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The Logosphere

This week, Jessica and Michael get around to discussing the new logo for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the ensuing hubbub, and why so many hubbubs ensue from new logos. Also see Michael’s recent Design Observer essay on the subject.

These strong reactions are evidence of emotional bonds with the institutions they represent. In a few months, he says:

We may already be there, but in a few months, clients will be upset if their logo launches and there isn’t a strong reaction, even a negative strong reaction to it.

Also, Jessica talks about her work as artist in residence at the Yale Institute for Network Science. She is running a monthly clinic for the scientists, but an International Style makeover makes some researchers uneasy. One of them told her:

If you made my poster look as good as you just made his poster look, nobody would take me seriously in my field.

And finally, they discuss authenticity and design in the Democratic primary, inspired by Lindsay Ballant’s essay.

Thanks to Memobottle for sponsoring this episode.

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By Michael Bierut & Jessica Helfand

Jessica Helfand is an artist and writer based in New England. A former critic at Yale School of Art and one of the founding editors of Design Observer, she is the author of several books on visual culture including Self Reliance, Design: The Invention of Desire, and Face: A Visual Odyssey. jessicahelfand.com

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