Recently we asked a group of entrepreneurs what is most important to them. The results were interesting and also surprising — who would have guessed that money is last? Success at first place, on the other hand, is not a surprise at all. They also told us what they look for when working with a branding and design agency. Creativity is at first place and…
In two weeks I’ll be leaving the team here at Grain to go to M&C Saatchi. Although there’s a great deal of excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm coursing through my creative synapses, I can’t help but feel a little sad to be leaving the Grain family behind. Other than working as a designer, I’m currently completing a Masters Degree in ‘Design: Critical Practice’ at Goldsmiths, which…
Exactly sixteen years ago, Madelyn Postman, Creative Director of Grain, started her career as a designer at one of the world’s most famous fashion companies: Gucci. Within five years, she became an influential creative director and production specialist at Gucci Group, where her key projects included art directing the first ever Gucci and Sergio Rossi websites. “It was very challenging at first,” says Madelyn, “learning…
Most of us have a love/hate relationship with Innocent’s copywriting. Initially we are drawn in and grin at it and then quickly it feels like it’s trying to hard, we see it everywhere and we start to get sick of it. Our clients often brief us on creating a tone of voice which is friendly and open but not going so far as the Innocent…
When we work with businesses, they often question the value of branding and ask for the numbers that prove their design investment will be paid off. Saying that we believe in the importance of great branding is an understatement: that’s what we dedicate most of our waking hours to here at Grain! We were thrilled to come across this recent article on an analysis by…
We are delighted to announce the launch of Newland College. Set in the heart of Buckinghamshire’s beautiful countryside next to the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland College offers the International Baccalaureate programme to 12-17 year olds and is the latest addition to our client Skola’s portfolio of schools. We worked with Skola on the naming, created the new identity, designed and crafted their website and…
The one characteristic that unites all of our clients, across all sectors and all kinds of naming, branding and design we do for them, is entrepreneurial thinking. Though our client size ranges from SMEs to much larger corporates, their mindsets have common features: agility, innovation, authenticity, creativity and inspiration. Plus a powerful desire to grow the company, sometimes to become a serial entrepreneur, sometimes as…
MIT is the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but the three letters could also stand for ‘Metamorphising Identity Time’ in light of the ever-changing incarnations of the branding for the university’s Media Lab. The logo is generated by an algorithm, creating a bespoke identity for every student and staff member. This video shows it in action.
How often do you rely on signage? I know I do an awful lot. And not only because my sense of direction is close to appalling. Signs (the majority of the time) are vital. Think of being in a rush on the London Underground: you can walk pretty much non-stop from platform to platform, line to line, and as long as you look up, you’re…
What is the connection between jazz and wonderful graphic design? The iconic designs of Blue Note Records have a modern day follow-up with the posters for Jazz en Claypole, in Argentina. A feast for the eyes as much as the music satiates the ears.
Following up on our Nature Brand Book initiative, these articles from Oliver Burkeman in The Guardian have caught our eye: ‘You really, really, really ought to spend more time in nature’ from last week, and another one called ‘This column will change your life: nature and nurture’ from March 2013. Both stories talk about the lasting psychological benefits of being outside and even just being…
Have you ever wondered why the power button or USB symbol look like they do, or what the little clover-y thing is on the command key on the Apple keyboard? Check out this succinct article on “Origins of Common UI Symbols” and you will ask no more!
An amazing use of a small space with big creativity. Presented in the PechaKucha format (20 images for 20 seconds each) by the giggly and likeable apartment owner.
It is apt that our first Thought of the year is about the Nature Brand Book since it is a ‘fresh new year’ type of project…encouraging everyone to just get outside! Project Wild Thing, which inspired the Nature Brand Book and video, has published a guest post from us and MediaPoondi has also written a story on it. We’ll keep you posted with any more…
With Christmas and 2014 fast approaching, here at Grain we’ve been trying to pin down our new year’s resolutions…along with working on amazing branding and design projects, wrapping up our secret Santa pressies and eating mince pies! The usual ‘work harder’, ‘do more exercise’ and ‘give up the mid-morning snacks’ (that we’ve come to enjoy so much) have been overshadowed in this year’s list by…