“Swoosh: 40 Years Fly By” 

Steven Heller looks back on the interesting history and “DNA” of the iconic Nike logo, the evolution from a “stripe” to a “swoosh,” and that infamous “bargain brand” first designed in 1969 by Carolyn Davidson, supposedly for a mere $35. She was a graphic design student at the time.

The final variation of the design was launched to the public in June 1971.

Life Savers print advertisements from 1928 through 1978

(via Buzzfeed, above c. 1950s via Jason Liebig)

Wondering what Lady Gaga has been up to at Polaroid?
At CES, the “Haus of Gaga” unveils the Grey Label line… 

(via design:related, photo from a Polaroid Creative Session in Tokyo, Japan last year)

Was the CNN logo (c. 1980) inspired by Allan Flemings’ earlier design for the Canadian National Railroad?

(first discovered via Bob Caruthers)

redesignrelated:

The Gap logo redesign

Gap Clothing stores has unveiled a new logo mark on their website this week. The new logo in sans serif Helvetica treatment…

redesignrelated:

JetBlue appropriates Milton Glaser’s iconic “I ♥ NY logo.”

This “signifies the first time that a corporation has received permission to link its brand to the symbol that is widely recognized as one of the most valuable assets in the realm of tourism marketing…” —NYTimes.com

“…Created in 1975, the I LOVE NEW YORK logo is an icon recognized around the world.  While it has often been imitated, this is the first time the powerful logo has been adapted and co-branded for joint use with another entity, demonstrating the significant role JetBlue plays for travel and economic development throughout the State of New York.  Use of the logo is part of a long-term marketing partnership with the Empire State to jointly promote tourism and help spur business opportunities state-wide.  The co-branded trademark features a deliberate intersecting of the popular I LOVE NEW YORK phrase with the famous red heart and the JetBlue logo…” —prnewswire

To coincide with the new JetBlue marketing campaign, The New York Times is asking readers to submit their own reinterpretations of the design.

redesignrelated:

iTunes logo icon redesign

At the September 1, 2010 Apple Special Music Event, Steve Jobs unveils iTunes 10, complete with a redesign and implementation of the new social network Ping. Since CDs are less relevant these days, Apple decided it was time to revisit their original logo design for iTunes.

Of all the great announcements coming out of the presentation, we found this logo/icon redesign the least exciting.

update: The initial images we posted showed screen captures from Steve Jobs’ keynote presentation. The circle on the new logo looked elongated and not symmetrical. We thought it was a possibility it looked slightly off because of on-screen distortion. After we downloaded iTunes 10 we confirmed the the variation of the logo shown at the event was not a fully accurate representation and we removed the graphic. The above logo is taken directly from the application, not a blown out and distorted image from a presentation.)

Design:Related is briefly quoted in the The New York Times Magazine.
This surprise made my day. 

(above photo of “Banana Democracy (detail)” via mattsung)

Brand New takes a look at the new branding campaign and typographic style for Abu Dhabi, a collaboration with M&C Saatchi. The dialogue of comments being left in regards to this design is very interesting to read.

redesignrelated:

debut of the new Waterstone’s bookstore logo design*

The redesign is a departure from the brands’ traditional and classical design aesthetics in favor of a more contemporary approach. Venture Three designed the new logo. The Waterstone’s wordmark refresh is just one facet in a large-scale restructuring of the UK bookstore chain. From reading the comments on a recent post on The Bookseller.com, the audience may be split on their preference of the original logo versus the more modern treatment (with strong feelings on both sides, especially the notes comparing the new mark to the McDonald’s arch).

*The logo lock-up for the company website was unveiled first, and we’ll look out for the new store signage later this month.

If anyone has a link to the history behind the original Waterstone’s logo, and insight into the new approach please share.

redesignrelated:

“New Butterfly not so Fly”
(more on the new MSN logo design via Brand New)

redesignrelated:

Silk brand soy milk packaging redesign and logo refresh

We recently noticed on the shelf a tweaked package design for Silk soy milk. At first glance we didn’t notice a significant difference other than cleaner imagery and the addition and removal of certain taglines. But once we take a better look at the packages side by side, we realize that the logo has been modified letter by letter, but still retains much of the original aesthetic.

So far we can’t find any coverage online about this specific branding refresh of the Silk soy milk flavor line. But we did find several articles from earlier this year about the Silk brand agency transition from Berlin Cameron to Leo Burnett in partnership with Seed Strategy. (as always, if you have more information about the design credits/back story please leave comments).

Sculpture art at Publix supermarket

This photo caught my attention because after growing up in Florida, Publix is forever my supermarket of choice (the one thing other than weather & family I miss). Maybe it is because I always got a free cookie from the bakery as a kid.

I assumed that this soda box sculpture is in support of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And sure enough after a little research, Publix is the “official supermarket of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team.” Anyone know of any other photos like the above of sculpture displays at Publix?

(discovered “Cool design at Publix” via craig grieco on flickr)

redesignrelated:

Eyeball rebrands PBS on-air, online, and in print this Fall 2009.

“PBS, one of the most highly respected brands in media, is unveiling a new multiplatform brand package this fall. In more than 600 elements that include promo opens and closes, lower thirds, video bumps for IDs and support messaging, Web elements, print templates and more, this collection uses live-action footage, contemporary colors and original music to showcase what PBS is all about - that PBS invites people from all walks of life to broaden their horizons, or, to “Be More.”

PBS stations will debut the new package in conjunction with the September 27 premiere of Ken Burns’s most recent film series, THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA. This immersive documentary takes people not only on a journey to our nation’s most beautiful places, but also on a tour through history to meet the people who dedicated their lives to ensuring these places would forever be available for everyone […]”

via Eyeball

Sprite bottle c.1960s (via Roadsidepictures)