Thought Leadership

Three letters, one symbol

Milton Glaser, the towering figure of 20th-century graphic design, used his materials sparingly, saying no more—and no less—than what is needed. I love NY is a master class in economy: using the least amount of space to achieve the most impact. Characteristic of Glaser’s work, it is both a first-person declaration and a universally humanistic sentiment. Glaser, who died in June at the age of 91, is an enduring source of inspiration in our studio. “There are three responses to a piece of design,” he once said: “yes, no, and WOW!” At its best, design can reveal meaning, strengthen a purpose, build power. That is the “wow” towards which we at Ummo are ever striving.

Brand with purpose at ABX

Thought Leadership, Events

At ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX) 2020, Ummo will get to share our thoughts on the topic we care most deeply about. Join us at a workshop, moderated by our Philip Barash, entitled “Brand with Purpose: The Creative Economy Finds Its Voice” on Wednesday November 4, 1:30 – 3:00 pm. We are stoked to be joined by our favorite fellow-branders from Moth and Gensler, as well as friends from the Boston Center for the Arts and MAAM, the new museum at MassArts.

Seen and heard at ABX

Thought Leadership, Events, Partnerships

Ummo’s identity for Maketank made an appearance on the reddish (maroon, dare we say?) carpet of ABX, New England’s annual architecture convention. We were happy to hear a panel discussion dedicated to place branding, moderated by Philip Barash. And we were thrilled to see Ummo friend Gina Ford, of Agency LP, recognized with the prestigious Women in Design Award of Excellence.

Olympic treasures

Thought Leadership, Found Objects

Four years before Deborah Sussman made “supergraphics” a household term (at least in Ummo’s household), the 1980 Moscow Olympiad created an idealized vision of the Soviet city. We came across an original set of posters and postcards in our ceaseless search for inspiration, and have been in a state of creative collusion ever since.

Type tutorial

Thought Leadership, Publications, Typography

Ummo is typically mum on the mysteries of our typography. But Ummo partner Matt Uminski, Prometheus-like, brought the secrets of type to the mortal world in an article for our friends at Visualizing Architecture.

Notes from isolation

Thought Leadership, Publications

COVID may have driven us indoors, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t continuing to live and breathe by public spaces. In an essay for Landscape Architecture Magazine, Philip Barash reflected on the changing public realm in Boston.