Sony Bravia....Spoof

In response to Calebs's post with the new Sony bravia adverts, I found this spoof advert for the paint firework display ....Although a joke, it still makes people stop and watch therefore more advertising for the Sony brand even thought they are mocking the advert.

The Shining

Possibly the scariest film I have ever seen. Most trailers nowadays tell you about the film in the short 30 second trailer...in this case , The shining's trailer is brilliant...the genre of the film is being announced but the actual storyline is not to be seen... It keeps the viewer in suspense and is wanting you to continue watching, therefore make you see the fim. The simple straight on camera angle makes the set more powerful and you cannot see anything else, leaves the viewer wandering what is next, what is behind. It is a very different trailer for a scary film compared to todays films.

Food Tray

While in an Marks and Spencers Cafe, I noticed the new design they had put on their food tray...A generous topping of chocolate powder but in a decorative design....this is probably trying to re-create the topping of cocoa powder on a cappacino. This also reminds me of the BBC 2 adverts, using the '2' as a template. I really like the style as it fits in with the cafes surroundings and its overall design.

Is there more to life than this?

Alpha Course Advert

Britain’s first television commercial for Christianity.
The advertisement, for an introductory course on Christianity known as the Alpha Course.The advert, which depicts human life as a conveyor belt from birth to death, has already made its debut on 2,200 cinema screens across the country. It is due to be shown 58 times on the E4 and E4+1 channels. It will also appear on advertising screens in more than 400 bars across the country and on 550 buses in London and Birmingham.

The Times said 'The Alpha Course, a 15-session course for those who are not established churchgoers, started in Brompton, London, in 1977. Courses now run in churches of every Christian denomination in 159 countries and have had about 10 million participants. There are 7,000 churches in Britain running the course.'

The 60-second advert is based on Factory, an animated film by Alastair Duckworth, 24, a graphic designer and Alpha supporter. It features faceless stick people being dragged through life – school, university,marriage, house, car, children, wheelchair, coffin – by the metal claws of a machine before asking: “Is there more to life than this?” The purpose of the advertisement is to raise Alpha’s profile so that more people know what it’s all about. Explaining the meaning of life is the point.”

I suppose it does put a fresh modern edge on religion but I am not quite sure if it is actually mocking religion? Have they taken it too far?

Only great minds can read this!

Only great minds can read this
This is weird, but interesting!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it

FORWARD ONLY IF YOU CAN READ IT

M&S new display stands

I came across quite an unusual display in Marks and Spencers...The fashion is going back to the 1940's, structured suits and fitted outfits. They have incoporated the style of fashion with the display stands...Making it into a train station, areas with signs, bringing props within their displays. I feel that it really sets the scene and get more shoppers involved.

Hungry for Chocolate?

A mastodontic installation in Toronto, Canada. This was for Cadbury Chocolate. I think that this is excellent execution!
It makes me hungry just looking at it!
How very different compared to the new gorilla drumming advert.

Ikea...Welcome to the independent republic or your home.

Agency: SCPF, Barcelona
Creative Directors: Carlitos / Patricia Lujan / Toni Segarra
Copywriter: Carlitos / Fernando Rubin
Photographer: Inocuo
Illustrator: Inocuo

IKEA is a privately-owned, international, low-cost home products retailer that sells modern, utilitarian design furniture, much of which is assembled by the consumer. I really like the style of these Ikea adverts. Ikea always like to be a little different in their promotional campaigns. They always like to be a little controversial.

Nick Sharratt...Illustrations

Nick Sharratt was born in London in 1962 and trained in graphic design at St. Martin's School of Art. He takes his inspiration from the pop and graphic art of the 1960s, which he experienced as a child. He loves to use vibrant colours and bold patterns in his pictures, but, he says, "the most important element of my work is always the humour." He likes experimenting with different media and you'll find watercolour, liquid acrylics, charcoal, ink, animation cell paint and photographs in his work.




His work is split between illustrating for other writers, most notably Jacqueline Wilson, and producing his own picture books for a younger audience.

I really like his style as it is simple but also relates to the target audience...It sums up the style of the book in the pictures.

Vogue...Now and Then

Vogue was founded as a fashion society magazine in 1892, but today there are different editions of Vogue published around the world. Revered for its editorial excellence and its visual panache, the magazine has long functioned as a bible for anyone worshiping at the altar of luxury, celebrity and style.


Now and Then
Vogue was described by book critic Caroline Weber in The New York Times in December 2006 as "the world's most influential fashion magazine":

I love looking a the photography in vogue as I think the images reflect the elegance of the magazine and show fashion at its best.

Jelly Tots...Make sure you brush your teeth!

I found on this packet of jelly tots, on the pack a message...Dont forget to brush your teeth. I found this really interesting as I have nevver seen this on a packet of sweets before. If you look at an old packet design on this website you can see the dramatic change.

(old packet design)
http://www.aquarterof.co.uk/jelly-tots-p-344.html

(new packet design)
http://www.rowntrees.co.uk/range/

People are becoming or trying to become a lot more health concious to avoid obesity, bad skin, hair and general bad health. Even little meassages like this will hopefully make an effect...especially for children.

Has anyone else seen little messages like this on confectionary products?

Pig Mug

I really like the humour thats these mugs offer... They are definately different in design execution as people tend to forget about the underneath of a mug, when really its probably the most seen part whilst drinking from other peoples viewing.

New Cadburys Advert... Spot the link between a gorilla and chocolate

While watching the end of Big Brother, this advert appeared during the break for Cadburys dairy milk...a new advert that certainly caught my attention...I did not really know how I felt about it though...It definately made me stop and take note...was it the Phil Collins backing track or possibly the drumming monkey, I am still not quite sure. Maybe it was due to the fact that it had nothing to do with the chocolate, it was something new, different a lot more experimental for Cadburys. I think it will make people stop and talk about it.

This in an article from The Guardian about the new advert...
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2537369.ece

Some people do not get it...Some people are laughing so hard that sides are splitting...What is your opinion?

Unusual lighting schemes

Warren Muller is an American lighting sculptor who illuminates trash and found objects, with remarkable results.

I think the graters’ holes cast eye-catching patterns and shadows on walls and somehow the novelty of the lighting scheme sets the mood for something offbeat or creative to happen.

These pieces, especially the cheese grater reminded me of the images we were shown in a lecture by Jim Brogden, using a metal cutlery holder and a desk lamp to create different lighting effects...It just goes to show what you can create with ordinary objects...Its sometimes better not to look outisde the box.

London Zoo

Walking round London Zoo is actually very inspirational...Looking at the animals in a artisitc way, you seem so look into the beautiful shapes and patterns.
http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo//

Wilkinson Sword

This is where the images sell the product...no words are needed.

Colour Lovers

http://www.colourlovers.com/trends/

A really like this website as it helps you look at colours in a different way....Colours which you wouldn't necessarily think would work well together are put in a different context. It makes you look at colour combinations in a new light.

Topshop display stands

Whilst doing a bit of Summer shopping today, I came across quite an unusual display from Topshop...a metal branch-like stand is meant to symbolise the transition from summer to autumn, with the presentation of autumn boots hanging on a branch...I really liked the design as it is stylish, quirky and fun...this also represents Topshops tone of voice.

Dali Exhibition...Tate Modern

I went to the Dali exhibition today in the Tate Modern. I really love the works of Salvidor Dali as I have always been interested in Surealism and his dream like paintings.





The exhibition includes many of Salvador Dalí's greatest paintings, including the iconic melting watches of The Persistence of Memory and the flaccid head on stilts of Sleep. The painting were beautifully presented...it made you appreciate them even more.

Camden High Street

Camden Town is well-known for its sprawling street markets and for its goth/punk/alternative atmosphere. Thousands of visitors walk through the eccentric markets every day. The shops specialise in urban fashion, but crafts and food items can also be found throughout the markets. I think that the shop fronts are really fascinating. Here are a few images.

Rome

I have just come back from Rome with my family. I loved the city, I thought it was so inspiring...The architecture was absolutely beautiful. Here are a few photographs I took during my trip.


Pantheon...Its a massive circular interior, lit only by a round opening in the roof, is one of the most awe-inspiring sights of Rome. The panels created a weird illusion due to the gradual size of several square tiles. The whole thing looked so grand and impressive.





Roman Forum...This was the social, economic and political core of ancient Rome, where people came to shop, consult lawyers or gossip. I never saw such structures before, the remains were so striking.

Louis Vuitton

Earlier this month I went to Spain. While walking down the port I noticed this shop front for Louis Vuitton...I really like the style of the shop front...using crisp lines and few colours but in a very stylised way...making a very up-market design that catches the eye of oncoming shoppers.


Another shop front.

Sign

Cafe sign advertising free live music
Interesting use of types and images....It definately creates the right tone of voice...

Harry Potter...The Order of the Phoenix

I went to see the film recently and was really not very impressed compared to the last fim. I felt that it didn't flow, and was more like chapters than a whole film. It was my worst book anyway but the film didn't improve this...In my opinion the fifth and sixth book should have been a two part film.

Derren Brown - Subliminal Advertising

Very interesting clip from Derren Brown...Derren influences two guys who work in the advertising industry. Not only does it show how quick ideas can be put down on paper but how we are influenced by things subconsciously......A must see clip.

Balloons

Last week I visited the Ideal Business Show in Earls Court. A balloon artist was creating a variety of products and then made a flower display. I really enjoyed the exhibition, but thought especially that the balloons were such an interesting idea. It adds a fun element to ordinary objects.

Creature Comforts

Clip from one episode...

I have always been a fan of clay animations such as Wallace and Grommit and Chicken Run. I especially liked the series of creature comforts, mainly due to the mix of serious voices and bubbly, child-like model characters. It has an edge which makes the episodes hilarious. The animation is simple but very effective. I would like to look into more animation within my work and possibly stop photography as well.

Ben and Jerry Ice-Cream

http://www.benjerry.com/

I feel that this website reflects the brand of the ice-cream fantastically...its child-like features interest a younger audience but also an older target market due to the fresh feel of the brand. The graphics are striking and grab immediate attention. The fact that you can also make your own ice-cream flavour on the website may be seen as only a gimmick but I feel like it only adds to the modern edge the ice-cream brand has, compared to others.

Always use protection!

This is an advert for computer protection software. I like the way they have branded a condom to promote the protection package...Be safe, use firefox? I like this advert as it is a very different way in selling the browser product. People immediately look at the image and then read more into it. This makes the public stop and take note, more than an advert showing the annoying pop-ups and viruses that can happen on your computer if you don't invest in a safety browser.

The legal alternative?!?

Caffeine Drink Cocaine is Banned From 7-Eleven ( a convenience shop in America) Is all going as planned?
You want to sell a new high-caffeine drink to teenagers and young adults? Give it an edgy name... Cocaine. For good measure, add a controversial tag line...The legal alternative. Cocaine is indeed a real product. And now it is in real trouble. Or is it?

A spokesperson for the new drink said, ''Children understand the difference between a controlled substance and an energy drink."

If the name Cocaine elicits sales from teens because of its controversial name, imagine how much more attractive Cocaine will be now that parents and other authority figures have condemned it.

Since the beginning of May Cocaine has been pulled from all U.S. shops due to a warning letter the energy drink's manufacturer received from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA said that Cocaine was being illegally marketed as "a street drug alternative and a dietary supplement." It seems to me, that edgy branding worked a little too well.

'Cocaine' had now changed its brand name to 'Censored'. I don't hate the new brand name, but I do think the brand will be short-lived. Branding seems to be all this product has going for it and that's not enough to sustain a business.

LEGO Waffles

In a co-branding stroke of genius, Kellogg's Eggo Waffles and toymaker Lego® have joined to create frozen waffles made with the unique fit-together texture found on Lego building blocks. Kids will no doubt go wild for these. Kellogg's will sell more waffles. Lego will sell more toys. And Mums and Dads everywhere will rest easier knowing that at least some food will land in their kids' stomachs and not on the ceiling. However does the 'play with your food' concept work...should parents not help in showing their childrens good table manners or is this just an easier way to feed fussy three-year-olds?

Slim Fast

Women diet like mad to look their best on their wedding days. Which is kind of silly, if you ask me, because then they spend the rest of their lives complaining they're not as thin as they were for ONE DAY because it is common fact that women always gain weight on their honeymoons. The two ads shown here for weight-loss aid Slim Fast do a nice job of commiserating with brides-to-be.