Meet Brian Mark, the Designer Behind the New GPS Logo
Gear Patrol Studios recently received a new brand look including a logo upgrade by Art Director and Designer, Brian Mark. We had the chance to sit down with him to talk all things design, creating the new GPS monogram and how he uses his passion for social sciences to redefine his creative process.
Tell us a little about yourself! How long have you been working in the creative industry? Where did you get started?
Hi Gear Patrol! My name is Brian Mark, a Southern California native based in New York City and occasionally London. I've worked in the creative industry as a multi-disciplinary designer for the past 8 years. During which, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and for an array of clientele in the cultural and commercial worlds; ranging from international artists to Fortune 500 companies like Apple, Adobe, and Nike. My work commonly takes the shape of brand identities, campaigns, book design, image making and art direction.
I got started in the creative industry a little later than most and didn't pick up a pencil to start drawing seriously until I was 21 years old. Before that I was studying Criminal Justice where after a few years realized I was out of my element. On a whim, I took a friend’s recommendation and began studying graphic design – at the time I thought graphic designers only made band t-shirts! Little did I know the world would slowly open up to me, and I am even more obsessed today than I was then.
How would you describe your design sensibilities?
My design sensibilities are continuously evolving. As someone who is interested in more than just artistic practices but an array of topics like anthropology, sociology, and physiology, I find myself continuously redefining what design means to me. I let these different interests lead my curiosity from one place to another, further informing and shaping my point of view. I believe this curious mindset keeps me constantly interested, and allows me to connect with individuals and audiences as I wouldn't have the opportunity to otherwise.
What’s your favorite part of the branding process?
I love the entire design process in itself, so each phase brings on different moments that I really enjoy. The beginning of each project brings an exciting sense of discovery, where all possibilities seem to be endless. For me it's like being a kid in a candy shop, there is no limit to where it could go. The midpoint of the process is much more focused and rigorous, I enjoy crafting and fine tuning things to the highest possible degree – this is where all the pieces of the picture come together. At the end of the project, after all is said and done, it is rewarding when the client is excited and happy with the outcome.
What were some challenges that were presented with this project?
In this project two main challenges presented themselves. The first being Gear Patrol Studios audience – GPS works with and creates content for an array of clientele, who all communicate with different visual languages. To create a mark that simultaneously speaks to a variety of entities from different fields, whilst also living within the visual realm of Gear Patrol Magazine can be tricky. It is similar to trying to create a new language that multiple people across the globe can understand.
The second challenge was creating a typographic mark that is not only legible in a variety of applications but iconic enough to become identifiable in itself. Because we now live in such a fast-paced hyper visual world, brands are commonly shifting away from symbolic icons (in the traditional logo sense) and have moved onto typographic focused solutions. This seems simple however the challenge is now to create something that not only communicates legibly but is flexible and iconic enough to be identifiable amongst our continuously changing visual landscape.
What’s the one product that you love for its design / creativity?
The first product that comes to mind are my District Vision, Junya Racer glasses – a highly utilitarian product I am always delighted to use. I'm an avid runner and use them almost every time I go out, if it's a windy 15 degrees or humid 80+ degrees they never fail. They are insanely lightweight and have high quality lenses so you quickly forget you are wearing them, they never get in the way and are highly protective against all the elements. This is one of the few products that I am always appreciative of their quality and function, there aren't many products that do that for me.
Check out more of Brian Mark’s work at his website or on Instagram.
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