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Talking Books by Adrian Walsh

Opinion by Richard Baird Posted 29 April 2011

New logo designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books

Talking books is an Canadian audio-book retailer established in 1996 that sells on-line, in stores, and through electronic kiosks. They have recently undergone a review of their identity managed by US based designer and illustrator Adrian Walsh who developed their new identity and brand guidelines.

“This identity had to attract a wide variety of audiences. I had to create a mark that could appeal to a business man, while not alienating a stay-at-home mom and vice versa. To do this, the mark is very clean, simple and professional looking, while still having a sense of lightness through color and wit. The logo suggests both books on a shelf and the equalizer bars of a stereo simultaneously. This theme of the logo is further used throughout the brand in applications ranging from the interface of the kiosks, to a set of gift cards.” – Adrian Wlash

The original logo was very dated and fussy, focusing on a broad global expression and forfeiting the very human individual nature of story telling. It appeared heavy in places and suffered from excessive wording and an unnecessary use of initials. This is a really clean re-brand that has a strong identifiable presence and neat twist that blends the physical nature of stacking books and the on-line world of digital audio content. The simple typographical choice of NewsGoth clearly reflects the theme in both its tall letter forms and editorial characteristics. The logo-mark is effectively utilised as a visual device in a number of ways to communicate information on printed collaterals and as the basis of an on-screen interface.

Logo concepts designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books Logo concepts designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books

Logo concepts designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books New logo and print designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books New logo and print designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books New logo and print designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books New logo and print designed by Adrian Walsh for Canadian audio-book retailer Talking Books