Imagine yourself getting ready to do some shopping. Or perhaps grabbing a bite to eat. Do you choose a store or restaurant you’ve been before, or do you try some place new? If you try someplace familiar, somewhere you’ve been before, chances are it’s because of good products or good food. But it might also have something to do with the experience, the way that place made you feel, and how much fun you may have had before. Not only is a quality product important to a brand, but also the space that product lives in. A well designed branded environment can have a significant impact on the performance of a company and ultimately its brand.

Just the other day I stumbled upon a new project by designer Steve Zelle (who operates as idApostle) called Processed Identity. Developed in response to news from iStockPhoto and existing sites like Brandstack, Steve’s mission for Processed Identity is to “explore the creative processes designers use when defining and refining visual brands”. In doing so Steve has done a great thing: instead of attacking iStockPhoto or joining an angry mob of designers shouting at themselves, Processed Identity will help demonstrate the value of thoughtful, well considered design to both our clients and the rest of the design community.

We’re nearing the end of 2009, gearing up for the holiday season. For many this time of year also brings the possibility of bonuses, promotions or other perks as reward for the past year of hard work. The question I pose is this: are we ethically rewarding those who are truly doing good work?

A logo is typically the first visual element that new businesses invest in. Unfortunately it is frequently the only visual element they invest in. What they fail to see is the need for more than just a single icon, but a design strategy that will position them and differentiate them from competitors. However, what makes a successful brand identity is often hard for business owners to understand, and for designers to explain.