Gardner Design News

International Branding Expert Discusses Logo Design Trends, Business and the Evolution of Branding

WICHITA, Kan., July 17 PRNewswire — Bill Gardner, president of Gardner Design (http://www.gardnerdesign.com/) here, has a front-row seat when it comes to branding trends in the US and abroad. Gardner's fourth book in his best selling LogoLounge series has been published. And he recently released his sixth annual report of logo trends in GD USA, a national design magazine (http://www.gdusa.com/issue_2008/04_apr/feature/index2.php).

So what does he see among these trends? "Clean and simple" corporate identities and the increasing value of design — sometimes in measurable ways — on the bottom line.

"Many companies now have metrics to prove that design-influenced products can make them more money," says Gardner. Research firm Peer Insight, for example, found that companies focused on customer-experience design outperformed the S&P 500 by a 10-to-1 margin from 2000 to 2005.

Branding trends

Gardner identifies 15 top trends in his report, and provides insights on how they may influence customers. The trends include "Supernova," "Doodles," and "Jawbreakers."

One trend, "Facets," is comprised of logos that remind the viewer of highly polished gems. "To create the greatest value in a material as basic as a stone, one has to first recognize the potential worth," says Gardner.

View a complete discussion at http://www.logolounge.com/trends/, including a look at emerging trends.

Gardner says that "Animotion" is another design trend to watch. These moving logos are designed for the online audience.

"The key is to study the trends, then evolve forward — as far forward as you can leap — from them," he says.

About Bill Gardner

Bill Gardner launched LogoLounge.com (http://www.logolounge.com/), an online branding resource, in 2002. The site offers a database of more than 75,000 logos.

Gardner's writings have appeared in numerous design books and periodicals. He also speaks nationally on branding topics. He was selected by Fortune magazine as one of four designers in its "Company Logo Smackdown" feature.

Gardner Design is one of the nation's top branding firms. Its clients include Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. The agency has designed identities for Cessna Aircraft Company, Kroger, and Spirit AeroSystems as well other work for Chrysler, Cargill and Hallmark.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Bill Gardner http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=33899

SOURCE Gardner Design

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