The Big Apple may be the epitome of urban living, rife with dreams, ambitions and great shopping, but the City in Chains series shows that it is also a grounds for corporate breeding. The series depicts the different neighborhoods of Manhattan as corporate logos; but they weren't thrust together all willy nilly. Instead, these logos reflect the neighborhood in an eyeopening way.
Designed by James C. Taylor of Pennarello Design, the City in Chains series brings to light the corporatization of these areas. Fast Co. Design writes, "The Lower East Side, formerly home to dive bars, is recharacterized as the Gap logo. SoHo, the classic industrial-zone-turned-artist's-haunt, is now given the logo of Japanese behemoth Uniqlo. Chelsea, the theater district, is rebranded as a Chase Bank logo."
Corporaterized Manhattan Neighborhoods
City in Chains by James C. Taylor Depicts Boroughs as Logos
Trend Themes
1. Corporate Neighborhood Branding - The corporatization of neighborhoods is reflected in branding through logos, representing a trend in urban living.
2. Rebranding Neighborhood Identity - The use of corporate logos to depict neighborhoods reflects a trend towards rebranding and emphasizing a different aspect of neighborhood identity.
3. Subversive Logo Design - City in Chains series subverts expectations by using corporate logos to represent neighborhoods in a way that challenges traditional associations, demonstrating a trend towards disrupting established practices.
Industry Implications
1. Graphic Design - Graphic designers can benefit from the trend of using logos to reflect neighborhood identity, as it may present a need for innovative and unconventional branding strategies.
2. Urban Planning - Urban planners can leverage the trend of corporate neighborhood branding to promote community engagement and create new opportunities for public-private partnerships and collaborations.
3. Advertising - The trend of rebranding neighborhoods through corporate logos presents an opportunity for advertising agencies to develop creative and impactful marketing campaigns centered around local pride and identity.