How to Design like a NY Pentagram Partner (or Senior Designer)
by Bennett Holzworth, (6 comments)
- Come up with a great simple idea.*
- Execute in one color (or green + black).
I thought the similarity between the work for the Urban Forest Project from three of the New York Pentagram partners and one senior designer was interesting. It is a good reminder that a great idea is the most important part of design. Of course the execution is impeccable, but it all started with good concepts.
*Coming up with a great simple idea, is not easy.
And since I am talking about Pentagram, they linked to the BADG Pentagram podcasts on their blog.
Comments (6)
DesignMaven said:
Guys:
Just visiting the site today in months and saw my name amongst the TOP POSTERS, NOT TO MENTION amongst Heavy Weight Designers and Bloggers.
Im Honored.
I think the Urban Forest Project was a Great Project. Honestly don’t know how I was left off the mailing list with MANY very Powerful and Elite Friends.
All Posters were interesting, some more than others.
In Reference to Pentagram.
Michael the most Ubiquitous.
J. Abbott Miller the most Unique.
Paula the most Impactful.
Arm the most Memorable. He’s a WORD SMITH.
Arm, sorry I couldn’t give you the most Original, Bierut would’ve Killed Me, Politics of the Game.
Viewers take your PICK they’re all Winners in my Book.
BTW, the most Original Design I’ve ever seen with a Tree was Designed by SIR IVAN CHERMAYEFF.
It was a Black and White Brush Drawing or line drawing of a Tree. The tree was foreshortened and shown at an angle and the tree was tapered into Pencil Point. I always thought that was Ingenious.
DM
Posted on October 18, 2006
GcRaya said:
I think thats one thing i have learned. Good design does not equal complex design. Good design is simple, straight forward, and well thought out.
Posted on October 18, 2006
Drew Davies said:
A corny pun lauded as “Most Memorable”? Seems a bit of a stretch.
I believe whole-heartedly that simple design is regularly the most effective solution. But let’s not forget that it’s also true that simple design does not automatically equal good design.
p.s. Love that Beirut idea. Urban. Forest. Brilliant.
Posted on October 19, 2006
DesignMaven said:
Drew Davies:
Armin, Semantically has the Most Omnipotent and Memorable Poster because of the Written Word.
If I were going to purchase anyone of the Posters Showcased, without knowing what the Exhibit was about, or the Names of the Participants it would be Armin’s Poster because of the Semantics.
Semiotic (symbol) Pictogram usage in the sense of Bierut, Miller, and Scher are Visually Arresting, and Engaging. To the Man and Women on the Street they have No Meaning, without knowing what the Contest is about.
There are instances when Pure Semiotics Communicate the Essence of Intent without Words.
Such is the Case of International Pictograms.
Example, Pictograms for Men and Women Restrooms.
The Bell System Identity Designed by Saul Bass, communicate the Essence of the Identity without words.
Armin was Seasoned Enough, and Crafty Enough to Design a Poster that would Communicate the Essence of the Urban Forest Project to the Man and Women on the Street. He wasn’t Designing for other Designers.
Mr. Vit took into consideration his Audience, the General Populous, whom many are not Design Savvy.
A Designer has to Speak the Language of the Poet and Business Man. In this Respect, Armin’s Poster Excelled.
Because of this, Arm’s is the Most Memorable, Bar None.
Quick WIT VIT, BESTED HIS MASTERS!!!
DM
Posted on October 19, 2006
rob said:
Knowing very little about this project before reading your posts, I have to admit that I find nothing instinctively urban about ‘Trees A Crowd.’
However, I would have to agree with Drew Davies assessment of the Bierut piece. It takes the vernacular of the city and alters it to resemble a symbol of nature. Does that not speak the langauge of the poet and the business man?
Rob
Posted on October 31, 2006
ben swift said:
seeing stuff like this is quite encouraging, because it makes me think “I coulda thoughta that.” It’s nice to see work that I would have probably not done because I thought it was too simple or I would have second guessed myself and done something else.
Posted on November 1, 2006