Nature 1, Man 0

I know we all already know this. I know what I’m about to say is nothing new. However, I think it’s something that can’t be said enough – as some might take it for granted. Here goes:
The most beautiful of designs are not man made. Surprise!

As I go through my everyday life trying to think of new ways to design a book, a poster, a t-shirt (and what else) and looking for great design to post on my blog, I’m constantly struck by the most intricate beauty of nature.

To ‘prove’ my point, have a look at this picture taken a chilly and foggy Monday morning in February on the way to work. The photo was taken with a mobile phone and no effects or touching up has been applied. It takes no professional photographer or a fancy camera to capture the beauty. It’s simply there for us to see and take in, should we choose to acknowledge it.

Yes, it might be corny writing about this, but if I made anyone think twice about the nature around them, wasn’t it worth it? Anyhow, if you’ve got any pictures you want to see in this post, simply send them via electronic mail.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

I kill you!

I just couldn’t help myself from posting this video. It hasn’t got much to do with graphic design and advertising but it is very, very entertaining. And the fact that the ventriloquist can emote that well only using his voice and very pronounced eyebrows is fantastic.

Brilliant.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

A bight idea

They still know how to do great adverts though. The cleverness of this ad is explained in the image, which by the way is exemplary in its design. It has all the information one could want in relation to the ad. Only downside to the ad would be the unpredictability of the weather, as a few rainy weeks could’ve ruined the whole campaign. But hey, without risks nothing is to be gained.

Also, note the little shadow they placed on the logo in the bottom right corner – nice touch!

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Let the battle commence!

I know this is really old and I’m probably just echoing many other blogs when I post these ads. But hey, some people might not have seen them, ok? I think it’s interesting how Nissan decided to respond to the Volkswagen ad to create something of a “advertising battle”. Advertising battle which is slightly less cool than break-dance battle and actual battle, but battle nonetheless.

I think more advertising agencies should do this, and I think more clients should use these kinds of campaigns. Why? Well it would simply be more entertaining that way – at least for the art directors and the designers. But it would only work if the fighting parties agree to be witty and clever in their responses instead of just simply throwing dirt on each other.
Much like what the political campaigns in the US should be like…

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Tuffe, tuffe tåget går...

Another blog said this about the ad above:
“The first time I’ve seen it (as a thumbnail on another blog) I first thought it was an ad opposing the construction of some train line. Given the fact that the message is pretty much the exact opposite, it must have taken quite some balls to approve this ad.”

I fail to see how this ad is “the exact opposite” to what the company want to deliver. As cars, planes etc cause much more damage than the trains this ad is simply taking the bull by the horn and saying: “We know people have to travel but we think trains are the least damaging way to go”. I think that is a clever message that is not underestimating the intelligence of the target market.

The client is the biggest railway company in Sweden called SJ and the agency was King, Stockholm.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Entertaining animals

I think it’s the Photoshopping (is that a word?) skills and the level of detail that strike me the most. I doubt they would’ve got a better results from actually painting the animals for real. I particularly like the way you feel like you want to giggle slightly when you see the ads, but when you read the message your conscience reprimands you for laughing. It helps that the copy is well written.

The client was Animal Action in Portugal and the agency was MSTF Parners.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Snickery weather

This is an old piece, but I only found it recently and I wanted to show it because of the level of detail. A lot of time has gone into the creation of this poster – a talented artist which I don’t know the name of.

And there the post ends. Enjoy.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Boxy, yet beautiful.

As we needed more reasons to go to New York… I’m already looking in my calendar to figure out when I have time to go again. It looks like it’s gonna be 2036.

Jokes aside, this magnificent piece of architecture is well worth a visit. You don’t even have to enter the New Museum of Contemporary Art to get something out of it – you can just stand outside and drool. The style, and the way it contrasts the other buildings is just brilliant. I couldn’t find any good images online but issue 055, January of the magazine Icon has a whole segment (and front page) dedicated to the museum. The architect is “Sanaa” (which by the way is in need of a website?!)

If anyone goes there before I do, and happens to take pictures, please feel free to forward them to me.

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin

Updated website!

I have now finally updated my website. Have a look and tell me what you think – though consider the fact that it is merely work in progress. I’m trying to create a website with a personal touch to it, but that has proven to be quite difficult.

The photo was taken at one of my favourite places in the world: Sandhammaren, Sweden (though the place is even better during the summer days).

I’m adding a photo to salute the people who were there to help me do it: Thanks Karin (talented know-it-all) and Johan (talented jazz-musician)!

Sluta sluta, börja börja.

Martin