Design Briefs

Ohio State University owns the word “THE” after battle

The Ohio State University and fashion designer Marc Jacobs have been fighting over “THE” since 2019—both wanted to prominently display the definite article on their own articles of clothing. The university and Marc Jacobs eventually worked to resolve their dispute and found middle ground to both use the word on their garments in August 2021.

Although Jacobs filed for the trademark first, the university—which has formally called itself The Ohio State University since 1878 to stand out from other Ohio schools—won the trademark based on the fact that they have been using the word on their shirts, hats, and other apparel since 2005.

The university’s senior director of media and public relations, Ben Johnson, tells media outlets that “‘THE’ has been a rallying cry” for the institution.

Source: boingboing.net

A home for curious problem solvers

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity aims to equip everyone with the lessons of Ray and Charles Eames, so that anyone can use design to solve problems.

After dynamic design duo Ray and Charles Eames passed away, bits and pieces of their legacy were preserved by family members. Although some of these archival elements have moved into the possession of the Library of Congress, the majority of the heirlooms, including furniture, artworks, and photos, have been saved by the couple’s relatives to form the Eames Collection. Containing thousands of artifacts the Eames Collection is a one-of-a-kind record of the design duo’s extraordinary partnership that encapsulates their unique methodologies and diverse interests. It offers countless examples of their process, and illustrates the lessons we can take from their approach to design.

More information can be found online at: www.eamesinstitute.org

Iconic Apple logo bite explained

The iconic Apple logo bite has been baffling many people. Unlike other brand icons, Apple’s symbol is one of those with the simplest designs—the shape of an apple fruit that has a bite in it. But why did the designer create it this way?

Rob Janoff, the graphic designer behind the iconic Apple logo, finally provided an answer during an interview with Creative Bits.

According to iNews UK’s latest report, many individuals are confused by Apple putting a bite on its logo. Some concluded that the bite in the icon refers to the tech term “byte.”

And others claimed that the bite actually symbolizes Isaac Newton’s story, with him taking a bite of the Apple after the fruit fell near him, leading to the discovery of gravity.

But, Janoff clarified all these speculations. He said all the rumors are interesting. However, none of them are correct.

“I designed it with a bite for scale, so people get that it was an apple not a cherry. Also it was kind of iconic about taking a bite out of an apple,” said the logo designer.

Aside from the iconic bite design, Janoff also shared why the older version of Apple’s symbol was multi-colored. Before it had its silver color, the Apple logo featured six horizontal stripes of different colors. Janoff said that the multi-colored Apple logo was created back in 1977 because the company’s founder, Steve Jobs, liked it that way.

Source: www.techtimes.com

Embracing a flexible work model that keeps everybody happy

In the early days of the pandemic, many organizations swapped one set of rigid work arrangements (come into the office five days a week) for another (go home and stay home). Managers didn’t have to worry about favoring one employee’s scheduling preferences over another.

Today, managers and employees have more options that create the potential for new and productive work arrangements—but also for friction. In a Robert Half survey, four in 10 (41%) marketing and creative professionals said they crave more flexibility in where they work each day. On the other hand, 41% of managers would like to see the team in the office every day, 29% mixing home and office (hybrid) and 30% working remotely full time.

Managers looking at data like this may assume they can’t keep everyone happy. But some teams that have embraced a flexible work model have very nearly achieved just that. Here’s how you can emulate them.

1. Make The Positive Case For Flexibility
2. Determine Your Room For Maneuver
3. Clarify Definitions And Expectations
4. Don’t Favor One Environment Over Another
5. Stay Alert For Proximity Bias
6. Get Creative About Collaboration
7. Hold Inclusive Team Building Sessions

Learn more at tinyurl.com/ucda-flexible
Source: gdusa.com

Strategic Creativity: A Business Field Guide to Advertising, Branding, and Design

By Robin Landa

The secret weapon for business experts to ensure strategically creative results, this is an indispensable field guide to evaluating creative advertising, branding, and design ideas and solutions, and to working with creatives.

Strategic Creativity is a fundamental resource that enables business professionals to stand out amongst their colleagues and enhance their ability to communicate the creative “why” throughout their organizations, and it covers what every business expert should fully comprehend about the creative process. To effectively grow a business and reach the right audience or move a brand forward, advertising and branding need to be relevant, engaging, and worth people’s time. This book contains what a CEO, CMO, manager, business owner, or client didn’t learn about the creative side of advertising and design in business school.

Featuring insightful conversations with creative experts, this book will earn a place on the desks of executives, leaders, managers, and middle managers across industries, whose work requires them to understand and execute on branding initiatives, advertising campaigns, social media, and other customer-facing content.

Buy online at smile.amazon.com.