Friday, 17 July 2009

WWF ambient paper towels

Great idea, does what it says on the tin. Sometimes we can be so detached from our environment, this is a stark reminder that we can each do our bit. Save paper. Save the planet.

Advertising Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi, Copenhagen, Denmark
Creative Director: Simon Wooller
Art Directors / Copywriters: Cliff Kagawa Holm, Silas Jansson
Release: April 2007

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

Tour de force photographs


Spectacular photography from Brent Humphreys, a photographer by trade with a life long passion for cycling. He migrates to France each summer to capture the carnival atmosphere along the Tour de France route. Breathtaking scenery meets fanatic lunacy. 

See the whole collection from his work in progress book.

Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Let the Nightwatchman de-jargon cricket

You may have noticed that cricket season is upon us. I know I have, it seems to be all over the papers, pubs and tv. So here I was thinking, I'd like to understand it, I can certainly get down with the fashions, white is so summery, and the picnic liquid lunches, Pimms anyone? But where do I start?

Well bowl me over with willow and leather and LBW your googlies, there is a website which helps the complete cricket novice understand the fine art! 

Vodafone's Nightwatchman is just the right mix of informative, entertaining and bitesize. Let Dougie Anderson (complete cricket novice) guide you through the rules, jargon, and banter that makes Cricket quintessentially English, oh and you can win tickets. 

I've signed up, hopefully by the time I win (positive, mental, attitude) I'll known my seams from my creases, or something like that. Howzat?!!!.


Also, sweet simple cricket animations in-between the video clips. Pretty.

Monday, 13 July 2009

Beautiful music video


"This music video was shot for Sour's 'Hibi no Neiro' (Tone of everyday) from their first mini album 'Water Flavor EP'. The cast were selected from the actual Sour fan base."

Quite a logistical tour de force here, I don't envy the organisers behind this heart warming video.


Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Latest painting commission


This homage is occupying my evenings of late. It's a painterly impression of the classic GNER Victorian poster. I've struggled with, for want of a better word copying, but I've added more depth to the landscape and decided to take the poster as a guide. It's getting there, more detail and time needed on the typography.

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Why Free is the future of business!


"Every industry that becomes digital eventually becomes free".

Great article over at Wired, how Gillette made his fortune with freebies. Get your business models altered NOW! Offer it for free and cash in. 

This post was brought to you, for free, by your friendly local Bowerbird, all donations gratefully received.

Friday, 3 July 2009

Dear HOUSEOFFRASER


(My genuine email to House Of Fraser, after seeing the above, awaiting response...)

Dear HOUSEOFFRASER. 
DoYouDislikeSpace? 
IsThereSomethingWrongWithThisEmail? 
HaveYouHeardOfKerning? 

Surely, this is not following Brand Guidelines?!  
I'd be interested to know if you're aware of this shop frontage in Leicester. 

Sincerely, Curious Customer.

Thursday, 2 July 2009

Post-it animation is appealing...

Got a deadline? Procrastination to the extreme as demonstrated by Bang-Yao Liu in this epic post-it note stop frame animation. I genuinely forget it's made from post-its half way through, fantastic immersive piece of animation! 

Monday, 29 June 2009

It's all about perspective



The scale of this video will knock your socks off, a very designer retro piece of film by Charles and Ray Eames, the clever, multi-disciplinary husband and wife duo.

Friday, 26 June 2009

This just in...

Funny 'cos it's true. News saturation has occurred less than 24 hours after MJ's death. Twitter, breaking news and live text updates have made us flighty and unable to concentrate on anything for more than...

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Anyone want a backie?

Madsen Cycles Cargo Bikes

So what's the deal? This hot little bike from Madsen is up for grabs, head over to their site to find out how. Aside from that it's gorgeous and I could picture myself riding one. Although I know I'd fill the 'tub' up with rubbish, cool for a picnic and giving a mate a lift huh?

Monday, 22 June 2009

Harry Pearce inspirational talk at Pentagram

A magical thing happened last Thursday over at Pentagram. Stepping inside a little yard, Pentagram Yard no less, we were welcomed in to the hub of their London office where we sat and listened and smiled our way through Harry Pearce's talk, the latest offering from 26.

It was everything you'd expect from a Pentagram partner, a person of notoriety and acclaim yet with humility, humour and childlike wonder at the world around him. Listening to touching anecdotes of Pearce's relationship with Alan Fletcher, we all took pleasure in the disarming simplicity of his work, but mostly his playful way with words.

His upcoming book Conundrums is a collection of witty wordplay, Pearce must be a devil to try and beat at Dingbats! He introduced us to his 'Schizophrenic Roads', a collection of photographs of road signs that are the ultimate in paradox: 'Avenue Road' and 'Pink 'Green' as well as his almost prescient use of typography highlighting the issues in Burma. Pearce's work for Witness, clearly a pursuit of passion and integrity stands head and shoulders above the existing charity and good causes publicity. 'Infantry' is a stark attention grabber.

We walked away from the talk buzzing with ideas, wordplay and the connections we can make with words and images. There are truly magical things all around us if we can only see them, as Harry muses on one of Alan Fletcher's wondrous thoughts, a take on the Matisse quote, the world is full of flowers if you just have eyes to see.

So whether we're seeing humour in the miscommunication of predictive text, faulty signage, dreams or Schizophrenic road signs, as long as we're seeing, we'll all be enjoying.

Images courtesy of Pentagram, Conundrum answers available here.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

We Have Band stop-frame animation




Incredible animation for We Have Band's single 'You Came Out' made by the mighty Wieden + Kennedy, seems like our neighbours are branching out into music videos, tricky, time consuming ones at that! Bravo. 

Thursday, 11 June 2009

D&AD: I'll be there

I am so part of this industry, look my face, there in that wall of 'industry type' and student faces. Oh yeah, I have officially made it. Sarcasm aside, it's a good idea, in an age of apathy and redundancy a little bit of solidarity and community spirit is welcomed. Sign up now for D&AD New Blood

Private View, Monday 29th June, 6pm.

See you there!

Monday, 8 June 2009

My First (dark) Dictionary

I've always found these kinds of illustrations a little creepy, more so after Mark Slack used them in an NSPCC Loughborough University project five years ago. In any case, Ross Horsley has finally put 2 and 2 together and gone slightly too far, so depending on your morals you may love or hate this.

I shall remain impartial but it's a good use of words and pictures to create an emotional response.

:-)

Get Help Here!

After a little stall in the launch process, I'm proud to announce the launch of our latest Directgov application, it's called Get Help Here, it's like an interactive flow chart to get help for those out of work, worried about redundancy or wanting to study.

It's my first project where I've done all the copywriting, it may seem small but there are over a hundred different end-lines in there. On the upside I have a full working knowledge of my redundancy rights and childcare benefits...

Have a play with the application here or download it/blog it/share it if you want to spread the information and help.

Vodafone Taxi Grand Prix



Here's an exciting little competition for any racing fans, create a racing team from two taxi drivers, then get live stats as they pick up fares throughout the country and clock up the miles you need to get F1 prizes.

The site explains it all, team Bowerbird consists of cabbies Robert (Manchester) and Colin (London), go on get involved, see you on the podium.

Thursday, 4 June 2009

Welcome to Bing

Now that Bing has launched, I'd just like to suggest you to try it out. I've been working on something associated with this project for a little while and have been excited to see it up and running. 

Although frankly, it doesn't recognise this blog when I search for it... (Google does, top hit)

Wednesday, 3 June 2009

MTV risqué ads for Skins



MTV Portugal have just made my morning! These daring adverts touch on the explicit nature of the show and I'm still chuckling. Illustrations courtesy of Bruna Guerreiro.

Congratulations to the copywriters too, "Parents can't forbid things they don't know exist. Skins. Don't let them know about this show."


Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett Lisboa, Portugal
Creative Director: Horacio Puebla
Art Director: Luciana Cani
Copywriter: Pedro Ribeiro
Illustrator: Bruna Guerreiro
Creative advisor: Tura
Published: April 2009

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Egg box painting


Enno de Kroon describes it as 'eggcubism', it's an interesting technique and I'm sure it's harder to do than it looks. He's an artist based in the Netherlands, although I wouldn't be surprised if a few cash strapped English students adopted his style of canvas...

52 Poems

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Ode to National Express

17.57 to London Kings Cross

Nestled down in the vestibule
Wedged against the fire extinguisher’s nook
I sit and sway

It’s an interesting vantage
Athletic male legs are much of my view
Along with the luggage, baggage of varying size-age

Vestibule 12438 in our temporary transit
3 girls, 2 boys, 3 seated, 2 standing
Suitcase, rucksacks, hold all, handbag and canvas tote

Denied a seat on a £40 ticket
So I jot down while we squat down
It may be Bank Holiday but it’s really not cricket. 

Monday, 18 May 2009

Kittens in Mittens!


Lovely lady Lauren Beard has opened her very own Etsy shop, go and purchase all your high quality illo based brilliance now. Thank you.

Can you give me a hand?

We are starting a caption competition over at the Digit Blog, and to keep it I need to prove that people will actually use it. 

Get your puns and witty words at the ready for the above image and post it here.

Thanks!

www.blog.digitlondon.com if you want to add it to your RSS feeds and have a convo with those clever thinkers...

Friday, 15 May 2009

Tell me how you're feeling

I've been doing a lot of thinking and writing for Digit this week, so in a self serving manner, would you like to look at one of my posts and tell me how you are? Thank you.

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

I'm in a tangle over this clip

Spaghetti Western, by PES, winner of a Sundance 2009 award, it's simply genius.
Watch over and over...


Monday, 11 May 2009

Playful is the way forwards

Illustrator Zara Picken strikes again with updates to her blog, and some playful self-promotional pieces including the two above. Have a little scroll through her blog, there are some really beautiful tactile pieces.

Take a peek at her entry to the AOI/TFL competition and her editorial illustrations, they look great in situ.

Friday, 8 May 2009

Life is beautiful, work can be too

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

Blog in a blog, this is how mad cow's disease started...

So, I've been sneakily moonlighting, well, doing my day job really. The Digit blog is finally live! So check it out, add it to your RSS feeds and soak up all that great thinking from a bunch of great thinkers. Well I would say that wouldn't I? Please comment if the urge takes you, join the conversation.

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

He's behind you, he's got swine flu

This Streets track is dedicated to a lady with all the symptoms, catch it, bin it, kill it as the adverts say! Get well soon. Catchy track by the way...

This isn't just any farmer...



Hello!
I'm back after a relaxing week in the sun, and in my absence Digit have launched a wonderful new section on the Marks and Spencer's website called 'Meet Your Farmers' it's a lovely insight into the people who farm the produce and the lengths they go to to produce top notch grub.

I helped out on the copy side of this project so it's lovely to see Brad and Elise's design come to life. Top work Digit. If you aren't familiar with M&S's Plan A, it's a long-term 100 point plan, over five pillars (categories) and they're totally committed to it, it's impressive. I was part of the original team to win this business nearly three years ago, and the site is a beauty. 

Lots of rich animation, beautiful photography and useful information. Have a play with Plan A.

Friday, 24 April 2009

The sun is shining...


...and I'm jetting off for a week of hopefully even more sunshine. In my absence, I leave you with Hoxton hipsters, I wonder if you'll be as disappointed as I was when I reached the end of the posts, I never wanted it to end. 

I've just had a lunchtime walk around Spitalfields and I have seen pasty, skinny men in teeny weeny shorts, girls with pink hair and ironic t-shirts, lots of BIG hair and truly tiny skirts. The sunshine brings out the best of the British.

Have a lovely weekend.

Thursday, 23 April 2009

To boldly go wrong

Dear Trekkers, there is much hype around JJ Abrams' latest film but maybe cast an eye over their official website and raise your designer eyebrow in Spock-style shock!

What is this? "Font Size 13"? Ugly content boxes? Bizarre widget box, oh dear. 

Reminds me of this superb blog of cake wrecks

I can NOT believe my eyes

This is one of the weirdest things I've seen for a while, but I can't not look. This is my Halloween costume, I'm bagsying it now. 

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

More New Math



wit + words + math = Bowerbird's approval
Weekly updates from morenewmath.com


Don't look now!

Problem: gorillas can attack/cause incidents when you make eye contact
Rotterdam Zoo's answer: specs that make you look like you're averting your eyes
Tie in: sponsored by a local health insurance company
Result: brilliant photo opportunity, gorilla goes bananas from all the flash photography. (This is a joke of course)

And the crowd goes wild....

OK, so it's an oldy, but the idea is still bang up to date. The crowd cheers as you open the box to your new football boots, dreams are made of this sort of stuff! Oh to be a child again.

Cannes Lions 2007 Promo Winner
"A limited number of Nike shoeboxes were transformed to house a stadium within by inserting a printed sheet of the stadium interior with embedded sound chips. So you could hear the crowd go wild when the box was opened."

Agency: Publicis, Singapore
Regional Creative Director: Calvin Soh
Creatives: Loh Weicheng, Yvonne Chia
DI Artist: Jimmy Leow
Project Manager: Gwynn Wong
Associate Account Director: Jason Tan

Jargon buster



Here's a little tool that Digit has made for Directgov, you can see it online here, and post it where you like. It's a handy device, especially with the Budget looming... 

Monday, 20 April 2009

Wheely nice coasters



I spotted these a while ago over at Ella Doran's website, there's a treasure trove of lovely stuff that countless designers have paid 'homage' to, such a nicer way of saying ripped off right? I particularly like the route-master button, alight here for cool coasters. Ding ding.

Wednesday, 15 April 2009

Piggin' stop frame animation


Outstanding stop frame animation from Japan. 
Directed by Takeuchi Taijin.
You will be transfixed!
Can you imagine the time it took?!



Wednesday, 8 April 2009

Where is my career going?

If this diagram is anything to go by, casting a quick eye over what I've done today, I'm at Assistant Creative Director level! Woohoo, some days I'm even at Creative Director status, champagne here I come. Thanks Igor, for this find.

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Write from the heart


Innocent have a lot to answer for, it has spawned numerous chatty, friendly styles of writing. I like to think their hearts are in the right place, after all, they are selling fruit in cute little bottles, the man from Del Monte is doffing his hat in admiration, everyone likes fruit right? 

So it's good to know that even though Coca Cola are putting investment into this smiley 'little' company, those three fellows who started it all can still pen a convincing letter to explain to all their "drinkers and veg-potters" that they are not being swallowed by a massive corporation.

Here is a lesson in authentic and engaging writing. I'd still like to work for them...
Read the letter here.

Photo credit: clspeace with a Bowerbird overlay

Thursday, 2 April 2009

Snow White's Apple

Sometimes an idea just fits, perfectly. I am in no way suggesting that Apple are poisonous or misleading. Think Different

Image credit: via Ffffound.

Monday, 30 March 2009

Ready, set, GOAT!



East London went all countrified on Sunday in the inaugural Oxford Vs Cambridge Goat Race. It was timed to coincide with the boat race, so while the reporters were giving pre-race coverage of the teams on the river bank, we were treated to pre-race feeds and bleats inside the city farm's enclosure. 

It was a wonderfully surreal afternoon, with the feisty and somewhat vertically challenged Cambridge working the crowds and the serene and remarkably clean Oxford patiently eating with a sock puppet sat on his back. I told you it was surreal. 

The event's logo was designed by Cookie, and I presume the sock puppet jockeys were the handicraft of his girlfriend, Nicky Gibson

More photos and the winner revealed on my Flickr.







Thursday, 26 March 2009

Ben Javens strikes again



I blogged a little while about this Vetiver poster that I coveted, well I will covet no more, I'm the proud owner of edition 11/20, and it's a beaut. I'm waiting to frame it, but it's on the most delicious thick watercolour paper, it seems a shame to place it behind glass.

Further to a lovely email conversation with Ben, I was also pretty chuffed to find a screen-printed tote book bag inside my poster tube! It's all about the personal touches. 

I've also noticed a few updates to his blog, and spotted this chunky little people typeface, 'Alphabetty' which made me smile, I apologise if I've misused/abused your typeface, but I wanted to say a personal thanks. Thanks!

On yer bike!

This was a surprise birthday present and it's just beautiful and suits my Brompton down to the ground. It's a great piece of classic English design, so I thought I'd share the packaging. 

The Brooks website is worth a peek too.

The reason I have a sweet tooth...

It's in my genes of course! Great little Chupa Chups advert by DDB Spain, although it clearly works in any language, found via the appropraitely named Inspire Me Now tumblr

Wild thing I, I think I love you

It's much anticipated and if the trailer is anything to go by, Spike Jonze's interpretation of Maurice Sendak's classic book 'Where the Wild Things Are' is going to be sensational.

View the trailer here.

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

LESS IS MORE



I stumbled upon the ‘FOUR LINE LONG POEM’ recently and it got me thinking, are we heading towards a succinct world? Is less, more? Or are we just getting lazier? Is brevity the new brainy? No flowery prose or verbose dialogue needed now, just tell it to me straight.

“HATE BEEF LOVE TOFU”, “KNOW TRUE LOVE ONCE”, “BALD DOGS LOOK PINK”

OK, so you could interpret these ‘poems’ as deep, ridiculous or just plain bizarre, but this montage of four liners is also telling of our concentration span. Tweets and Facebook updates have to be engaging enough to stop us in our tracks at least long enough to LOL back some kudos.

Perhaps this is merely the latest fashion of story telling, but currently we are actively encouraged to make clever use of limited characters. Hemingway toyed with telling a complete and very short, short story in six words, that’s 32 characters to you Twits out there. “For sale: baby shoes, never worn”, he claimed it was his best work.

The best use of Twitter I’ve seen to date aside from Towerbridge’s personable, informative and human Tweets, “I am opening for the FGS Brandenburgh, which is passing downstream.” is the creatively succinct tales of TimKeyPoet. Key manages to paint a world in a few brush strokes and leave us asking questions and frankly wanting more; “Poem#171. “I’m not marrying that pig!” I said to mother. She continued to leaf through the portfolio.”

Short, short stories are not a new phenomenon and I’m not claiming as much, but haikus must be sagely nodding at Twitter and waiting for all the fuss to die down. In the mean time it concerns me that we might lose the ability to converse in more than 140 characters.

I think I'm suffering from mild Neighbourphobia!




I wish my neighbours would take off like in this clip, I was woken at 5am, yes 5am, by a drum kit and a bass guitar and the raucous party next door. And where was my invite?! Anyway, I've realised I badmouth my neighbours a lot and found this, I'm not alone! I'm just suffering from neighbourphobia. 

The website has some sweet illustrations, especially in the quiz, including David Attenborough (the nicest man in the world). You can take the test and see how affected your area is too, it's a bit 28 days later on a serious budget, but nice sentiment.



After a bit of digging and emailing, the illustrator is a Mr. Pancaldi, although it seems he's quite the talented painter too!