Metal Construction Association

PLEASE NOTE: MCA has changed its logo since this review. Unfortunately, the new one lacks the distinction of the one they let go.

Graphics must be viewed and evaluated for appropriateness by industry. The Metal Construction Association presents what is expected for an industrial group: visuals that are bold, geometric, classic, direct, and structural. They infuse the theme of metal construction into a strong strategy. With a fine line between looking classic and looking old—at their best, the presentation is classic. But at its worst, old.

Five Criteria for Graphics that Work:
Evaluating Metal Construction Association

 Use of logo: An organization’s logo has a story to tell—encapsulating the personality, philosophy, and tone of an entire organization.
The geometry of MCA‘s logo supports interesting visual effects, like the background stacking on the website’s left column and newsletter. Classic and bold, the flat geometric shapes represent the materials that they promote. It is imagery that MCA could develop more.

 Theme: The visual first impression is dominated by the total gestalt—look, feel, purpose, and benefit. Further contact is consistent and supports personality and philosophy.
MCA’s logo begins a crisp professional presentation. Because their mission is to promote the use of metal fabrication in architecture, their materials must appeal to a spectrum of viewers from architects to contractors to developers to suppliers. So using a template that unifies all content is the easiest technique. But the approach allows little visual interest beyond the first absorption.

 Content composition: Building from a recognizable theme, the presentation is easy to grasp, clear, and engaging.
Like most organizations, MCA uses a static template on their website. The most interesting portions are the showcases of member projects. Much more can be done with second and third level pages to better use the online space. Under their Publications segment, they give a choice between viewing in fast low resolution or downloads to print in high resolution. Demonstrating their sensitivity to the range of viewers, they delineate audiences at the top, allowing content to be tailored.

 Consistent style: A series presents a visual language and an ambient atmosphere, promoting a positive experience and relationship with the audience.
Sometimes consistency can be overdone. MCA graphic strategy is at its best when showcasing member projects. It is at its worst in the static presentation of content—where the template dictates format so strongly that everything looks the same. However, their bold color, logo as illustration, and concise navigation, the overall effect is crisp yet inviting.

 Distinctive: The most successful presentations have a memorable twist—something extra that is unique.
The most recognizable and distinctive aspect of MCA’s graphics is their logo.  It is used to anchor agraphic decisions, though not beyond backgrounds. To build more distinction, they could incorporate the geometric forms of square, circle, and triangle to greater symbolism.

See the Overview of the best Midwest organizations to present strong and compelling graphics.