Monthly Archives: September 2013

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This wordmark is effective in its simplicity. Orange and purple are very basic colors but when taken out of the Fedex context and shown together many people would identify them as Fedex colors just as if someone saw pink and orange together they would think Dunkin’ Donuts. The typeface is also simple and clear which I think aligns with their brand identity. It shows customers that they are a reliable and no-fuss shipping company which will get your package from point A to point B and nothing more, because that’s all they need to do. Also, by adjusting the tracking they created an arrow between the “E” and the “X.” Not only does this make the wordmark more fun and interesting but the arrow is also relevant to their business of shipping and mailing.

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Ebay’s wordmark stands out to me because of their use of color. The colors they use are very basic, three of them being primary colors, but the order in which they are used are distinct to Ebay. Also, the variety of colors used in the wordmark reflect how large the variety of items is that they sell and resell. As far as the positioning of the letters, this could be reflective of how items are bought and shipped all over the world through Ebay everyday.

Week 2 – Wordmarks

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1. Five Below

Lowercase and capital letters were used unconventionally in the wordmark above, which initially caught my eye.  The mix of the lowercase and uppercase letters and the sans serif font gives the store a young vibe which is consistent with its target audience–young teenagers looking for cheap buys. The lowercase “o” in the raise position over the “L” gives the viewer a sense that it is the degree symbol, and -5 degrees is pretty “cool.” The store does not sell anything above $5, so the actual meaning of the wordmark is consistent with the store’s mission.

2. JanSport

This second wordmark is a well-known company around campus. In terms of the kerning, because the letters are all connected and bold, it gives the name strength, which is an important attribute for backpacks that are often heavy. Dropping the “J” and “S” down further than the rest of the wordmark separates the words and makes it easier for the reader to recognize the name. JanSport’s mission states that they are interested in “the discovery of fun, freedom and adventure.” As their mission, including “sport” in their name is beneficial because it attracts sporty, athletic people that are also keen on discovering new things and going on adventures.

Sarah Graham

Week 2 Blog Assignment Instructions: Wordmark

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This week you are going to critique two wordmarks from a typographic perspective. What do you think of its typeface? What kinds of typography adjustments (color, reshaping letters, tracking, kerning, leading…) did the designers make to let the wordmark stand out? Does the type design align with the brand identity or development strategy? Does it create a memorable visual experience for the viewers? If you are choosing a redesigned wordmark, it would also be interesting to compare the old design with the new one.

Here are some great examples from the Creative Bloq.

It’s OK if you can’t find the exact typeface name of the wordmark, just describe its characteristics. But here is a great tool for typeface identification: WhatTheFont!.

Images of the wordmarks can be resources from the Internet or photos you take with your iPhone.

  • Deadline for posts: Sep. 6, Friday. 11:59 PM
  • Deadline for two comments: Sep. 8, Sunday. 11:59 PM

This assignment will provide some inspirations for your own resume workmark design. Have fun!

GRA 217 Blog Assignment

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You will be assigned a blog post on Wednesdays before 6 p.m. every week. Instructions of each post can also be found under the Assignment section of your class blog. All posts are due by Fridays at 11:59 p.m.

On weeks when you have a project due, you also need to upload a jpg of your final copy with rationale to the blog, in addition to the weekly blog post. This is also due by Fridays at 11:59 p.m.

Each week, you will have to comment on two of your classmate’s blog posts in addition to posting your own example. These comments are worth half of your blog post weekly grade and are due on Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Do not post comments on anyone who already has two comments unless everyone already has two. To add examples to your post you can screen capture (command+shift+4), and use the target to select your image, use your smartphone to take a picture or you can scan something. Do not use an example that has already been used in another post.

There are two class blogs:

https://gra217.expressions.syr.edu/s5g1
(for those whose last names are A-H)

https://gra217.expressions.syr.edu/s5g2
(for those whose last names are I-Z)

Username and Password
When you click Students NetId Login in the right sidebar of the blog, you will be redirected to the Syracuse University Online Platforms page. Enter your NetID and password and you should be able to log in.

NetID Help: https://its.syr.edu/netid

WordPress Workspace
To post, go to Posts -> Add New
To upload an image, go to Add Media (an icon above your post/page editor:) -> Select Files. WordPress only accepts .jpg/.jpeg, .gif, or .pngimage files.
To add a category to your post, simply select the checkbox next to a category name. Be sure to click on a category before you publish.
Grade
You will have 13 blogging assignments through the semester. Each assignment is worth 10 points. You lose 5 points by missing comments and 5 points by missing a blog post. You may lose up to 10 points by missing a deadline and you will receive no credit after the new blog assignment has been posted.

13 blog assignments / 10 pts each      +130pts
Missing weekly comments                     -5 pts
Missing weekly blog post                       -5 pts
Missing the deadline < 24 hours          -1 pts
Missing the deadline > 24 hours       -2~10 pts  

The blogging contributes to 10 percent of your GRA 217 grade.

The blogging grade is not based entirely on the quantity of the submissions you make, but also on the quality of what you contribute to a robust discussion of current design trends. You will not get points by writing perfunctory posts or comments.