Category Archives: News

Perhaps one of my favourite subjects related to graphic design is Semiotics. For those not familiar with the term here’s a quick definition from Wikipedia: Semiotics, also called semiotic studies or semiology, is the study of sign processes (semiosis), or signification and communication, signs and symbols, both individually and grouped into sign systems. It includes the study of how meaning is constructed and understood. It’s important to consider Semiotics when developing corporate identities. Does it have any negative meanings? Is...

I was recently comissioned by a web designer/developer to rebrand his freelance identity. Almog Koren, a talented flex designer based in Israel, wanted his new brand to illustrate the meaning behind the name “Almog” which means “coral” in Hebrew. We both decided that a more abstract approach was suited so that it was not completely apparent that the mark was indeed a symbol of coral and the sea, but still had an ocean-like feel. The bubbles in the icon form...

I was lucky enough to take part in a branding experiment organised by Nathan of www.cobaltcow.com. 12 designers were asked, at random, to rebrand one of the other participants. I was asked to redesign the logo for Yossi Belki of www.yossigraphicdesign.com. Each designer was given the answers to the following questions in order to form a design frief: 1. What name should be in the logo? 2. Is there a tagline that should be used? 3. Pick 4 words that...

Recently I was asked by the popular design resource website, Smashing Magazine, to give my opinion on the 10 most common mistakes in logo design. It was a great honour and I am currently working on some more articles which will hopefully be published in the near future. The most common mistakes read as follows: 1. Designed By An Amateur 2. Relies on Trends 3. Uses Raster Images 4. Contains Stock Art 5. Designing For Yourself Rather Than The Client...

I am pleased to announce that the new website for Wyrley Juniors Football Club is now in the beta stage. With still a few bugs to fix the site provides an online community for the club, whoo are registered charity and one of the biggest junior football clubs in the UK. Visit the site: www.wyrleyjuniors.net I was als commissioned to design the official programme for the club’s annual tournament. This was an A5 24 page brochure that was handed out...

What is a BOLD FROG you’re wondering, right? The name stands for Band Of Logo Designers For Rights Of Generations. The initiative was set up by a group of logo designers in order to raise some awareness of good causes. Each affiliate is asked to link to a charity organisation. Down With Design would like to support Action For Children. Action For Children is a registered charity that helps and speaks out for some of the most vulnerable children in...

There are currently hundreds of sites/blogs dedicated to logo design inspiration, the most popular ones being Logopond & Logolounge. However, this is not a pretty list of useful sites for inspiring logos, no, this a warning to all identity designers that your works may well be being used for more than pretty eye candy. It has recently been brought to my attention that www.logos.am (shown below) is simply plucking images from the Logopond gallery to use for their own content,...