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. 

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. 

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. 

Lancaster London Rebrand

Collectiva has designed the new Identity for the Royal Lancaster Hotel, now called Lancaster London. I think this is a great example of successful rebranding. 

The previous name and logo as shown below looks tired and old fashioned, whereas the new branding conveys a sharper message and has far more impact. It has a more high end, contemporary appearance due to its subtle typeface and colour. Whilst the name emphasises the hotels positioning and gives it more resonance. Showing that sometimes a message can be expressed more effectively through simple design.

The Guardian Podcasts

Branding has always been of great interest to me, and after looking at the 

well branded Absolut Vodka advert in my previous blog, I decided to search for more examples of 'good' branding. What I liked about the Absolut advert was how it portrayed the philosophy of the brand and looked so unmistakably like an Absolut advert. 

The same can be said for this print campaign for The Guardian podcasts, created by Wieden and Kennedy. The Guardian wanted to heighten awareness of their podcasts site; Wieden and Kennedy have achieved this by combining strong imagery through a collage of illustration, with interesting typography. Most importantly, they have kept in line with The Guardians sophisticated yet creative appearance. Without even seeing the brand name, I can recognise the advert as being that of The Guardian. Therefore the logo is shown discreetly in a different colour within the rest of the text rather than separately at the bottom of the page as in most adverts. The guardian have created such a strong and characteristic brand image for the newspaper which I believe is what makes their advertising so successful.

www.guardian.co.uk/audio

Absolut Vodka 'Anthem' Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRYvRdPKbhA

The advert consists of six genuine artistic installations created by artisans from different materials and environments to tell part of the Absolut story. "Doing things differently leads to something exceptional" is spelled out of ice blocks, wheat, hanging Absolut bottles, flying lanterns, balloons and glass cylinders. I really enjoy the beautifully crafted typography and the poetic manner in which the advert unfolds. However it is the clear, strong branding of the product that interests me most. The advert is very characteristic of the Absolut brand, recognised for it's outstanding marketing, and distinguishes it from other competitors. 

" 'Anthem' conveys our most fundamental brand belief and states Absolut has a long-term commitment to creativity", Anna Malmhake, global brand director at Absolut.