Comments on: Separated at concept? http://johndberry.com/blog/2008/04/02/116/ Typography & design, mostly Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Eileen Gunn http://johndberry.com/blog/2008/04/02/116/comment-page-1/#comment-14509 Eileen Gunn Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:17:14 +0000 http://johndberry.com/blog/?p=116#comment-14509 The Shell logo reveals that this is most likely not a locally produced poster. Perhaps Bruce Mau Design has done some work for Shell? More likely a coincidence, as you suggest, or an influence. The writing and the design of the Bruce Mau signage are each far more coherent and personal than the Shell poster. Last week, I took a Seattle visitor to explore the public library, and we walked to the top of the "books spiral," the multi-story ramp through the stacks. Just as I was wondering if I'd come to the top yet, I saw that very sign. I felt as if it had read my mind. Plus, it then anticipated and answered my next question: what do I do now? The Koolhaas-designed library is both exciting and slightly intimidating, and I actually felt <i>grateful</i> to the signage. The Shell Oil poster, on the other hand, didn't make me feel well-cared for by a concerned multi-national. Eileen The Shell logo reveals that this is most likely not a locally produced poster. Perhaps Bruce Mau Design has done some work for Shell?

More likely a coincidence, as you suggest, or an influence. The writing and the design of the Bruce Mau signage are each far more coherent and personal than the Shell poster. Last week, I took a Seattle visitor to explore the public library, and we walked to the top of the “books spiral,” the multi-story ramp through the stacks. Just as I was wondering if I’d come to the top yet, I saw that very sign. I felt as if it had read my mind. Plus, it then anticipated and answered my next question: what do I do now?

The Koolhaas-designed library is both exciting and slightly intimidating, and I actually felt grateful to the signage.

The Shell Oil poster, on the other hand, didn’t make me feel well-cared for by a concerned multi-national.

Eileen

]]>