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/