Design Indaba is a wealth of great videos featuring renowned designers and design professionals who discuss the impact design has on society. One of our favorite videos features award-winning graphic designer Michael Bierut in an interview where he talks about the power of logo design, and how simple shapes have come together to create meaning. “What’s fun about logo design, what makes it so interesting, why it holds so much power for all of us is that there is something very primitive about it,” he says. “Many of them are such simple marks. They are not much further evolved than hieroglyphics, or marks on cave walls from millions of years ago.” Alongside that, he considers how logo meanings are determined by an inherent participation from the viewer saying, “a lot of what we see when we look at a logo isn’t happening in the logo, it’s happening in our own […]
An Introduction to SEO
SEO or Search Engine Optimization has done a fine job of making itself a standard tool in the world of online marketing, and rightfully so. As digitally oriented people and with Google being one of the most visited sites in the world, it’s clear that search engines are the bread and butter of any marketing venture. We’ve previously discussed the importance of ranking high on search engines, but with everyone already so well educated on the value and methods of marketing themselves online, it’s become a rat’s race of sorts to get to the top (or at least on the first page). This is where SEO comes in and with a little friendly guidance on optimizing your site to the best of its ability it’s a sure shot to search engine success. Content is King We’re more than familiar with these words by now and when it comes to SEO […]
Trending Logo Designs
When it comes to branding, logos make the world go round. After the foundation of a business has been laid and the wheels of practice start turning, the cardinal aspect of any business is a logo that can help elevate stance. Naturally, logo design has evolved over the years to cater to our growing artistic sensibilities and also for a little healthy competition when vying for attention. With everything so readily available online and being surrounded by a plethora of options on a daily basis, a good impression is key and since we’re always on the lookout for the next new thing in design, here are some logo designs that are having their moment now. Low Polygonal Design Something about polygons just gets us excited and maybe it’s because in our high-def world it’s nice to have something that retains a little abstraction. By reducing graphics into their geometric counterparts, […]
Designing for an Audience
While we’ve tackled the tangible aspects of branding in the form of logo and web design, we haven’t yet touched on the meat and potatoes of any business and their subsequent brand: the target audience. Knowing your audience will affect every executive decision you make for your company. Not only will these people dictate how you run your business but also how you choose to portray it. It’s obvious that a webpage that’s geared towards the construction world won’t have the same effect on teenage girls and vice versa. So how do you determine what kind of design will appeal to your target audience? Like in any relationship, you have to get to know them better. Who is Your Audience? First thing is first, who are even are these people? Hopefully if you’ve started up a business you at least have some inkling, specifically in terms of age, gender and […]
The Art of Typography
Typography is perhaps one of the greatest tools of a designer; and throughout history and within this industry we’ve seen it grow from its basic use as informative type to an art form in itself. Contributing to this growth, as with most things these days, is of course the use of technology and new digital practices that were previously unavailable to us. Now, a good typeface is appreciated in much the same manner as a fine vintage (or is that just us?) so as we look back and ahead at what makes a good typeface and creativity in its design, hopefully we’ll be that much closer to understanding our obsession with it. The Beauty/Ugliness of Typography A good font obviously has to be readable, a better font will have a little bit of personality to play with and the best fonts (like the best Pho) will have a little secret […]
Photography Services at talonX
We’ve welcomed a new member to our creative roster! Photography has joined the talonX family and we’re super eager to get snapping. With years of experience that span across the many facets of the practice itself, read more about our photography services and get ready for your closeup 🙂 Over and out!
Branding as a Cultural Concept
Ije Nwokorie, global CEO of the brand consultancy firm Wolff Olins, is fascinated by the richness of what branding can be. In a video interview from Design Indaba, he considers the commercial, cultural, technological and societal influences behind branding in order to create rich, fulfilling experiences. Discussing the connection between brands and people, he encourages us as designers to accept the reality and embrace the imperfections and use that to create something meaningful.