-
buAIGA t-shirts for sale
Fitted @ $12. Loose @ $8
Contact Jordan Philbrook (Senior President) in person or email through ‘Talk To Us’
-
2012 Olympics ’stick men’ get an update
Posted by Patrick Burgoyne, 16 October 2009, Creative Review
One of the most eagerly-awaited design elements of the London 2012 Olympics was launched today – the pictograms
To many designers, the Olympics pictograms are one of those dream projects: Otl Aicher’s set for Munich in 1972 (below) and the Mexico 68 collection both figure in most designers’ mental lists of most revered works.
Tough gig then, a fact recognised by ‘Yasmine” of the London 2012 Brand Team who was put up to explain the 2012 version on the official blog today, which features efforts from previous games, including 68 and 72.
CR understands that the 2012 pictograms were the work of SomeOne, although Yasmine is strangely silent on this fact. Nevertheless, she explains that “The agency had to come up with something that fitted in with our brand identity but at the same time create something new and exciting.”
“Traditionally,” she tells us, “pictograms are used for way finding and signage at Games time, so people generally see them as just an Organising Committee’s way of doing their own toilet sign! [Really?] We wanted to create an asset that we, our licensees and our partners would use in more creative ways than just at Games time – and they’ll be vital to the identity of our ‘Look’ programme (how we ‘dress’ the city).”
“The pictograms of the past have nearly always taken their cue from the Munich Games pictograms designed by Otl Aicher,” continues Yasmine, “Therefore, they are generally based both on old technology (things have moved on!), and are often stationary and frozen.” Well the results of that “old technology” still look pretty good to me…
Here’s what she has to say about the 2012 set: “One of the joys of London 2012 is the coming together and connection of the world’s people, and so a more contemporary approach to pictograms offers an opportunity beyond pure informational signage. We really wanted to push the concept for the pictograms and one of the outcomes of this was to create two style versions – a silhouette version used for high visibility and information-based applications,
“and a dynamic version used both as decoration and where a more exciting version is called for, such as on posters or banners.” Supposedly, these were “inspired by the London Underground map”
This is how the Track Cycling ‘dynamic’ pictogram, with the silhouette version inset will work
“Do I believe they could rival the Munich Games’ versions?” asks Yasmine. “Absolutely, because I strongly believe these will touch and inspire everyone – whether in London, the UK or more widely around the world.” Hmmm….
First impressions are that the “dynamic” set are more interesting than the somewhat clip-arty ’silhouette version’ but neither has the charm of 68 or the beauty and rigour of 72, which remain the gold standard. Given that they must work with the logo and so must have at least some stylistic similarity or ability to exist in proximity to it, perhaps that was too much to ask.
Having two sets – the ’silhouette’ and the ‘dynamic’ – smacks of compromise. I suspect, and this is pure conjecture, that SomeOne would have liked to push the dynamic set and its ‘tube map’ references as it’s a stronger, London-themed idea. The dynamic pictograms look like they might have real potential when animated or, for example, rendered in 3D. They also work well with the logo and typeface (see above) – something that would be incredibly difficult to pull off.
What do you think?
UPDATE
Some additional images from the SomeOne site showing the ‘dynamic’ set in use:
Note also the similarity to the Atlanta pictograms by Malcolm Grear (thanks Wim for pointing this out in the comments below)
-
HOW Poster Competition
Go to the ‘Events’ page to find out how to enter. -
AIGA Chicago Small Talks
Join AIGA Chicago for Small Talk VI at Paper Source to learn more about their mission to inspire people to “do something creative every day” and their commitment to innovation and original design that allows their customers to express themselves through inspired creativity. -
Check out the ‘EVENTS’ tab for current activities
If you haven’t already registered, hurry, seats are VERY limited. -
Welcome to the 2009/2010 Chapter
FIRST AIGA CHAPTER MEETING 2009-2010
THURSDAY 17th September. 7:00pm GCC Reading Room
… and what a way to start! This first chapter meeting of the new academic year was open to member and non-member graphic design and interactive media students to let them see what an important (and cool) organization the AIGA is. Over 30 students packed the reading room as they were privileged to have the company of design legend/psychedelia king of the 60’s London music scene – Alan Aldridge. Aldridge has recently had a one man exhibition at the Design Museum which was voted the #1 exhibition of last year in London. His stories, anecdotes and advice kept the chapter enthralled.Second item on the agenda was for the BU AIGA Executive Committee to ’step up to the plate’ and tell everybody what the benefits of being in the organization were and why they should join – hopefully, the next MEMBERS ONLY meeting will see an equally large crowd.
-
Seniors say “Goodbye”
FINAL AIGA CHAPTER MEETING 2008-2009
THURSDAY 7th MAY 7:00pm GCC Reading Room
This final meeting was very student oriented in that it had the senior graphic design students discussing/showing their portfolio’s and senior projects to the group, followed by Eli Davis, a recent Visual Communication graduate student, talking about the differences between graduate and undergraduate studies and showing examples of her own portfolio. The meeting ended with elections of the 09/10 executive committee board:Joint President: Jordan Philbrook and Sarah Foerster Joint Vice President: Taia Hartman and Sarah McDonald Treasurer: Jessica Cwik and Secretary: Natalie Kuehn
Well done to the current board for a good year of speakers and events and we look forward to many new members for the next years activities.
-
Posters Galore!
FOURTH CHAPTER MEETING
Jay Ryan
THURSDAY 2ND APRIL. 8:00pm. GCC Room 201
By David Elfving; “Even if you don’t know his name, you know his work. Jay Ryan’s posters have been plastered all over Chicago – in record stores, coffee shops, music venues and in bedrooms, art studios and cubicles. His distinctive illustrations and handwriting grace his work and give his posters that edge, the kind that makes you want to tear down the poster even though the show advertised isn’t over yet, just so you can have a piece of his work.”The AIGA chapter had the pleasure of an informal Q&A with Jay Ryan. Jay also showed more of his huge poster collection and answered a variety of questions from the 20 or so members who attended the meeting.
The second part of the meeting involved more information about our collaboration with the Student Green Electronics Campaign to help them promote awareness of their electronics recycling event at the end of this semester.
There are three things they want from us:
1. Posters (larger size, from the Activities Office) – Simple, black and white graphics, no shading because of the printer – use information from #3 event campaign flier DUE: May 6th (study day)
2. Teaser campaign fliers – use shocking image, attention getter – why recycling electronics is important – brought to you by the Student Green Electronics Campaign DUE: Thursday, April 23rd Amount: 100
3. Event campaign flier – Saturday, May 9th – 10 am – 2 pm – Geisert Patio – Recycling for Illinois – Take anything with a plug! – Examples: curling irons, radios, TV’s, computers, etc. DUE: Thursday, April 30th Amount: 100
Leah Moran is our contact from the SGEC. She will be sending us the copy to use on the posters. She will also take care of the printing. We just need to give her a hard copy of the posters. If anyone has questions, feel free to email her or Gary.
Here are people who signed up to do each poster during the last meeting: 1. Jessica Cwik, (Sarah Kelly) 2. Rachel Frantini, Jordan Philbrook 3. Meghan Miller, Aaron Schleichkorn We could still use some more people to work on these posters. We would like as many people as possible to come up with multiple ideas so we can choose which designs will work the best. Email me or anyone on the exec. board if you would like to help with a poster. Also if you would like to email sketches or designs to the whole group we can give each other feedback as well. Thanks! – Renee Kimpel (Executive Committee Member).
-
Green Electronics + Study Abroad
THIRD CHAPTER MEETING
THURSDAY 12th FEBRUARY. 8:00pm. GCC Room 212
Three items on the agenda for this, the first meeting of the spring semester. First, the chapter was joined by the two members of the Students Green Electronics Campaign. SGEC President, Leah Moran outlined the organizations mission to reduce electronic waste on campus, with particular emphasis on an event set in May when all students will have the opportunity to donate their obsolete electronic items (from toasters and computers, to microwaves and refrigerators). Both the SGEC and the AIGA chapter are looking into ways that they can collaborate, with the latter being involved in the design of all the promotional materials for the event.
The second item was a short movie sent by the AIGA main headquarters in New York. It used the services of many well known designers to promote the organization ad emphasized how important it is to be part of the world’s largest ‘collective’ of creatives.
Finally, those students who were fortunate enough to go on the J term study abroad trip to London as part of Professor Will’s Creative Strategy class presented a powerpoint show to the rest of the chapter on their experiences, with particular emphasis on the class itself.
As always, good food and good company made this another successful chapter meeting.
-
‘Full House’ Chapter meeting
SECOND CHAPTER MEETINGGreg Samata at AIGA
THURSDAY 20th NOVEMBER 8:00pm GCC Reading Room
Following on from his Visual Voices presentation, Greg Samata, graphic designers and film maker, spent the first half of this AIGA chapter meeting answering questions from members. The Q&A could have easily gone on all night, but the chapter needed to move on to the second item on the agenda – selecting three posters from the members to be submitted to the HOW poster competition. The votes went to the three posters seen here. Good luck to Emily, Sarah, and Ryan.
As usual, soda and pizza flowed and prizes ranged from Subway gift cards to STEP Inside Design magazine subscriptions.
Past Posts
- October 2009 (5)
- September 2009 (1)
- May 2009 (1)
- April 2009 (1)
- February 2009 (1)
- November 2008 (1)
- October 2008 (1)
- May 2008 (1)
- March 2008 (1)
- February 2008 (1)
- September 2007 (1)
Calendar
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Oct | ||||||
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | ||||||