Text Ideas in Design

INSPIRATION:
Typography loves you back!
<original story>  (enthos.com)

Text Ideas in Design - Turn Typography into exciting designs!

Not only does Entheos (http://www.entheosweb.com) have a great article on Typography, with some stunning examples, there are all kinds of free tutorials, articles, tips and ideas.

Typography is a subtle element which can make a huge impact when done right. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a picture of words is worth a cool million.

MIT Media Lab Dynamic Logo Algorithm

NEWS:
Dynamic Logo blends art and technology
40,000 Logos generated by algorithm  <original story>  (Fastcodesign.com)

         Leave it to the folks at the MIT Media Lab to generate another compelling example of how the cross pollination of ideas and disciplines can generate some pretty amazing outcomes. My first impression of the concept was "well thats a lot of logos!"- but why do you need a logo that can be represented 40,000 ways in 12 color combinations? Then the genius of the design revealed itself. Each member on the Media Lab staff can select an individual permutation as their identity- providing a whole host of benefits, but most specifically in a place where some of the greatest minds come to play, it provides each employee with the sense of liberation which identifies them as a specialist while adding to the visual representation of the dynamic organization.
        While my feelings on the aesthetic appeal of this brand are only middle-of-the-road, the design really shines when you consider (or are aware of) what it represents. In contrast to the recent Comedy Central re-branding which took a similar sterile, versatile approach, this solution actually helps to build the collective identity of the organization through individuality (networking) of its workers- the people who make the brand.
        I usually look to the MIT Media Lab for fresh ideas and hot new technological concepts- but this time I looked for art. This design is a stunning realization of how art and mathematics- which are about as polar as can be- can merge into a functional and forward design. As an aside, and something I'm sure I'll write more about: Check out this Sixth Sense Technology- demoed by the MIT Media Lab at a TED conference: <link>

Comedy Central gets rebranded

NEWS:
COMEDY CENTRAL REBRAND
Hit the mark? Or too simple?  <original story>  (Fastcodesign.com)

         In a world where all things funny spring and flow free, a new slick, versatile design has made itself home. Thelab, a New York firm responsible for the re-brand, proudly stands by its work amid a growing majority of nay-sayers. Some say it's too corporate, some say it's just not that funny.

         The world of design can be a fickle thing. While the new logo is certainly more versatile and will be able to be applied more dynamically across media ranging from iPads to Television and Movies, there is a little piece of me that died when the funny business (Comedy Central) sold its spirit to the mass media. A brand should first and foremost connect with an audience, it should reiterate the sentiment of its community. It should help to communicate the ideas of the organization as well as its values and personality. Here is where I think thelab missed the mark- while the new logo will be mechanically more versatile (which is good for the network) it is a big jump from the personality infused logo which has represented the brand for so long. From the outside looking in, I get a subtle anxiety that funny isn't gong to be funny anymore- that's it's going to clean up its act, cut its hair and get a 9-5 programming spot that's fun for the whole family.