Asterisks are still in contention for one of the most relied upon symbols in our design arsenal. We brazenly incorporate or feature them in our logos in every imaginable iteration. There’s no set color or number of points, some meet in the middle and others don’t. They are thick and thin and friendly and sharp and transparent and frankly, there is an asterisk out there in every mood imaginable. It’s a ubiquitous actor because it has such a broad range. It indicates something deserves special attention or that it’s missing. It serves as a placeholder, as a burst of brilliance or as that button you get to use when a hashtag won’t cut it. And speaking of cutting it, designers have correctly observed that cutting an asterisk in half, doesn’t diminish its magical intensity in the least.
It’s fair to read this trend as both a special sparkle or burst of light as well as brandishing that captivating “look here and take note” that the asterisk was intended for. Its economical construction permits designers to modify stroke weights broadly in a design, making it an even more popular companion. Admittedly a few of the candidates falling into this trend could be half a twinkling star or half a sun but generally these are certified asterisks lopped in half to neatly snuggle up with another player critical to the brand story. It’s the sparkle that may be missing from a mundane product or the promise of radiance associated with its use. The word asterisk literally translates to “little star” — an apt description of this trend.
DESIGN AGENCY: RIPPKE DESIGNCLIENT: AMES SILVERSMITHING
DESIGN AGENCY: VICTOR MILLS DESIGNCLIENT: PERSONAL BRANDING
DESIGN AGENCY: STARTERCLIENT: MYCONOM
DESIGN AGENCY: 1IDEA DESIGN + MEDIA INC.CLIENT: HIDDEN INSITE
