Brian Paul Nelson – Branding / Design / Illustration">Brian Paul Nelson

Some great work from Switzerland based Bureau Collective. Their ability to restrain each project to the bare essentials of type, imagery and color is dominant throughout their portfolio and really exudes a sense of quality that you know they continually strive for. Be sure to click the images for better closeups.

“If you can design one thing, you can design everything.”

That quote above pretty much sums up one of the true icons of design, Massimo Vignelli. As you can see most of his work is heavily defined within the Modernist tradition. He focuses on simplicity through the use of basic geometric shapes and forms.

Vignelli was born in Milano, Italy on January 10, 1931 and studied at Academia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts) in Milan and then at the School of the University of Venice. In 1957, he came to New York on a fellowship and then traveled to Chicago where he taught at the Institute of Design of Illinois Institute of Technology for 3 years. He also taught at the Umanitaria School of Graphic Design in Milan and at the Institute of Industrial Design in Venice.

In 1966, he traveled back to New York where he cofounded Unimark International and worked with high profile clients such as American Airlines, the Ford Motor Company, Gillette, JC Penney, Knoll, and the New York Transit Authority, who continue to use the trademarks and graphic standards produced my Unimark to this day. Then in 1971, he established his own studio, Vignelli Associates in New York with his wife, Lella where he continues to design to this day. Definitely a living legend.

Some really nice branding and design work coming from Barcelona based Hey Studio. Most of their work has a restraining yet persuasive quality to it that I enjoy. Be sure to click on the images for larger sizes.

New York’s very own Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is one of the world’s most popular museums. With numerous highly publicized exhibitions every year it only makes sense that they would have their own in-house design studio to stay on top of it all. The work they produce is seriously worth checking out. It’s great to see that each exhibition has it’s very own unique look and feel to really help make it one cohesive presentation from the advertising to the actual work being displayed.

The Department of Advertising and Graphic Design

I just stumbled across the work of Mike McQuade and I’m glad I did. He is multi-talented and definitely has a sharp eye for branding that expands across each of his projects. His work for Tom, Dick & Harry is one of my favorites. Loving the nostalgic factory feel, especially the type and color palette he introduced to the brand.

The quality of work coming out of the London based “design consultancy” Collective Agency is truly top notch. Their attention to detail and ability to keep a modern restraint on their work really helps focus in on the concept behind each project. Emphasizing a modern approach is no easy task; sometimes it can feel very limiting, but only if you allow it to be. However in Collective Agency’s case they make it seem like it’s cakewalk.

Also be sure to check out their project & Again. It’s an image bookmarking site with a twist. Each click creates a random composition of images from a carefully selected and up to date archive that provides a unique source of inspiration.

I have always truly admired the work of Network Osaka. He consistently puts out great design that really hits home with the minimal/modern style that I appreciate so much. It’s so awesome how restrained he his with his style and yet it always says so much. Check out his extensive portfolio here.

Some great work from the small, but very talented NYC branding agency Watson & Co. Though recently established, they have already acquired some nice clients and have produced some illustrious work which I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of in the future.