Design Quizzes

Quiz: The Tail End of the Brand Story

By Delphine Hirasuna | April 7, 2011September 4, 2014

When it comes to branding commercial aircraft, the tail comes before the nose. The tailfin is the tallest part of the plane. It’s the last thing people on the ground see as the plane lifts off. And pretty much the only part they see when the plane is parked buy adobe acrobat nose first at the gate. It is a flying billboard, which is why airline branding experts focus most of their attention on designing memorable graphics for the tail. See if you can match the airline with these tails. Answers on next page.

National Geographic Identifies the Typical Person

By Delphine Hirasuna | March 4, 2011September 4, 2014

With the global population expected to top 7 billion people in 2011, National Geographic magazine has produced a 7-part year-long series providing a profile of the world’s population. The information is fascinating, and from a design point of view, it shows the effective graphic use of the magazine’s yellow and black brand colors and yellow rectangular frame logo, which has been around since the magazine began publishing in 1888. From a marketing strategy perspective, it gives us a lot to think about.

Global Trends

Anti-Forgery Passport Design

By Delphine Hirasuna | December 27, 2010September 4, 2014

Over the next few years, it is likely that many countries will be redesigning their travel passports. The purpose isn’t to make them more attractive, which certainly they can use, but to deter increasingly more sophisticated and dangerous counterfeiters.

Along with hi-res micro images, encrypted biometric information, hidden data chips and other security devices, passports are being issued with different full-color images on every page. They aren’t just any kind of image, but ones using microprinting, holograms, fluorescent dyes, thermochromatic inks, ornamental patterns made with a geometric lathe, intaglio, watermarks, and magnetic inks, among other techniques. All this is for public safety, but since nations are investing millions of dollars anyway, it would be nice if they gave some thought to the aesthetic quality of the new design while they are at it. Like currency and postage stamps, passports can be used to communicate the beauty, style and uniqueness of the issuing country.

Pop Culture

Pantone Forecasts Spring Fashion Colors

By Delphine Hirasuna | September 8, 2010September 4, 2014

With the kick-off of New York Fashion Week, Pantone has come out with its report on spring 2011 color trends. Their survey of prominent fashion hues suggests that apparel designers have been influenced this season by colors evocative of exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey. Pairing warm-cool complementary shades that are opposites on the color wheel, the spring palette is lively yet muted.

Fashion color trends do not necessarily cross over into other product categories such as household goods or wall paints, but many designers find them useful to track because they help them coordinate everything from point-of-purchase displays and packaging to editorial layouts. Being aware of the most up-to-date fashion colors helps suggest a contemporary look and keeping the Pantone formula numbers handy makes it easier to match what’s “in.”

by Corporate Design Foundation

Category: Global Trends