Michael Bierut talks about Why the Obama "Brand" Is Working

Let's be honest. Barack Obama is not on the verge of clinching the Democratic nomination because of his policy positions--whatever his most evangelical supporters might tell you. If policy was all that mattered this year, Hillary Clinton would've won five or six of the last 11 contests instead of losing them all. When it comes to specifics, there's simply not that much space between the candidates.

Obama's success owes a lot, of course, to his message--the promise to pass Democratic policies by rallying a "coalition for change." But watching Obamamania over the past few weeks, I've become convinced that there's something more subtle at work, too. It's not just the message and the man and the speeches that are swaying Democratic voters--though they are. It's the way the campaign has folded the man and the message and the speeches into a systemic branding effort. Reinforced with a coherent, comprehensive program of fonts, logos, slogans and web design, Obama is the first presidential candidate to be marketed like a high-end consumer brand.* And for folks who don't necessarily need Democratic social programs--upscale voters, young people--I suspect that the novel comfort of that brand affiliation contributes (however subconsciously) to his appeal.

Seeking expert opinion, I tested my hypothesis on leading graphic designer and critic Michael Bierut, who was kind enough to dissect Obama's unprecedented branding campaign--and show me how it's helping his candidacy. Excerpts:
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Nice Malibu

From The Dieline. Please check out more....

With the growing popularity of street art, people are constantly transforming everyday objects into pieces of art. Curated by La MJC, liquor company Malibu is coming out with the Pop & Street Art Series, featuring unique bottle designs by Delta, So-Me, and James Jarvis. There will only be 100 individually numbered bottles for each design and sold exclusively at colette.

Before you ask for an infographic

Original post by Forum4editors

Chiqui Esteban, infographic journalist at Spain’s Publico, offers his ten advices for editors and writers who ask for a graphic to tell their story.

Publico is an youngest daily newspaper in Spain. It has been launched in September 2007.

Esteban is a well known expert on visual story telling. He has been a consultant to the Innovations Media Consulting Group. Examples of his works are available at News Page Designer website.

On his blog ”Infographics news” he offers an excerpt from a ”little handbook” that his team has written for Publico’s editors and reporters.

”Many of [these advices] are extensible to the general journalism, but sometimes we must make visible that infographics are journalistic products. At least, those on newspapers,” explains Esteban.

!!!Here just a list. For details!!! go to his blog.

1. Infographics are information, not decoration: Graphics are not to make pages more beautiful.
2. Information in the graphic gives the size of it: We must not make the layout and then ask for the graphic.
3. If you wouldn’t do it with the text, you can’t do it with the graphic: Data on graphics can’t be less rigourous than in the text.
4. Graphics are not made for those who don’t want to read: We don’t have smart readers who read the texts and fools who looks at the graphics.
5. Do not repeat the data on graphic and text: If you have nothing to tell apart form the data on the graphic maybe you don’t need a text.
6. Quality of the infographics depends on information and time: Information for graphics is like the screenplay for a film.
7. Say no to the big reports culture: It’s not unusual to have big mountains of papers with reports of some enterprise or institution. and they are usually full of little graphics.
8. Graphics must be visual: Graphics are not not texts + photos. Texts and photos are texts and photos.
9. Go for the good ones: Sometimes the big topic of the day doesn’t need a graphic.
10. Trust the infographic journalist: when an infographic journalist tells you to have the infographic smaller or even not making a graphic is not because he doesn’t want to work.

Perfection is Pointless: Tips to help The Creative perfectionist

From http://www.spoonfeddesign.com

A lot of highly creative designers have one big problem: perfection. Perfection is both unproductive and pointless. Why? If you spend all of your time trying to get your work exactly the way you envision it, you’re just wasting your time. For the most part, your final piece will be different from your original idea. Trying to focus on elements of your work that aren’t perfect is a bad way of working.

Here are a few tips/things to keep in mind to help you to stop your urge to be perfect:

1. Ask Other People’s Opinion

If you think your work isn’t perfect, you have to look at it in a different way. The best tactic for doing this is through other people. Go ask some other people what they think of your work. Take their advice or criticism into consideration.

2. You Don’t Know Until You Try

If you are continually putting something off because you don’t think it’s finished or perfect, just go for it. If your client isn’t satisfied, take their comments and make changes.

3. Trial and Error

You usually won’t get it right the first time, but don’t give up. Keep trying, and new ideas will come.

4. Get Inspired

If you are hesitant about a deign you are working on and you absolutely know you need to add something, then spend some time looking at other work for inspiration. You will eventually have an idea or find out what your design needs.

5. Focus on What’s Important

Instead of focusing on the tiny details that only you will notice, focus on the big picture. Think about the image your work is promoting, and ask yourself if your design expresses that image.

6. Only You Will Notice the Small Imperfections

This isn’t always true, but it sometimes may apply. Either way, it is still good to keep in mind.

7. Allow New Ideas

Sometimes, we will shut down a new idea because we think it isn’t perfect for a project. Well, just try it anyway, you may love it. If you don’t allow new ideas, you may miss out on some very big opportunities.

8. Remember Nothing is Perfect

I know that is a cliche, but it is totally true. You can achieve excellence but still not be perfect.

9. Be Positive and Optimistic

Having a positive and bright outlook will help you to overcome your urge for perfection.

10. Keep Goals

Instead of working to the design you imagined, work toward an overall goal for the job. Think of what you want to achieve, and work toward it. Don’t focus on the details too much, and be happy when you have achieved your goal. Also, setting deadlines can help with your goals.

11. If All Else Fails

If you can’t possibly get over the fact that your work isn’t completely the way you want it to be, take a break. Move on to a new project or just do something else for a little while.

Share Your Ideas

Please, we would love to hear them.

Vintage and Retro Typography Showcase

Here are beautiful examples of vintage typography find out more....

Kerning tips

TypeTalk is a regular blog on typography. Post your questions and comments by clicking on the Comments icon above. If Ilene answers your question in the blog, you'll receive one Official Creativepro.com T-Shirt!

Q. Kerning is a black art I have yet to get my head around. How much is too much? Is it purely visual or can it be mathematical?

A. Kerning is the adjustment of space between two specific characters. While there usually are hundreds of kern pairs built into a font, sometimes you have to make manual kern adjustments -- mostly to display type -- to balance out the negative spaces between some letter combinations.

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Part 1: the Basic Principles.

Part 2: The Series on Kerning