Branding — My Best of 2020 List
Stand-out projects from studios that hustled in 2020.
- The best rebrand: Museu (by Porto Rocha)
The old dome icon is…do I even need to explain what’s wrong with it? The new logo for this public art museum in Brazil gained a refresh that — while some argue has been seen or done before — I believe is fitting and in line with how I’d approach this rebranding.
The birds-eye view of the dome that becomes a nifty frame on-application is smart. Sometimes the most obvious solution can be the best one.
2. The best logo design: Crane (by COLLINS)
Ugh. This custom wordmark is sleek, fresh, and pairs incredibly well with texturized applications. The cobalt blue is such a strong color (and I’ve always loved the white and blue color duo, no matter if it’s somewhat trendy now). This branding screams quality in production, and also…stationery CAN be sexy.
I think one of the most fun branding projects to do is on film festivals (or in this case, a film museum in Australia: Australian Centre for the Moving Image). I want to point out that Tribeca’s 2018 brand identity was one of my favorites in past years. Check it out here.
→ Honorable mention: ACMI (by North)
This play on positive/negative space, curves and corners brings excellent tension and structure to a strong wordmark. When something looks great in black/white before a color palette is introduced, you know you’ve got a solid design. And…THE TAPE! Is there any application more satisfying in this entire list…I can’t say definitively.
3. The best packaging: B’s Bees (by Mean)
“The packaging mimics the mesmerizing interior of a beehive. One of the jobs of a beekeeper is finding the queen amidst the thousands of worker and drone bees.” Uber-appealing, completely on-point for a honey brand.
→ Honorable mention: Glossier
Glossier’s branding, social media, etc. is always great in my eyes, but their limited edition holiday products blew me away. The packaging concept for ‘Balm Dotcom Roulette’ feels true to the cool, creative tone of their brand. Glossier is the queen of balancing trendy + timeless.
4. The best website: Brewbike (by Koto)
For such an innovative and Gen Z-forward company, I think this branding makes a lot of sense. The bean mascot truly captures my heart and brings character (literally) to a brand that possesses zeal, ambition, and doesn’t sell itself short. I respect budding companies that recognize the importance of brand identity + aren’t scared to go full-out.
→ Honorable mention: Various Object
There’s no flashy, fancy animations on this site but the simplicity of it speaks to me — sometimes a website overshadows the products it’s showcasing, but in this instance, I feel as though the items in this store are front and center. No fluff.
5. The best portfolio design — Emily Nguyen
As part of improving my own portfolio, I stalk a lot of designers. I’ve seen a lot of portfolios this year, and Emily’s stood out to me in the sleekness of her website’s subtle animation, as well as these super fun “About Me” pop-up screens!
6. All-around favorite: The Big Favorite (by RegretsOnly)
I didn’t do that on purpose — just a coincidence that The Big Favorite is…the big favorite. I’m so in love with the vintage, ink-bleed effect going on in the wordmark. I appreciate that their poster applications didn’t feel like something I’ve seen before, either. My favorite part, however, is the extraction + updating they performed on the vintage emblems and graphics from the past. A genuine refresh.
7. A studio I fell in love with: Koto
8 projects this year earned Koto the #1 busiest firm of 2020 (tied w/ Jones Knowles Ritchie). I’m a huge fan after seeing their work with Brewbike, Meatable, and BackMarket. They’re a studio that truly just has good design, and the identities they craft all feel differentiated, full of depth, and never lack excitement.
