Democratizing Branding with the Pussyhat

SVA Masters in Branding Chair Debbie Millman declares the pink pussyhat, the icon of the Women’s March in January 2017, as Brand of the Year. 

We are now at a tipping point in the way brands are being created. Branding has finally become democratized, and the results are not about the commercial. In that spirit, the SVA Masters in Branding program has chosen the First Annual Brand of the Year: the Pink Pussyhat. Conceived by Krista Suh and Jayna Zweiman, a screenwriter and architect from Los Angeles, CA, with the pattern designed by Kat Coyle, owner of The Little Knittery knitting shop, the hat was created to be worn at the Women’s March in Washington, DC, the day after the Presidential inauguration. The brand launched in November 2016, the name of it an intentional response to President Trump’s recorded comments about his ability to “grab (women) by the pussy.” Over 10 million women wore handmade pink pussy hats at or in support of Women’s March’s worldwide on January 21, 2017.

VISIT LINK

Gentleman of Letters

This 16-minute film about sign painters in Dublin is amazing. It’s great to see people carrying on this tradition into modern times.

Tips to staying on brand

1. Keep your guidelines accessible.

Have a hard copy on display at each team members desk. Have them put it in a designated place that protects it from being buried under papers, making it convenient to reference. Keep a digital version in a shared folder as well.

2. Highlight, earmark, write notes in the margins—go crazy!

This document is a tool to be used regularly. Refer to it often. Your brand guidelines are the first place you look when you’re questioning a layout, messaging strategy or visual. Use it to gather consensus among team members and move things forward.

3. The Brand Police.

Appoint one person to be responsible for knowing the content backwards and forwards—to own it. Give this person the authority to enforce the guidelines. To be the final sign-off and quality control “Brand Guidelines Police.” It’s key to have one person who knows it best.

4. When it’s time to fix.

Brand guidelines that work well are easy to follow. If it’s difficult to uphold them across your marketing materials, it’s time to think about a revision. The guidelines may be too constricting for your current needs, or lack clarity. In some cases, the introduction of a new product line or audience will trigger an update.

Our favorite Sketch book

Leuchtturm1917 Slim Master A4 Notebook Plain/Blank

Declaration Restaurant

Our client Declaration is opening a second location in Navy Yard.

Art Marks

Proud to be featured in the newest release from Counter-Print ‘Art marks’!

Art Marks is a compendium of logos from galleries, photographers, artists, museums, educational institutions, theatres, musicians, architects and designers from all over the world.

Declaration!

New work: Restaurant Branding

Longtime client Presidential Restaurant Group opens new Restaurant DECLARATION in Shaw. Washingtonian

Wrap it in Chocolate

Our Annual Holiday Wrapping Paper for Friends and Customers is here.

It's Chocolate-Scented!

Counter-Print 'Alphabet Logo'

Honored to be part of the latest book from
Counter-Print 'Alphabet Logo'.

Alphabet Logo is a compendium of logos designed from letters of the alphabet. The book contains over 500 logos from some of the world's leading design companies.

Real Raw Photo Shoot

Great time working on the Real Raw photo shoot with Tony!

Counter-Print 'Human Logo

Honored to be part of the latest book from Counter-Print 'Human Logo: Trademarks & Symbols'. This title explores the theme of people-based logos and is categorized in sections such as bodies, hands, hearts, eyes and faces. The book contains over 300 logos from some of the world’s leading design companies.

Whole Foods Market and The Miracle Foundation

Group T Design has partnered with The Miracle Foundation and Whole Foods Market to create original and eco-friendly wrapping papers showcasing imaginative drawings by orphans in India. This pioneering, creative collaboration will deepen the meaning of giving – and giving back – this holiday season. Whole Foods will donate 20% of the paper’s sales to The Miracle Foundation, an organization that empowers orphans to reach their full potential by providing them with improved education, emotional support, health care, and life skills. The orphans’ lively doodles of snowmen, snowflakes, dinosaurs, teddy bears, and other playful characters are brought to life by vivid red and green vegetable dyes. The Foundation’s slogan, “Because every child deserves to feel safe, nurtured and loved,” is also worked into the dynamic designs. “These children were thrilled to be part of the creative process,” said Tom Klindedist, Owner and Founder of Group T Design. “By immortalizing their drawings on our wrapping paper, we hope to spread awareness not only of the great work The Miracle Foundation is doing, but also the universal and enduring nature of the holiday spirit.” Manufactured in York, PA, by The Caskey Group, the designs are printed on 60# Matte paper made from 10% post-consumer waste that is Lacey Act-compliant. In fact, 100% of the electricity used to produce the paper is generated from Green-E certified renewable energy. The rich vegetable dyes are made with a high percentage of naturally replenishing vegetable oils, including soybean, linseed, canola, and rapeseed. The wrapping paper will be sold in packs of 12 sheets for $9.95 at Whole Foods Markets across the country. $2 from each purchase will support the Miracle Foundation in improving the way Indian orphanages are run and help the children who live in them become self-sufficient members of the global community.