Response to Whitney Design
1. My initial reaction to the Whitney Identity system after reading the first article was open-minded. I don’t mind the rather meta aspect to it, how it can represent multiple facets of their museum, surrounding area, and goals. However there is also something that slightly bothers me about it when I really look at it. From a distance and as a whole, it appeals to me, it looks aesthetically pleasing. I think they were thinking along the right line, however I’m not sure if the execution was quite as successful as it could have been. After reading this article though I can see its usefulness as a mark for the type of market it is in. I overall feel that it is successful.
2. I would describe responsive design as something that adapts, or “responds” to different forms, sizes, and products as needed, and still carries the same aesthetic over after those changes. Some pros to applying this to an identity system is consistency, keeping interest, brand recognition, and how it can form fit to whatever medium you need. Some cons are more time/effort, could create inconsistency if done wrong, and having to get rid of “extra” details that you would prefer to have.
3. I don’t agree. After reviewing the articles and watching the short video on the one where it showed it evolving to the different mediums I really enjoyed seeing the ways the “W” can be manipulated. I think a museum like this should have something simple that allows the artwork to speak for itself when featured next to it and I think this does just that. I’m not the biggest fan of the “whitney” type being stuck in so close to the W in some of their branding but I love the zig zag lines on some of the other things. Maybe they could have done more with it, maybe not, but I think in this case it gets the job done and does go along well with their ideas about how it should work and be representative of multiple things. It’s up to interpretation which is interesting and fun for a viewer. Boring and simple are not one in the same. Simple can be exactly what something needs and sometimes can say, do, or evoke more
