The Chicago Portfolio School

Extreme (as we get) Makeover, CPS Edition

We here at CPS are used to banging our heads against walls, and now we have one less.

Don’t worry, it’s not what you think… unless you’re thinking that we tore it down because we needed more room. Then it’s exactly what you think.

Each quarter we see more and more students heading our way, and while it’s great for the school itself, we may have to start having classes in the bar next door.

(Yes, I did just say there was a bar next door. Several, in fact.)

But seriously, the more minds the better, and we couldn’t be more happier to see all the new faces.

Will we see yours?

Microsoft Gives Windows 8 Logo A New Perspective

While there is a lot happening in the halls of the Chicago Portfolio School, as good marketing students it is up to us to stay current with everything going on in the world of advertising.

Microsoft, a name synonymous with the rise of the digital age, has been keeping busy lately. As they prepare to unveil their latest operating system in the form of Windows 8, they have also been diligently working on a bold new look to accompany the internationally recognized brand. With the help of design consultancy firm Pentagram and New York designer Paula Scher, Windows has taken their logo back to it’s roots - as a window.

Originally introduced as panes of glass in Windows 1.0, the logo was a metaphor for seeing into screens and systems and a new view on technology. But as computers grew more powerful, the logo quickly evolved into a waving flag as Microsoft wished to show off the graphical capabilities of each new system.

The idea behind the new Windows identity was to build a complete system on the basis of perspective. The perspective analogy works particularly well here because the whole point of Microsoft products are to be tools for someone to achieve their goals from their own perspective. Pentagram designers also completed motion studies for the new logo, demonstrating an easy brand shift from a waving flag to a static window. Also incorporated into the design was Microsoft’s sleek new “Metro” design language which is based on the design principles of the Swiss International Style, with clean lines, shapes and typography and bold, flat colors.

What do you think of Windows’ new logo and brand identity? Does it persuade you to try out the new operating system? Leave your comments below.

Take a Leap

2012 is a leapyear. We hope you’ve heard by now.

What you may not have heard about (yet) is The Leapyear Project, the brainchild of Victor Saad, a 26 year old Egyptian-American who wants to know what risk you will take to change your life, community, or world for the better?

Basically, the inspiration behind the project is to connect people doing good. Once someone decides what “leap” they will take, they document their story using the hashtag #lyproject on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and a new social media platform Cowbird. On February 29th, the Leapyear Team will be bringing “leapers” together for their very own meetups, with the only requirements being: Five or more friends + Food (restaurant, pub, home, etc.) + Conversation.

Proof that beauty lies in simplicity.

CPS’ers Kelly Pratt and Courtney Long have been knee-deep in getting the word out, and are “leaping” themselves.

Care to join them?

Secrets With Kia’s Chief Design Officer

Last week, MCormick Place hosted the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, the nation’s largest display of all the auto industry’s newest eye candy, state of the art technology, and gorgeous floor models you could ask for. As part of the show this year, journalists, news outlets, social media experts and the Chicago Portfolio School bloggers were invited to take part in the Social Media Preview day that allowed us exclusive entry to the show a day before it was open to the public.

The thanks actually goes to Kia, as the reason we were there was to sit down and chat with the brilliant Peter Schreyer, who currently serves as the Chief Design Officer for Kia Motors. Peter is the creative mind behind the design of the Audi TT, the Kia Optima, the tabbed front grills all Kia cars are sporting, and a host of other design achievements. He was most recently named 2012 man of the year by Automobile magazine.

As we joined an exclusive group of journalists and social media bloggers to enjoy lunch in our laps, Peter began talking about his lifelong career that has taken him from Audi to Volkswagon, and eventually landing him a top spot at Kia. The session geared more toward a Q+A as Peter fielded questions ranging from the technical aspects of designing around a car to working a brand image into a grille. In response to our question about where he gets his inspiration, Peter talked about having lots of hobbies and interests outside of automobiles and design. Find inspiration in music, nature, and your surroundings he advises young creatives.

Following lunch, Peter also talked about his new Kia GT Concept car that was on display (check out the picture below). It was very inspiring seeing the joy that came to his face as he talked about his new creation, even after a lifelong career creating groundbreaking work.

The displays and designs present at this year’s auto show was nothing short of jaw dropping. It was an excellent example of how excellent design and branding can come together to leave a truly lasting impression. Were any of you present at the Chicago Auto Show this year? What was your favorite display?

“You can’t make any advertising if you don’t have good design.” - Peter Schreyer

Optical Optimism

Sometimes, a little color can go a long way (Just ask anyone in the midst of a drab Chicago winter).

Project Color Corps believes in the power of color and sees it as a change agent. As one of their ‘Random Acts of Color,’ PCC invited participants to gather and organize the donation of warm items such as gloves, hats, scarves and coats in shades of red to create an enormous heART installation in cities across the country. CPS’ very own Courtney Long was in charge of the Chicago North event which benefited Goodwill, and we couldn’t be more proud!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone, and if you look close, you might be able to spot a sweater donated by our fearless leader: Jeff Epstein.

The Best Commercials Ever (Kinda, Sorta)!

So it’s been a couple days since all the hype from the Super Bowl has died down. The living spaces are back to normal, all the dishes are cleaned, and the losing team has begun to deal with the pain. But as advertisers, we can’t help but to think about and break down all the great marketing we saw over the weekend.

Clocking in at a cool $3.5 million, ad space for this year’s Super Bowl was the most expensive ever. Agencies were put to the test go above and beyond to make their money count. This year saw old favorites in the return of the Jedi (pun intended) with Deutsch and Volkswagon bringing back the Star Wars spot, Career Builder’s famous chimps, the E*Trade baby, and what would we do without Go Daddy and their Danika Patrick ads?

But 2012 also saw some newcomers: Audi jumped on the bandwagon in their :60 vampire spot for their new LED lights, John Stamos made an appearance for Dannon, and who can forget that inspirational soul-singing head for Cars.com (that spot came out of DDB Chicago, by the way).

Not all the ads are covered here, and Ferris Bueller did make a comeback (sort of), but all in all it was a good year for Super Bowl commercials. What did you think of the spots this year? What was your favorite commercial? Leave your comments below.

Friday, They’re In Love

Kyle Eertmoed and Kim Knoll are cool. Cooler than me, and maybe cooler than you. But that’s okay, because even cool people need cooler people to look up to.

Known professionally as the design team Knoed, Kim and Kyle have brought passionate design with a personal touch to some of Chicago’s most diverse (and coolest) businesses.

They’re brand builders. They’re designers. They’re really good looking.

Did I mention they’re married?

Serving as the Mates of State of the Chicago design world, Kim and Kyle treated us to another fantastic Creative Morning at CPS last Friday. Which begs the question, who are the coolest husband and wife creative couples around? Let us know what you think.

Ruby The Fox Talks Letterpress With CPS

Chicago Portfolio School is a creative hub chalk full of thriving ideas, soaring imaginations, and the naive souls of those who haven’t been crushed by the real world of advertising yet (just kidding on that last one, potential students). As such, it draws in professional creative talent from all walks of life to shed their wisdom on all of us young advertising neophytes.

Last Friday, as part of it’s monthly speaker series, CPS was pleased to host the invitation design and letterpress start-up company, Ruby The Fox. Comprised of designer/business duo Megan and Mike, the Denver couple got down and dirty with CPS students and faculty about the ins and outs of starting up their own business. From the story behind their name to mixing business with friends and relatives, Megan and Mike shared some great advice on how to be prepared to work for yourself.

The pair have been building their brand for the last couple of years and all of their hard work is finally starting to pay off, landing a recent article on Oh So Beautiful Paper, one of the leading design, wedding, and lifestyle blogs. So if you’re in the need for some inspiration, make sure you stop over at Ruby The Fox’s new website and get your creative juices flowing with their absolutely gorgeous use of letterpress and invitation design.