Museum Rebrand
Response.
What was your initial reaction to the Whitney identity system after reading the first article?
I truly feel like this design is one that doesn’t entirely make sense unless you have context (the article), which answers any questions a viewer might have. “W” is responsive, meaning the Whitney design department (who handles the creation of all museum materials) can bend, stretch and flip it to fit whatever canvas it’s on.” In a way, it has sated some of my distaste towards the design.
In your own words, describe what responsive design is. What are the pros and cons of applying responsive design to an identity system?
Responsive design is when a design is able to adapt and chance according to different formats. Such as being able to become a portrait or landscape based design for specific stationary or websites. Pros would be showing how adaptive the logo can be while still be recognizable. Regardless of how big or small the image it, everything is still legible. Cons would be having people misunderstand the meaning or potentially think specific parts of the logo are there for “decorative purposes.”
The new Whitney identity has been criticized as boring and duplicitous due to its simplistic, open-ended design. Do you agree or disagree — why? Are boring and simple one in the same?
Upon first seeing the design, I thought the fonts used and positioning of said words and information were well done. Though, I thought the thin “W” underneath the name Whitney was rather unnecessary and took up too much space. It wasn’t until reading the article that I understood there was a meaning but it would’ve been designed in a much better way. So, I am in the middle when it comes to an opinion. Boring and simple are not one in the same. There are various designs that are simple but clean and effective, they get the message across or convey how they want to be viewed. While there are different logos that are boring and lack the message or feel entirely.
Research.
Mütter Museum
(215) 560–8564
19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Collection size of 25,000+
History. The Mütter Museum began as a donation from American surgeon Thomas Dent Mütter, MD (1811–1859), who was determined to improve and reform medical education. The first building was completed in 1863 on Locust and 13th Streets. When The College of Physicians built its current home at 19 South 22nd Street in 1909, the Museum relocated with its original cases.
Mission Statement. Currently, the museum helps the public understand the mysteries and beauty of the human body and to appreciate the history of diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Recent Exhibitions. Our Finest Clothing, an exhibition about the biology, pathology and cultural aspects of our skin. Hyrtl Skull Collection, 39 human skulls from Viennese anatomist Josef Hyrtl donated in 1874. Spit Spreads Death, informative exhibition on the influenza pandemic in Philadelphia. With many more exhibitions featured on the website and museum.
Reviews. Lots of 4 and 5 star ratings, all describing how it’s very informative yet disturbing. The exhibits are filled with various specimens with labels that can be easily understood by those not within the medical field. Despite how small the museum is, it’s worth visiting and is labelled as a “unique find” or “off the beaten path” compared to other places. There is a medicinal garden that many suggest to explore during warm weather.
Images.
Mindmap.
Logo Exploration.
Logo Testing
