So What Does the Map of a Subway System Have to do With Graphic Design?

In 1972, the city of New York contracted graphic designer Massimo Vignelli to redesign its subway route map. Vignelli approached the project with a simple principle: communicate the necessary information to the user at the exact point of decision making, not before or after. Vignelli’s design was inspired by Henry Beck’s map, which was designed for London’s Underground Tube system half a century earlier.

While previous maps showed the train routes as geographically accurate, Vignelli adopted Beck’s method by discarding this avenue since it was extremely confusing for readers to interpret. Instead, he visually represented the routes as 45° and 90° angles, with each line indicated by a different color, and each stop by a dot.

This layout stemmed from his belief in the idea of functional beauty, or the structuring and arranging of information with the purpose of making it more understandable. This philosophy is commonly used in the design of graphs, maps, websites, blueprints, etc.

Information, Graphic Design, & The User Experience

Thanks to Massimo Vignelli’s redesign of the NY subway transit system map, passengers seeking information about train routes, hours, and delays were greeted with a user-friendly map that utilizes some of the same disciplines we employ today in the name of user interaction and user experience.
Today, with the advent of the internet on top of an already overabundance of sensory information that includes billboards, radio, magazines, television, and more, the importance of organizing information is key to helping your business not only survive, but thrive. At Green Group Studio, we are experts in structuring, arranging, and connecting potential customers to businesses through our SEO, Graphic Design, Web Design, and Web Development services. Click our live chat button to see how we can help you connect your business to potential customers, or give us a call at 561-594-7336!

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Who Should Use Posters

Posters aren’t just for bands and movies anymore. Rather, they can be used for nearly any type of industry to capture attention, display graphics, or inform others. Artist use them to sell prints of their work, retailers use them to announce special promotions, and even banks use them to tell clients about their products. No matter your business, posters are a great marketing material to send a message.

Standard Poster Sizes

The most common sizes for posters are 11×17 (small), 18×24 (medium), and 24×36 (large). When choosing your poster size, it is important to keep in mind how much copy you would like to display and whether it is going to be displayed indoors or out. For example, if you were to display your poster outside you would need to print on weather-resistant material, which keeps the ink from running or bleeding. You can get the most out of your space by having a design printed on the front and back.

Digital or Press Printing

There are many options for printing your final artwork, the most common of which are digital (printed like an inkjet printer) and press (printed in four color CYMK). When choosing which printing option is best for your company’s design, you need to take into consideration your budget. Traditionally, digital has a lower printing cost, no setup fees, and a shorter turnaround time than press printing.

Resolution for Large Prints

A key factor when it comes to the overall look and feel of your poster design is the use of high-resolution images and graphics. Using low quality images can cause your final printout to look pixelated and grainy, giving your potential clients a bad first impression. Not sure if your graphics are up to par for print? Our team here at Green Group Studio can help make sure all your images and graphics are high-resolution and print-ready.

For more information on designing a poster for your business, call Green Group Studio at 561-594-7336. To learn more about our graphic design services, click HERE.

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This past May, Instagram did the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the shocking—they updated their software to version 8.0. Gone is our beloved retro brown camera logo, replaced instead with a gradient rainbow that looks suspiciously similar to an old Microsoft background (see stage left). Like saying goodbye to an old friend whose presence is comforting and familiar, Instagram users now find themselves overwhelmed with emotion as they frantically search for the app among the hundreds of other brightly-colored icons crowding their phone screens.

While many others covered the change immediately after its initial inception, we here at Green Group Studio needed a moment to get out of our feelings—and let the internet’s uproar settle down into a gentle purr of resignation—before we decided to address them.

Instagram’s New Logo

While compared to a majority of other apps that updated their logos back in 2013 (spurred by Apple’s release of IOS7), Instagram’s 8.0 update made them the latest app to jump onto the proverbial bandwagon and embrace a flat design logo. Instagram’s head designer cited the change as a “reflection of the apps evolution.”

Instagram’s designers’ major struggle though (like most companies attempting to rebrand) was in keeping the recognizable and nostalgic elements of the original logo, while creating a new logo that embraced the colorful community that inspires them. The iconic rainbow is now visible in the gradient background of the icon, while the camera is inferred with simplistic shapes. Designing a new logo that successfully encompasses the passion and viewpoint of an established brand is an art that requires a deep understanding of the company’s culture, as well as where they want to position themselves in the future. To learn more about logo design, CLICK HERE.

Instagram’s New User Interface

Instagram’s changes didn’t just stop with their logo, the inside of the app received something of a major makeover as well. Instead of a blue bar spanning the top, the app is now extremely minimalistic with its black and white layout, void of any ornament that could potentially detract from users’ posts. This change is said to be caused by a desire to put more focus on user-uploaded images and videos, allowing them to take center stage.

Although the appearance has changed, the functionality has remained the same—allowing users to navigate the app as they always have. To learn more about App Development Services, call today at 561-594-7336.

The Final Stage: Acceptance

After watching the initial rocky introduction of the 8.0 Instagram update, and then the sudden cooling down, we picked up on something rather interesting about the company’s approach. In addition to shocking us with a new logo and UI, Instagram announced its decision to implement a feed based on an algorithm (similar to Facebook).

While some users were privy to the update back in May, the rest of us had to wait until the end of June (anxiously hoping that the next update wouldn’t make us this features latest victim). This upgrade would create a non-chronological feed that would show users the most popular posts on their feed, or what Instagram thinks you will be the most interested in, before the newest posts.

We suspect that even the thought of an impending update to their feed was enough to distract most people from Instagram’s rebranding efforts, allowing for an unintended acceptance of the company’s changes. Touché Instagram, touché!
In the end, Instagram users will get used to the new logo, user interface, and feed—just as they’ve done with every update before it. Instagram’s rebranding is a message of hope to all companies interested in an evolution of their own, it is possible to successfully rebrand your company! To learn more about Green Group Studio’s Rebranding Services, CLICK HERE or give us a call at 561-594-7336!

The post Instagram Rebrands Itself in 2016 – And the Internet Went Crazy appeared first on Green Group Studio.

Information Hierarchy

When designing a functional and effective letterhead, it is important to guide the reader’s eye to the most important elements. For example, having your logo at the top left and your company’s contact information to the right will provide a clean and concise way for readers to process your information.

Paper Stocks

Paper stock plays a big part when it comes to corporate identity, even more so when it involves your stationery (letterhead, envelope, etc.). There are many different paper options available, from matte to linen, all of which provide your letterhead with a better look and feel over basic printer paper from your office supply store. Choosing the right paper will also depend on the current design of your corporate identity, and the effect you wish to have on your customer.

Looking to increase the effectiveness of your corporate identity and improve your level of perceived professionalism? Call Green Group Studio today to enlist our design services for a letterhead that adds to your brand!

The post Letterhead Design: Greeting Customers the Right Way appeared first on Green Group Studio.

Envelope Shapes

Envelopes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from square envelopes (typically used for invitations to parties or events) to catalogs (primarily used when shipping large items such as legal documents) to rectangular envelopes! However, the choice between different-shaped envelopes is usually based on the items being carried within.

Envelope Sizes

When having your logo and address printed on envelopes, it’s important to know what the size of your envelope is and therefore the amount of space you’re allotted. Some of the most common sizes of envelopes are A1, A2, A4, A7, and #10. Once the size of the envelope is determined, placement of the logo and address is next. It’s important to remember to leave enough space for the recipient’s address as well as the stamp, otherwise the envelope may appear crowded.

Envelope Paper Stocks

Choosing a unique paper stock for your envelopes is another way to customize its look and help your business stand out from the competition. You may want to consider card stock for a sturdy feel, kraft paper envelops for a rustic look, linen for classic elegance, or recycled stock to convey an eco-friendly vibe. Other options include cotton, baronial, laid, and cougar. For a unique surprise, you can also consider adding specialty effects like a foil lining or a completely metallic envelope!

Envelope Colors

The color of an envelope typically relies on the paper stock being used as well as the decided usage of your company’s colors. Some different envelope color options include brilliant white, light gray, champagne, and pearl. When adding your logo and address to the envelope, we recommend using the same Pantone color used in your logo (for more on logo colors, click HERE) so that your marketing materials are consistent in appearance.

Green Group Studio is experienced with the design of envelopes, and we have a number of trusted vendors that we work closely with who can make your vision come to life. To get started, or to learn more about our Corporate Identity Package, call us today at (561) 594-7336.

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