Pattern Pulp

Book Review: Brand Thinking




We live in a world with over one hundred brands of bottled water. The United States alone is home to over 45,000 shopping malls. And there are more than 19 million customized beverage choices a barista can whip up at your local Starbucks. Whether it’s good or bad, the real question is why we behave this way in the first place. Why do we telegraph our affiliations or our beliefs with symbols, signs, and codes?

Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits, by designer extraordinaire Debbie Millman, contains twenty interviews with the world’s leading designers and thinkers in branding. The interviews contain spirited views on how and why humans have branded the world around us, and the ideas, inventions, and insight inherent in the search. The style and format of the book make this an interesting, informative, fun and thoroughly thought provoking read that design and branding lovers, newbies, and information junkies alike are sure to find enjoyable. Images via Core77

 

October 28, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Fingerprint




When we first realized we could use technology to bend design, we all went crazy. After years spent in front of computer screen, a backlash has occurred, as a growing number of designers have been opting out of the digital territory for craftier aspirations.

Fingerprint: The Art of Using Hand-Made Elements in Graphic Design documents this change, showcasing a variety of designers that possess the versatility, variety and quality that can be acquired from tangible art. Pick up a copy and you may just be inspired to grab your pen, pencil or paintbrush.

 

March 18, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Debbie Millman




Debbie Millman has been in the design business for 25 years and has a lot to show for it. She’s worked on the redesign of Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, Campbell’s, Colgate, Nestle and Hasbro at Sterling Brands where she is now president of the design division. She’s also president of the professional association for design, otherwise known as AIGA, as well as a contributing editor to Print Magazine, a design writer for FastCompany.com, Brand New and Chair of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts. She’s written three books on the subject of graphic design and has a weekly talk show where she interviews the best and brightest in the field.

With all of this, Millman still manages to design and illustrate as well as scoot around the country for speaking events. She also manages to keep up with a popular twitter feed where you can stay abreast on the very busy happenings in Millman’s life. Hear about all the good design and interesting news around the world in addition to her own quips on any and everything design.

March 10, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
On Instagram.