The Iconic Apple

I'm fascinated by this one: how objects become icons and how symbolism – their meaning – becomes attached to them over time.

Take the humble apple – or rather not so humble, as since the Bible it had been laden down with significance. Temptation, original sin – and the fall from grace. All that from such a humble fruit. And now it is an icon with a reinterpreted significance: by the other Apple. Their apple is reputed to be in homage to Issac Newton – who observed an apple fall to the ground and imagined gravity. Clever.

And so the apple has switched in symbolism: from religion to science in just a mere couple of centuries.

So when a brand appropriates a logo, they are becoming part of centuries of storytelling around an object or a shape. Quite a legacy to live up to.

AT

Optimistic Design

Rochelle Canteen

Labour and Wait

Canteen

Design as culture

While not being explicitly 'british' - all these brands tell a story of a very classic and understated form of british design and lifestyle. They carry a sense of improvement through design, and refer back to the mid centruy period of design and industry that had such optimism and drive that it is still inspirational (for me at least) today. They express a form of design that is open, eclectic, collaborative and thoughtful, and also is aware of it's place in a wider movement of modernism which swept across northern europe through the 20th century.

And they do all this through the combination of space, product and people. Their spaces are meticulously designed expressions of what they stand for. They represent the 'content' perfectly and help tell the story of the brand in a well balanced and implicit way. Their product / content is of course the main reason to visit these places - and in each case they are outstanding examples of their genre. And the people who work there appear to live/love the brand - embodying the values through the way they interact with people - the best kind of brand advocacy.

And so, on the subject of expressing identity through design and objects, these are perfect examples of businesses and organisations who manage to tell a story of themselves, of what they believe in and what they are inspired by.


RT