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Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

HW developer — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 00:59:57 -0000

I've discovered that their customer service now is just as hideous as their new logo.

Will never voluntarily fly AA again.

Re: My next cell phone is an iPad mini

Mark Sargent — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 03:50:34 -0000

http://ipad.about.com/od/ip...

Re: My next cell phone is an iPad mini

Elsa — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 02:39:03 -0000

How?????

Re: Digital Doesn’t Matter

Josh Sklar — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 13:03:01 -0000

Btw, you can check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/06...

Re: Reimagining German Philosopher’s book cover

Mark Sargent — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 08:47:52 -0000

Yes, it's less complicated, more pedestrian, a reg. Times.

Re: Reimagining German Philosopher’s book cover

Stephen Coles — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 07:52:22 -0000

Hmm, I don’t think it’s Veljovic. I wish it was, because we don’t have any examples of that yet in our collection, but it feels like something more pedestrian.

Re: Reimagining German Philosopher’s book cover

Mark Sargent — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 06:46:24 -0000

The Serif could be ITC Veljovic http://www.myfonts.com/font... It was mentioned elsewhere as font Ullstein publishers use for their books.

Re: Reimagining German Philosopher’s book cover

Stephen Coles — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 06:37:54 -0000

Ah, yes. I knew I had seen it. And the serif?

Re: Reimagining German Philosopher’s book cover

Mark Sargent — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 05:11:11 -0000

Thank you Stephen, the font's name is Crema Forte designed by Hubert Jocham. You'll find it here: http://www.myfonts.com/font...

Re: Reimagining German Philosopher’s book cover

Stephen Coles — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 13:20:39 -0000

Nicely done! I’ve been trying to find out more about the Simmel covers since finding one in a Berlin thrift store. What typeface did you use here? We’d love to show this on fontsinuse.com

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

Mark Sargent — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 21:58:22 -0000

Why thank you. Wow… A much enjoyed, fun read. But of course the airline is defined by its services while design reflects characteristics the airline can be remembered by. Too bad the young designer Kovecses did not think of the white gloves. Do take care.

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

arcsinice — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 20:04:25 -0000

Mark, in response and violation of keeping it short. And sweet............ Where do I begin.......?
First, you have a carrier who are in financial straights, so let's be as pragmatically financially responsible as can be when doing a visual makeover, right? Well, if the livery is being visually redesigned, would it not be a wise (in adherence to established tradition) directive to not paint the entire fuselage as they wound up doing? After all, heretofore - traditionally, the fuselage was always bare silver. From a purely financial position the extra weight (alone) of the paint over the entire surface of the fuselage precipitates hundreds of thousands of dollars of operational cost (loss) PER EACH CRAFT PER ANNUM (oy vay) in terms of lower mileage, to a lesser extent upkeep. That's hundreds of millions aggregate. Unreal. But I digress............. An intelligent overseer (such as moi meme had I been queried) would have said...., begin by keeping the entire fuselage silver and simply apply a tail logo (just........., JUST the established trademark "eagle" - sans any initials) along with the "AMERICAN" trademark brand up front. Nothin' more. Silly me, but less is more in my opinion.
It's absolutely hallucinatory, but so Stanford MBA, so v. American to always keep changing traditional, proven trademark. Would, as an example, iconic established trademarks such as same by GE, Ford, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Shell..........., Chanel, Lufthansa, Mercedes, BMW, etc. benefit from a logo rebrand? Of course not. But I can assure you that there are more beyond myopic Stanford MBA'ers than Heinz have tomato in Barackistan (The former USA) or beans in England who believe that rebranding is de rigueur and once again, ad nauseum, ad criminalium, they done do it. Then again, the client signed off of this publically held company.................... Shame. On. Them.
The new visual is simply beyond hideous. The tail design makes no sense whatsoever, period. Pure whiskey tango foxtrot. The redesign of the iconic (modernized) "eagle" is an effective abortion. And, once again, I digress..........
I'd have created the aforementioned simple cleaner design and saved a bundle both in paint and net operation costs. While I was at it I would have looked at making stewardesses LOOK like stewardesses should..........., like they used to in the glory days of the 1950's, replete with white gloves........... Oh yes, love those white gloves and uniforms that make a stewardess (or steward) look like......, a stewardess or steward. Away with the matronly and/or oil rig cocktail waitress look and go back to the classic look. But what do I know? I'd also heavily train all staff to be 1,000% wholly professional at all times and go about their métier like professionals used to and still do with a number of current non-Barackistani carriers. I'd do the obvious visual clean up of the craft's interior and where economically possible come back with some creature comforts. Wutta concept.
I would do away with (sh*tcan toot sweet) the beyond insulting "Black Atlas" program. Good god........., what WERE they "thinking".........? I'd also avoid like the plague - or any liberal - anything that included the word "new" in any re-launch. I mean really, how utterly lame.
The public take what they are given but here and there we sometimes have a choice. When it comes to travel on a commercial carrier that leaves the ground I expect total professionalism regardless of price point (class) and this is where American lost same over years of simply letting things go............ It all comes down to professionalism via conduct, countenance, punctuality. Visual image comes second, not a distant second, but second my friend. Clean up the operational gaps first, then go to work on the image and this redesign is alas, DOA.
Yes, air travel has radically changed and I lament at the passing of the once classy public who used to honor air travel by always dressing the part. These days most travelers look either like a bunch of Bedouins or as though they are not going TO the beach, rather coming FROM same. I feel for the airlines. They have their hands full. But c'mon............. American's new face looks like a freaking Picasso. I prefer Monet. But what do I know?
You take care.

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

Mark Sargent — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 03:48:46 -0000

You certainly have a way with words, good sir. I however wonder if you despise AA's redesign or Kovecses' unsolicted proposition?

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

arcsinice — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 23:12:00 -0000

Unconscionably beyond hideous. Need I elaborate?

Re: John Cleese on Creativity

Mark Sargent — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:21:37 -0000

What sweet note to go rest my weary head. It's way past your bedtime too! Speak soon

Re: John Cleese on Creativity

Birgit Vollmeier — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:16:49 -0000

thanks mark for a very entertaining insight! the discussion about "creativity" is still going on and will never end... stay as dedicated as you are! people like you tell us what we have to focus on...danke.

Re: Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s

afra — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:12:44 -0000

Fabulous!

Re: The captain’s birthday

Doug Currier — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:51:04 -0000

Ha! More reliable British drizzle indeed. Excellent post, Mark. Much enjoyed. Had an excellent birthday thanks to Schnoozie. Hope all is well in Munich. Top regards, the Captain

Re: Digital Doesn’t Matter

Mark Sargent — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:04:55 -0000

I would have thought so and thanks for letting me know.

Re: Digital Doesn’t Matter

Josh Sklar — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:13:09 -0000

If it makes you feel better, Gareth Kay is in the book.

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

Mark Sargent — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:21:07 -0000

Would Kovecses altenative be an option for you, James? And thank you for commenting.

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

jamesway — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 03:11:05 -0000

I totally agree the new look of American Airlines leaves much to be desired. The current AA logo is almost as iconic as Coca-Cola. Why change a good thing that people love and recognize? The livery especially on the tail looks like it belongs on a quilt. Also, the "American" on the font is too large, very overstated. The new look stinks. On their website American says that their new look and image is arriving soon, but in my humble opinion, this new look should be grounded. One of the worst rebranding packages and worst logo redesigns I've ever seen.

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

Whthirteen — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 10:34:03 -0000

Rebranding a product must come from within. Painting a house a new color while the foundation is ill laid is a recipe for disaster. Go to the internal client first (employee), work to keep them engaged and satisfied and then the external customer will benefit. Old fashioned. Yes. Realistic. Yes. Spin things as you wish, but a couple coats of paint won't make the customer happy.

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

Mark Sargent — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:34:25 -0000

That's right, I overlooked the requirement for a painted livery. Thank you Taylor. Nice stingy remark on loathing another 'Eurowhite paint scheme'. Not sure if I understand the ire, a 'less is more' approach draws. The big difference between Kovecses and Future Brand's design approach is that Kovecses' design focuses on providing a very relaxed atmosphere and experience of safety and self assured comfort, an ease of being. Her design conveys a more holistic design approach which I feel is more passenger-centered, around the overall travel experience than the corporate design centered results that Future Brand delivered.

So right! Attention to the customer experience is the real issue!! (Jamie) over at http://www.fastcodesign.com...

Re: Why American Airlines new look sucks

TM — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:37:41 -0000

The "less is more" approach draws constant ire from avgeeks and travelers alike, and the last thing anyone wanted was another Eurowhite paint scheme. People were going to complain either way.

Regardless of anyone's opinion about the new rebranding, it was a necessity. Something that you've overlooked is the fact that American's new aircraft require a painted livery, as they are unable to support the polished aluminum that American has held for so many years. It was definitely elegant and timeless -- but physically impossible to maintain going forward.

I think Kovecses is a very talented designer. However, I don't believe that her rebrand conveys the storied history of American any better than their new scheme. It's too minimalist for my taste, and the colors don't do the airline any justice.