Old - Taxi Without Logo (Photo: Smart Design)

New - Taxi With Logo (Photo: Smart Design)

In order to become a greener, visitor-friendly metropolis. New York City is revamping its look for the next several years. This include major overhauls within the “ubiquitous yellow” NYC taxi fleet. Newer, low emission hybrid vehicles were added. A multimedia display for passengers, with credit card payment feature, will be included later as well. In addition, a new “signature” - a logo.

The preliminary design of the new logo appeared early this year, when the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), the government entity that regulate the industry, and Design Trust for Public Space, a non-for-profit organization, created a special exhibit to commemorate the creation of NYC taxis 100 years ago. From it, the logo developed by Smart Design, a prominent creative agency, became the evident choice.

Working free of charge, Smart Design returned to the drawing board and made alterations to the original logo via TLC’s request. A pre-existing font was used for “NYC” portion so that the new logo will complement with existing NYC signs. The letter “T” was placed into a circle of contrasting black, to avoid confusion with the new T subway line currently under construction.

Though the new logo fulfilled its original purpose for the most part since its debut October 1st, it could not escape from the criticisms, especially in a city filled with famous graphic designers and firms. Even ordinary citizens have criticized the new logo on several blogs, local talk shows and radio programs. Despite the inauspicious reviews so far, TLC will be moving forward with its plan and place the new logo on all NYC taxis during the next few months.

» New York City - Taxi & Limousine Commission

» Smart Design

With the latest Nobel Peace Prize presented to Al Gore and his team of environmental activists, you’d have to be living under a rock to not notice the trend of being green and eco-friendly. For most people, an eco-conscious lifestyle is the equivalent of sacrificing all things stylish and luxe. The creators of Modify, a new “green” web-boutique, make it entirely possibly and simple to have an entire closet-full of environmentally friendly clothing without having to sacrifice your wonderfully sophisticated style (you do read enavant.com!).

Carrying some well known brands as well as carefully selected vintage pieces, the boutique has a simple yet stylish collection that makes shopping guilt-free (minus the spending). Modify chooses the brands carefully, making sure brands use highly sustainable and earth-friendly materials (organic fibers, bamboo, recycled fabrics…) as well as fair trade practices that emphasize transparency. Apart from clothing, beauty products and home décor items with the same criteria are also offered.

My top picks on the site are the wide jeans by Serfontaine and all the Woods & Fields items – there’s no need to modify your style even if you’re going green.

- Rebecca Van Roo (Fashion Editor)

» Shop Modify

England’s independent television station, Channel 4, has a history of associating itself with art and design. Its headquarter in Westminster part of London, for one, was crafted by famed architect Richard Rogers.

Another is the ongoing Channel 4 Big Art Project, an unique public art project, started in 2005, where the citizens and communities are encouraged to participate in every phase, from planning to completion.

To coincide the Big Art Project and Channel 4’s own 25th anniversary, the company commissioned 3 artists: British artist/photographer Nick Knight, Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui and the Turner Prize nominee Mark Titchner, to create original works of art and to be put on display in the form of a 50-foot high giant “4″ at the front of Channel 4’s headquarter. The forth commission is reserved for the winner of an art student competition, created in conjunction with the Saatchi Gallery. The Big 4 exhibit will be on display through the next 12 months.

» The Channel 4 Big Art Project - Big 4

In the fast paced, hectic lives of modern Tokyo residents, the cellphone is not only an accessory but a lifeline between you and your love ones. For this “cellphone-centric” lifestyle, Japanese wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo introduced a new service in 2005 that permits unused minutes to be shared by other family members. As part of this new service introduction, an advertising campaign centered around a family of mushroom caricatures was created.

How To Cook DoCoMoDake? Exhibit
201 Mulberry Street | Map
New York, NY 10012

Exhibition Date: 10.19.2007 ~ 10.28.2007

» NTT DoCoMo

» NTT DoCoMoDake

Chosen by the European Union as one of the cultural capitals of Europe in 2001, the Portugal city of Porto embarked on constructing a new concert hall for the city. An architectural competition between 5 of the world’s top practices, of which the plan by Rem Koolhaas’ Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) won the competition.

Members of OMA considered several important factors during the preliminary phase, including the location of the new structure at the heart of the historical Rotunda da Boavista neighborhood. Acoustics also played a part, with OMA assessing the optimum structural forms to enhance sound quality. With considerations on both exterior and interior, OMA created an unique multi-faceted polygon structure. Completed in 2005, the new concert hall, Casa da Musica, housed 2 main auditoriums, as well as numerous rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, and etc…

In order to create a new identity for such a profound structure, the institution that manage Casa de Musica asked New York-based graphic artist Stefan Sagmeister to come up with a new logo system. Utilizing the 17 facets on the building, Sagmeister and team formulated a method with infinite amount of outcomes. A special software was fashioned to render 17 fixed points on an image and transfer them onto corresponding “sides” on miniature Casa de Musica silhouette. Next, the silhouette is put through 6 variations, basically the view of the concert hall from north, south, east, west, top and bottom. Though somewhat complex, Sagmeister’s new creation allows endless possibilities in logo design.

» Stefan Sagmeister
» OMA
» Casa de Música

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles will curate a retrospective exhibition on famed Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami. The retrospective, which includes works from early 90s to present, will feature 90+ works. The selection, ranging from paintings, sculptures, and film, will take up more 20,000 square feet of exhibition space.

To commemorate this special exhibit , MOCA, French designer Jean Marc Gady, and luxury brand giant Louis Vuitton, will create a mini boutique within the exhibition, a first by many standards. Gady, who has done numerous works with LVMH, will “white-out” all visible visages of Louis Vuitton. In its place will be an unique retail space with a very contemporary feel. A black & white checker patterned floor will be added, to give the space a feel of depth. The boutique will offer products created by the collaboration between Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton over the years. And because it is an integral portion of the retrospective, the mini retail space will close its door once the exhibition ends in February 2008.

» MOCA Los Angeles

» Takashi Murakami

» Louis Vuitton

» Jean Marc Gardy

In honor of its 60th year, fashion house Dior created the Samourai 1947 accessories collection. Inspired by bushido, rules of conduct practiced by samurais, and 1947, the year the label was created. Samourai 1947, with its intricate braided leather in neon colors, tortoise shell finished frame, and uniquely embossed label medallion, is a wildly interpretation of Japanese culture that truly standout in the midst of high-end accessories.

» Dior - Samourai 1947