Design & Culture

Where design and culture intersect. Editorials exploring how branding shapes—and is shaped by—culture, society, design history, and civic identity.

Strategy & Messaging Shop

Reviews & Critiques Shop

Design & Culture Shop

Resources & Tools Shop

Identity & Visual Systems Shop

Talks, Press & Notorieties Shop

Studio Insights Shop

Recent Articles

Branding with AI: Designing Ideas That Actually Stand Out

The branding world is stuck in a loop—algorithmically optimized, endlessly recycled, and visually homogenous. Whether it’s millennial skincare, artisanal coffee, or neo-grotesque everything, sameness reigns.

Utah 2034 Olympic Logo Review: A Brand Caught Between Logo and System

A critical review of the Utah 2034 Winter Olympic Games logo and early brand rollout. We examine legibility, abstraction, committee design, and why the identity feels unfinished—yet full of potential.

OpenAI's Brand Refresh: When AI Companies Hire Human Designers

We try to unpack the visual evolution of the AI giant responsible for ChatGPT, examining the sleek typography, minimalist aesthetic, and animations created, ironically, by humans.

The Illusion of Brand vs the Demand of Marketing: 5 Myths about Brand Investment

Design & Culture

Investing in your brand is always an investment, and it can pay off more quickly than most people realize. Let’s talk about it.

Why Brands Need to Innovate to Stay Relevant

7 Idaho Companies I'd like to Rebrand in 2024

Why a Recession Is a Great Time to Invest In Your Brand

The Ultimate Guide to Branding a City, Smart City, or Town (Plus 6 Examples)

How to Effortlessly Book a Brand Designer

Brand Identity Design for Cities, Towns, and Neighborhoods

Vexilla Axes: Exploring the Potential of Speculative Typography at Typeforce 11