Live brief - image consultants

For one of my live briefs I have been re designing a logo and stationary pack for an Image Consultants.

I have managed to get hold of the previous image, which they were looking to change for two reasons. Firstly, the image looks a little dated but most importantly, they are now in the UK and need business cards etc., made for the UK market.

I first re designed the card last summer, but the client has since decided to adapt that design for something more subtle. I am looking to change the typeface and overall layout, keeping only the silhouette. It will be posted as soon as its finished!

Peugeot Re brand

Not a car enthusiast myself but I spotted that Peugoet have re branded themselves with a new logo.

It's not often that a huge multinational company does this, and even less so considering the current financial climate but it is to celebrate 200 years of the brand.

The logo is strong but what I particularly like is the typeface they have chosen. I'm not sure what typeface it is, probably developed for Peugeot. It's very smooth and elegant, moving away from the chunky more awkward style of before. This, for me, is the most interesting and important part of the design.

It's certainly modern and fresh looking, but will it work?

In love with Lynda

I was told about this site in a recent tutorial, and then again during our flash re-cap class. It is fantastic!

At the moment I have only completed some of the free tutorials but I will be signing up soon for some intensive courses.

I know my software skills need improving and although the Vis Com course has taught me loads about design (Grids, layouts, typography, colour etc) I don't think they've taught enough software skills. Of course, the argument is that students should use their own initiative to discover more and develop their own skills, and whilst I agree with this, I think the course could have done better than 2 x 1 hour lessons on Photoshop and Illustrator in the first year. And lets not mention the infamous Flash lessons!

Anyway, this is exactly what I've been looking for. An invaluable way of learning, and as someone who likes to learn visually, for me, it's perfect. I really feel I can now put all the theory of my course together with the practical skills from Lynda.com to push my skill set as a designer.

A wise investment?

A little bird told me that this book is an absolute beauty. A real essential for anyone in design. The grid is the most important yet least visible part of design. I felt like I could do with a little help in this area so I decided to invest. It's apparently quite hard to find, so when I saw it at the bargain price of *cough £36 cough* I grabbed it.

I'd like to say I found in a small independent shop in London, at the back of a dusty bookshelf, patiently waiting for me. But I didn't. It's not a very romantic way to buy books, but you can't beat Amazon for prices!

Looking forward to delivery.

More Panda For Ya

Stationary pack for Panda On A Bike is coming along nicely.

This is an early draft for some headed paper. We decided to not over cook it too much as it can look a bit desperate, like we are trying too hard.

Simple and clean was the idea and I think we are pretty much there. The type at the bottom needs to come down a couple of point sizes (currently 12pt) and the postcode is actually incorrect! We are thinking of putting a watermark of the logo in the centre of the page too, but it could look too busy.

Typeface is Myriad Pro for both the logo and for the address details.
Colours are:
Green: Pantone 13-0650
Grey: C:49 M:40 Y:44 K:5
Both at 90% Opacity

Panda graphic is 100% black at 85 % opacity

We will get some trial prints done next week before completing a compliments slip.

PPRD - Panda a go go

I recently met with my friend to start designing the logo and stationary pack for Panda On A Bike (POAB). He wants the logo to be literal, so he actually wants it to show a panda on a bike - shame as I wanted it to be typographical only but I got over ruled. That's what creative directors do.

So I went away and came up with some early ideas.

I went back to show him and found that he had already bagged a client for an advertising job. Good news and bad news. Good news; it's a client. Bad news for me because it's a TV advert and therefore no graphic design needed to be completed. Bad news also because we need to send them an invoice for the time that we (the royal we) have spent doing it. Which means no more messing about in Illustrator with the logo, we have to go with what we've got, which is ok as we're both happy with it. I am now trying to get all my Uni work done for the hand in this Friday, and produce a stationary pack (or at least an invoice sheet) as soon as I can. No stress then.

The final logo will look something like this.

PPRD - Brief

I was asked recently to go into business with a friend of mine who works in advertising and wants to start his own advertising agency. He has asked me to be the designer and to work with him on any future projects he gets.

My first task is to design a logo which will then be used on business cards, letter heads etc., and also on a website. He has asked me to come up with some ideas for the website too, templates and designs with a view to building it for real next year.

The agency is called "Panda on a bike" and I have already met with him a couple of times to discuss early ideas of what he's looking for and will post any future meetings and outcomes here.