iam8bit Collateral Added To Portfolio

iam8bit Stationary

Our print collateral work for iam8bit is now up in our portfolio, so take a look.

Logo And Launch of Plastic Highway

Plastic Highway Logo

Some projects fall outside of the realm of client work, and at Hexanine, we do some of this to keep ourselves sharp, to pursue unique interests, and to grow our capabilities. We’re launching a creative imprint called Plastic Highway as a place to showcase creative efforts that exist at the intersection of art and pop culture. Check out our portfolio entry for more on the identity we designed, and watch this space for an upcoming announcement on the first project released under the Plastic Highway banner.

Writing For LogoNest 01

LogoNest book cover Hexanine

We’ve just received our copy of the brand-new inspiration book by LogoNest. The book was an outgrowth of the popular logo website, and we were asked to lend our voice to this first collected volume. Hexanine partner Tim contributed the case study/tutorial “Marrying Symbol And Metaphor.” It’s at home among other great writing by Steve Zelle (of Processed Identity), Leighton Hubbell, and a slew of other design authors.

Hexanine article for LogoNest 01

Below is an excerpt from “Marrying Symbol And Metaphor.” For the rest of the story and more great logo inspiration, you can purchase the limited-edition book at the LogoNest website.

Defining The Symbol
A symbol is roughly defined as an image, object or depiction that represents something else. Understanding the basics of symbology is at the core of what we do as designers. It’s crucial for identity designers to absorb the basic symbols of culture, whether they are derived by association, resemblance, or convention. Symbols are super-valuable, because they communicate a vast amount of information with simplified visual depictions. Think of a stop sign’s associations, or the cross that represents a broad array of religious thought. These symbols don’t tell a complete story, but they stand in for much more complex thoughts or concepts. So, the first step of crafting an excellent logo is to generate a library of relevant symbols.

Our Squirt Package Design Review at BevReview

Squirt Packaging Review on BevReview

Recently Dr. Pepper Snapple Group redesigned one of its flagship products, Squirt soda. We teamed up with client and collaborators at BevReview to bring you an analysis of the new package design.

Here’s an excerpt:

There are so many factors that influence the success of a beverage brand that have nothing to do with the actual flavor or taste of the drink. In some sense, the way a drink tastes is last in a long chain of events leading up to purchase and guzzling. Every step that leads up to the actual drink pouring down your throat is what brand designers call a “moment of brand engagement,” a singular opportunity for beverage makers to connect with you, the prospective audience/purchaser.

Check out the rest of the article at BevReview, and let them (and us) know what you think.

New iam8bit Print Work Added

GDC poster series for iam8bit

We’ve just added our poster series project for iam8bit to the Hexanine portfolio. Follow the link for more iconographic video game fun.

Student Spotlight: Gore-Tex Redesign

Within Hexanine’s DNA is a commitment to involvement in the future of our profession, and part of that is working alongside talented design students. We enjoy featuring great student from the classes we teach, so here is some of the latest:

Gore-Tex logo redesign

Read on…

Our Work In Big Book of Packaging

Hexanine work in Big Book of Packaging

When they say it’s big, they’re not kidding! We just received our copy of Harper Design’s Big Book of Packaging and it’s chock full of great package designs. We’re happy to be in such good company, as we have several entries in the volume as well, including work for Jim Beam, The Art of Spice, Omaha Steaks, and a few others. The solid design of the book keeps all the inspiring work front and center. Highly recommended!

New Prominic.NET Print Work Added

We’ve just added our latest print piece for Prominic.NET to the Hexanine portfolio. Check the link to read more about the work and Prominic, one of our oldest clients.

Our Game Developers Conference posters revealed

Hexanine iam8bit Game Developers Conference Posters

We collaborated with marketing partners iam8bit to create and design a set of four commemorative posters that will serve as giveaway items for each of the attendees of the 25th annual Game Developers Conference. The limited-edition posters are jam-packed with classic and modern video games references, a kind of scavenger-hunt that tromps through 40 years of video game history. More info on the posters and conference can be found here.