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