Barbican x SEA – Exclusive Images

Barbican x SEA Exclusive Images

So SEA gave their website a refresh a week or so ago and that was met with a positive response from the design community (the old site was a little buggy) but today we’re not here to talk about their new site ;) . Instead I have some exclusive new shots of their Barbican work for you to enjoy. I also thought I’d mention that SEA are listening, so if you happen to detest this work and want to voice you’re opinion, your comment will only be approved if you have some substance to your criticism – it’s only fair ;)

Thanks again to both Alex and Danny @ SEA for the images and info.

‘SEA were asked to devise a visual identity system for Barbican membership. Through a softer visual approach, the work aims to define how people can contribute to the Barbican, in ways such as sponsorship, gift aid and membership. Membership packs, cards, booklets and posters are currently being rolled out over all tiers of membership.’

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This post is tagged Barbican, Communications, Identity, SEA

Oct 27th, 2010

Jim

I don’t usually like these kinds of effects, but in this case it works really well with the type.
Oct 27th, 2010

Will

Really great implementation and execution of Barbican’s branding – everything looks stunning.
Oct 27th, 2010

Ben

Nice post. Don’t get me wrong this really great work, but I think North also deserve a hat tip for laying the crucial groundwork for the Barbican identity.
Oct 27th, 2010

James

I love the Barbican’s branding by North, it has proved itself to be a truly successful piece of design, allowing for a decent amount of creative freedom whilst keeping a solid identity.
Oct 27th, 2010

Andy Russell

While I like the overall visual ‘look’ of the project, I would be interested to know more about the concept behind the solution?

SEA have come under criticism in the past, for producing work that has style over substance and I would be interested to hear their side of the story?
Oct 27th, 2010

Clinton Duncan

I rather like the work, it’s a nice thought to take the ‘warm glow’ one feels when supporting an arts organisation and base the visuals off it – best drop shadow ever?

Should we also create some sort of award or recognition of Barbican supporting good design so consistently over the years? What a client.

Though I must say, on the other hand, I find it rather odd that SI or SEA are so touchy to the normal batch of ill informed, moronic critique the internet is famous for. It’s something I’ve noticed a lot lately, with a few designers blogging about how annoyed/offended they get when the ‘ill informed’ or the ‘low end’ designers pass comment on their work.

At the end of the day, who cares what’s written in a blog’s comment stream? Really?
(and the irony of posting this as a blog comment is indeed intentional).
Oct 27th, 2010

Ed

The colours are great and overall a really effective project. The only thing I’m not sure on is the stroke around the characters, I guess it’s for legibility which is fine but it seems to make the characters appear slightly too narrow, although that might be an optical thing.
Oct 27th, 2010

David

@James – Agreed!
@Andy – Bear with me Andy ;)
Oct 27th, 2010

David

@Clinton – I’ve always encouraged responsible debate on SI – there’s never been a rule where you have to only be nice! If people want to be nice and express their appreciation for the work (which is often the case here) good on them!

There’s a time and place for “ill informed, moronic critique” – SI isn’t that place (it doesn’t add any credibility to the site) and people know that. The last thing I want to do is upset the designers and studios I feature – that’s not my style ;-)
Oct 27th, 2010

Mark M.

Very nice! Would love to know how they came to that specific colour pallet.
Oct 27th, 2010

Simon B

I actually don’t like this at all.
It looks cheap to me and the outlines around the characters looks a bit like an emergency solution.
It would be interesting to get some more background info to see how they came up with this solution.
Oct 27th, 2010

Craig

I like it, it feels like it has a positive energy to it (the kind that Clinton alludes too in his comments) I love the way the colours work together very vibrant, it actually reminds me of looking at an out of focus Gf Smith blob?. I’m not such a huge fan of the strong key line around the characters, it feels quite heavy, perhaps a compromise? but I’m nit picking.

Great work.
Oct 27th, 2010

Matt

I share the same view as Ed the effect and execution superb, just not convinced by the stroke
Oct 27th, 2010

stripeyhorse creative

I would never have thought this gradient effect would work, but they pulled it off.
Oct 27th, 2010

Gareth

Still undecided about this. I feel it lacks some depth, but maybe the simplicity in the design and messaging is part of its charm.

Regarding Barbican’s branding by North. The original identity was actually created by Lloyd Northover.
Oct 27th, 2010

David

@Ed After making this quick comparison, I think we can agree that they had legibility in mind:

http://septemberindustry.co.uk/images/barbican.gif

The Knockout/Reversed type definitely looks like it’s lost a bit of weight with that stroke though! ;)
Oct 27th, 2010

David

@Gareth Thank you for educating the people :-)
Oct 27th, 2010

sb

Really though? Im with Simon B on this one. I’d love to know more though…
Oct 27th, 2010

Gail

Are you sure about that Gareth? There is no mention of Barbican on Lloyd Northover’s site. Do you mean they created the cut off circle logo? Because that is the only legacy element used now in North’s branding.

As for sea… once again following in the footsteps of Cartlidge Levene, North, Farrow and now it seems Bibliothéque. The kings of derivative design have come up with a new gem.
Oct 28th, 2010

Studio P

Really not feeling this at all. While I usually appreciate Barbican
efforts—and SEA, this is not doing it for me.

Is it supposed to be a stencil template?
What is the concept?

Have to say the colours don’t seem to be all that well considered, and I too,
dislike the stroke.
Oct 28th, 2010

Dom Witter

SEA – making gradients and drop shadows cool again.
Oct 28th, 2010

Grez

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as it goes, and everyone is a critic nowadays (myself included on occasion, I admit). However if the client, Barbican, are happy with the send result, SEA are happy with the end result and both parties made enough money to contribute to making a decent living from – then what’s the issue? Job done. Next?
Oct 28th, 2010

Lars

I think SEA are superb, and I really like the outcome of this, but share a few thoughts already posted. The glow/stroke applied to the type seems a bit too heavy, and I can’t help but wonder if it would have looked more considered with a subtler application.

Having said that I agree that it improves legibility, I wonder if the client had concerns about this and whether that was an influence on the final application.

I’d love to know more about the concept, but nonetheless a beautiful outcome. Great post as usual SI :)
Oct 30th, 2010

Chas

What’s the concept behind Futura on a glow/gradient/drop shadow!?
Nov 17th, 2010

Jake

Nice stuff, but does it not remind anyone of the Tate branding? The general blurry effect and multi-coloured nature? Wouldn’t be an issue in another category, except that’s it’s another arts institution in the same city.
May 18th, 2011

michael

Gail and Gareth, yes, Lloyd Northover created the original identity, check archive on their site.

September Industry

Barbican x SEA – Exclusive Images

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