The work of venturethree
The work of London-based venturethree caught my eye today. Not for their brand identity design in particular, but for the complete packages they produce, including TV, print media, point-of-sale.
They put together a concept for the recent London rebrand call but my vote’s for the use of the London Underground roundel.
“The new look and feel is built around the contours created as Parc.1 grows out of the earth — reflecting the distinctive landscapes of Korean terraced hillsides.”
They’re currently looking for a brand strategist and a motion graphics designer, in case you fit the bill and are looking for a job.
venturethree. The self-confessed “most exciting brand strategy and design team in the world”.
I say that’s for you to decide.
Thanks again for the tip, Blair.
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13 appreciated comments, click here to add one
Douglas Bonneville
Oh, the blocks are great. It’s interesting how such an abstraction of “London” is recognizable immediately. The eye looks for associations. The 2nd and 2nd to last “O” are part of London identity to my US eyes…
Sep 15th, 2009
David Airey
I’m not as convinced, Douglas. Abstract ideas can work, but when there’s a more appropriate idea — the roundel — I say not.
Sep 15th, 2009
Douglas Bonneville
I think I’m tickled by the clever factor, and not really the appropriateness of this solution to the problem. My kids currently have their blocks out on the floor, too.
I think I also had in mind (I can’t remember where I just saw it!!) the words LONDON stacked on eachother, with the lower LONDON and the Os dropped down lower like tires to create a double-decker bus, and thought of this as another clever take. “London”, as type, is really ideal to play with. Very symmetrical in either upper or lower case and no descenders getting in your way…
Regardless, I’d pick the roundel in a split second. Timeless design elements, iconic, clear as all get out. That’s a winning formula…
Sep 15th, 2009
David Airey
I saw that too, Douglas.
It’s clever, but I’ll always read “London London”.
The city name is a good one for stacking, though, perhaps with LON on top of DON. Reminds me of the design for Barneys New York.
Sep 15th, 2009
Douglas Bonneville
Barney’s New York – beautiful kerning. Love the “Y”. Good call…
Sep 15th, 2009
Nate
This is going to sound strange, but I have a hard time discerning what Venture Three actually does. Even after browsing the work on their website, I don’t know if they create identities, industrial design, one-off media kits or what.
Cumulatively, the portfolio seems random and ho-hum. Professional, yes. Tight, yes. But a little too bland to pique my interest.
Sep 16th, 2009
Nate
On the Barney’s logo, I would say that the kerning is noticeably off, especially between some of the letter combos in “YORK.” Maybe it’s just me.
Sep 16th, 2009
Douglas Bonneville
@Nate: The normal individual kerning relationship has been set aside to create / accomodate the vertical relationship established here. Perhaps the point here is that Barney’s = New York. Look at the shoes department on Barney’s website for styles and prices and I’d have to say this is a fair assumption :)
Sep 16th, 2009
Vitezslav Valka
The stamps are just great. Nicely done and great connection between those other mercantiles…
Sep 17th, 2009
David Airey
Spot on, Douglas. With the main emphasis being on the N above the Y, for NY.
Sep 17th, 2009
Douglas Bonneville
Wow. I totally missed the NY, smack dab right in the middle. A vertical bold would work really well there perhaps…maybe too forward though.
Sep 17th, 2009
David Airey
I’m sure a bold option was experimented with. I tend to like the more subtle approach. I think two bold characters would add imbalance.
Sep 17th, 2009
Nate
I see it now.
Although, I’m not sure why the alignment needs to emphasize the N and Y since the word New York is already part of the title. I suppose they just break rules where necessary to achieve an effect, which explains why they lose the space in New York and make it one word.
Sep 17th, 2009
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