What's that?

Can anyone tell me what’s Branding?
Branding Design? Corporate Identity Design?
Is that good to be specialist in this area of Design?
In which city can it be usefull and fruitfull?
What kind of companies could hire specialists of this field?

I’m a 2nd year Graphic Design Student, and I’m looking for a specilization.
I’ll appreciate your help.

Marc
Québec

Best book& most current on the subject IMO:

Designing Brand Identity: A Complete Guide to Creating, Building, and Maintaining Strong Brands
by Alina Wheeler

Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 15, 2003)
ISBN: 0471213268

Usually this subject is covered in depth in a senior (maybe junior) level class.

Try the book: 22 Immutable Laws of Branding

Thanks guys.
But how about companies? I heard about Landor. Is it the only firm specialized in Branding?

Nike has a huge brand design group. For example:

http://www.nike.com/nikelab/usa/episode_3/index.jhtml

this site highlights 3 of our larger brand stories. Footwear and Brand design the stories, footwear then designs the product, and brand designs its communication to the consumer, on the web, in stores, through launch events and collaborations, medial placement, print collaterol etc to in box graphics.

It’s not really so much of a specialization, but a focus of Graphic Design talent on all things 2d around large corporate stories.

not sure if it means the same everywhere???

Thanks. I tried this page out, but it doesn’t work.

want to know good identity design?
two words:

PENTAGRAM DESIGN

I have no idea about PENTAGRAM.
What do they do exactly?
Also I heard about Siegal&Gale and Landor. Are they the best?
I hope you could anwer me.
Thanks

Do to:
landor.com
sieglegale.com