Is Jack off?

Its been some time since I entertained you with my witty commentary on Graphic Design...but I was recently inspired again on a seemingly innocent trip to Jack-In-The Box, where I was shocked by the new logo...yes "new" logo which has apparently been in existence since last year...where have I been???? Apparently not at this fast food locale...because the new logo is...well...worthy of questioning.

I grew up in Michigan in a suburb of Detroit where I remember one location of Jack-In-The-Box. They had a huge version of a jack-in-the box toy out front which I loved as we drove by (we rarely got to eat there) ....I loved that Jack-In-The Box. However in the late 70's the owners of the company decided to focus their efforts on expanding the Southwest US locations, and any trace of a Jack-In-The-Box was gone...until I moved out to California in 1988 and was re-introduced to it...EVERYWHERE.

Even if you don't love the food at Jack-In-The-Box, you HAVE to love JACK. How can you not? The commercials are hilarious...I loved when they were promoting the food bowls and all the employees got bowl haircuts... and the antenna balls have become an icon...marketing at its best.

But back to this logo design...It wasn't broke...so why'd they try and fix it? The 2008 logo was everywhere...with excellent brand recognition...simple...and was reminiscent of a classic American hamburger joint. The new logo is a 3-d box with a cursive style "Jack" and that seems a bit too contemporary...trying hard to modernize itself...with "Jack" literally in the box, and "in the box" dangling somewhere in outer space. Don't forget the name IS "Jack-In-The Box" not "Just Jack" (envision jazz hands here) oh..yeah..."in the box"...an afterthought.

Bottom line...I love Jack...but hate this new logo.

T and A in Las Vegas?? Or Should I say "B and B"...

Picture it...the drive out to Vegas...Vegas Baby!! As you pass all the rest stops, and Zzyzx Road, the distance between you and your "real life" expands...and off on the horizon you see it....The Strip. (The clouds separate, the stream of hot sun light emerges, and the angels sing). On that 15 Freeway you pass billboard after billboard promising you the time of your life....along with $0.99 shrimp cocktails...

That was me and my friends...kids behind...ready for a weekend that would "stay in Vegas"...and then one particular billboard caught my attention..."Bare"...the semi-nude pool area at The Mirage where we were staying...so I commented on the logo...well, I said...now that's a logo! Not too obvious...on the classy side for Vegas...
Do you think the "B" in "Bare" is supposed to be a set of ta-tas or booty??
"Neither" said one of the guys in the car...its just a decorative "B".
Are you kidding me??
I thought you guys were supposed to have one of those thoughts like every 1.8 seconds....aren't you?

Is it the logo designer in me, or my dirty mind (yes, I have been known to have a slightly compromising thought once in a blue moon...pun intended). FOR SURE...that curvature is supposed to be one of two bodacious body parts, both of which start with the letter "B"...the argument ensued...however I know I was right....

Maybe in the unique environment of Sin City, a subtle "B" is lost on the masses....especially when inundated with outrageously huge and exposed goodies...but I love a creative "B".

The Queen-Bee Report on Design Wishes You a Happy Plaid Year!

Whether or not you like the commercial aspect of the holidays, most of the time you have no choice but to see it and hear it. Why? Because its everywhere.

If you watched TV at all this season you saw The Gap Holiday commercials...over and over and over again. Eventhough the one with the adults was pretty annoying...I really liked the kids one which had me reciting "How Cute Are These Boots??" all holiday.

However if you don't get Vogue magazine, or go into the mall and actually look at the displays in The Gap, you would have missed what I think is a great print campaign...no words necessary...just snowflakes made up of people wearing clothing from The Gap.

These were truly great works of photography, which I'm sure took intense hours of preparation and orchestration....but they were fantastic mood setters which made me want to BUY PLAID!!!.. And plaid I bought....lots of plaid....(not all at The Gap, but still..they did their job)

Graphic Design doesn't have to be about words...it can be imagery which does the job just as well...and gets you to feel something...like "Wow that plaid looks cozy."

I hope your Holiday was happy...cozy...and I wish you a Happy New Year filled with success and peace (even if you don't wear plaid!).

Inaugural Blog

This is the inaugural post of the Queen Bee Design Report on Bee-ing Creative....


Before I became a Graphic Designer I didn't even know what one was...or that they existed. But I knew one thing...beautiful art and design inspired me...and I connected with it. If you don't think you respond to design, bee-sure...you do! And really, its all about getting people to respond the way you want them to.

Even if you'd prefer to frequent one of our wonderful local coffee shops...and Starbucks coffee is not your beverage of choice...one thing is certain (in my never to be humble opinion), they hit the nail on the head with their holiday campaign. Their artwork, fonts, and messages are all beautiful and well-done. When you go into a Starbucks this year...it makes you want to celebrate the upcoming holidays inside a Starbucks with a warm cup of joe...

They play hip and beautiful holiday music and have snow covered branches...then they have red birds, stockings and mittens with messages of peace, hope & love....

Their coffee cup says:
"We invite YOU to LISTEN to your DESIRES and to RENEW your HOPE. To SEE the world NOT AS IT IS, but as it COULD BE. GO AHEAD. WISH. Its what makes the holidays the holidays."

Wow...what a message!..who doesn't want to listen to their desires...make a wish, and at the same time make the world a better place??

Maybe its cheesy...but I think we want cheesy at the holidays. At least I do. The rest of the year is too darn serious. I think we all want to take a break from "the daily grind"...and allow ourselves hope for better things to come.

So cheers for Starbucks! They get you to associate that pumpkin spice latte with a sense of holiday cheer and new hope. Brilliant.