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.