ISTD Briefs

Quite a varied range of briefs from the ISTD website. Found that looking through the criteria not only are the looking for the resolved work but also the development of the project as well.. Which I thought was quite interesting, it means they asses an entire body of work and not just a finished and resolved piece of work.

Think that project 02 is probably my favourite - but also the most daunting one as well;

PUTTING ON A FRESH FACE

Our society was founded in July 1928 as the British Typographers’ Guild. Seven like-minded typographers met to create a society aiming ‘to place a bona fide typographer in every printing office and advertising agency that is worthy of the name’ and ‘to raise the standard of British typography both by precept and by practice’

In the early 1950s the name was changed to the Society of Typographic Designers, STD. Nearly 50 years later, to recognise growing influence in other countries and at the behest of then President Colin Banks, STD became ISTD, the International Society of Typographic Designers.

From that time, when the de facto medium of communication – and the typographer – was print, we continue to transform our practice to address existing and emerging media.

The Brief

ISTD is setting a challenge to students aspiring to be members – refresh the visual identity of the society.

This could incorporate the adoption of a new logo but such a fundamental change of identity would demand a strong supporting strategy articulating the benefits as well as the visual material to illustrate that. Alternatively, there is wide scope for revision using the existing logo – the choice is yours. While we are not actively seeking to change our identity this is a good opportunity to influence us.

You may wish to consider how your proposals will apply to some of the range of print matter that we publish – the ISTD journal ‘Typographic’, the members’ newsletter ‘Condensed’, catalogues and promotional material.

The web also offers huge opportunities for creating connections amongst ISTD’s international membership. 

Pushing beyond the everyday and expected, and considering the web in all its forms, evaluate the creative opportunities that the web can offer as part of your rebrand. How might social media – Twitter, Facebook and other services, for example – be used creatively as part of a wider ISTD web strategy? What other opportunities exist through the creative use and combination of web technologies – maybe an ISTD app?

Use print, screen, combined media – the choice is yours – as long as it expresses a solid idea, informs us and shows your typographic skills. Remember that words and language are our collateral and that your submission should be essentially typographic.

Target Market

ISTD members, professional and student designers and educators.

Requirements

• Research and Development • Strategy • Specifications/Grid(s) • Dummy/Prototype(s)

• Presentation

Cross-reference this project brief with the Assessment Criteria sheet.

Submissions will only be accepted in one robust portfolio no larger than a2.