A series of articles interrogating the future
He’s going to tell you anyway
On the 11th of September 2024, NB and Michael Wolff celebrated the launch of Michael Wolff’s book, Leap before you look, The heart and soul of branding. The book celebrates Michaels’s unorthodox journey through the swinging ’60s, as creative director of Wolff Olins and a roving freelance global consultant.
[Opinions][Insights]
No thanks necessary
I can't bear it any longer. I have been frequently and systematically congratulated for the design, production and publishing of Michael Wolff's magnificent book; "Leap before you look". I didn’t really have anything much to do with it. So I thought I should confess.
[Opinions][Insights]
The harder the brief the better
Last week Nick and I talked at the Typocircle about rules and how to bend, break and ignore them. It was also an excuse to share 27 years of our favourite work and the stories behind them. The next day I was sent this picture and it got me thinking…NB has always thrived creatively on tough briefs. The harder the brief the better.
AdTech branding: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
AdTech’s innovation revolution has failed to translate into memorable AdTech branding. That’s embarrassing, especially given that these brands live in the world of media, advertising and publishing.
[Opinions][Insights]
Guidelines: I’m never going to give you up
Time to celebrate the beautifully imperfect guideline rollout.
[Opinions][Insights] 3 Minute Read
The Joy of Collaboration
At the beginning of 2022 when we rebranded off-broadway theatre Vineyard Theatre we had high hopes of collaborating with the design community across the pond. Our strategic territory of ‘Fearlessly Made in New York’ lent itself to handing over part of the brand to New Yorkers - tying in perfectly with Vineyard’s ethos of heroing the makers and making of their performances and shining a light on their own creative community in New York. So why not hand over the logo? Great idea in principle, but in reality?
[Opinions]
Some brands easily stretch into new categories, others don’t. And I know why
The world’s most successful brands share one thing in common: they are all stretchy. Apple started life as a computer company. Now Mac sales are eclipsed by phones, services, home products and accessories. Lego was a carpentry workshop. Toyota used to make looms for weaving. And Wrigley’s sold soap long before it sold chewing gum...
[What if?] 2 Minute Read
About 37 years too late, I think I’m turning Gen Z
A long time ago, I left university with a Philosophy degree and found myself virtually incapable of making a decision: “On the one hand yes but on the other hand no,” became my catchphrase.
[Insights] 3 Minute Read
Refreshing the refresh
New work by NB for Mindshare and GR8 People illustrates our commitment to relationships and our belief in adaptive branding.
[What if?] 2 Minute Read
Elite doesn’t have to mean elitist
‘Art for arts sake’ is no longer an acceptable motivation for leading cultural institutions. Shifting expectations and increasing scrutiny are leading many cultural organisations to rethink both their approach to art and how they present themselves.
[Insights] 2 Minute Read
What if you could create your way out of a recession?
Everywhere is doom and gloom. Sterling is hovering at its weakest level in decades. Energy prices (and prices more generally) are spiralling out of control.
[What if?] 3 Minute Read
Is Virgin playing a dangerous branding game that’s become unsustainable?
The true value of the Virgin brand is at the centre of a high court battle. NB Studio argues that Richard Branson’s baby has lost its once boundary-breaking lustre.
[Opinions][Insights] 2 Minute Read
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