Re: Killing It and Political Logos

Hi all!

Sorry, I'm a little late on responses for the last two blogs.

In response to a mentor, I don't officially have one mentor, or anyone who is necessarily a mentor to me. I do however, have people who have helped to mold me into who I am today, and who I aspire to be. When I was in my undergrad design program at Stevenson, I had so many influential teachers. Lori Rubeling really helped to push me out of this corporate design box I was stuck in. Sarah Verville taught me in the most thorough and efficient way most of my web skills. Maureen Weiss helped me to see letters not just as symbols of language but as shapes in my various typography courses with her. The teacher though who sticks out to me most though is Amanda Hostalka, now Dean of the School of Design. While I only had her for one class, which was my portfolio class, this class helped set the standards really for the start of my design career. And while the class was essential, it's Amanda's career-driven attitude that I admire and strive towards. She started out as a professor at Villa Julie, became Chair of the design department, and is now Dean. She balances a very busy work schedule while maintaining a family life, something that may become part of my life in the future. Before I left Stevenson, she said that she saw herself in me because I am that go-getter, overachiever. Well, I was. I've slowed down a bit, but am still on my path. So I guess Amanda is sort of my mentor, because I'd love to be able to be where she is at as early and as quick as she achieved it.

In response to the political logos, I couldn't tell you who's running for what and why, but I will say that I don't think logos are necessary for individuals in general. An individual person doesn't need to necessarily brand themselves with a logo. I sort of feel like if every person and every company had a logo, there wouldn't be any separation from corporations versus individuality. That said, I really only feel like three (maybe four) of these logos are comparable to the Obama logo since the majority of them are just names with a treatment. Hilary's is very masculine. And while it does have an arrow as the bar of the "H", I don't think it directly relates to FedEx which was much more successful, with a less obvious, negative space created arrow that most people don't know exists unless its pointed out to them (the Aha! moment). Carson's re-design of the "A" in America could stand by itself. Again, whether successfully, is debatable. It's very playful. O'M.....why does it look like a speech bubble? Ted Cruz's fire flag I feel could have religious connotations. I feel like I've seen that smooth fire shape used in several church logos before.