Rebranding of bottle-green drinks

10 green bottles

Sandcastles in Flash anyone?

Sand picture


Time wasting, obsessivelt creative perfection site - just for fun

Chameleon Man

When Concealment Becomes a Strategy
Liu Bolin

Akzidenz Grotesk

Typography geeking at it's best

Cadbury's trying too hard

Helpless romantic

Web layout

Quirky and target audience lead designing.

Love love the simple, fresh and original layouts and ideas.


Check out the Pac Man rings and other design products, very imaginative!

Website design

http://www.garyrhodes.com/main.html


Nice webste design, buttons as hobs - integrating with the theme of a chef!

Interactive Sushi site

sushi sounds

European type

Chairs

Material

Communism exhibiton

K2 Screen

Screen print quality has always been regarded highly in my eyes due to the personal touches and the time and attention to produce the perfect end product.

K2 Screen have a range of clients and is commited to the mastered art of screen printing.



I firmly believe that pen is more mighter than illustrator and this proves the artist quality that can be produced without a computer.


The website layout is somewhat unoriginal and generic compared to most of the creative design websites I have seen. It is also too minimalist and simple, thus lacking an identity for itself.



Left adjusted title bar menus on a white background and grey/ black typeface.
The K2 icon logo is reminisent of screen printing, pastel palette and san serif type. I think there is definately room for improvement. Especially with the kerning!

On the otherhand, designers with a low budget and lack of time a simplified website is a good start, but requires something to stand out from the competitors.

American Apparel tights

Simple, but bold.

Like the ipod nano line up.
An array of bold colours is the 21st Century design phenominon!

American apparel stock the same garment in evey other colour too.



What really got my attention was the way a basic pair of tights were marketed.






Utilising contortionist to display the tights in an unusal and unnatural positions certainly draws attention to the where the body parts are placed and the tights convienately displayed to their full glory.

Also, the robustness stretch and coolness are borrowed from the contortionist. I sense of enpowerment and oringinality!

Pompidou Centre

A contemporary designed building holding some of the most famous and recent artworks siutated in the elegant Parisian centre. One of my favorite structures and the best building in Paris, for sure.

The daring use of bold colours and radical transformation from traditional, using monumential buildings to signify importance and status has been torn up. Escalators and that protrude in segments and made a feature of is unique to my knowledge and an inspiration to design differently and make a statement.

Every angle provides a new composition, a building that you could never be bored by.
The architecture is just as good as the exhibitons inside.

New Ipod Nano

As design students we always prefer the functional apple brand that oozes style. The new ipod nano is no exception to it ever so well thought out concepts of functionality.

I particulary love how shuffling the playlist of songs uses the motion of a shake to the device. Ingenius

Green thinking

I went to the first Latitude festival hosted in 2006 in the Suffolk countryside.
I felt it was particulary different to my experiences compared with Leeds Carling festival.

The Latitude festival was more orientated to being enviromentally friendly and very green. The website is eccentuated through the country-esque of rolling green fields that reflect the solar panelled showers installed and recycling resources available.

RKCR&YR agency

Is a London design agency who use strategic planning and marketing that targets the audience and therefore can measure the success of what works and why.

It's interesting to see how design creative out there present their website and the work they have produced. It has given me a lot of inspiration for my own online portfolio I am currently working on. I have learnt that you can be as inventive and unrestricted on website design.

I really like the website as it is really quirky and expresses a fun quality to the agency.

Dr slump

A 1980's a Japanese graphic manga novel, turned anime series before using a quirky fictional storyline. The reason I commend Dr Slump is due to the use of bold colours and inventive creativity of sheer wackyness.

The plot is about the adventures of Arale, who was invented by Dr Slump. She is essentially an android girl living in the penguin village, quite a futuristic vision from nearly 30 years ago.

Collection of lorry type

Eric Tabuchi's collection of lorry alphabet

Jewish holocaust museum

The holocaust museum in Berlin resides underground and the atmosphere is rather strange compared to a exhibiting gallery. The passages through the museums lead you on a journey of emphemera photographs and personal accounts on the events that unfolded over war.

The contrast between the modern minimalistic building and historical events is quite cold and eerie. Without natural sunlight a uncomfortable silence and loneliness ressonates throughout the entire visit. The effect of the location takes you away from the touristy busy streets of sunny Berlin and works to engross the audience into a serious and tragic piece of history.

Visual deterrent warnings of smoking

Tobacco adverts and cigarette smoking have had so many restrictions placed upon it today. We are all aware of the warnings and health risks that are placed upon the actual packet of Malboros.

I read that on the BBC website they are going to place photos of cancerous lungs on these next week.

The visuals project a much stronger and instant message for sure. It could go further with the packaging a having unpleasent odours in the packaging if it were for a campaign to stop smoking. Maybe a box made from harsh textures, like sandpaper?

johnsonbanks layout

I really love the layout and copy of Johnson Banks website.

The colours are striking on the white background and the mind map idea is simple but brillant.

Too Faced

Too faced products are well designed and thought out in their packaging and marketing. Like the benefit brand too faced offer quirky packaging and interesting names for their makeup products. Too faced in itself states an alternate look as well as the obvious two faced which is a negative attribute.

World Dominationtour promises a kit arranged like a grand theatre set with lots of drama and intrciate detail to enpower the owner. Where essentially it is just a palette of colours.

The price tag comes from the concept of how it will sit on the dressing table and how it functions and transports. Ingenius and elaborate design.

Schindler's List

I think the cinematography of Schlinder's List is appropriatly executed with respects to the sensitive topic of the holocaust and at the same time presents a documentry-esque biography of accounts in black and white film.

The seriousness and alternate art direction drew my attention. The simplicity and use of the little girl in the red coat for a metaphoric reference to death and blood was an intriguing decison made by Spielberg.


From such a tragic event in history I commend how Spielberg used the success of the fillm to fund an archive to maintain accounts from the survivors of the holocaust.

Tim Burton, a child's garden of nightmares

Drawing inspiration from our childhood and what we admired is what most film makers starting place. Disney instructed their illustrators to do this too and Burton was unable to draw 'cute foxes'. The underlying problem was his childhood was quite different, growing up to love monster and gouls. It was not a typical 'normal' experience that Disney expected.

Tim Burton shines the best as one of today's best film makers, because he is himself. Expressing his childhood experience, creating imaginative and dark film genres. A far cry from Disney's perfect bubble wrap of storylines. Burton gives us a reality and rawness that we appauld him for. To be different.

Le Corbruiser - Villa Savoye

Unbelievably Villa Savoye was built in 1929 and represents an international style of modernity and urban living. I admire Le Corbruiser's ingenius forsight of futuristic living so early in the 20th century. He is up with artists like Mondrian who designed with form and structure.



Built for luxury and the rich, the architectural considerations includs automobiles of the day and incorporating the garden with builing. Using the balcony above, the owners can drive the car under the house and be shielded from the rain.



I commend his attention to detail in this respect and pioneering vision of originality and bravery to break the mould of expectations. Using concrete he manage to construct open planning without the constraints of supporting walls.



However, I do not think that such an art work is suitable for living. Its function is beyond a home, it is a structure to be admired.

Takagi Masakatsu

A Japanese muitimedia artist, Masakatsu san creates music primarily of the experimental kind. Using final cut pro and his quirky observations of people he develops a visual story for the the audio pieces.

My favourite is J.F.P in the Joural for people album. It doesn't fit into any genre that I can relate to, but has been classed as 'electronica', but it has a timeless and chilled quality to it.

Influence: Science and Practice by Dr Robert Cialdini

One of my areas of interest in psychological studies is the affect and influence and behaviour. This shows show the studies of persuasion and marketing products based on the way they are presented, what or how they look as branding is concerned.

He described using 'weapons of influence', interestly enough you can see how his rules have been applied with celebrity endorsments, avon sells women and limited editions of products.

The Tipping point

How little things can make a big difference is encapsulated by this book, written by Malcolm Gladwell.

The book reviews influences over human behaviour and can be related to how advertising attempts to communicate, sell and establish awareness of certain messages or products. It is really an interesting read and gives theories of sudden shifts in our society; including the popularity of hush puppies rebranded by the an crowd of consumers who made the brand 'trendy'.

In essence, the message supports word of mouth as the most influential of all advertising -"Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do."

Helvetica, but not as you recognise it

I stumbled acrossed a typography design brief competition winner (from the student catergory). Set by MPA advertising awards present Helvetic in a way the judges would not recognise...




I think the idea is humorous, it's simple and straightforward and fulfils the brief. Helvetica is truly used in everyday occurances such as the typeface for nestle products, the north face, energizer, staples and muji to name but just a few!

Swiss pooch poop sign

On my travels to Swizterland not only was the country immaculately clean, but the Swiss design for this dog litter sign amused me with its alteration of the typcial mundane and generic depication of its sort.

My response to this minimalistic yellow and black was of curiosity when I first glanced upon it. The evolution of man resulting in picking up dog litter was certainly different! Thinking more in depth to the concept behind this, I believe the sign depicts and emphasised dog owners to be civilised and courteous...

From a design point of view the message is the same as a traditional sign. It's brightly coloured and does it's purpose of indictating this and to encourage dog walkers? Well, the concept is good I'm not sure the average joe will give it as to much thought of what the sign is trying to say apart from the obvious

100th year anniversary for converse

I saw a similar advert to this converse advert in the Paris metro plastered along 500 metres in the connecting tunnel. It looked rather striking in black and white. The message converse intended to project was straight forward; 'to visually connect the past and the present of converse icons with the chuck taylors being the connecting shoe.'



Converse relates their identity and breathes an air of coolness to the likeness of musicians Ian Curtis, Sid Vicious, Common, Joan Jett, M.I.A., Karen O and Billie Joe Armstrong etc

Although there are soo many permutations and colourful designs of today's converse shoe, I think just by choosing the sleek black chuck taylor it echos it's success of the canvas footwear.

Amnesty international campaign against the death penalty

Human rights, the Olypmics and China

I like how this campaigning advert aims to raise awareness about the human rights in China concerning the death penalty. It deals with current affairs of the games and puts a twist on the scene, without being cliche or gory with blood, an electric chair or violence to communicate human right laws to be upheld as well as breaking world records in a competition.

Smart billboard

Small but perfectly formed describes the city slick smart car. To see this brand value and tone of voice carried through into their advertising on a billboard shows how cohesive design works at it's best.

Although it's quite slim, I wonder if it would have been noticed unless mentioned beforehand. It is still novel when you do notice it though!

Jeep advert- Husky & Camel, Bushman & Eskimo

Utterly simple and understated, but works perfectly well in capturing and portraying the essence of Jeep.

I particulary admire the constrast of husky and camel, the mushman and eskimo - completely different climates origins with one thing in common...Jeep.

Olympic campaign: Journey from the West to the East

The concept of the animation derives from old Chinese fables, a novel published in the 16th century depicts a story famous within China.

I felt that the image the animation portrays the classical elements of China and old traditional story telling presented with a contemporary style generated to produce a inviting and innovative introduction to the olympics.

The BBC commented that it also aims to attract younger audiences as well to watch over the forthcoming weeks. I think the energetic theme is a good build up for the games and the twist of taking the original story 'Journey to the West', where the plot is to search for Buddhist scriptures is turned around to depict them travelling to the Beijing stadium, 'Journey to the East'.

However, I do not think many westerners will be aware of the depth in the concept, unless they have had exposure to the sotry...but I still think creatively it is a good animation reel.

Controversially, China's history and mystery to outsiders the Oylmpics allowsa chance to showcase their developments from suppressed society. This is also is an opportunity to show the journey for the country as well. It will be interesting to see how the traditional culture and modern ideas coincide in the reality of the games.

Lowest call rates by telefonica

'Mixed faces' the telefonica campaign for cheap call rates by Guillermo Vega really caught my eye.


The advertising and art direction is a really refreshing and straight forward concept. Visually it encapsulates the distinctive physical features of each country; Sweden& Turkey, Japan& Scotland, Senegal& Germany.

Thus by doing so it represents the 'mixed face', constrasting opposite features creating a striking image that is unusually different and never seen before; mindboggling!

Emphasised in the person looking you in the eye. Metaphorically speaking the combination of the two countries are connected.

Witty, simple and direct

Save Trees. Trees Save.

Ironically simple art direction and copy writing aimed at the audience to take note before it's too late.

The photograph: embodies the global warming issues with flooding and the deforrestation of trees. On the other hand the scene could be a natural disaster and as the copy writing implies if it was not for that tree...

The copy: a clever play on 2 words presenting enviomental consequence in a new perspective. It is clear today everyone is aware about the reliance of fossil fuels is affecting the enviroment, coupled with the dwindling areas of rainforests, green areas and woodlands; but choose to ignore the facts. The image promotes the saving of humans through the existance of a humble tree to sustain life is clear and effective to demonstrate why trees in the enviroment is important.

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

Job Wouters is a Dutch typographic artist that incorporates illustrative style hand-crafted letterforms.

I came across a documentary process of Job and his 5 year old creating characters a-z, and it is adaptly titled this.

The simplicity of strokes and controlled formation of the top halves of these is incredibly masterful. Without mistakes or erasing, but committed accuracy.




I found the comparisions of the two styles very refreshing...

The 5 year old formed unrefined type, with less precision but delivered a uniqueness to a unpredictable spontaneous typeface.

Menu for a mouse

I thought this was a clever way to display the menu outside the restaurant; featuring a minature spiral staircase. The menu cover is photographed proportionally with a table situated inside.




The novelty and attention to detail caught my eye. The concept to display a menu exceeded beyond the cover design and layout, by fully integrating with the theme and identity of the restaurant's personality.

Random out of nowhere

A particular building caught my eye amongst the elaborate historical architecture in Brussels. Pantone 298 U stood out beyond several 100ft from where first noticed this contemporary colour popping out of the white stone palette





Just the use of colour shows simple effectiveness and recognition of the location. It doubtly turned heads and left a curiousity to what it was.

# p.i.n -k.b.e -r.r.y #

An 'innocenct'-esque website with a fresh, clean and fun image echoes the 21st century's entrepreneurial selling boom; healthly and trendy food products. Just like the latest sushi bars, smoothie and juice establishments popping up around the cities.

You can be guilt free...with near to 0 calories.

Navigation of the site is simple and easy, the concept is exactly just that too.




The unique selling point of this website to me is the theme tune that plays when you visit the site. In my opinion it fuels the user through the site with it's catchy and novel lyrics.


I admire how the brand image of the website has transferred onto the shop concept, or vice versa. The healthy dessert is captured in open spaces using trendy furniture and lighting.

Just like the menu, you the customer start with your 'blank canvas' the frozen yogurt and customise your pinkberry according to your taste buds, 'your masterpiece'.

Like the upmarket ice cream of subway - everyone is happy.

The colour palette of green and an assortment of pastels, the website and shop shouts freshness and thus allows a justified premium price of the pinkberry pot creation!

The small touches when first loading the website ' swirling 60%' is a nice touch. The wholesite encourages creativity in design the masterpiece of perfection, is a good marketing tool for the health conscious and those who know what they want. All for the price tag of a starbucks coffee!

The advertising for pinkberry has been delievered through word of mouth and in newspapers, where the LA times published 'The taste that launched 1000 parking tickets'. It has been tremendously successful in that respect to be noticed and the best thing since ice cream.

Visit www.pinkberry.com for the tune...

BMW Kinetic Sculpture - showcasing art or innovative design

BMW is a brand that communicates the "ultimate driving machine." The brand strategy aimed at the consumer image is known for speed, handling and driving - sporty yet elegant and cool...

This particular installation promotes a new innovative use of technology. Successfully addressing the brand ident; control of motion (speed) and form. This piece show cases physical art as a kinetic sculpture, yet at the same time advertises BMW's engineering and techological superiority over it's competitors.




An installation featured in BMWs museum in Munich displays an array of steel balls attached to invisible string and is controlled via movements to create motion images of it's different products.