Design Ideas from B&A

This month's Before and After Magazine  (B&A) features Mel and Patricia Ziegler, the couple that created Banana Republic and eventually the Republic of Tea. The story is not online, but is worth a read. B&A is the one of the only five periodicals I pay for (National Geographic, TIME, NewsWeek, and ArtNews  are others), and perhaps the the only one I read. While it is very pricey, I must say that I have learnt a lot from it. Soon I am going to go over all old issues trying to create a new look and feel to Kamat's Potpourri website. Here're some stuff that I've learnt from B&A:

• Do you know why the FedEx logo is so cool and distinguishable? Look at the logo again (shown below), there's a arrow between E and X that indirectly conveys speed, and forward movement to the brain. Such hidden meanings (like the "A to Z" in Amazon logo) are very important for the brand name and recognition (Y'all know about the "Coca-cola font").

  

• How to use the wheel of color, or why yellow and blue are such a good combo.
• How to design banners for the web. It's all in cropping.

The "No Tears for You" List

• Martha Stewart - I hate her meticulousness; everything's so neat, so pretty, so perfect; except ethics that is.
• Lleyton Hewitt - die, racist, die
• Sammy Sosa -- ya, right

Blooywood Fest @ TCM

Do not forget the Indian movie festival on Turner Classic Movies, starting today. Complete Schedule.