Slow down!

Roadside billboard ads set out in consecutive order to deliver their message are nothing new, I have shown you the Ariel billboard which uses a similar technique. However, when the message is as strong and the idea as well executed as is the case with this campaign, we take notice.Using the movement of the speeding car the billboards are placed so that the life might really flash before the drivers eyes. Hopefully though, if the driver is speeding, he/she is watching the road and not the ads on the side of the road… but nonetheless a great idea.

(Note – I’m not sure if it’s intentional to use the same typography as Volkswagen uses for their visual communication?)

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Do NOT doze off...

I would think this campaign is aimed to a target group aged 18 to 25. I’m 23 and I must say that I was affected by these photographs and that they really made me laugh – so well done Pepsi. I hope that they had some kind of interactive event to create these ads, maybe a competition or something similar. If these photographs are all set up for the creation of this campaign, the campaign might suffer in terms of its impact. “The drunk Britney prank” could’ve been a viral for this campaign – see my post on the 25th of June.

This is an effective and solid idea for a campaign and I can’t see anyone within the target group not recognising yourself, or a friend, in one of these photographs. Even if that is the case, the creativity of these photos should really make you giggle just a little bit.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

A seriously fun idea

Here is a nice little ad campaign for Comedy Central. I think they have hit the mark by saying “there are other comedy channels out there, but we do it better.” I would think it’s the best way to reach their target market, since the selection of TV channels has increased so much the last years, especially with the introduction of digital broadcasting.

The simplicity is adorable and the fact that it still challenges the viewer slightly makes it even better. Sometimes it seems that the simplest and most pure of solutions really are the greatest. As we designers tend to sometimes overcomplicate matters, this is a nice reminder of what can be done with a simple pencil.

It’s made by kempertrautmann, Hamburg, Germany and they have a nice little website which you can check out to find even more good stuff. It’s all in german but don't let that stop you.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Honey, where's our car?

Do I need to comment on this one? I’m getting exhausted just thinking about it. THIS is why I want to go into graphic design/ marketing/ advertising business, to come up with ideas like this and have them produced. THIS is what inspires me to become the best I can be. I’m not sure why this appeal to me the way it does, but some advertising just leaves a mark in your mind. I would assume it’s a personal matter and not always necessarily the best advertisement that moves you. The same goes for art, music and any other experience you can think of.

I do not know who have created this ambient media campaign; if you would happen to know, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Al dente!

It has to have been a good day at the office for the creative designers who came up with this ambient media campaign. This is the kind of idea you just can’t sit down and figure out, it has to be a drunken dream turned into reality; maybe even some drugs were involved in the process...

Jokes a side, it’s very innovative and clever use of space, accordingly to the creators at Jung von Matt the harbour in Hamburg is a hot spot for advertising. Nevertheless I think these photographs could easily be turned into a poster/ online campaign. It makes me wonder of where else you could apply the same idea, could it be used on plugs in the wall? Small stickers stuck to the electrical sockets in offices and all around public spaces.

I wonder if they had a contract for how long the ships would stay in the harbour and if the big sticker stuck to the boat even when it went out form the harbour. In general, I would assume there are a lot of practical issues to figure out, but - as with many projects based on good ideas - it’s worth the effort.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Torturing job?

This use of ambient media made me smile... It can’t be comfortable walking around with this thing, but I guess that was the idea?

Could this possibly be where we, designers, might end up? I guess not if you can come with ideas like this.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Flat-out excellent idea

Since the last post I made was about ’Sydsvenskan’ and their (in my opinion) poor attempt to advertise the possibility to send MMS messages to them, I thought that this poster above would be a good example to show you how it’s possible to use the limitations of the poster space to your advantage.

The fact that the paper might get ruined and crinkled whilst mounted is not really a huge problem today, but it happens. Maybe the graphic designer had this happen to one of his ads and then he thought about a way to use it to his advantage?

It’s simply a good idea which stands out from the rest – very good use of the space. But would it be classified as an ambient media? I find it more and more difficult to draw the line between clever ‘standard’ media and ambient media campaigns. Is it thinking ‘out of the box’ and then doing something ‘out of the box’ what could classify as ambient? Is the use of non-traditional media? But when is a media classified as non-traditional and when does it stop being non-traditional? What is your opinion?

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Ehh, try again.

Last night I encountered this feeble attempt of what I think we would call ‘ambient media’. Unfortunately I need to translate as once more this is a Swedish poster campaign: “MMS to XXXXX when something happens”. It’s a campaign for a regional newspaper here in my hometown of Malmo. Visually speaking ‘Sydsvenskan’ is very much comparable to the Guardian and a paper who seems to know what they are doing graphically.

But this last attempt for a campaign, which I have already condemned, is really bad. They’ve cut out the screen in the mobile on both sides to make it transparent. They’ve tried to be clever, and I can see the idea they are trying to get across. But when that glass get filthy, or the paper gets put on a bit on the side (both happens regularly) the ad just looks awful. I know it isn’t easy to predict these sort of things but it goes to prove that one thing make look good on your PC/MAC but less attractive in the real world. Besides, they way these poster will be placed will not make them ‘capture’ anything of interest within the screen, nothing more than a sidewalk.

So, back to the drawing board and try again… or would You say I’m mistaken?

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

A child in need?

This is a poster ad for the equivalent of NSPCC in the UK, it’s called ‘BRIS’. They work for children and one of their most important job is to have an open line to receive phone calls from children in need of help, children who have dared to take that most important first step. This campaign is telling us in bold letters at the bottom of the poster: “Thousands of kids don’t get through. Help us receive more phone calls.” In the bottom there’s a short copy saying how to donate £2 via text message service.

I think this will do pretty well, and for a number of reasons. The ghostlike image of the child, blocked by some milky white wall is quite scary and reminds me of various horror movies. It has a feeling of being trapped in disgusting smog and not finding your way out from it. It’s also obvious from the start that it’s a child that is trapped, thanks to the small arms and hands (and maybe the very faded shadow of a small body in the back).

So the poster got you affected, now what? Most ads leave you with a website or a phone number at best. This campaign is different in the way that they supply you with a text message service where you can easily donate a small amount of money immediately.

I hope, and think, that this campaign will have some effect throughout Sweden. If you happen to be Swedish, do not hesitate to visit BRIS now and do your good deed for the week.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Another inspiration fix

Sometimes we just want an inspiration fix. Especially a rainy Sunday there’s nothing better than to sit by your computer and have a play with Photoshop. But if you for some reason do not have any inspiration maybe you could benefit from the work of Antoine Gamard. You might be able to read something into this images but sometimes it’s nice just to view something and then move on.

So, lets not beat around the bush anymore.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Looney French guy

I found this interesting website for a graphic designer in France - I think he calls himself Alëxone. The point is that the website is very entertaining and different to many other portfolio websites you might encounter. You should be able to understand some French to be able to navigate it since he made the mistake of not translating it to English. It starts out being a “wheel of fortune” which can ‘win’ you prices to download. You can choose to take part in this game or you can browse the rest of the site in a more ‘normal’ fashion. It’s fun, and not too bad in terms of functions etc, you can tell he has spent some time putting it together.

You could call him sort of a street artist, his work is very urban and influenced by graffiti and the hip-hop culture. I chose to show this one tag of his which I liked but there is much more of his work to find on the website. French or not, I reckon you visit it and tell me what you think.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

What music inspires You?

Led Zeppelin’s music has been and will be a massive source of inspiration to me. It’s ‘rock jazz’ - unpredictable and innovative, I love it. Music is important to me, it’s not life and death, but it matters. I wouldn’t call myself a massive fan of any genre, though I’m more leaning towards alternative rock, pop more than anything else.

So, thanks for reading this useless information about me, now to the point of the post. I was wondering what music inspires you people? If you listen to music whilst your work what do you listen to? No scientifically correct answer is required, just what music and why.

Take care, and enjoy the Friday evening whilst it still here.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Balloons are people too.

Sometimes you stumble upon something so peculiar and at the same time so excellent and amazing, it opens up your eyes to how simple life could be. The work of David Shrigley - an artist from Leicester, England- is invigorating and entertaining. Most of the work looks as if he got an idea, spent 2 minutes producing it, and then it was finished. That is one of the main reasons I respect his work, because as I mentioned before: it takes a master to make something difficult and complicated, look easy and simple.

I especially like the humour and the warmth of some of the images. There’s a childish playfulness mixed with a slightly dark side of seriousness. The image called ‘Balloon’ has all of the characteristics mentioned above. What does it say to you? What do you think of?

At first I see a cute balloon, with such a lovely and content smile it makes me smile as well. I think about childhood memories and how fun a balloon could be when you were 5 years old (or 23). The lighting of the shot tells me it’s a lovely morning, maybe even a great day. But then I think about why a person would put the balloon there. Is it because the person is a sad and lonely and uses this simple trick to cheer him/her up? No, I wouldn’t want it to be that, it’s too sad. Could it be a prank, set up by a malicious partner to scare the still sleeping other half?

I don’t know what to make of it. But I like it.

There’s more at David Shrigley’s website and some more work below.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Woof Woof!

Inspiration fix for those interested in creating stimulating motion pictures. This is refreshing and good quality work from the artists from Pleix. They are based in Paris and they are 3D artists, musicians and graphic designers doing what they love. It’s an interesting combination of people, which is probably one of their greatest advantages when producing the work. You’d get bored talking to graphic designers all day, wouldn’t you?


Check them out at their website, you’ll need Quicktime.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Eboy, the cool kid on the block

I wish I had not used the header ‘Pixelmania’ already for the Space Invader blog entry I made a while ago. Eboy represents true pixel madness – fact. They’ve grown to be quite known and respected throughout the design community. It’s likely you’ve seen their work around somewhere, as this Groove Armada cover for Sony BMG.

As you might have figured they have focused on pixelated drawings, often very detailed. They do everything from logos to web/poster design. They have clients ranging from Adidas to ESPN Magazine, from DKNY to The Guardian – no clients seem to be deterred by the quite special design.

The concept they have found and made their own is really nothing new – it’s just plain old retro. Does that mean I’m not respecting their work? No, not at all. But I think a reason for their success might be the fact that many people above the age of 18 have a memory of pixelated graphics in PC/video games and operative systems. There’s something familiar and cute about it. Nonetheless it’s still fascinating and extremely modern designs the produce that will probably even stand the test of time, being retro and all.

You should, you HAVE to, check their website out. So inspiring it’ll make your creative muscle cramp.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Photos to die for.

Whilst I search for more interesting ambient media I have browsed through various photography sites recently. I’ve discovered one which I think stands out from the rest, Farbenbilder.

I’m not one for knowing all those fancy and high flying words to describe photography. When I see images I have more or less a gut feeling that tells me if it is good or not. We all know of basic composition but there are a lot of other elements to photography which I will not pretend to be a master of.

If you are a photographer, explain to me why these images by Farenbilder are so good… is it the ‘feeling’ and the atmosphere of the pictures or is it something else? Anyhow, I can just get lost in these images, can you?

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

A 'clean and fresh' idea

I have been posting a lot of these ambient media adverts the last few days. I'm getting more and more interested in the subject and I think I shall acquire a book which deals with this topic.

This is probably one of the most difficult ones to analyse and talk about. Should we consider it an outdoor poster campaign or is it an ambient media? I would suggest that it is an ambient media since we are stepping out of the ‘normal’ poster and creating something completely new. What we see in front of us is basically a very, very simple animation. They use static poster art and with the help from something already moving they create the illusion of animation (to some degree). I think it's an innovative and simpel way of showing the benefits of Ariel.

The creator of this advert has really, really stepped out of the box to come up with this one. Bravo, Bravo.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

A coffee cup miracle!

Since I’ve been looking into more ways to get ambient media out there I found this one as well. Just as the other ones concerning ‘Dead space’ this one is very cleverly using the worst ad spaces of all time (?) the space below a coffee cup.

The only issue I have with this one is how are you going to get the person drinking to rise the cup at a perfect angle to match his/hers mouth? I realise this isn’t important to the ad in terms of is delivery and idea – but practically I fail to see it working as well as intended.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Jazz-tastic!

Among the ‘modern’ cover art for many jazz albums you can find something of a hidden treasure in terms of inspiration. My brother is a massive jazz fan and a musician himself – he always tries to get me into it properly but I still have a long way to go.

I like the way they have named and created this album cover. I wonder if the cover art and the name of the album were though up together or if they were separate. The style is different and catches your eye quite quickly and the ‘aliens’ that arrive with the spaceship are something of a trademark for Herbie Hancock.

What I find interesting about jazz album covers is the fact that as well as the music the covers are allowed to be a bit ‘artistic’ and surreal. It doesn’t necessary have to say: “Sammys Jamming Jazz band” with a shot of the group on the cover. Just compare it with Kaiser Chiefs new album cover… do you see my point?

Next time you’re at HMW or Virgin, take a look at the jazz section for some hints and tips on jazzin’ album covers.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Dead Space 2

I have recently discovered that I’m very much attracted to this type of advertising and design, what you could classify as “ambient media”. It relates to one of my first blog entries I made in June, regarding the use of dead space. The point is to use the surroundings of the advert to amplify the message and use space people thought useless. You may remember the Economist advert “We overcome obstacles”, where the ad was blocked by some poles.

I think this will be the focus of my blog for a few days ahead, and it might also be the subject of my final project next year.

I found these particular adverts to be prime examples of what I’m talking about. They are witty, captivating and very ‘viral’. Consider the fact that I received this at random through work – these adverts has spread and are being spread by people who find them entertaining. It’s the ultimate form of advertising in my opinion and if they are successful they are truly works of art.

So, my quest has begun to find more of these. I you know of similar campaigns, please post a comment and link to an image/ website. You can also e-mail me at m_delin@hotmail.com.

Thank you,

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Stuffed

I have already posted one of Lowe & Brindfors designs before but I thought this idea was to good to ignore. I guess you seldom come across an idea that will easily work as an ambient media as well as printed. I would admit that the printed version is not as good as the ambient one but I would think the poster sprung the idea for the ambient media.

The message they are trying to convey is simply that you get a lot of food for you money at 'CoopExtra'. Maybe even too much?

Once again, the simplest idea can prove to be best one. The car really attracts attention and it can be placed all round the major cities in preferable places. Surely it would be a lot cheaper than having to pay for poster space in a city - i'd bet even parking fines would be cheaper.

I admire the people how can make advertising and graphic design seems so 'simple' and 'easy'. It's like watching Ronnie O'Sullivan play snooker - you know it's practically impossible to make that particular shot - but 'The Rocket' makes it look like he could do it in his sleep.

To me, that is the proof of a real master, what ever you do for a living.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

McDonalds Vs Burger King

Vs

I’ve recently read one of my fellow co-students’ blog entry about McDonalds advertisement. It made me think about what it is they are doing wrong and it stayed in mind and has lingered there for a while. I’ve just recently got off the phone from talking with one of my friends who work at Burger King. We came more or less up with an idea to what McDonalds is doing wrong if compared with Burger King.

First of all, I would like to add that I rarely eat at these fast food restaurants. It’s not me being a stuck up and boring old sod – I’m just bored with the food and I don’t think it’s worth the price. So if my ideas are completely wrong feel free to say so! (The information I have gathered is based on the advertisement aimed at the Swedish market).

McDonalds. We have all been taught to more or less dislike this place - they make us FAT don’t they? McD have been taking a lot of heat regarding the whole health issue that has become more of a common topic in our present time. Being market leaders this is the price they have to pay. To battle this McD have launched a more ‘healthier’ menu and they are very keen to emphasise the release of their new salads, sandwiches etc. These are supposed to be a healthy option to a burger and provide You with a better option when you stop at McDonalds. As a parent, you are told that the kids can now have the option to choose healthier choices of Happy Meal, so that you don’t have to worry about your kids getting chubby. You might already suspect where I’m going with this but bare with me and let me tell you about Burger Kings strategy.

Burger King have chosen to take a different approach. They are not saying they are a healthy choice, nor are they saying that our kids should eat there. Their advertisement are more aimed at a younger and ‘cooler’ audience, an audience you might think would be obsessed with eating healthy. Take a quick look at their websites and you can within 1 minute tell a distinct difference between the two brands. Burger King are accepting the fact that you go to a fast food restaurant to ‘treat’ yourself and not to be healthy; a burger is still a burger.

This, or something similar to this, is what I think McD should be doing. They are trying to shed their old image of ‘hamburger restaurant’, which is proof of an insane marketing strategy. Could someone please tell McD that they are selling burgers, fast food, and THAT is what people want when they go to McD. At the moment all they are doing is to confuse the target market about who they perceive as McD – which could prove to be very dangerous. Burger King and all the other fast food restaurants can easily use this and turn it to their advantage by not pretending to be something they are not.

I don’t know what to say in the defence of McDonalds, is there anything to be said? Could their strategy somehow work? I doubt it.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Play footsie?

I find the idea for this magazine ad so incredibly odd, but at the same time ingenious. The message they want to convey is that ‘You can’t tare yourself away from your Gameboy Advance SP – EVER’. This could’ve been said in numerous amounts of ways, but this particular solution brought to you by Lowe & Brindsfors Sweden is truly special. It’s really hilarious but at the same time slightly tragic. I can’t help myself from lifting my foot in the air and imagine the way that guy is sitting with his foot on the glass wall.

The use of no copy what so ever really heightens the impact of it all. It’s a fun task for the viewer to figure it out and get to say “Aha!” and much more rewarding as well. Rickard Villard, one of the creators of this ad, said in an interview: “It’s wonderful when you can create ad without having to use copy and stuff. Image, logo – done!”

Wouldn’t we all want to have those straightforward and thoughtful ideas for which no copy whatsoever would be needed? To be able to come with a ‘simple’ idea that just oozes of creativity and wittiness. An ad that just slams it message in front of the viewer and the viewer is glad to have understood and received it.

The ad has won awards and rightfully so – the idea is of the purest gold, at least to a graphic designer.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Grandma's place

Who thought a visit to your grandma’s house would give you inspiration for your blog? There are certain places where you do not go to look for inspiration. I reckon my grandma’s house is one of those places – at least I thought so before.

When I was there I suddenly noticed how incredibly interesting her walls were, when look at more closely (without any distracting photos of me on there) She has several different kinds of wallpaper in different rooms – I leave it up to you to guess where she has which wallpaper.

Enjoy and let yourself be inspired by my Grandma's wallpapers from the 70’s.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Soo, yesterday ( ? )

Many of us look for inspiration in our everyday lives when it comes to being creative. But one should not forget the past. Most big cities of today have a number of museums with collections of paintings and sculptures from Ancient Greece, Egypt and the Renaissance, to name just a few different periods. There is something special about viewing art and design made from someone who lived centuries, or even millennia’s, ago. And it’s definitely also intriguing to know that you are standing in front a work of art that once a Pharaoh, Cesar or prominent King also laid their eyes on.

A visit to a museum once in a while is, I would say, essential for a contemporary designer. There are many ways of preserving the past, one being taking inspiration from the likes of ancient Greeks and incorporating it in new designs.

So, before I go ‘medieval’ on your behind – make sure You get out there!

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Transform me!

There are some things that you remember from your childhood with great affection. It might be the smell of your mums baking or the fun times you had throwing catch with your dad. It might also be a memory of a phenomenon called ‘Transformers’!

These amazing robots could transform into anything! They were masterly built by some clever Japanese guy to be able to fold into a car AND be a robot with arms and legs at the same time. They were supported by a wonderful back story and a whole visual profile with specific logos to represent the good and the evil side of the ‘race’.

Today the new feature film has come out… it’s so much more than the animated series and film. When I sat down in that chair I was 8 years old again and it felt awesome. It helped that the film was animated so well you wouldn’t believe your eyes and that the comedy bits were actually funny.

If you still have one of those Transformer toys in your attic, take them down and have a second look at them. They are much better looking and much cooler design than many ‘designer toys’ made today.

Transformers = pure art. Nothing can beat the booming voice of Optimus Prime!

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

A crappy idea

There's nothing more amusing than a bit of toilet wittiness. Somehow the link from this ‘graffiti’ to graphic design isn’t that far at all. It’s the same kind of wittiness we get paid to come up with. I recall the calendar brief we had at the University about a year ago and fellow student of mine called Joe Keirs made a calendar of a collection of these funny drawings, poems and obscenities he found in public toilets. I never saw the finished piece but I’m sure it was a fun read.

This line above says: “I love my penis. It makes me smile. Yay.” And below it says in small letters “Mine makes me laugh”. I thought that was quite entertaining and the fact that I found in the toilet of the Design Museum in London 2007 was quite ironic.

Do we creative people, us designers, become more clever when we sit on that white chair with a hole in it? I’m sure feel that creativity sometimes can… well… ‘flow’ quite readily.

If your out of ideas, if your stuck… well… take a dump. Hopefully it wont be a shitty idea.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

It's simply signs, that are silly.

Who said graphic design can’t be fun? Nobody? Alright then, let us imagine that people thought it was a very dull subject. Then this blog entry should prove them wrong! Ha!

I thought I would bring to attention the humorous signs that surround us daily. I’ve provided you lot with a sample of two signs which are funny in their own particular way.

This subject is well discussed and I’m sure there is a website out here collecting funny images of signs, but I still want to write about it!

Example 1:
This is on the side of a lift in one of my friends flat – just look at it! First of all the person getting crushed look ridiculous since his head, which was perfectly round before, has now gotten squashed into an oval. And not only that – how common can this accident be? I mean for the love of god people use that mushy part inside your skull before you enter the lift! Hilarious – and it’s mass-produced because I’ve seen it around other flats and public buildings. A very bizarre sign and very, very funny sign.

Is this a sign by a graphic designer with a dark sense of humour or just a bad day at work?

Example 2
What about this one? Can you visualise a blind man with a walking dog about to enter the shop: “Oh, wait a moment Frollie, it says no dogs – No, wait a moment. It says that guide dogs are allowed. Phew, that’s lucky – me being BLIND and all”.

This is just stupid.

So, a call to you other people out there, keep your eyes peeled for interesting signs, send me a link in the comment box and I’ll add it to the post! (Or e-mail me the image).

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin