When we work with businesses, they often question the value of branding and ask for the numbers that prove their design investment will be paid off. Saying that we believe in the importance of great branding is an understatement: that’s what we dedicate most of our waking hours to here at Grain! We were thrilled … Read more

Peter Jones Enterprise Academy asked us to name and brand their Higher Apprenticeship in Business Innovation and Growth, Ignite, which has just been launched to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week 2014. This is a unique programme in the UK, offering a Level 5 apprenticeship to young people with the opportunity to earn while they learn … Read more

We are delighted to announce the launch of Newland College. Set in the heart of Buckinghamshire’s beautiful countryside next to the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland College offers the International Baccalaureate programme to 12-17 year olds and is the latest addition to our client Skola’s portfolio of schools. We worked with Skola on the naming, … Read more

The one characteristic that unites all of our clients, across all sectors and all kinds of naming, branding and design we do for them, is entrepreneurial thinking. Though our client size ranges from SMEs to much larger corporates, their mindsets have common features: agility, innovation, authenticity, creativity and inspiration. Plus a powerful desire to grow … Read more

We’re nearly two months into a great year here at Grain Creative. Lots of exciting projects are underway, mostly top secret for now, but as soon as we can let the cats out of their bags you’ll be the first to know. Complementing London’s future skyline: New Bondway New Bondway is a highrise development proposal … Read more

MIT is the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but the three letters could also stand for ‘Metamorphising Identity Time’ in light of the ever-changing incarnations of the branding for the university’s Media Lab. The logo is generated by an algorithm, creating a bespoke identity for every student and staff member. This video shows it in … Read more

How often do you rely on signage? I know I do an awful lot. And not only because my sense of direction is close to appalling. Signs (the majority of the time) are vital. Think of being in a rush on the London Underground: you can walk pretty much non-stop from platform to platform, line … Read more

fəˈnɛtɪks ɪn neɪming In some languages you can look at a written word and be able to pronounce it clearly from the way it is spelled or structured, or hear a word said aloud and be able to spell it exactly. These languages are phonetic. Japanese and Chinese have individual symbols for each sound. Spanish, … Read more

What is the connection between jazz and wonderful graphic design? The iconic designs of Blue Note Records have a modern day follow-up with the posters for Jazz en Claypole, in Argentina. A feast for the eyes as much as the music satiates the ears.

The beginning of February saw in the launch of Lucideon, the new name for Ceram, M+P Labs and CICS. We worked with the Lucideon team over the course of 2013 to create a new name, visual identity and global brand guidelines for the group which provides materials development, testing and assurance. Founded in 1920 in … Read more

Following up on our Nature Brand Book initiative, these articles from Oliver Burkeman in The Guardian have caught our eye: ‘You really, really, really ought to spend more time in nature’ from last week, and another one called ‘This column will change your life: nature and nurture’ from March 2013. Both stories talk about the … Read more

Have you ever wondered why the power button or USB symbol look like they do, or what the little clover-y thing is on the command key on the Apple keyboard? Check out this succinct article on “Origins of Common UI Symbols” and you will ask no more!

An amazing use of a small space with big creativity. Presented in the PechaKucha format (20 images for 20 seconds each) by the giggly and likeable apartment owner. Image credit: Gary Cheng

It is apt that our first Thought of the year is about the Nature Brand Book since it is a ‘fresh new year’ type of project…encouraging everyone to just get outside! Project Wild Thing, which inspired the Nature Brand Book and video, has published a guest post from us and MediaPoondi has also written a … Read more