From the minds that thought of ‘cheese on that’ (a cheese dispensing backpack for sidewalk strolls) comes a brand new debate series where ob9 brains bash it out to bring you design insights and good-humored disagreements – The Box Bash.
This season, I moderate discussions around design as team members duel over a specific topic using facts, hyperbole, and psychological warfare, concluding design think requires lots of thoughts, and we have big brains.
Episode 1: Is Less More, or Actually Nothing? Logo Trends
Our inaugural episode tackles the minimalist logo trend – is less more, or is more better for your brand? Amanda and Kevin bring over the top flourish to defend maximalism, while Josh and Claire champion the simplistic eloquence of minimalism.
At the heart of the debate: Is intricacy necessary to honor the complexity of a brand’s purpose, or does adaptability gain greater brand recognition? ob9 designers trade jabs providing considerations for deciding what’s right for your brand.
Episode 2: Do you Get What you Pay For? Choosing the Right Design Tool
Design decisions impact your organization’s finances. openbox9 discusses the resource allocation question of when to invest in professional custom design and when to DIY with free tools. Josh clutches perfectly placed pixels while Amanda holds hope for the democratization of templates.
Join the conversation – When does investing in professional custom design offer strategic value, and when is an editable template a better long-term solution for your communication toolbox?
Episode 3: Are Robots Frenemies? AI and the Design Process
AI can be an efficient co-worker, and it can steal value. In this episode, Kinnie embraces the utility of robots while Sierra protects the humanity of the creative process. The debate offers insights on how to effectively use AI for what it can do, while protecting your time or resources on what it can’t.
Get curious with us about: Do you need a soul to create? Do redundant tasks require humanity? Can robots give us what we want?
Episode 4: Is Pretty Always Right? Gradients in Design Solutions
The use of gradients in designs visits/haunts us at least once a decade. In this episode, Amanda G says blending is beautiful while Amanda T says being pretty is not enough. Bonus: Michael gets poetic about sunlight. The debate
Listen in as two Amanda’s bring their A-game to share the best ways to use gradients to accomplish design goals, and invite you to consider – are gradients like beautiful bursts of sunlight or overused waterpark chafing?
Episode 5: Can Subtle be Clear? Hidden Symbolism in Logo Design
This Season’s final quarrel considers the value of subtle symbolism in logo design for brand storytelling. Kevin argues the delight an audience experiences when they find a hidden symbol in a logo strengthens brand loyalty, while Josh counters a brand should focus on your primary message so you don’t miss the actual mark.
What do you think – Do secret symbols help storytelling, or can too much cleverness confuse your communication?
Until next season – tell us your opinion!
