Lethal Weapon (1987)

Just had conversation about brands and what ‘one’ thinks of as a brand. I thought we were both talking about the same thing, but I slowly realised we were not. In fact, I think at the end we were actually poles apart.

Basically, this person thought that a brand was just about the logo and that the brand itself was just instructions on how you should or should not use the logo. True enough, the logo, if molested, would break a fundamental part of the brand; but it’s not the BRAND itself.

The logo is the the main point of recognition for any brand, company or product. Then there are the graphic elements, the colours, fonts and additional illustrations or photography. Then there is the tone of voice; is the brand friendly, business like, or just fun.

A brand should be iconic too. By that, I mean an icon is something that’s more than the sum of its parts. Think about the painting “Mona Lisa’. It’s actually a bad painting of an un-important person in history. I mean, have you ever looked at the landscape in the background, it’s higher on the right than the left. Even the smile is just something we have put on it to make it mysterious. Yet, this painting has become a great icon in our history. If you were to list any great paintings, it would at least be in your first three. An icon is simply, something that’s more than the sum of its parts.

If I said Virgin or Coca-Cola, you would think of images associated with these products and not necessarily the logo or anything about the graphics used from the company guidelines. A brand is the entire identity of the product or company. If you want a clear message to be conveyed to your customers, then your whole brand MUST be consistent.

By the way, the person I was chatting to is now aware of what a brand is. I think…?

The Royal Academy’s annual Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open submission contemporary art exhibition. Now in its 242nd year, the exhibition continues the tradition of showcasing work by both emerging and established artists in all media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film.

The Summer Exhibition attracts a high volume of entrants each year with over 11,000 entries this year. The majority of selected works are on sale, offering visitors an unrivalled opportunity to purchase original artwork by high profile and up-and-coming artists. Can’t wait to go!!

ORB are proud to be one of the sponsors for Birmingham Twestival which we are attending in Birmingham tonight at Poppy Red. They are raising money to help build schools and classrooms for the poorest, most vulnerable children in developing countries. Find out more about what they are doing here. And add them on twitter here.

Ok Go, the band who brought you the video with all the treadmills have out done themselves again. Their new video for the song ‘This Too Shall Pass’ shows a massive machine that starts off with a small red truck to start a long chain reaction much, like an insane version of mouse trap. Apparently it took sixty times to get right, and we all think its ingenious. Check it out here!

Here’s an interesting article I found, the redesign of the BBC’s website, by Neville Brody and his design agency, Research Studios. A very revealing read check it out here

Take a look at the all new James Busby Travel website, a company that caters for the wine aficionado. Our client wanted a bold but traditional look, that was in keeping with the type of holiday breaks they provide. So, we went for a style that evoked the golden age of travel. Pioneers who loved their luxuries, but craved adventure. By using a flying boat, fonts of the period and with a cream and brown pallet, we think it all presents itself as a quality, adventurous and fun travel company. Click here to visit the site.

I’m a big fan of Director Michel Gondry’s Music videos and he’s made another great one for Mia Doi Todd’s song ‘Open Your Heart’. It’s probably not my favorite of his videos but, keep your eye out for the queezy guy at the end, absolute genius! Check it out here. and here’s a list of his other classics

Here’s a great blog, it shows original letterheads from some very famous people and companies that I’d be extremely be happy to receive correspondence from

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ORB are happy to announce we are now working with Conductive Education

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