Here's a look at another chapter from my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brandsThe above is just one spread of the Vancouver Aquarium identity re-design and rebranding effort, submitted for the book project by the firm Subplot Design.
Identity Crisis! is available at your local bookstores and online.
Image used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.
© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives
Congratulations to Sayles Graphic Design for their Grand Prize win in Dynamic Graphics' initial Re:Design competition, which is featured in the publication's December 2007 issue. The firm's rebranding of The Des Moines Playhouse is also one of 50 identity redesign case studies featured in the book Identity Crisis!. The Sayles redesign of the P.E.O. International Sisterhood identity is another Identity Crisis! feature.
Here's another sneak peek at my upcoming book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands
The above is a second spread from the Toppers Pizza identity re-design and rebranding case study from Shine Advertising Co.. The opening spread of the client's project was posted in Identity Crisis! teaser No. 6.
Future Identity Crisis! blog entries will additional visual teasers and related book news. Look for the book on your bookstore shelves this fall.
Image: Copyright © 2007 Jeff Fisher • Used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.
At times major national and international corporations will have very public identity crises. Last year, along with Howard Belk of Siegel+Gale and Bill Gardner of Gardner Design (and LogoLounge), I was asked to comment on a variety of logo redesigns for a Fortune magazine article with the title "Logo-Licious or Lame." Our comments on the identities of Kodak, Intel, Sprint & AT&T were published in the magazine and online.In addition to a great foreward by Jack Anderson of Hornall Anderson, "words of wisdom" from leaders in the design industry, and identity redesigns from contributers around the world, my book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands includes my expanded comments on the new logos of those major corporations. My reviews of the Quark, UPS, Unilever, USA Network and Visa revamps are also featured.
Yes, each time I see the latest USA Network logo I still see images of male genitalia...
Image: Article from February 2006 Fortune magazine.
Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I have been announcing the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.
Here is the fifth, and final, installment of ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:
Canton Crossing
Round2 Communications (now R2i) • Baltimore,, MD USA
Mayhem Studios
Mayhem Studios • Los Angeles, CA USA
Vancouver Aquarium
Subplot Design Inc. • Vancouver, BC Canada
Frivole Couture
Breathewords • Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
The Boyd Center for Integrative Health
b-design • San Diego, CA USA
Murray's Jewelers
nHarmony, Inc. • Muncie, IN USA
Weyerhaeuser Company - iLevel
Hornall Anderson Design Works • Seattle, WA USA
Slipstream Design
Modern Dog Design Co. • Seattle, WA USA
Sigma Chi
Brainforest, Inc. • Chicago, IL USA
American Technion Society
Shapiro Design Associates Inc. • Irvington, NY USA
I will continue to use the Identity Crisis! blog to post some additional visual teasers, and other related news items and notes. The book is scheduled for a September release.
Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I am announcing the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.
Here is the fourth installment of ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:
Outward Bound
Identityworks • Rye, NY USA
Connacher Design • Stamford, CT USA
Vita Cafe
Fullblast, Inc • Portland, OR USA
Washington Conservation Guild
CC Graphic Design • Salt Lake City, UT USA
Joffrey Ballet
Avenue Marketing & Communications • Chicago, IL USA
Intelligent Creatures
3 Dogz Creative Inc. • Toronto, ONT Canada
The Des Moines Playhouse
Sayles Graphic Design • Des Moines, IA USA
Central Florida West
Advertising By Design • Minneola, FL USA
Union Square Partnership
Shapiro Design Associates Inc. • Irvington, NY USA
Schellin Grounds Maintenance
angryporcupine*design • Park City, UT USA
Energias de Portugal
MyBrand • Lisbon, Portugal
I will soon post the final list of contributors on the Identity Crisis! blog - and will continue relaying other related news items and notes. The book is scheduled for a September release.
Here's yet another sneak peek at my upcoming book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brandsThe above is just one spread of the Toppers Pizza identity re-design and rebranding effort, submitted for the book project by Shine Advertising Co.
Upcoming Identity Crisis! blog entries will include lists of other contributors selected to appear in the book, more visual teasers and related book news. The book is currently at the printer. Look for it on your bookstore shelves this fall.
Image: Copyright © 2007 Jeff Fisher • Used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.
Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I will announce the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.
Here is the third group of ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:
Vickie Lea Designs, Inc.
RDQ (Rdqlus Design Quantum) • Omaha, NE USA
Ruby Receptionists
Sockeye Creative • Portland, OR USA
Los Angeles Mission
Graphicwise, Inc • Irvine, CA USA
Software Spectrum
MasonBaronet • Dallas, TX USA
Ecos Consulting
Fullblast, Inc. • Portland, OR USA
Space Needle
Hornall Anderson Design Works • Seattle, WA USA
Oregon Department of Forestry
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives • Portland, OR USA
CHUMS
Fullblast, Inc. • Portland, OR USA
Pier 39 Steakhouse and Winery
Graphicwise, Inc • Irvine, CA USA
Portland State University
Sockeye Creative • Portland, OR USA
Over the next few weeks I will post additional contributors to Identity Crisis!, as well as other news and notes. The book is scheduled for a September release.
Quite a few individuals have asked - in person, on design forums and via email - how the case studies were selected for Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands. I thought I would explain the process a bit.My original book proposal to HOW Design Books expressed my desire to have Identity Crisis! present identity redesigns from firms of all sizes, covering a wide range of client types, and representing as many countries as possible. The initial concept was to introduce 100 redesign solutions. From the beginning I felt that might not allow for sufficient representation of the projects to be selected. However, it was a good starting point.
Rather than present an open "call for entries" for the book, I hoped I could get a great cross-section of the design community and project types by inviting specific designers and firms to participate in the project. Over 200 email invitations were sent out to potential case study submitters around the world.
My list was compiled from a variety of sources. A few of the invitations went out to those who had participated in my first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success. Others invited were designers with whom I had connected through online design forums and at industry conferences. I was familiar with the identity work of other firms through reading magazine articles or design blogs. I was introduced to the work of a number of firms through Jocelyn Luciano, the Executive Director of the Summit Creative Awards - for which I have been a judge three times. Alina Hagen's Graphic Makeovers column at Creative Latitude made me aware of the work of some individuals.
After the invitations went out, some recipients responded immediately with regrets of being unable to participate due to prior commitments or current workloads. About half contacted me with intentions to submit case studies for consideration. There were a few I never heard from at all.
As the submissions began to arrive, I found that my original goals and desires for the book were being met. Work was submitted by large international firms and one-person home based studios. Clients represented included retail operations, educational facilities, service industries, products, nonprofit organizations, restaurants, government agencies and more. Projects to be considered included simple identity redesigns, website makeovers only, and full-blown rebranding efforts. My only disappointment was that, in the end, there were only submissions from six countries.
In the middle of the book process the decision was made to limited the case study number to 50 and give some of the projects greater exposure. The change actually allowed for some redesigns to be explained in much greater detail - while not eliminating a few smaller projects with which many designers, and other book readers, might be able to relate.
Projects were weeded out by myself, my editor Amy Schell and book designer Grace Ring. Some projects were chosen immediately for inclusion due to the explanation of the design process, the visual impact of the finished results and the quality of the graphic materials submitted. Other design efforts just fit well into my original hopes for the book. Some, intrigued us enough to request additional materials to support a great identity redesign. Those designers and firms who followed "the rules" in making their submission were always given serious consideration.
(I do think that following the submission guidelines, and production specifications, for any design competition or book submission request would be a great topic for a future magazine or blog article. It's amazing to me the number of firms who didn't follow "the rules." Artwork was often submitted in formats and resolutions that could not be used. The briefs of some projects were so poorly written that they made no sense. Contact and credit information was incorrect. A few contributors never responded to requests for additional text or illustrative materials. In some cases, the required permission forms weren't signed. Such things made for a very annoyed and cranky author. "Babysitting" designers is not fun - especially for another designer.)
I am very pleased with the end result - especially for a book project that was completed in just over one year. I hope those who have work included will appreciated the time and effort that went into presenting their projects in the best light. When the book is released this fall, I also hope that readers will find it a valuable resource as they tackle identity redesign projects of their own.
Illustration: Original "Identity Crisis!" invitation/specifications form.
Here's another sneak peek at my upcoming book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brandsThe above is just one spread of the Vancouver Aquarium identity re-design and rebranding effort, submitted for the book project by the firm Subplot Design.
Upcoming Identity Crisis! blog entries will include lists of other contributors selected to appear in the book, more visual teasers and related book news. The book is off to the printer. Look for it on your bookstore shelves this fall.
Image: Copyright © 2007 Jeff Fisher • Used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.
Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I will announce the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.
Here is the second group of ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:
La Baguette
Paragon Integrated Marketing Communications • Salmiya, Kuwait
Enforme Interactive
Octavo Designs • Frederick, MD USA
Union Leasing
Brainforest, Inc. • Chicago, IL USA
Glitschka Studios
Glitschka Studios • Salem, OR USA
Buckfast Organic Bakery/Clive's
biz-R • Totnes, Devon, Great Britain
American Design Awards
Graphicwise, Inc. • Irvine, CA USA
Minturn Inn
b-design • San Diego, CA USA
URBANOS
MyBrand • Lisbon, Portugal
Sheridan's Frozen Lattes and Custard
(See sample layout)
Willoughby Design Group • Kansas City, MO USA
Belle Provence
John Silver Design• Bothell, WA USA
Over the next few weeks I will post additional contributors to Identity Crisis!, as well as other news and notes. The book is scheduled for a September release.
One of the great aspects of writing books about the graphic design industry is having the opportunity to meet people you admire. A few years ago, while writing the book The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, I sought out design career suggestions and advice from many industry leaders. The vast majority responded immediately with "I'd love to contribute to your book."Jack Anderson, Founding Partner and Creative Director of Hornall Anderson Design Works, invited me to interview him personally. As I was going to Seattle about once a month at the time, it was easy to schedule a visit to the company's headquarters. Anderson could not have been more gracious in providing me a bit more than an hour of his time - and giving me a personal tour of the incredible Hornall Anderson office space. (For a look at the firm's home, check out the article by Carmen Pease in the August 2007 issue of HOW Magazine) He also provided some great input for Savvy Designer.
When it came time to select an individual to write the foreward of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands the first person that came to mind was Jack Anderson. The work and reputation of Anderson, and that of the firm Hornall Anderson, made him a natural to provide his thoughts on the topic of clients having an "identity crisis" and needing design expertise in the process of creating a new corporate identity as part of the rebranding process.
The "powers that be" at HOW Design Books were thrilled at the prospect of Anderson writing the foreward of Identity Crisis!. The invitation was extended and readily accepted. I'm grateful for the assistance of Christina Arbini, Public Relations Manager for Hornall Anderson, in coordinating the foreward process and submissions of the firm's additional contributions to the book.
In his writing, Anderson provides excellent advice to the business considering an identity re-design and the designer taking on the challenge. It's a great addition to Identity Crisis!. I'm once again honored to have his participation in a book I've written.
Note: Photo courtesy of Hornall Anderson Design Works
Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I will announce the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.
Here are the first ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:
P.E.O. International Sisterhood
Sayles Graphic Design • Des Moines, IA USA
Toppers Pizza
Shine Advertising Co. • Madison, WI USA
Adige
Studio GT&P • Foligno (PG), Italy
RAM Digital
Octavo Designs • Frederick, MD USA
Brentwood Classics
3 Dogz Creative Inc. • Toronto, ONT Canada
Shared Ownership Homes
Common Sense Design • New Hamburg, ONT Canada
Atlas Economic Research Foundation
CC Graphic Design • Salt Lake City, UT USA
Fagerholm & Jefferson Law Corporation
Mayhem Studios • Los Angeles, CA USA
New Triad for Collaborative Arts
Finamore Design • Brooklyn, NY USA
VanderVeer Center
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives• Portland, OR USA
Over the next few weeks I will post additional contributors to Identity Crisis!, as well as other news and notes. The book is scheduled for an September release.
The actual inspiration for the book was the Graphic Makeovers column at Creative Latitude. Alina Hagen, one of the Creative Latitude management team coordinates that particular feature on the site. I owe her a big "thank you" for graciously telling me to run with the idea for the book. If you have "before and after" design examples to share with Creative Latitude readers, they should be submitted to Alina - through the Graphic Makeovers page - for consideration.
The Dynamic Graphics competition gives participants the chance to have their best redesign work showcased in print. Because entries will be judged according to the quality of the redesign work plus how much improvement it demonstrates, you will need to submit both before and after materials. Entries must be postmarked no later than August 6, 2007. Winners will be notified by September 14, 2007. Winning entries will be published in the December/January 2008 Dynamic Graphics magazine. A maximum of 10 entries will be selected for inclusion. All submissions must have been printed or published for the first time between September 1, 2006, and August 31, 2007.
Additional details, entry fee information and entry forms are available on the magazine's website.
Good luck!
Amazon.com has been accepting pre-orders for some time now through its U.S. website. The pre-release sales are also available through the company's sites in Canada, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and France.
I also noticed that BAMM.com is accepting advanced orders.
My favorite hometown Portland bookstore, Powell's City of Books, is also currently taking pre-orders. Hopefully, I will be able to schedule a book signing at Powells once they have the book in stock.
Do keep an eye on the Identity Crisis! blog, and bLog-oMotives, for future book signings and speaking engagements related to the book.
It's been just about a year since I started writing my new book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands. Yes, it was originally to be "100 redesigns that..." - but mid-project it was decided to reformat things a bit, limiting the book to 50 case studies that would be given even greater attention in the volume.
Writing a book is a frustrating, exhausting, exciting, and incredibly rewarding experience. "Herding" designers from around the world, in such a collaborative process, makes that process even more challenging and interesting.
For me, this project has meant many long nights, many weekends spent writing, too many emails to count, and working vacations - or even more work on business trips - to numerous locations over the past 12 months.
Two weeks ago the proof of the book layout arrived via UPS. It was a great feeling to open the package and see the labor of the past year in a real book format. My editor Amy Schell has done a great job in fine-tuning the text, helping to select the redesigns that are included, and keeping me on track when necessary. Book designer Grace Ring has turned that text, and over 500 graphic images, into a book that should be an excellent resource for any designer taking on a rebranding effort or the client considering a design makeover for their business, organization or product. The book will feature solutions to the identity crisis issues of Mom-and-Pop businesses to major corporations - exhibiting the creative efforts of one-person design shops to some of the most recognized larger firms in the industry.
Over the following week I checked, and double-checked, the book content. Through that process many of those who have contributed projects for the book learned that their work is in the final volume. I do appreciate both your contributions to the book and your patience through the process of writing, editing and designing the book. My pesky emails, questions about text content and requests for addition images have all been in the hope of creating a great book - and putting the work of the featured designers in the best light.
The is now off to press, with a target release date of sometime in October. In the near future I will make an official announcement of the designers, firms and projects that will be featured in the published book.
Thanks again to all who have contributed time, energy, words of wisdom, and case studies for Identity Crisis!. It's time for me to go into design book author "rehab" to recover from the process!
(Note: Thanks to UnBeige for the mention.)
© 2007 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives
