Happy Design

I found this late one night whilst scouring TED for some inspiration, and wow, Sagmeister gave me just what I needed. It really brings into question the purpose of design in our lives. How it effects all that see it. Whether or not it is responsible for our current moods, our life decisions and ultimately our happiness. I thought I would share it and gather some opinions. Comment away.

Back In Black

I just remembered this fantastic advert by Laird & Partners I saw last year in America for GAP. More specifically it was for the skinny black jean. It involved the legend that is Audrey Hepburn looking rather amazing as usual and dancing to Back in Black by ACDC. I have debated many times whether the Audrey you see throughout the ad is actually the real one all the way through. But let me know what you think. I couldn't get it out of my head for ages and whilst it is a fairly old advert, it occurred to me that it probably wasn't shown on UK TV.

It has triggered many spoofs and copy cat ads, which can also be found on youtube. It is by all intents and purposes a traditional GAP advert, keeping the kaleidoscope effects and split images, paired with the simple white background and figure focus. However I think this is one of their best. You instantly know it is GAP being advertised, and yet the use of a classic celebrity in a modern context keeps the viewer interested. They have also aged the background to emphasise the vintage effect and used vignettes around the edges. Original voice over is also employed to push the carefree attitude of Hepburn which characterises the product. I love it!

A Zed & Two Noughts

I checked this film out at the library earlier today because it had an intriguing title and the blurb interested me. It is a Peter Greenaway film from 1985. After watching 'My Beautiful Laundrette', another film from 1986, I have realised that the British Film scene of that time was quite something. I was born in 1986 and so was unable to appreciate these films at the time of release. However, I am grateful for the Leeds University Library's arsenal of 80s films, to allow me to catch up.

The storyline is quite complicated, so I am just going to cite the back of the DVD case to enlighten those who have never seen it before. "Two women passengers die in a car crash as a result of which the female driver has a leg amputated. The zoologist twin husbands of the dead women are fascinated by the processes of decay, start an affair with the amputee and liberate animals from a zoo." In short that is what the film is about but it is wonderfully compelling and beautiful to watch. The opening few scenes reminded me of the photography of David LaChapelle. This, I think is due to a rather limited reality as well as an abundance of neon, jaunty angles and wild textures.

I can imagine this film translated to the stage, and think it would work very well as a play, due to perhaps the static nature of the camera, as well as the large stage like scenes. The director is constantly playing on symmetry, which also provides a pleasing aesthetic. Since the film is about nature- or in fact the rise and fall of it, it echoes the natural beauty in both life and death bringing in concepts of balance and justice. I enjoyed the seemingly effortless depth of this film as well as its compelling entertainment through dramatic cinematography and elements of dark comedy.

Clarks & Hewett's Alphabets & Lettering for Signwriters

I am currently freelancing, and am carrying out a project for a local Blacksmith. To help with research, he provided me with a book that was given to him by a fellow Blacksmith. It is called Clarks & Hewett's Alphabets & Lettering for Signwriters. It's a first edition from 1921 and I am honoured to be able to look after it for a bit. It contains traditional style typography as well as images which might be useful for anyone in the signwriting trade.

It has a variation of stock throughout and some pages are in full colour. It has slight damage and discolouration to the pages, but what I find the most interesting are the phrases throughout which aim to encourage the use of multiple typefaces and styles. One page reads, "Ideas for the treatment and manipulation of letters in various colours and shadings". Another "A patchwork page of colour effects and different styles". Much of the advice contained in the book is a modern graphic designers worst nightmare, however I was interested to see that some of the 'rules' still ring true.

"A good sign when it reads well"

"Surrounding space gives Prominence"

I think this book is a great example of fashions and trends within typography and whilst times change the hard and fast rules prevail.

Perrier Campaign

I really enjoyed this new direction for Perrier mineral water created by Ogilvy & Mather, New York. Illustrators Al Murphy and Paul Davis collaborated on the campaign to encourage a younger market for Perrier. I first saw it in Lurzers' Archive magazine in the non alcoholic beverages section. This is a section that I keenly monitor since, as a non drinker, I am always pleased to see non alcoholic options being pushed by clever campaigns.

The illustrations themselves are very simple, but carry a humour throughout the campaign and an absurdity that gets them noticed. The posters show images of things such as running with scissors, the tagline being "crazier" and taking a bath with a hairdryer with the tagline "riskier". The Perrier green is used in all the drawings and an altered version of the bottles label reads words like, 'Manlier' and 'Sexier' depending on the illustration. Every poster pictures a bottle of the product somewhere within the illustration. I really admire the new dimension in which they have taken something as simple as bottled water.

Below are a couple of examples of the TV ads. I think they are only aired in the US but let me know if you have seen them here.





More information about the campaigns of Perrier can be found at these sites.

www.perrier.com
Perrier on Lurzers Archive

Carlo Giovani

I recently came across this site through a illustration forum called Drawn. The work of Carlo Giovani is different from any I have seen before. His origami especially drew me to his website. Above are a few examples. He also employs his origami talents to create state of the art packaging and produces graphics and illustrations which are just as impressive as his craft work. Gordo's freak show is definitely worth a look in the motion section as well as his freehand illustration, infographics and prints.

carlogiovani.com

House Industries

I love this foundry! Last year I was lucky enough to attend a workshop and lecture with Ken Barber of House Industries. He gave a great lecture about hand lettering which was proceeded by a workshop which encouraged us to do a bit of it for ourselves. House Industries are responsible for a number of great logos including that of Agent Provocateur. They also sell their digitized versions of the font families and design all their own packaging. They have also dabbled in furniture design, clothing and publications.



www.houseind.com

The Polaroid Kidd

I discovered Mike Brody's work last year and was astounded by the quality of light he managed to capture in his Polaroid's. His photographs are the most interesting I have seen in a long time and you can really feel a sense of connection between photographer and subject. Further reading reveals that the young Brody travels with his subjects and finds out more about their lifestyles before shooting.

Often his subjects are travelers, children and animals. For me, each print commands attention and transports you to his own world. In my opinion, one of the best photographers there are. He has inspired me to experiment with Polaroid cameras and even provoked an in studio digital shoot where I photographed a traveler myself.

ridin' dirty face.com




This site also features some of his work but it has a great section on found Polaroid's which is very interesting.

Plrds.com

National Forest

www.nationalforest.com

This is a really cool design company which I stumbled across recently. Their work has a great style to it which I really love. This mural in particular caught my eye. They also do the Urban Outfitters catalogues which have always held their own in terms of a style statement.

Rice Art

This is pretty amazing actually. The rice farmers plant various types of rice in order to recreate famous works of art on their fields. Amongst them are reproductions of woodblock prints from Hokusai’s '36 Views of Mount Fuji'.

This site shows more works of art from the talented farmers.

www.pinktentacle.com