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03.10.16

Michael Bierut + Jessica Helfand | Audio

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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More from Michael Bierut + Jessica Helfand

Episode 127: Fear and Longing
Fiona Apple’s Fetch the Bolt Cutters; Hrishi Hirway and Mike Errico; The Quiz Broadcast; Shakespeare and Co. Project

Episode 126: Screens and Dreams
Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration; Unorthodox; My Brilliant Friend; The Affair; Anil Dash on the dangers of social media; Anna Wiener on Silicon Valley; quarantine dreams

Episode 125: Zoom Aesthetics
Zoom aesthetics and COVID-19; Kyle Chayka on minimalism; Deborah Berke on shared spaces; Jessica Salfia’s poem “The First Lines of Emails I’ve Received While Quarantining”; Megan O’Grady on artistic recluses

Episode 124: That Thing You Do
Making art and design during the COVID-19 pandemic; Christoph Niemann and Daniella Zalcman; Adam Schlesinger; spec scripts for Larry David

Episode 123: Closing Doors, Opening Doors
Looking at COVID=19: Flattening the curve, Washington Post designers Harry Stevens on visualizing social distancing, Alissa Walker on how dots are people, Stephen Sondheim at 90

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