Graphic Design and Me

Surefire Logos: Our new logo design company

graphicdesignandme — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:59:03 +0000

I have started a new logo design company to partner with my Mazziotti Design company.

It is called Surefire Logos.

Here are the graphics we are using for our online graphic advertisements.

If you are in need of a logo feel free to contact me at the numbers above.

You can check out our Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saratoga-Springs-UT/Surefire-Logos/329482277913
or follow us on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/surefirelogos

Finally a new post!

graphicdesignandme — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:51:07 +0000

It has been a long 18 months since I have posted on my design blog.

A lot of things have happened that prevented me from writing.

1. Finished building our new house and moved
2. Quit the ratrace and went into working for myself full time as a freelance graphic design
3. Had a beautiful baby daughter.

BUT NO MORE EXCUSES!

I am going to write on here at least once a week with new critiques and design projects that I am working on.

I look forward to hearing you feedback!

Graphic Design Store

graphicdesignandme — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:17:19 +0000

I recently opened a store for my graphic design services through bigcartel.com
It is a nice streamlined way to purchase services from me. Currently I have logo design, brochure design and stationery available. Any other services can be purchased by contacting me directly at
jordon@mazziottidesign.com

The link to the store is http://mazziottidesign.bigcartel.com

Shutterstock Logo Redesign

graphicdesignandme — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:41:51 +0000

The stock photography provider Shutterstock rolled out their new logo this last week.
In my opinion it is just another logo redesign that really doesn’t add to the company at all. Neither logo (old or new) does anything for me. The new logo distances itself from any correlation with photography. I also think that there is a huge disconnected with the words Shutterstock and Images. It is neither clean or as iconic and memorable as their stock photography counterpart iStock. I could not find a press release of the logo. So if anyone can find one, let me know and I will link it.

Old Shutterstock logo

New Shutterstock logo

I have not posted in a while. But I have been able to collect a bunch of new articles for the blog, so stayed tuned. I should have a influx of entries in the coming days and weeks.

The Dark Knight movie posters are AMAZING!!!!

graphicdesignandme — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:26:16 +0000

This set of posters for the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight” as really amazing. Personally, this is the movie that I have the most desire to see this summer. These posters helped fuel this desire any more.
Enjoy. They are a feast on the eyes.

I think that this one is my favorite.

With this one being a close 2nd place.

Movie Posters from the Summer 2008

graphicdesignandme — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:16:06 +0000

I love me a good movie poster! I think that a nice movie poster along with a good trailer go along way in making the movie successful.

Here are some posters from the Summer 2008 movie season that I though were really amazing.

I think that this works great. Simple and impactful.

A strong image of Angelina Jolie. Is much more really needed.

Disney’s graphic team always does it right when it comes to movie posters for their Pixar films.

Love it!

I love the distressed and desperation that this post emits.

I loved the imagery used in this movie and it carried over onto the poster. The bright colors just pull you in.

This movie came out in the Spring, but this poster is amazing.

I am a sucker for the burst in the background. Plus I think that this poster has a great focal point.

The first Iron Man poster is one of my favorite of the season. Amazing.

Very cool poster. Now let’s see if the movie will be any good.

I love almost anything that is involved with Frank Miller. Everthing is so vivid, even with just the black and the red.

Nice stuff.

I am scared already, but somehow feel that I will be dissappointed in the end.

These one really caught my eye. There is one set of movie poster that stood above the rest. But it deserves a post of its own.

Starz Entertainment Logo Redesign

graphicdesignandme — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:10:50 +0000

Starz has recently redesigned the logo for their company. Something personally I had been hoping for some time now. I am glad to see them get rid of the big star and something contained in their text. The subtle nature of the star is great and the text is modern. Good job Starz.

March 31, 2008 – “Starz Entertainment on Monday unveiled a $25 million brand and marketing initiative that will include a new logo, a new on-air look and an integrated advertising campaign on-air and online.

The aim of the campaign is to “drive home the company’s passion to bring the best entertainment experience to its viewers with a variety of different programming across multiple Starz delivery platforms,” the company said.

Starz added that the yearlong brand campaign — dubbed “Are You Ready?” — is the company’s largest long-term brand investment since 2002. The new identity will run across the six Starz standard-definition channels and the four HD channels, with the new logo debuting on-air April 2.”

New Super 8 Hotel Logo

graphicdesignandme — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:29:36 +0000

The hotel chain Super 8 unveiled their new logo on 5.12.08.

In the press release they discuss the reasoning:
“Leaders of the Super 8® lodging chain today unveiled a new logo featuring a brighter, modern graphic design that — while retaining the 33-year-old original’s colors and outline — symbolizes a brand makeover that includes a new interior décor package for newly constructed hotels and enhanced amenities and services systemwide.

Valletta said introduction of the new logo was the final step in a multiyear revitalization effort that was developed and executed in close cooperation with the brand’s franchisees and advisory board “to stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive market.”

This is definitely an upgrade. The old logo is extremely dated and it was definitely in need of something new. I am not a fan of the swooshes around the Super part of logo. The one other problem that I do see with it is that it seems too RIGHT NOW. I am worried that as design trends progress, they will have to redesign this again sooner rather than later.

Logo Design Promotion

graphicdesignandme — Sun, 18 May 2008 23:59:05 +0000

Mazziotti Design is currently have a logo design promotion. Contact us today if you would like us to design your logo.
Visit Mazziotti Design to see samples of the logos we have done in the past.

2008 Album Covers

graphicdesignandme — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:31:22 +0000

I believe that an album can help or hurt album sales. At times it can make them look legit. Or even make it seem like they care about there presentation.
Recently I was looking at cds at Target and saw the album artwork of the new Sevendust album. I looked on the back and saw the font Brush Script. I was a little shocked and dissappointed because Brush Script does not say Sevendust to me.

Here are bunch of album covers from 2008 Releases that I find noteworthy for one reason or another.

NIN – the slip (which is available for free off of their website)

Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs

Coldplay – Viva La Vida
I like the look of the white splattered paint all over the painting.

Weezer – The Red Album
Blue. Green. Red. What color will Weezer use on their next release.

Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark
Simple and Understated, refreshingly modern look for an artist that has been around forever.

P.O.D. – When Angels & Serpents Dance

Kerli – Love is Dead

Distrubed – Indestructible
Not usually a fan of this kind of artwork, but thought this one was done well. It isn’t Lamb of God or Cannibal Corpse (thank goodness).

Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords
The illustrations on this album are really fun.

Radiohead – In Rainbows

Millencolin – Machine 15

Alanis Morissette – Flavors of Entanglement
I like this album cover a lot. It is really pleasant to look at.

Panic at the Disco – The Pretty Odd

Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple
It’s crazy just like Gnarls Barkley!

Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III
I just think this is funny.

Jack Johnson – Sleep Through the Static
The font used for Jack Johnson is awesome.