July 20th, 2008
WOW
A website with no words... Looking over the web and came across this, full marks for not using a single word, is copy dead? mother think so...
July 11th, 2008
Jenny’s mixed up saying of the day
"I like to have a toe in every pie"... Perhaps it is down to the fact that our Client Services Director's mind works too quickly, but Jenny does have the habit of occasionally mixing up the odd phrase. Today's was "I like to have a toe in every pie". Which follows on from last week's "he was up sh*t creek without a ladder". We're all looking forward to "don't judge a book before it's hatched", and "It was the stitch in time that broke the camel's back". We'll keep you posted.
July 10th, 2008
An educational book
We have just completed work on a book to promote Corus' stainless reputation in the educational building sector. For those in the know, Kalzip systems from Corus are the Rolls Royce of metal architecture.
The benefits of the sytem have made them an ideal choice for many new educational buildings. Corus asked us to produce a book to reflect this.
As it is to be sent to notoriously hard to impress architects and specifiers, the book had to be a flawless showcase of cutting edge architecture. The design solution treads a careful line between considered, clean graphics and a slighty educational feel.
It is spiral, then perfect bound (yes, you can do that), and then printed in 7 colours. It will then arrive in its very own 'pencil case' cover.
Martin, the designer says: "We wanted to create a grown-up school book; reflecting the sector, but obviously not being childish.
It was hard work, but I'm chuffed with the result."
July 9th, 2008
HP Typefaces
Hewlett-Packard launches a new website featuring Paula Scher,
Jake Burton and Gwen Stefani as part of its $300 million
Print 2.0 campaign designed to inspire and empower customers with free customizable, printable content. For her part, Scher designed five business templates, including letterhead, envelopes, business cards and notecards, that provide users with a complete graphics package.
Named Bold, Modern, Edgy, Elegant and Friendly, the templates were designed to appeal to a diverse array of businesses and personality types. Two templates, Friendly and Modern, are available for download today, with the others being added over the next few weeks.
The site also features an interview with Scher in which she speaks
about how to build a successful brand identity. “The characteristic that matters for every good brand is that you look like you made your decisions based on who you are for specific reasons, not that they were accidental,” she says. “A small business should ask itself who its customer is, who are they talking to. They should think about how to present themselves and what their tone of voice should be.” Shot in Pentagram’s New York office, the interview is accompanied by commentary about some of her most celebrated designs.
“No template is a substitute for hiring a professional designer,” warns Scher, and indeed at Scher’s suggestion the HP site includes a prominent link to the AIGA designer directory. “But at the very least, I hope we can stop a few innocent people out there from using Comic Sans.”
Rounding out the site’s content, Jake Burton offers advice on how to produce a successful marketing campaign and the importance of a strong visual brand, while Gwen Stefani offers customizable
Harajuku-inspired paper dolls, party invites and CD covers.
July 9th, 2008
Paul Arden passes away
We are saddened to hear of the passing of former D&AD President's Award winner, Paul Arden.
D&AD Chairman, Anthony Simmonds-Gooding: "Paul Arden was one
of the most exceptional creative directors I’ve known, with an individualism and passion for perfection that resulted in some of the best advertising of the 80s and 90s.
He was awarded numerous Yellow Pencils throughout his career,
and a Black Pencil in 1991 while still at Saatchi & Saatchi. Graham Fink presented him with the President’s Award in 1996 for a contribution to creativity that really can be considered outstanding.
Paul’s passing will leave a hole in British advertising –
his idiosyncrasies made him unforgettable and his generosity and encouragement to students and young creatives is an example to all."
View an example of his work, 'Relax' for British Rail which won
a Yellow Pencil in 1989.