The Norman Brothers logo design process

Gavin Braman 1.23.2012 3

Logo design process!

Background: The Norman Brothers are “an award winning turnkey production and post production company. Developing, writing, producing, directing, and editing for all facets of distribution, we collaborate with brands and agencies to create richly imagined, highly engaging commercial, documentary, and web media that is as entertaining as it is diverse.”

We’re currently working on their website, but you can see their latest reel here: http://thenormanbrothers.com/ Everything they do is brilliant, so check it out.

We always start on paper. Sometimes people want to jump straight to the computer, but it’s easy to miss out on the little nuances of actually picking up a pen and drawing first. When I start sketching I make sure to use different types of pens. I have brush pens, calligraphy-styled pens, fat pens, markers, actual brushes, all types of point sizes, etc. You’re going to get a different effect with each one and sometimes you may not have imagined a style until you actually write with a new pen.

Sketching hand-drawn scripts. When I sketch, I use large 18″ x 24″ sketch pads and I really go to town on them. It’s like practicing your personal signature. You’ve most likely spent some time when you were younger just signing your name over and over. Write the words at different speeds, you’ll connect words in new ways. Write large and small letters, don’t consistently write at the same size. Don’t steal other peoples styles, but make sure you have a good visual-vocabulary of different writing styles, ligatures and letter-shape variations.

Initial sketches: (this is like 1 of 8 giant sheets of paper)

The Norman Brother logo sketches

This is the final logo. There are two formats depending on use and a small circular mark. What do you guys think?

The Norman Brothers final logo

The Norman Brothers logo close up

Beautiful Women Inspire.

Gavin Braman 1.19.2012 0

Just wanted to share some of the other random, yet visually exciting things we do. Take a peak at some photos from my last few photo shoots.

For me it’s all about the adventure, not just the final image. The entire experience is fun. Finding new and unusual locations—off the beaten path. Connecting with creative and beautiful models. Styling and experimenting with light and shadow. Stumbling onto cool processes, methods or effects in post-production. It’s nice because it’s just something I do for myself, there’s no pressure and I can do exactly what I want. Experimenting outside of what I do on a daily basis is really important for my brain. Anytime you do the same thing over and over, you’re bound to get stale (no matter how much you love your job, and I really love my job), but when I mix in outside inspiration, or try new things, it really amps up my design work.

I stumbled onto this duotone process below, loved it and I’m now using it in a client project. Real world application!

black and white photography of model with white shirt and tie

forest photography with furry women

Warmest Christmas Gif(t) Ever!

Gavin Braman 12.22.2011 0

Merry Christmas everyone! (or which ever holiday you may be celebrating). Hope it’s awesome!

Here’s the Christmas card we sent out. And be sure to watch our Christmas Gif(t) below!

Click the image if it isn’t doing anything awesome. Christmas Card in Action

christmas card on fire

inside of christmas card

That Conference

Gavin Braman 12.14.2011 0

that conference logo

Currently working on the branding, website and all kinds of fun marketing materials for That Conference. Just wanted to share a little bit! Much more to come.

The first phase of the website is moving along quite nicely. You can check it out here: thatconference.com

That Conference will be in August of 2012 at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI and will be a developer’s dream summer camp. It’s going to be pretty epic, so if you plan to attend one conference next year, make it one where you can learn about the geekiest stuff from top developers and then ride a giant water slide immediately after. Be sure to sign up on the site to stay up to date. Or follow them on twitter: @thatconference