WEEK 9 - Fall 2010

Presentation : Branding
We had a branding presentation by Mike Weikert. He did an overview of what branding is and how it differs from identity. We had a lively discussion about brands after his presentation, specifically how each of us was aware of strong brands that had eroded due to neglence [BP brand problems,  BP:branding petroleum], brands that were enduring despite costs [Apple it's all about the brand], and brands that evoked public outcry [redesign of GAP logo]. We also discussed branding on local levels, less mega-corporate branding and how that relates to the individual entrepreneur.


Everyone was given handouts to prepare for the presentation including m Alina Wheeler's Brand Ideals and Process from her book Designing Brand Identity published by John Wiley & Sons, © Alina Wheeler, 2005. See the Readings sidebar for this book and others on branding to learn more.

Want to make some brand comparisons or read about what makes their brand work?
Apple and Lady Gaga
Apple and Google
Apple Labels [unrelated, but fun ;-)]


Last, we discussed how each week students must bring in their projects and Lab sketchbooks: mood boards, sketches, prototypes, no exceptions. Work-in-progress can also be shown on your laptop. 

HOMEWORK: Continue working on your projects, revise your project or schedule to finish before Art Market and prepare for next weeks guest David Hart.


The next ArtMarket meeting is mandatory, Wednesday November 3, Brown 320 at 2:30

WEEK 7 & 8

Week 7 : Mid-term individual crits were done in class. Any materials that needed reworking were collected [revamped proposals or Letterpress demo work]. The class looks like it is on-track generally for completing their projects. Some students may need to put the pedal down to get it all done. We discussed individual strategies for getting it all done, adapting directions, etc.

HOMEWORK : Read the branding handouts given out at the end of class. Some material is from Mike Weikert who will visit the class in Week 9, some is from Alina Wheeler, the Philadelphia branding expert. If you are really interested in branding, I'd suggest her book! Read this material throughly, reread it. Using this information, create a draft of your Brand Assessment. Pls have this typed to hand in. In Week 9, Mike Weikert will do a Branding Workshop and look at your project with an eye toward how well you thinking on your brand represents your project. Mike has worked as a brand focused designer for many years and is the Director of the MICA Center for Design Practice. Pls bring your work in to-date. This presentation and review will take a majority of the class time. Links to Branding information will be posted before the end of this week. Pls check it again for add'l info on branding.

Week 8 : Fall Break

HOMEWORK : Continue working on your project.

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE? Take a look at some of the past projects done for The Lab! More will be posted in days to come, but for now, enjoy these three books:

ELIZABETH GRAEBER'S "Second Monday at Noon" Recipe Book:

SIMONE THORNTON'S Sketchbook Anthology with screenprinted stickers:

HALI MALTSBERGER "Sleep" Book with accompanying CD:

 

During the semester we will visit small creative businesses including SQUIDFIRE, ATOMIC POP and DOUBLE DUTCH. They will give you insights into their beginnings and backstories. They'll also give you valuable advice about your project.

This is from our visit to Squidfire one year:

And our Letterpress demo with Kyle Van Horn:

And we'll have class visits including a workshop on branding with MIKE WEIKERT. Let's get started!