check it out!

I think it is an excellent guide because the information is very well organized, making it easy to locate rules for specific applications.

The guide also features clear visual examples to accompany the rules to reduce confusion.

However, what impressed me most was that this was not just a set of do’s and do not’s, nortel’s guide explains why/how these rules support the brand.

It’s probably the most complete manual I have seen so far.

Luke

On the dieline.

And here is the business planning worksheet. one of the items that will be inside the folder. I hope this PDF is viewable.

worksheet

Right now it’s at a standard letter size, but I don’t know if I want to keep it that way. A more unique/exciting form factor would be more in fitting with my company’s attitude, but the usability of a standard size document that can be easily distributed electronically and printed at home, as well as being included in my distribution folder, is very appealing.

As for content… There was a wealth of topics to cover on the sheet, so I tried to make efficient use of my space, and still maintain a somewhat dynamic and energetic atmosphere with the use of my angled line elements at the head and foot of the page.

My mentor application form is somewhat similar and formy looking as well.

The other pieces are in various states of discompletion, but will be ready for perusal on Monday.

As for paper stock. I am thinking heavy, smooth and glossy right now. Maybe if I could find a nice heavy weight with a very subtle angled texture that mimics those found in my logo I would make sparing use of that in some pieces. Haven’t found any yet, but I will keep looking.

These folders could be distributed at career resource offices, career fairs, or distributed via mail/web.

For the containing folder I’m working on ways to use the interaction of the ‘n’ and ‘m’ in my logo to act as a clasp to hold the flaps of the folder together.

Pics to follow as they develop.

Swink’s has a unique identity in that they have a stand alone wordmark and a logo that also includes the name, and I love the way that they work together. The letterhead is clean and minimal, while the business cards are raw and layered, but it all works together.

I really like the way color is used in this system. Each color works as figure or ground depending on the application. Giving the system a cohesive sense of variety. Nice clean modern aesthetic here too. I’d like too acheive something similar for my system, though not quite as rigid feeling.

The use of typography and figure/ground in this website really ties it into the brand, and makes it attractive and unique.

This pic doesn’t do this business card justice. The whole thing is screen printed and inside is a little twirl-o-matic tag with different illustrations on them depending on who’s card it is. Ham is an interactive design company, so creating a business card that offers its own fun interactive experience is a perfect way to communicate their brand, and the execution is superb.

Wordmark #1

So for this word mark I started with Eurostile because it conveys a modern feel that fits my companies image, then I played with the shape of the W and M to interlock and create some arrow shapes to communicate the interaction between new entrepreneurs and experienced mentors that is is a key component of my organizations activity.

Word Mark #2

So This idea was trying to combine some of the classic dollar bill flourishes and ornaments with a hipper typeface and unique spelling to create a welcoming atmosphere to attract people who have not considered entrepreneurship. I like the non-standard spelling, but the rest of it just isn’t coming together yet. I feel like there could be somthing here though.

Symbol #1

I created this abstracted dollar sign with some strong curves to create a sense of motion and energy. Right now I think the shape is pretty strong, but it feels too simple/obvious.

Symbol#2

Hooray for visual metaphors. Here I transformed the tie into a path too success while the curved shape gives it a strong sense of movement and energy. This symbol communicates a lot of the ideas I want my organization to embody, but I’m not sure the tie image is going to work for New Money. I tried to put a fresh spin on it with the strong curves, but I’m not sure its enough. Ties might just be too much of an old school business artifact to work for an organization like New Money.

Symbol#3

This is the last symbol I made. It got the least attention, but I like it the most so far. The shape of the n and the m interlock to create a strong yet simple symbol that contains the shape of a dollar sign in the negative space. The idea of interaction creating prosperity is exactly what New Money is about.

I am definitely going to keep pushing this one and see how it develops.

go go progress.

Sketching out some logo ideas. some playing up the money success concepts, some going more for opportunity & growth, others focusing on the interaction concept. Got a long ways to go.

Hey, how ’bout that economy, eh? In the face of the current economic crises money management and personal finance are topics of serious concern for everyone on the planet right now, so it is no surprise that there is already a cornucopia of businesses and organizations popping up to offer people services and products to help them weather the financial storm.

Sites like Mint, Wesabe, Buxfer, Walletpop, and others offer comprehensive financial management tools, advice, news and other information.

Possibilities

Based on what I’ve learned so far it seems like there are more than enough general resources and tools out there, so my business ideas will need to be much more targeted.

Right now I’m toying around with a couple different ideas/directions.

#1) New Money
The job market is grim for graduating students. New Money is an organization that would help promote and support entrepreneurship. How? Not exactly sure at this point. But I feel like more students are going to end up in a non traditional employment track due to the current economic crises and there is an opportunity here.

#2 Tax Rookies/First Time Taxes?
An organization that specifically caters to young people who are filing their own taxes for the first time.

More to come…

In the end I tried to pick a variety of logos from both large and small brands, so here they are.

Animal Planet:

I can tell that the designers were trying to convey a wild feeling, but the sideways M looks like it fell over and died. The varying letter widths also feel out of place and awkward.




Pricewaterhouse Cooper:

PwC is the worlds largest professional services firm, but it’s wordmark is quirky and childish looking. It doesn’t seem to fit their brand image.


AT&T Cotton Bowl:

I think the elements of the logo for this bowl game are too divided, and places too much emphasis on the generic word art.








Steve Jackson Games:

This logo relates to a specific game “Illuminati” but does nothing to represent the humor and fun that his games are known for. It is also just looks ugly and doesn’t scale well.




GoDaddy.com:

Weird illustration and sketchy type choices make the logo feel amateurish, ugly, and it doesn’t feel like it relates to, or reflects their business.