EconoArts?

Is it just me, or is the logo for Center Stage, the new, controversial, arts center here in Richmond, VA remarkably similar to a well known hotel chain's logo? Just sayin...



p.s. I always thought that the EconoLodge logo looked like it was advertising that they had clean toilets.

Design 21 "Celebrate Diversity" Logo Design Contest: $3,000 prize

I'm really torn about posting design contests, I feel like they ultimately undercut the job that we do as designers, but at the same time I know that a lot of people are having an especially hard time financially right now. So if you're out of work or a student and you have the time to design a logo for free for just the chance of winning $3,000 then this may be for you...

DESIGN 21: SOCIAL DESIGN NETWORK LAUNCHES 'CELEBRATE DIVERSITY'
A Competition to Design the Logo for UNESCO's Cultural Diversity Festival

The Celebrate Diversity competition was developed to benefit UNESCO and support its role as organizer of the International Festival of Cultural Diversity. Through this initiative, DESIGN 21 hopes to utilize the remarkable creativity of its global base of designers while inspiring better design for the greater good. Participants are asked to design a logo that embodies the spirit of this one-of-a-kind festival. The winning design will be used on future marketing and communication materials including: programs, posters, brochures, stationery, video footage and the web.

To be considered for the competition, the logo must include: an icon representing the festival as well as the festival title in French or English. Entries should be submitted in both a black-and-white and color version. The "Overall Winner" will receive $3,000 as well as international exposure. Another $1,000 will be awarded to two "Judge's Picks" as decided on by select DESIGN 21 Advisory Board members; $500 will go to the "Most Popular" design as voted on by DESIGN 21's members. Deadline for entries is May 19, 2009.

For more information, please visit http://www.design21sdn.com/competitions/18

Linkage: Organic Hamsters and Heartwarming Graffiti

Heartwarming graffiti that no one will complain about. via

Do you trust a bank whose logo looks like underpants? Thanks Sherry & John!

Ant-consumerist Rev. Billy is running for Mayor of New York. via

Nature's Revenge graffiti (image shown) via

"Available Online For Free" the sticker (image shown) via

Biodegradable bag lasts just 60 days via

How green is your toilet paper? via

Hamsters prefer organic food, or at least this one does. via

Corporate Font

French font studio SMeltery is offering several free fonts including this alphabet made up entirely of international corporate logos: COnsume More. It's reminiscent of artist Heidi Cody's classic American Alphabet.


Download your copy HERE.


Thanks Stephanie!

Terrorist Logos

Ironic Sans has an fascinating article on the design of terrorist organizations logos. While more an overview than a definitive study it is certainly an engrossing compendium which begs some interesting unanswered questions about how these logos get designed and by whom.

ALR in 1000 Retail Graphics

My company's logo design for Metamorphosis Mind + Body Boutique, a holistic spa in Richmond, VA is included in the new book 1000 Retail Graphics from Rockport Publishers.

Logo Left Behind

The reprehensible educational program No Child Left Behind has a new equally reprehensible logo (did you even know they had an old logo?).

Via Brand New, whose post on it also features some rather entertaining responses by the design community.