Max Levy’s architecture speaks volumes with less

Max Levy’s first website went live on July 4th, 2009. It is a site that demonstrates the power of less. Max’s determination to achieve clarity through simplicity is evident in everything he does. This site is no exception. Please take a moment and look through this amazing collection of architecture.

Bernbaum Magadini sounds the design alarm

Our office created this logo as part of a program to leverage and expand the experience of Dallas architects Bernbaum Magadini into Fire Station Architecture. The program included micro website, trade show video and brand identity materials. Inspiration for the logo came from the rich history of fire house and fire engine graphics.

Synergy from Syniverse Technologies

Our office has designed and produced Synergy for Syniverse Technologies in Tampa Florida for a number of years. Here are a few spreads from this elegant mini-magazine designed to inform clients and employees around the world of the technology innovations that Syniverse provides to the telecommunications industry.

Special thanks to Diane Rose, Cissy Wong and Bobby Eagle for their efforts in gathering, editing and producing this neat publication.

If you could live in art, why not?

It takes courage to build spec modern homes in Dallas in this economy. But Mark Albert succeeds where other would fail. His company, ArtHouse Homes debuted a beautiful new home by Domiteaux Architects recently. The logo and yard sign we created for him, gave a unique opportunity for the open house invitation (shown in the center).

Follow the money

Financial benchmarking for the healthcare industry is not the most fascinating subject one could imagine. These Intellimarker book covers turned a dry and lifeless subject into intelligent word /picture puzzles. Chad Coben’s InforMed Healthcare Media company always let a good idea live.

Hot Dog!

Our office just completed this identity for El Cayote Rojo, a new Mexican Cantina and Grill coming soon to the Dallas area. Program includes logo, menu, website, and promotional materials. Expected opening September 2009.

80 years in the corner

For more than 80 years, Tiffany & Co. has occupied the page 3, upper right hand corner ad position in the New York Times. A commitment that has paid a handsome brand equity for the 172 year old company. Tiffany has become a commonly used word for the best quality that a product can attain and they own a unique shade of the color turquoise.

So, when I read recently that Tiffany profits were down 75% in the fourth quarter and luxury shoppers were more and more hesitant to carry high-end retail packaging on the street, I thought it wouldn’t be long before Tiffany canceled their coveted position in the Times and join the ranks of other marketers willing to throw their brand in the trash while the economy languishes.

They have not.

Tell the whole story in 5 words or less.

For 30 years my neighborhood garage, Merriman Park Automotive,  had been completely hidden from customer view, set back nearly 100 yards from the street. After many invisible years, they decided to construct a major 14'x48' billboard at the entrance in hopes that their awareness would increase. The board had excellent visibility from as far as a half mile away in two directions. After a year of the billboard’s presence (see example above left), I stopped in one day and casually asked if their business had increased as a result of the billboard. In unison, the entire crew exclaimed, “Not at all!” 

I suggested that we do something that might attract a bit more attention (see example above right). They were baffled as to what could be more attractive than what they had done but reluctantly agreed to put up my sign anyway. 

After a few months I stopped in to see if anything had changed in their business as a result of my idea. They said that “nothing had changed for the past three months.” My heart sank. “But, they continued, last week 8 new customers came in because they said they saw the sign and never knew they were there before.”

Disaster averted. 

Cheerios introduces unique barber school promotion

Let me begin by saying I did not make this up. It really is a free haircut promotion on the front of the Cheerios box. 

What the *%$#&* were they thinking! Maybe, make the most of your cereal bowl. Who knows? But, I’ve been in enough ridiculous marketing planning meetings to know that any idea can become genius if enough morons start nodding their heads.

Here’s to hair in your cereal bowl!   

One more thing before we put this to bed.

In todays New York Times comes yet another story about Shepard Fairey’s Obama Hope poster. In this account, the reference photo that was the starting point for Fairey’s poster is now, itself, elevated to fine art status. Hanging next to the now infamous Hope poster in the Chelsea Gallery is Mannie Garcia’s photo that started it all. And for $1200, a print could be yours.

As a graphic designer, the Hope poster phenom is fascinating. We human beings are unique organisms able to abstract complex ideas into visual symbols that can be imbued with great value. Sometimes it’s social value, sometimes political, sometimes religious, ad nauseum. When that symbol connects with its audience, its power can be titanic.

In the mid-80’s, instead of heading off to Wall Street, Obama began his political career as a community organizer in Chicago rallying students against President Reagan’s then attempt to reduce government aid to disadvantaged college students.  It was hard work based in the streets. An experience that clearly shaped our new president’s political values.

Fairey began his career in much the same way. Instead of heading off to a prestigious international design firm, for which he could have done based on his raw talent, Fairey headed for the streets. He created a character based on Andre the giant, called it “Obey’ and proceeded to tag the earth with variations on the “Obey” theme. Each of his executions imbued with the spirit and symbolism that makes quality grass roots movements so exciting.

Fast forward to the election of 2008. You know the story. Obama did not commission the original poster. In an almost mystical and, I think, coincidental way, his people saw it and re-commissioned another version of the same poster. Ultimately, Obama makes the phone call personally to Fairey thanking him for his work and expressing  how accurately it portrayed the arc of his campaign. From one community organizer to another.

Image created. Enduring symbol established. Artist, subject and audience connected. Case closed. 

All graphic design should work so well.