London Underground: A Classic Brand Identity

Today Google paid tribute to 150 Years of the London Underground with a doodle of the infamous underground map. The map and the branding of the underground are British institutions. Classics of design that tell a story of the development of our visual culture. Frank Pick In his role as publicity officer of the Underground […]

The Phaidon Archive of Graphic Design

The archive is a boxed compendium of 500 cards featuring some of the greatest pieces of graphic design from around the world. Covering a broad scope of design including logos and brand identity design, books, magazines, newspapers, posters, advertisements, typefaces, album covers and motion graphics from over 300 graphic designers. As well as the expected […]

The Expense of Cheap Design

If it’s really cheap, you’re probably paying too much. What I mean here is that a very low fee say under £300 in the UK, for a logo design means that the designer is almost certainly not doing much work for that money. A client came to me recently with a well established equine business. […]

Horrible Design – A Halloween Special

Monsters, Inc Logo – Pixar What a brilliant logo the Monsters, Inc one is. Simple and clever, it’s just another example of the level of detail and consideration that goes into Pixar’s work. Great to hear that Pixar are making a prequel that will be out next year! American Werewolf in London – Olly Moss […]

Design Icons: Paula Scher

It took me a few seconds to draw it, but it took me 34 years to learn how to draw it in a few seconds – Paula Scher Today I’d like to to celebrate another design hero of mine. Paula Scher. Not only blessed with great talent and insight, she is an wonderful communicator who […]

15 Great Examples of Data Visualisation

Over the last few years data has been turboboosted with the evolution of the infographic. Although data visualisation is nothing new, this aspect of graphic design has leapt forward of late with ever more elegant and masterful solutions being devised. Here are some examples of great infographics. The Power of Pinterest An insight into […]

Infographics: Graphic Design for Data

Was surprised to see graphic design featured on Newsnight recently with a discussion on data visualisation. Although it was great to see it covered on mainstream news, the debate could maybe have better expressed the benefits of well presented data. What is an infographic? There’s nothing more boring than data. Unless your’e an economist or an accountant, most […]

Design Icons: Alan Fletcher

“Design is what happens between conceiving an idea and fashioning the means to carry it out.” Today is the birthday of legendary graphic designer Alan Fletcher (1931 – 2006). This post is my own little tribute to a designer who has provided inspiration to so many designers in so many ways. As graphic designers go, […]