Magazine covers usually aim to please. The idea seems to be that if a cover image offends as few people as possible, as many people as possible will buy the magazine. MOMA’s current exhibition of George Lois’s legendary Esquire covers proves the opposite to be true. Between 1962 and 1972, Lois’s provocative, opinionated, funny and sometimes even angry work boosted the magazine’s sales figures to hit record highs. The small but eloquent exhibition is a celebration of his vision. As in a strong, uncompromising vision imagined and executed by one person who was left alone by marketing departments and anxious editors. The covers are clean and simple graphically, often featuring a powerful photograph or photo montage against a white background. “There is no design,” said Lois, a sharp and ebullient 77-year-old native New Yorker, at the press viewing last week, “It’s the architecture of an idea.” (more…)

You asked your legal, copyright, and trademark questions, and Jean has answered! All questions are culled from the comments section attached to the original ‘Ask Jean’ post. We invite you to ask more questions.

Kelly says:

Hi Jean,
I asked a question awhile back that didn’t get answered - I’m wondering what to do in situations where an author wants to maintain copyright, but needs to remain anonymous. I am working on a blog and book that are being done under a pseudonym, and I don’t know how to go about protecting the material while not publishing my legal name.
Kelly

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The concept of “green” typography may seem ridiculous to non-type-nerds and, yes OK, perhaps typography can’t conquer climate change, but it can certainly help communicate it! With these thoughts in mind, I thought it would be interesting to share some recent examples I’ve found of contemporary typography that truly redefine those terrifying visions of green (and tree-shaped) logos! (more…)

‘Synergy’ is one of those words I hate: a business buzzword that’s so ubiquitous as to be meaningless. Trouble is, the word pretty much describes what we try to do with HOW as a brand. Speakers at the HOW Design Conference write for the magazine or are sources for articles. Feature stories become conference sessions. Conference speakers author HOW Books and vice versa. (more…)

Judith Uzcategui’s banner design for the Baltimore Urban Forest project

Surprise is the most magical element of birthdays, holidays, and vacations. When asked what gift I might like for a special occasion, I usually say “surprise me,” to maintain the amusing belief that something unusual can happen. The experience of not knowing what to expect is just as welcome a gift as an object like a book, new sweater, or fancy dinner out. Indeed, one of my best birthday parties featured all my favorite people hiding behind the couch in my living room and screaming “surprise” as I opened the door. (more…)

When I was first asked to contribute a piece on design ethics to Notes, I wondered how I could credibly comment on such a complex and highly academic topic. Whilst sitting at the early stages of my creative career, I wondered how many of us really understand what it means to be a “good” designer, and asked myself, if and how, I am a “good” (socially-responsible) designer? (more…)

Money is associated with many things, but beauty is not usually one of them. However, in his fascinating project “Neutral Currency”, artist Peter Simensky transforms ordinary, dog-eared bills from unstable currencies into gorgeous hand-assembled collages that are printed into limited edition series. The kaleidoscopic mish-mash of pastel-colored faces and national symbols create a provocative imagery that is rich with meaning. The design of each bill is based around a theme such as “revolution”, “visionaries”, “nature vs. industry”, and others. (more…)

I recently came across the great work of Finnish photographer Ilkka Halso. His photographic series the ‘Museum of Nature’ wonderfully challenges the natural environment from its current state into a future world where it is something we have to visit to experience. The collection of compelling images pictures a series of man-made structures that enclose nature, protecting it from pollution. Using images of nature and 3D digital manipulation, this photographic collection captures a future vision of nature as a museum display. Challenging the audience’s interaction with the endangered artifact of the natural environment, Halso manages to truly visualize a future we so desperately do not want to see a reality. (more…)

Look out, Fashion Week and Restaurant Week, there’s a new week on the block! This summer, the City of New York will celebrate its thriving internet community by introducing the week-long festival New York Internet Week from June 3 – 10. The event is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences in cooperation with the The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. Just like web itself, Internet Week will be open for anyone to attend events and throw events without a fee. (They will also be spread out all over.) Conferences and seminars that are scheduled so far will feature topics such as applied cryptography and network security, marketing and videos for online magazines. The schedule is also sprinkled with high-profile parties like the official launch festivities on June 3rd, the 12th annual Webby awards gala on June 12 and a host of smaller networking events. Unlike the internet, the first two aforementioned bashes are not open to the public, but perhaps that just makes it all the more fun to hack your way in.

You asked your legal, copyright, and trademark questions, and Jean has answered! All questions are culled from the comments section attached to the original ‘Ask Jean’ post. We invite you to ask more questions.

Jean,

We own the trademark for a fashion label in the work form and stylized form. We have been trading as this trademark for over 30 years. However recently another company released a new fashion brand with the same name except they changed one of the letters from an n to a l (the fourth letter).

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