Box Creative

As I am visiting New York in November I thought that now would be a prime time to contact design agencies over there for their opinions on portfolio design and look at how they show their work on websites ect.

I came across a company called Box Creative, I was almost immediately taken in by the design of the website, it is very animated and although sometimes this can be a bit too " in your face" this one works well especially with the type of design work that they do.

I emailed over to Box creative and got a speedy response.


Here is what I sent over....


Here is the reply I received....


I can take alot out of the feedback I received about what to look at in the sense of a portfolio. Although Andy has aimed it more on a digital version of a portfolio. I get the impression a lot of agencies at the moment prefer this type of interaction rather than face to face with a physical portfolio. Being minimal is a main part of a succesful portfolio I find, as it shows your own work alot better.

I am going to try and stay in contact with Box Creative as I have liked the feedback I have got and I enjoyed looking through their website.

Wash Your Hands

I am currently working on a collaborative project at University for NHS awareness. The Brief is to make people aware how fast germs are spread especially on the hands. After doing lists and lists of words associating with things that you associate with germs, infections, hands and washing, then we thought about taking the words out of the norm and collecting words such as dangerous and violent. I find thinking of word lists is the best thing to do when you come to a mind block.

I have found this poster which I think is very effective. It has a sort of shock factor which is effective in this sort of advertisement.

After seeing this poster me and Amy ( the person I am working with) have decided that something we can associate with and also have a shock factor interlinked with the main idea would be the most effective. The idea needs to be flexible and should be able to be used in a variety of different medias. A good idea can be shown easily and effectively but a great idea can be shown again and again over different medias and be just as effective.

We are currently in the proccess of getting our ideas finalized.

An Exciting Showcase of 2009 Logo Trends

Every year the world goes through different trends, this is included in design and also in newly designed logos. I came across a website, Graphic Design Blog. This blog had documented new trends and logos that were predicted to come out of 2009, I found it very interesting.

1 # Classic Modernism Since late 2008, classic modernism is adapted once again. It shows some of the logos which convey the company name and message without portraying or saying much. At times it might seem complicated but designers always try it happily.
2 # Typographic Logos Typographic logos can never fade from the designer’s list of desisning elements as they are too attractive to miss. These logos consistently demonstrate definite message of a company with manners and purity.
3 # Psychedelic Pop Backgrounds These logos are believed to be an outcome of a romantic counter culture. Nowadays 1960s psychedelic background patterns are mixed with contemporary shapes to stir mood and emotion in the viewer.
4 # Puzzle Patterns As mostly new designers have no definite designing rules they try using complex vector graphics to intentionally veer away from the rules. These logos might seem appealing but their complexity make you ponder over them for a longer period.
5 # Arabesque Calligraphy makes the soul of a logo echo, especially Arabic calligraphy. With ample of harmony and connectivity, Arabesque logos are always appreciated. The Arabesque solution is the answer to a designer’s desire for uniqueness.
6 # Pictograms Sometimes we need the logos to be designed like a problem solving process. Strong trend is witnessed towards integrating meaningful icons which have the ability to convey the essential values of the brand, its message and its market position.
7 # Tactile Tactile means relating to touch or invoking the sense of touch and these logos present the material which can be touched. This process is a huge challenge even for the most experienced graphic designers as they have to work with a preferred software which allows them the traditional tasks of cutting, painting and pasting.
8 # 80’s Geometry This trend was introduced in 80’s with the only purpose of capturing viewer’s attention. Monster-like geometrical logos are mostly used by aggressive and self-centered companies to shout in today’s over-saturated market.
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9 # Origami Origami-based logos are a good choice for corporate monograms. Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper, but the goal is to use small folds and creases to bring about delicate and intricate objects. For such logos designers have to put in lot of effort and time.
10 # Street Art Street Art brings handmade graphics to mind, with hints of urbanism. When designers want to come up with something original and trendy, they opt for street art which we always find around.

I find it interesting how it can be predicted what is to come out of a year - purely in design. I found number 9 very interesting as I can relate to this logo as I did a piece of design work for a paper mechanics convention on one of my briefs but they have used this paper folding technique for a logo that obviously has nothing to do with the subject. (milky bar)