How our favourite photo sharing app found its feet after an alcohol fuelled start, and how could a brand be so bad that it unites all New Yorkers in a shared hatred for it?

Who knew Instagram started as a bourbon appreciation passion project? Not. Us. This week Miranda lifts the curtain on the humble beginnings of everybody’s favourite ‘photo sharing app’ Instagram, and dives into its controversial but ultimately successful rebrand.

Kylie tells a cautionary tale – that time a perceived rebrand of the iconic ‘I Heart NY’ logo, nearly broke the internet and every New Yorkers heart. The conclusion? Don’t mess with graphic design perfection!

Links:

Instagram:

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/instagram-used-to-be-called-brbn/373815/

https://medium.com/accredian/the-tale-of-burbn-to-instagram-a9035df134b6

https://about.instagram.com/brand

We Heart NYC:

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-we-heart-nyc-logo-flop

https://www.printmag.com/branding-identity-design/new-yorkers-threw-a-tantrum-over-the-new-we%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8Fny-logo-are-their-feelings-valid/

https://www.dezeen.com/2023/03/22/we-heart-ny-logo-news/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/nyregion/we-love-nyc-logo.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-york-citys-new-we-heart-nyc-campaign-has-people-riled-up-180981865/

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/03/20/nyregion/ryan-mc-ginness-we-heart-nyc.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/nyregion/we-love-nyc-logo.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/we-heart-nyc-logo-milton-glaser-b2305294.html

https://gothamist.com/news/we-heart-nyc-reaction-new-york

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/nyregion/we-love-nyc-logo.html

https://www.creativereview.co.uk/we-heart-nyc-logo-milton-glaser/

A story of redemption for the little font that could, and proof that not even the big guys like Nike always get it right.

Kylie turns heads as she makes the case for a comic sans comeback. Sharing its origin story, its pivotal role in the desktop publishing revolution, why it's misunderstood and its triumphant hero’s journey back to cultural icon, will she be able to change Miranda’s mind?

Punching up, Miranda takes a big swing at Nike’s 2005 sustainability efforts with the release of their first eco-friendly shoe. Are these shoes evidence of sustainability innovation or sneakers designed for Frodo & Co. You be the judge.

Links:

Comic Sans:

https://x.com/dcurtis/status/23257004857

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/im-comic-sans-asshole

https://designforhackers.com/blog/comic-sans-hate/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_Sans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUCcObwIsOs&t=567s

https://1000manifestos.com/ban-comic-sans/

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2010/jun/20/in-defence-comic-sans-font

Nike:

https://www.nike.com/au/sustainability

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-06-11/nike-quietly-goes-green

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Our first ep! In our maiden voyage we deep dive into the ‘fabulous’ (and famously un-copyrighted) Las Vegas sign and how The BOM (The Bureau of Meteorology) managed to totally bomb their rebrand.

But before we get into our weekly make and break this week we spill the tea on how we came up with this idea, with Miranda retelling the story of a $2 million Gold Coast sign installation that sounded great in theory but forgot one pivotal piece of the puzzle.

This transitions us nicely into Make of the week - the Las Vegas sign. Get to know the sign’s iconic and extremely quotable creator Betty Willis. A pioneer in her field and for women in the creative industry, with a sense of humour to match.

Kylie takes down the Bureau of Meterology next with her Break story - a rebrand that lasted two, yes two, days.

Enjoy our signature blend of insights, humour and tangents.

Links:

Gold Coast sign:

https://goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/eleven-metre-high-lights-set-to-welcome-visitors-to-the-gold-coasts-north-and-south/news-story/35efa9bb5a7a3029ca5f919613595a7c#:~:text=The%20northern%20sign%20will%20be,Hwy%2C%20close%20to%20the%20airport.

https://lot-ek.com/GOLD-COAST-HI-LIGHTS

https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/13/garden/a-neon-comehither-still-able-to-flirt.html

Las Vegas Sign:

New York Times article

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/lasvegas-willis/

BOM rebrand:

https://x.com/dcurtis/status/23257004857

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/19/bom-rebranding-logo-cost-220k-australia-weather-bureau-of-meteorology-name-change-tanya-plibersek

https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/10/19/exclusive-bom-rebrand-the-bureau-prank/

https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/10/21/bom-rebranding-the-bureau-of-meteorology/

https://www.smartcompany.com.au/marketing/branding/australias-biggest-rebrand-fails-bom/

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