that a few players are experimenting with these days. I listened to a bit about it on NPR two weeks ago, and was amused by the feedback from the male office reporters. Women have softened to the concept of clothing showing up weekly through Rent the Runway and same day shipping from Net-a-Porter and M.M. Lafleur, but this idea of a stylist sending you items that will most likely fit is a cool time saver.

The heritage look and feel of the pattern is great- the imperfect dotted line drew me in. It’s also an innovative way to play up the box’s strengths. I’m down with this packaging and curious who’s behind it- does anyone know?

 

Repetition Elsewhere: Patterns as Branding




I’ve been on the pattern-as-branding bandwagon for a while. When a company embraces a creative style, then infuses their branding, a la Hotel La Amada, the results can be more interesting than simply reusing a logo.

Christina Binkley expressed a similar sentiment in this weekend’s cover story for the WSJ’s Off Duty section, with the subtitle, “Prints of all shapes and sizes are replacing logos as a new way to signal a brand’s identity.”

It’s refreshing to cast a light on this part of the industry. Patterns in product development are a tremendous business, as is forecasting – from fashion to bedding to beauty packaging to digital experience, I could go on- textures are mood enhancing and tribe specific and something I’ve buried my nose in for the past 8 years. If you have a moment, be sure to have a look, it’s an interesting read.

 

How color influences what we buy, make & feel




As color lovers who also happen to be interested in the science and theory behind behavior, spotting Colour Hunting: How Colour Influences What We Buy, Make and Feel on the shelf at our local bookstore immediately made us giddy. Touching upon everything from the frescoes and textiles of ancient civilizations to the haute couture and digitally created architecture of today, we discover that color not only plays a vital role in our visual experiences, but also subconsciously shapes our actions.

In the first chapter, “Commerce” (buying/ selling), experts cast a light on color trends and dissect the use of color in brand messaging. The following chapter, “Aesthetics” (making), offers insight into the conceptual use of color, as well as the challenges and techniques entailed when applying color to a wide range of materials. The relationship between body, mind and color forms the focus of the ‘Wellbeing’ (feeling) chapter.

Facts about color are interspersed throughout the book, tracing back to cultures throughout the globe. Additionally there are interviews with well-known professionals, including Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute, Louisa Hutton of Sauerbruch Hutton Architects, Hella Jongerius and Liz Griffiths of Missoni. Pick this up for yourself or your favorite color fiend.

 

Carrie Ruby




A true a graphic jack of all trades, native Houstonian and current Manhattanite Carrie Ruby has been a part of the creative team at Future Brand, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, The Brand Union and MBLM. For anyone who’s familiar with the world of branding, they’ll understand that a brand must represent quality, consistency and a good degree of uniqueness. All of these qualities are evident in Ruby’s pattern work. Be it sharp vector repeats or organic negative space, each and every layout is distinctively fresh. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into Ruby’s daily routine!

Book Review: D&AD 2011




As 2011 heads steadily toward the New Year, people start to think about the holidays and review the past twelve months. With that in mind, for this week’s book review we have up for offer D&AD 2011, which feature’s the year’s best creative work. The D&AD awards panel judges over 20,000 works from design studios, ad agencies, branding consultancies, film production agencies, digital media pioneers, and other creative firms from all over the globe. Winners receive the legendary D&AD Yellow Pencil Award—or in the case of exceptional and outstanding work, the rare Black Pencil Award. This review of the winners serves as a one-stop-shop for everything that’s hot in the field. Anyone interested in creativity, communication, design, or advertising would love to have D&AD Annual for their coffee tables and book shelves.

 

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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