DESIGN CHATTER
A Subway Map Reimagined for the Digital Era
Apr 18, 2025
New York’s subway just got a sleek new look. The MTA has rolled out a redesigned map that forgoes geographic accuracy in favor of clean lines and better usability. Created by the MTA’s in-house design team, the updated map simplifies the spaghetti of subway routes into a simpler style that is easier to use on the screen of a mobile device. It keeps the classic color coding but adds a white background, black dots, and horizontal labels for an ADA-friendly refresh.
Read More >>
Designing Hamilton
Apr 16, 2025
Ever wonder what the Hamilton logo could’ve looked like, in another timeline? Lin-Manuel Miranda just dropped a treat for design nerds, especially if they happen to be theater fans: nine original logo concepts for the massively popular musical that were almost chosen when the show first hit Broadway. In a throwback Instagram post, Miranda shared the story of a pivotal meeting with agency SpotCo, where dozens of designs were pinned to the wall, and he was asked to take down anything that didn’t feel like his show.
Read More >>
A New Identity: The Best 50th Birthday Present for Microsoft
Apr 11, 2025
Microsoft is turning 50 this year, so to celebrate, global design studio Koto delivered a fresh new brand identity that bridges the past, present, and future. Tapping into everything from clunky desktops and Paint nostalgia, to futuristic AI-powered apps, the campaign centers on the idea that “Change Needs Makers.” It’s bold, playful, and people-focused, balancing legacy with an eye towards the future. With dynamic visuals, a modern twist on the classic Windows logo, and a vibrant color palette,
Read More >>
Super Studio Rises To The Occasion for Rose Bakery
Apr 09, 2025
Branding a bakery might sound like a dream gig, but for designer Carolane Godbout Isabel of Super Studio, it was all about breaking the mold for design. For client Rose Bakery, of Quebec, she ditched the typical bakery visuals and built a brand that feels as handmade as the bread itself. Inspired by dough scoring and using real bread scraps for printed textures, thanks to a clever idea from her daughter, Carolane created something simple, tactile,
Read More >>
The Fonts that Set The Mood For TV & Film
Apr 04, 2025
Have you ever noticed a font in a movie and thought, I’ve seen that before? That’s because typography sets the tone before a word is spoken! Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums wouldn’t be the same without Futura’s quirky precision, just like Stranger Things leans on ITC Benguiat to fuel its ‘80s nostalgia. And Avatar’s choice to use Papyrus…still under debate. From The Matrix’s techo-futurist Courier to Pulp Fiction’s bold Aachen, fonts shape how we experience stories.
Read More >>
April Fool’s Day Hits, Misses, & Awkward Attempts At Humor
Apr 02, 2025
April Fools’ Day is always a mixed bag when it comes to brand pranks: some are hilarious, some are just plain weird, and a few make you question how that idea ever got approved. This year’s holiday saw everything from HOP WTR’s cheeky “Hoppi” rebrand to Deep Indian Kitchen’s attempt at chicken-flavored ice cream (yikes, no thank you). While some brands nailed the humor, others reminded us that universal humor is harder than it looks, especially when designers get AI in the mix.
Read More >>