Dirty Poster

I thought this project by NY born graphic designer, Roland Tiangco was quite intriguing. 

Titled Dirt Po(or)ster, the project allows the recipient to complete a poster by revealing spot-varnished type through handling. Part of a series of posters, its a clever idea which allows mediums like posters to be interpreted using the rest of our senses other than seeing.  

http://www.rolandtiangco.com/

Nike + Kustaa Saksi

1948 is Nike’s creative playground-retail store in Shoreditch, London. In addition to displaying and selling shoes, 1948 offers an entire art floor for fun events and installations.

 

The installation created by Finland-born creative Kustaa Saksi is all about the historical fun journey of the Nike running shoe. The design has a pop-art, retro feel that fits Nike's brand history. 

 

Saksi himself is in many media, including print, sculpture and now also more frequently 3D. His book, Offpiste (2008), features recent work. In addition to Nike, Saksi’s other clients includes Diesel, Issey Miyake, Lacoste, Levi's, New York Times, Mercedes Benz, MTV, Playboy and Wallpaper.

Peepshow Collective

When looking at design companies last year I remember one website in particular that stood out for me. 

Peepshow are a collective of ten illustrators, designers and animators based in London. Working mainly within art direction, advertising, editorial, illustration, moving image, fashion, textile and set design.  Their site itself is creatively engaging and showcases their work without the use of extensive levels of flash and animation. It's great to see a company of this size that specialises in such an array of design disciplines.

Have a look: http://www.peepshow.org.uk/

Beer Belly

More original branding ideas! The brief was to design a business card for a fitness trainer. 

To make the design unique, they came up with a interactive foldable design. In a world of standardized and formatted business cards, this execution is memorable. The concept is 

to tear off excess flab which compliments the profession of the business and provides an effective message. 

I like the interaction needed for this idea, as most business cards are just there to look at. The tearing off of the flab also mirrors the aims of the company, like a before and after moment.

Agency: Leo Burnett Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

E-CO Business Cards

How can a company promoting to save the planet, cut down a forest in order to promote themselves?!? the answer: 'recycled' business cards! 

Each card is made from discarded paper and stamped with the company details, not only a clever execution but also an effective way of portraying the brands ethos.

Agency: Fischer Portugal, Lisbon

Creative Director: Diogo Mello

Art Director: Marco Martins

Copywriter: Rafael Pitanguy

I Love NY

I've always loved this logo.

So iconic of the city that I was constantly inundated with its presence on a trip to New York last year.

Not surprisingly I was intrigued to find out the thinking behind it.

After a few days sightseeing in this amazing city, I attended a one day conference set up for art, design and graphic design students from all over the UK. It was Held at the The Parsons School of Design in New York, a pioneer in design education since 1896. Considered the leading place for design innovation, the conference included presentations from design legends. The two in particular that I found most inspiring were Milton Glaser and Bob Gill. Both creative veterans have been a major influence and impact on contemporary illustration and graphic design. Glaser's work is characterized by directness, simplicity and originality, executed mainly through book jackets, album covers, advertisements and direct mail pieces and magazine illustrations. 

                    

Similarly Bob also worked in magazine illustration but then went on to teach. Amidst his ongoing graphic design projects he managed to publish some inspirational material including:

   

Forget all the rules you ever learned about graphic design. Including the ones in this book. was published in 1981. 

It became required reading in many design classes in the United States and Europe. The title and the chapter headings reveal a lot about Gill's ideas about design: "The problem is the problem," "Interesting words need boring graphics," "Think first, then draw," " Boring words need interesting graphics," "Less is more," and "More is more". 

It was really interesting to see how two of America's most renowned graphic designers had such an audacious approach. In the Q&A session, a student asked Glaser how he came up with the idea of the I love NY logo....

His response.. a quick scribble on a tissue in the back of a taxi, and extraordinarily I found out that Gill was once told he shouldn't be a graphic designer, perhaps a photographer instead.

Fine examples of my belief that designers are born not made.

These Aren't Just Any Pencils...

These Are D&AD Pencils....

After recently browsing through entries for the student awards, I thought I would have to include a post about D&AD.

Most creatives will  instantly recognise yellow pencil and all will want to own one sooner or later.By 'ownin'g or should I say 'winning' a d&ad pencil, a creative's  talent is showcased worldwide. D&AD is an educational charity that represents the global creative, design and advertising communities. From 1962, it has set industry standards, educated and inspired the next generation and, more recently, has demonstrated the impact of creativity and innovation on enhancing business performance. In particular, D&AD's Student Awards is a great opportunity for young creatives to make a name for themselves, and alongside the 'New Blood Exhibition'  the opportunity gain exposure into the industry with the best.

check out:

http://www.dandad.org/

for information of events, awards and workshops.