kellycomarketing

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Color Spotted: Bummer Green... Profile on the reemergence of this darn we say odd color, by Emily Yoshida for SSENSE. Yoshida writes, “In a mystery zone that isn’t quite seafoam, nor neon, nor the cheerfully unnatural glow of terminal green. “Mint green” feels like a euphemism; if it is a mint it’s artificial spearmint, with all the throat-clinging bitterness that entails. It’s technically verde, but it’s the most un-verdant green on the color wheel.” We embrace most colors, but we side with Yoshida on this one. Gucci and Billie Eilish can pull it off for this moment in time, but for the rest of us mortals, it really is either an inexplicable throwback to vintage kitchen bowls, Betty Ford (loved the color!) or one of the bad St. Patrick’s Day hues that just should not show up at all. To each his own, but come on. : (

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Wash well... A bit dated, but certainly an effective visual reminder of the critical handwashing needed today. Reference: Taylor, L. J., An evaluation of handwashingtechniques, NursingTimes, January 1978

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Branding today’s builder... Pentagram’s new integrated rebranding of the technology-driven offsite construction company Katerra. The project encompassed brand strategy and messaging, iconography, promotional materials, packaging and livery, environmental graphics, website and digital applications, and a brand animation. It also required a brand architecture that could expand along with it, as it moves into launching a portfolio of products that offer everything needed to deliver high-quality building projects. We just simply love everything about this one (not a surprise from the almighty Pentagram). If innovation is in your company’s DNA, your branding should most definitely help lead the charge forward.

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Of Course, a Horse... Gucci hits LA with a pack of horses (and models) for its Spring 2020 campaign. Creative director, Alessandro Michele along with art director Christopher Simmonds and director Yorgos Lanthimos bring Michele’s unexpected story to life. On the plane, catching up over a meal, taking a ride through traffic, just chilling out—it all is part of everyday surreal (Gucci) life. The brand marches on with joyous and unprecendented momentum. And a big heartfelt bravissimo for the investment in such arresting images and video.

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Nan Goldin Spotted... Life as Nan Goldin Knows It, by Thora Siemsen for SSENSE. Interview with the renowned photographer whose work remains intensely personal and always political. Her latest work, the opioid crisis, update on her life and her new passion for the sky and clouds with her new credo: “Seek to persuade all who’ll listen of the wonder and beauty of clouds.”.  Nothing less than a fascinating fast piece on an artist that continues to enthrall us all.

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New identity for the The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston dedicated to contemporary art. Pentagram delivers a new identity that is bold, flexible, modern and accessible. The new identity program elevates the museum’s position as a world-class arts institution and at the same time continues its support of the community and enhanced social engagement.

The new logo is part of a comprehensive identity system that includes print collateral, website, animations, merchandise and a new program of signage and environmental graphics for both the original Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed building and the ICA Watershed. The color palette is bright, inviting and contemporary with an intentional playful edge that fits the renowned institution and its place in the art world. Let’s all plan a trip to Boston and see this impressive work in action...

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Child’s play... New identity for the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and its new MuseumLab. MuseumLab is a new maker space for older kids in the former Carnegie Free Library down the block from the Children’s Museum in Allegheny Commons. The refreshed identity introduces a new font and the “hi” in the name highlighted in color, and a line under the “M” doubles as an anchor and organizing element, also used in an abbreviated monogram version of the logo. The new identity also introduces a broader palette of bright colors, with the Lab appearing in green. The signs are designed in strong, simple black and white, with an outline that sets them apart from everything around them. The design team also created a series of custom icons for the system. Keep it simple is to everyone’s advantage. Not just for the kids, of course.

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It’s Showtime... Shot and directed by Glen Luchford, the Gucci Showtime campaign takes inspiration from classic Hollywood films and musicals of the 40s & 50s. Gucci extravagantly  celebrates the vivid color, glamour and joyfulness of of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Production values are out of this world, not to mention the unique work of Alessandro Michele. Bravissimo, Gucci...

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It’s Showtime... Gucci via Glen Luchford, salutes the beginnings of celebrity culture and the golden age of Hollywood musicals with a spotlight on the joyful and playful spirit of the era. The Spring/Summer 2019 collection by Alessandro Michele, characters impersonate stars from the 40s and 50s. Captured in grand theatres or on movie sets, the images mimic some of the greatest movies of all times including ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’, ‘Singin’ in the Rain,’ ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,’ ‘Cover Girl’ and ‘An American in Paris.’ The brand continues its lauded successful march forward. All with a joyous vintage wink.

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Mailchimp evoles with personality… New identity for Mailchimp (by Collins) recently introduced. It’s keeping its logo-cum-mascot Freddie the Chimp (slightly modified), for starters, and using an analog typeface from the 1920s as its new typeface, and illustrating its new brand with a series of almost childlike drawings that look unpolished and rough by design. Mailchimp worked with both internal illustrators and artists from around the world to create drawings with a sense of perspective that’s slightly off-kilter–one that makes them appear like they were drawn by either a famed contemporary artist or a kindergartner. The new identity is both intriguing and polished. Not your typical tech approach to a maturing tech brand. Will be interesting to see how the larger corporate clients and prospects take to the new effort. We say, keep your quirky on, be yourself, Mailchimp. 

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Slack moves on... New logo for Slack (by Pentagram partner, Micheal Bierut) recently introduced. First rebrand since start-up. Cleaner, more distinctive, more consistent in wide range of applications (old brand identity was all over the shop!). And just before an IPO. “We’re more than group chat. We’re the future of group work.” A lot of opinions flying around out there, but from our POV, solid strategic thinking and execution for a bigger brand proposition. Forward you go, Slack. 

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Pop of color! Kenzo Spring/Summer 2019 campaign featuring Carol Lim and Wendy Leon. Photography by David LaChapelle.

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Not so simply, unreal... Spanish artist Ignasi Monreal creates a series of striking digital paintings (Utopian Fantasy) for Gucci’s Spring 2018 campaign, featuring a mix of modern day with Victoria influences. Who doesn’t love a stylish fairytale?

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Facelift for furniture... New identity system for Isokon Plus, the British furniture company by design studio dn&co. Original logo was created by Bauhaus teacher László Moholy-Nagy eight years ago. Product photography by Rory Gardiner.

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Thom Browne Tennis photographed by Laurence Ellis.

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Thom Browne Tennis photographed by Laurence Ellis.

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Academy of British Cover Design Winners, 2016.