Layering The Laundry
Los Angeles-based Chase Design Group did months of research before creating custom typography logos and brand art for women's shoe manufacturer Chinese Laundry. Founder Margo Chase explains that the brand art is meant to be used playfully rather than rigidly; the important thing is to keep the feeling each time, rather than the exact look. To facilitate that, the art was delivered in layered files that can easily be deconstructed. Chase also provided an extensive standards manual to help Chinese Laundry's in-house designers stay on track.
Key Commission for SJI
SJI Associates recently turned out key art for four IFC original documentaries. The firm produced one poster per film. In the poster for "Rank," a film about competitive bull racing, the off-centered head of a massive, menacing bull confronts viewers with the terrifying challenge of bull riding. Also notable is the poster for "Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema," which nods at the gay marriage controversy. Two tuxedo-clad figurines stand atop film reel canisters stacked to resemble a wedding cake. SJI also created posters for "This Film is Not Yet Rated," an investigation of the film rating system, and "Wanderlust," an exploration of American road movies. SJI and IFC are long-time partners. The Manhattan-based graphics firm previously updated IFC's brand look.
Charlex Ups The Energy
The digital design postproduction atelier Charlex partnered with Manhattan Marketing Ensemble to create this kinetic spot for the recording media manufacturer Maxell's sponsorship of the X Games. Footage of X Games athletes is wrapped around Maxell's distinctive "red wave" visual. Charlex CD Will Kim says he maximized the speed and energy of the performances by redesigning the flat, 2D wave "to be slick and light like an intangible energy form."
