Great minds think alike...

Or do they? This new digital campaign by agency Quiet Storm, for Metro, looks rather familiar. (See my last post abbyfox22.blogspot.com/2009/11/d-student-awards-metro-brief.html).

If anyone would like to pay me for my ideas, please do get in touch.

D&AD Student Awards: Metro Brief

I thought I would share some of my own work. This is the latest from the D&AD student awards, Metro brief. The brief was to create a transport advertising poster campaign and strapline that cuts through the visual noise of everyday commute to promote Metro newspapers. The tone of voice is intended to be friendly, engaging and fun. The target market are mostly in full-time employment and are time-starved and don't have time to read a newspaper in the morning before going to work. Therefore I felt that my concept identified with these people, reminding them to take some time for themselves whilst they are commuting, to read the Metro. 

Innovative Self Promotion

Since I have been looking into self promotional design recently, I thought I would share a few of my findings. Below are some of my favourite, most innovative business card designs I have come across in my research. 

Photoshop - As real as it gets

I have just found this on the internet and I think it's absolutely brilliant. It has been created by agency Bates 141 in Asia and has generated huge interest worldwide. It is a campaign to promote the new Adobe Photoshop CS4 editor through software-asli.com. The advert depicts photoshop in 'real life' and took a week to assemble the 7x5m set. 

If only photoshop really did look like this, it would be great if you could set the program to this appearance. This concept is so simple but extremely effective, and the art direction is brilliant. The only complaint I have is that this would work perfectly as an advert for Adobe Photoshop, however it is in fact for the online shop selling the software, which I think is a little unclear, as it promotes the software rather than the shop. However It is the visual that I find so inspiring. 

Recycled Design

The book art in my previous post has really struck an interest in me for product design. In particular, creating new designs from old and used items. Not only does this create fascinating objects and forms, but is also addresses environmental issues. By using someone else's rubbish such as bottle tops, old tyres, bent bike wheels, and plastic cutlery to create useful items. Below are a few of my favorite designs that have found their way out of the rubbish bin.

Perhaps most intersting of all is this desk. It has been made by a company called Moto Art who make a range of furniture, from commercial aircraft parts, collected from the desserts in California and Arizona.

Book Art - the future of books?

The thought of hacking up books is a slightly disturbing image for me, that is until I saw these 'book art' sculptures. A new trend of cutting up and redesigning books into aesthetic sculptures and practical objects, such as chairs, shelves, vases and even lights. I like this idea of taking an existing object like a book and transforming it into something entirely different, changing the message of the story inside. Below are some examples that caught my eye, they all use books, but contain different messages and purposes.

Though I find the concept of taking this traditional medium and turning into something innovative and beautiful fascinating, I cant help but think it sad. The question that comes to mind - is this all that is left for books today? I love the tactile nature of books, the cover designs, even the smell. I am probably one of the few people that still has a library card. However with growing use of the internet and the introduction of e-books and online magazines, is there a future for books? 

There are obvious environmental benefits to e-books, having been looking at sustainable design, they fit into this category very well. Despite this, I cannot imagine being able to concentrate reading a story on my computer. When reading a book, you can pick it up and dip in and out when you like, this would not be so easy using a computer. I enjoy turning the pages of a book and the tangible experience that e-books could not replace. This is an issue I have found myself thinking a lot about recently, I love the medium of print, it has a uniqueness that online doesn't posses. However with environmental problems and the growth of digital medium, who knows, libraries may one day become galleries for book art. 

On a more positive note, these sculptures take something old and used and reinvent it into something new, something that can be done with anything. I particularly like the book light shades, at a glance, I didn't notice that they were made from. The rest I have chosen because they use books in an innovative and visually appealing way. 

Leeds High Heelathon

Last Sunday I was working at the High Heelathon event in Leeds in aid of Breast Cancer Haven. I became involved in this as the company I have been doing a work experience placement at, were responsible for the PR and design for it. I wanted to write a post about this, as having worked on the project from the concept to the final event I have found it very inspirational. 

Leeds High Heelathon was the UK's first high heel race, with Kimberley Walsh from girls aloud starting and leading the race. The route was around clarence dock and brewery wharf, a total of 1.2 miles. The idea of a high heel race to raise money for breast cancer haven is exciting and very appropriate. The pink, glamorous branding created a very strong identity for the event and looked great on the final day on the banners and t-shirts. If I hadn't known about the event they would have definitely caught my attention. Using Kimberly Walsh also created much more publicity for the race whilst the male participants in high heels added much comical value. One of the aims for the heelathon was to involve men as well and not just aim it at women, and this worked really well. 

The race was sponsored by Moda In Pelle, who provided goody bags for each participant, including Scholl foot pads - very fitting for those who had just walked a mile in high heels. It is a good example of how important attention to detail is. Particularly useful to me was being able to see the development from start to finish, and everything that goes into producing a successful marketing campaign. What I thought was most effective about the High Heelathon, was that it took a generic idea for a fundraising event like a race and by thinking outside the box, an interesting, witty and original twist was added. I think that when holding charity events such as this one, it is very important to generate a new and fun concept for it to draw attention and publicity, as we often see the same ideas being used. 

Nokia Vine

Nokia viNe is a breakthrough mobile application for the Nseries, that records photos, videos, text, songs, voice and bookmarks onto a multimedia map of your life. As you go about your journey, the phones in built GPS tracker logs photos etc exactly where you take them so that you can relive and share your experiences. The vines can then be uploaded onto the Nokia viNe website.

There is no doubt that this a very clever and interesting piece of technology, however is it at all useful? Personally I wouldn't use this application, but then I rarely use my phone for anything other than calling and texting. I also wouldn't want to share my photos and videos on the internet. Though for technology lovers, this would surely be very appealing. Also the application does has some practical uses. I find the idea very intriguing but most of all I like the branding and the website for Nokia viNe. The website has a map of the world with vines that have been uploaded tagged on it and the overall design is fun and eye-catching. However somehow I still don't think it will be enough to compete with the iPhone. 

The Soloist

I haven't seen many films this year that have made an impression upon me, this is one of the few that have. What is most interesting, is that it is a true story. Journalist Steve Lopez began writing his remarkable story in a column of the Los Angeles Times newspaper, which has been created into a best selling book and now produced as this film. 

 

Whilst desperately trying to find something to write about for his newspaper column, Lopez hears a homeless, black musician playing Beethoven on a two-string violin in the street. This encounter starts as a human interest story for Lopez as he learns the musician, Nathaniel Ayers, was once a child prodigy, attending Julliard school in New York. However suffering from schizophrenia at an early age left him on the streets, with music being the only key to his sanity. As Lopez gets to know Ayers, he endeavors to get him of the streets and back into music and to expose the appalling conditions of the cities homeless. A rather lost character, the audience get the feeling that it is also a chance for Lopez to find himself. However over the film Lopez learns he cannot help Ayers, but just simply be his friend to him. It is a thought provoking, compelling story of friendship, with a warming yet realistic ending. 

 

Nathaniel Ayers is played by Jamie Foxx, a rather unlikely actor for this part, however he  plays it beautifully with much empathy. The relationship between Ayers and Lopez works brilliantly as they struggle to understand each other. All in all, a fascinating true story, brilliantly cast, well worth watching.

Eco-friendly Advertising

After watching the new Design for Life programme as mentioned in my last post, Philippe Starck got me thinking about sustainable design. More and more brands are using an eco-friendly aspect of their product as a concept for their advertising. I think these Audi adverts are very effective, showing that their cars are more fuel efficient, therefore more environmentally friendly and more cost effective. This is illustrated through their clever use of typography. In the first advert the text is made to look like a road using the white lines, this suggests you can drive further as the car is more fuel efficient. The second advert is my favorite of the two, using the words in the shape of a fuel gauge highlighting the 'E' and 'F' with the needle pointing to full. Using typography in this way is very eye-catching and effective and proves that it can be as engaging as an image. It also puts across the message of fuel efficiency across very clearly.

Design for Life BBC2

Tonight on BBC2 is the third episode of the apprentice-esque show, Design For Life. It follows twelve product design candidates competing for a six month placement at Philippe Starck's (the programs equivalent to Alan Sugar) design agency in Paris. Much like the apprentice, the competitors are set a task each week and the loser is sent home. The first week saw literal minded James expelled, who produced a bag of disposable nappies as an example of an unecological product. 

Philippe Starck provides most of the entertainment with his eccentric, and very stereotypically french personality. However, for a programme about design, I find it very poorly designed with a bad format. Definitely not to the standard of similar programmes, The Apprentice and Dragons Den. Also the chosen candidates are uninspiring and unentertaining. The BBC have probably cast them for their design ability rather than for entertainment value which makes for rather dull viewing and may not go down to well with the general public.

Despite this I am so pleased that the BBC have produced a program for the design community. I have often watched the apprentice and thought how good a design version would be. It is also a good opportunity to create public awareness about the importance of design. Philippe Starck too promotes an emphasis on ecological design and sustainability, an increasing concern in the design industry. For designers, particularly students it provides great inspiration for design and creativity and an insight into a prolific designer's agency. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the series. 

Guinness Adverts

 

This advert made me smile when I saw it on television the other day. Created by Saatchi and Saatchi, it comically celebrates the 250th anniversary of Guinness, with two men in their local pub toasting to the man behind the ale, Arthur Guinness. The toast then spreads to a neighboring pub where it is interpreted as Martha, and carries in a chinese whispers fashion around the world, becoming more diverse, where people from different nationalities and cultures over the world toast the brands founder. I have always admired the marketing power behind Guinness, and this advert is typical of the brand, a clever and witty concept that portrays a strong message. I have taken a look at some of their previous adverts, below is one of the most memorable, created in 1999 by AMV BBDO, it was named by channel 4 as one of the best television adverts of all time. Using the well known guinness line, good things come to those who wait.

More recently made is the iconic 'domino' advert. What I find so astounding about it is the shear scale of the production, it is therefore not surprising that it's one of the most expensive adverts ever made.

London Fashion Week Exhibition

This weekend I visited London Fashion Week's exhibition at the Sommerset House and 180 Strand, showcasing two hundred of fashions most creative UK and international brands. The exhibition was intended to mirror the energy of the catwalk, helping to highlight fashion trends, and product selection and positioning. The exhibition was so visually eye-catching, consisting of vibrant, innovative and diverse collections. Features I particularly liked were the floating T-shirt island, that celebrates the T-shirt as a clothing item. 

Also Estethica, The British Fashion Council's eco-sustainable 

initiative. A collection of twenty eight designers, that practice fairtrade, recycling and ethical issues in their creations. This was particularly interesting to see cutting edge fashion can still be made in an eco-sustainable way, with the industry making positive development towards these issues. I think it is very important that well known and high fashion brands lead the way with these issues for others to follow. 

The range of colours and materials used in the different collections provided such a diverse and interesting appearance. This is what I like most about textiles and print design, the tactile experience that they give to the viewer. The extensive array of textures made me realise I need to be more experimental in my own work when choosing materials as they can really reinforce the message being portrayed

Radiohead House of Cards

This promotional video for Radiohead's single House of Cards came out last year however I had not seen it until now. A technological first, this film uses no cameras but is shot entirely using lasers and scanners by 3D plotting technologies collecting information about the shapes and relative distances of objects. The overall effect is this obscure but visually stunning image. The video is very atmospheric and surreal, and the motion of these images are intriguing. However I feel that they look even more impressive as still pictures like this one above. I think they have more impact and would be great as album artwork. 

The Forever Story

www.theforeverstory.com

Created by CHI & Partners, the forever story is an online, collaborative writing experiment they hope will become the worlds longest story. Company Talk Talk are donating £1 for every part of the story submitted. These donations are going to the charity Treehouse that helps children with autism. The first thirty five words of the story have been written by Nick Hornby, and go like this :

"For the first nineteen years of his life, Johnny Razor wasn't Johnny Razor at all. He was Malcom Weatherly, and was born in Mile End Underground station on the night of 17th September 1940"

Other well known writers have also contributed, however it is free for anyone to publish their own piece of the tale. It is fascinating to read from the beginning, how the contributions from different writers take it in a new direction or puts an alternative spin on the story. Also interesting is how much better the story becomes being collaborative and putting everyones ideas together, rather than if just one person had written it. I think the same can be said for all creative work. All together I believe this is a really engaging, unique and clever promotional idea, and portrays Talk Talk's, life's for sharing ethos, whilst also going towards a good cause.

'It's not how good you are, It's how good you want to be'

Paul Arden has written several books on advertising and motivation, having sold more than half a million copies I thought this one must be worth reading after being drawn in by the intriguing title. Paul Arden is known throughout the advertising industry as a creative genius, however sadly died last year. He was creative director at Saatchi and Saatchi and worked there for fifteen years. Responsible for campaigns such as British Airways, Silk Cut, The Independent, and Toyota, he has left quite an impression upon the advertising world. I was therefore interested to hear his words of wisdom. 

'Its not how good you are, it's how good you want to be' is a witty and entertaining guide to making the most of yourself. Arden offers lessons of advertising and business. As a student this book is very helpful, giving an insight into the professional world of advertising and how to succeed. Arden also emphasises the need for mistakes and criticism to learn and improve. "The person who doesn't make mistakes is unlikely to make anything". Saying it is better to do something wrong and use your initiative than not do anything at all. Most relevant to me, he states that we should not look for praise in our work, but seek criticism and ask what is wrong with it. So often I feel disheartened from negative feedback, but rather than take it to heart I need to look at it constructively. After all there is nothing to be learnt from a tutor telling us how good our work is. I think this is a very important lesson to take from this book; to take a more positive attitude to mistakes and criticism. That and the need to aim high and be as motivated as possible.

Here are a few quotes that stood out for me:

"Nearly all rich and powerful people are not notably talented, educated, charming or good looking"

"Your vision of where or who you want to be is the greatest asset you have"

"Talent helps but it wont take you as far as ambition"

"Everybody wants to be good, but not many are prepared to make the sacrifices it takes to be great"

"Aim beyond what you are capable of" 

The Shawshank Redemption

Shawshank Redemption must be at the top of almost everyones list of favorite films. I for one found it an extremely inspirational and heart felt story. I was therefore shocked to hear that when it was first released, it was a complete flop at the box office and barley made enough money to cover it's budget. 

Created by first time director, Frank Darabont, the film is almost entirely set in Shawshank state prison. For the few who haven't seen the film, city banker Andy Dufresne is sent to Shawshank after being wrongly convicted for murdering his wife and her lover. Whilst there his quiet strength and integrity gradually earns respect and friendship of prison inmate Red, played by Morgan Freeman. Andy also becomes popular with the warden and prison guards by providing them tax and financial services. Despite Andy's apparent acceptance of his unjust punishment, he is determined for freedom. Freedom and hope are central themes to the film - "Fear can keep you a prisoner. Hope can set you free". A particularly moving scene for me is when Brooks Halten is released from Shawshank and finds the outside world so fearful he would rather take his own life than live a free man. The characters in Shawshank have become institutionalised and do not know how to live outside of prison, this is also evident when Red is released on parol after serving forty years there. He does not know how to live outside Shawshank's strict regime and fears that like Brook Halten, he may too end up committing suicide. The main message the film leaves the audience with, is hope. Red finds this in Andy's letter to him at the end of the film, "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies". Showing that hope and optimism can be found even out of the most bleak circumstances. It is this feel good ending and strong, from the heart message of the film that makes it so inspirational and uplifting classic.

When released in 1994, Shawshank Redemption was nominated for seven academy awards; Best picture, Best Actor - Morgan Freeman, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Score and Best Sound Mixing. However in the shadow of Forrest Gump, also released at the same time, it was unable to win a single award. The film received negative reviews from critics, notably Kenneth Turan from the Los Angeles Times, who called the film "dwonright hateful", and that it "makes us feel like were doing harder time than the folks inside". I find these reviews difficult to understand considering the consistent warm reception of the film today. I can only think that it's failure at the box office was a that on it's description, the public did not deem it worth seeing at the cinema. If I had not seen the film and it did not have the reputation it does today, I don't think I would want to watch it from the description of the story. Set mainly in a prison, with little presence of any women characters, by an unknown director, the story doesn't sound very cinematic, more like a dull prison break out film. The thought provoking message and empathy in  the film is unexpected, but is what makes it such a crowd pleaser. It was only when Shawshank Redemption was released on dvd that it it began to receive some attention, from then on, word of mouth has given this film a resounant afterlife.

9/11 Memorial

As we pass the eighth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy, we see a new identity for it's memorial and museum, coinciding with the opening of the new 9/11 preview site. The name has been shortened considerably to a far more simple 9/11 Memorial, the aim of this was to make it more distinctive to the public. Created by Landor, the new identity reinforces the spirit of rebuilding. The clever highlighting of the '11' represents pillars of strength and solidarity, whilst also making reference to the twin towers. I think the identity is appropriate for such a sensitive issue, it is strong, simple and to the point, yet respectful. The symbolism of the '11' is also a clever device and adds a nice touch. 

This identity is for the new memorial and museum dedicated to september 11th and will be ready to open in 2011 on it's 10th anniversary. The 9/11 preview site enables the public to view models, artifacts, images and stories and watch the development of the memorial and museum being built. 

The design for the memorial was chosen from a competition of 5200 entries. Below is the winning design by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker.

The memorial covers eight acres in total, the main feature being 2 giant pools in the footprints of the world trade centre buildings. The pools will have the largest man made waterfalls in the country cascading into the bottom of each. I really admire this design, it emphasises the absence and feeling of loss in the middle of the city using the two large voids, whilst creating a beautiful space to visit. It is a powerful reminder of the buildings and the lives lost. The new identity and plans for the memorial does create a sense of the city rebuilding and moving forward. 

London's Olympic Stadium

Still recovering from the painful sight of the London 2012 Olympic logo, I saw the pictures for the new Olympic stadium last week, which sadly, I cannot say is any better. "No one can say wev'e compromised on design, on sustainability, or on the legacy potential', says olympics minister Tessa Jowell, I beg to differ. The Olympic stadium maybe practical, but it is dull, underwhelming and doesn't fit into the landscape around it. The initial concept has been changed to a more economical version that allows for 80,000 seats to then be converted into a 25,000 capacity stadium after the games.

After seeing the Super Contemporary exhibition that celebrated London's worldwide creative reputation and achievements, I have to wonder why this building doesn't use that opportunity. The Olympics is the one time for Britain to show off it's creative talent to the rest of the world, and the Olympic stadium doesn't do justice to portraying our diverse architecture. Especially in comparison to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium which is a fantastic piece of architecture that celebrates China's culture. Also known as the birds nest, the 

stadium is imaginative and aesthetically pleasing, and looks more like a work of art than a sports arena. It also compliments the landscape around it, whereas the London stadium sticks out like a sore thumb. 

The London arena certainly reflects our current economic climate. It has been built to be practical and sustainable, seating a high capacity, with very little thought to aesthetics. There has been no concept, imagination or creativity in the design of the building. I agree with the critics who say it looks like 'a fruit bowl'. Tom Dykhoff, The Times' architecture critic wrote that the 2008 and 2012 olympics will be seen in years to come by historians as 'a cunning indicator of the decline of the west and the rise of the east'. 

Whilst it is important to set a budget in these economical conditions, does that really mean at the sacrifice of good design?