Seen, but unseen…
Posted by Paul O'Flynn on March 11, 2009 in Branding, Graphic Design with 3 CommentsAs a virgin blogger, I’ve been musing over the subject of my first one. So be gentle with me! As part of the design team, it occurred to me, not unexpectedly you may think, that I should deal with design. So design it is then.
Rather than rant on about the loss of Letraset, or the sticking qualities of Cow Gum as opposed to spray mount or how to explain Pica Ems, I’ve decided to just pen a little ditty about some examples of hidden design I’ve come across.
Most designers belong to the “You Are Here” philosophy of design, rather than the “Imagine You Are Here’’! In the design industry, it's rather a given that we communicate, and communicate quickly. The client needs to get it straight away. If it needs explaining, if it needs to be discovered, then, its generally lost. Or is it?
The ‘aha’ factor when you get the hidden message can be a big positive to selling an idea or logo to a client. You have created something that the client has the secret to. They are part of the inner circle who get it!
So, let's try and enter the inner circle with a few examples.
1. What is in FedEx logo that is seen, but unseen?
2. Can you see the two messages in the Amazon logo?
3. Is there anything in this stamp design that is unusual?
1. In the FedEx logo, there is an arrow pointing right or forward. 2. In the Amazon logo there is a smiling face which is also an arrow pointing from A to Z. 3. In the stamp design, the Spitfire’s designer is in the clouds behind the plane!
I’m sure that you had no trouble with those. So as a tie breaker; I was asked recently, when making pancakes, why on the tin of golden syrup, is there a dead lion surrounded by a swarm of flies? Answers in an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
So in conclusion, just two things. First of all I hope that was good for you, and secondly, are the above examples seen as failures or a success?
It seems an unusual thing to do, to design something, and then to deliberately hide it! I’ll leave it up to you to decide, but in the meantime, send more Fedex parcels, order more books on Amazon and post more Royal Mail letters!
Paul O'Flynn 's professional experience is in graphic design and covers a wide range of disciplines within the visual communication industry.Find out more at Paul's Profile. Don't forget to subscribe if you'd like to hear more!
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Comments
Great post Paul. Amazing how something so obvious can sometimes be missed.
Paul in the FEDEX logo there is also a spoon in the e of FED. Now what does that mean?
Thanks Micky Kelleher for your comment, much appreciated and something I had not seen! Maybe its food for thought or a spoonerisim!
Just thought you might like these other examples; http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/hidden-logos-in-graphic-designing/
Many thanks
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