Derwent commissioned Alan to draw some Trilobyte fossils from a light sketch graduating to a finished article but in a sketchy way.
Wednesday 30 January 2013
Derwent Sketching pencils tin - Drawing by Alan Jones
Hot off the press, here is a preview of the latest artwork drawn by our Creative Director Alan Jones.
Derwent commissioned Alan to draw some Trilobyte fossils from a light sketch graduating to a finished article but in a sketchy way.
The drawing was produced as a flat piece of artwork onto Bristol board using Derwent graphite pencils then scanned in and printed onto the Derwent tins.
We think they look great and are available in art shops near you now!!
Derwent commissioned Alan to draw some Trilobyte fossils from a light sketch graduating to a finished article but in a sketchy way.
Tuesday 29 January 2013
A Greek 'German Tuesday' - FIX Dark
It's been a while since the last 'German Tuesday' and this time I want to share something from Greece.
I first saw the TV spot when I was on holiday there - so I have to admit this is already a couple of months old - but I really liked it. And further more I didn't need to speak Greek to understand it.
The TV spots are for FIX Dark, a premium lager beer from Olympic Brewery. This beer was first presented to the Greek market in February 2012 and claims to surprise its clients from the first sip and to change the perception of dark beers that are available on the market. Hence the slogan 'The dark surprise!'
The first spot comes with a sequel. Each one of them works individually but together they make up a nice little story. The campaign which includes print advertising as well was created by Lowe Athens.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did and that it makes you smile today!
Part 1:
[via www.fixdark.gr]
I first saw the TV spot when I was on holiday there - so I have to admit this is already a couple of months old - but I really liked it. And further more I didn't need to speak Greek to understand it.
The TV spots are for FIX Dark, a premium lager beer from Olympic Brewery. This beer was first presented to the Greek market in February 2012 and claims to surprise its clients from the first sip and to change the perception of dark beers that are available on the market. Hence the slogan 'The dark surprise!'
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| Picture from their website www.fixdark.gr |
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did and that it makes you smile today!
Part 1:
The Sequel:
Monday 28 January 2013
If you cheat we will find you!
Just noticed an advert appearing on the right column in Facebook about dieting, which sounded a bit suspect, so I clicked on the link. They had some extreme claims which made me more suspicious and then I noticed the so called author/journalists pictured called 'Stacie' which is actually a stock library image. So this makes me believe it is a fake news article! Their advert changes every 10 minutes.
See what you think!
See what you think!
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At first glance it looks like a genuine unbiased report!
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Notice the 'Go Getter' reporter
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I don't think Stacie is who she say's she is!
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Investigating Dave Savage
Wednesday 23 January 2013
Tolo Toys exhibition in Toy Fair 2013
We have been very busy recently designing and producing, with the help of our brilliant client and supplier Black Iris Exhibitions, an exhibition stand in the Toy Fair at Olympia London for our client Tolo Toys.
The size of the stand is 9m x 4.5m x 3m high. We wanted to showcase their new products in a different way so we designed the stand to reflect the new Pop Up Farm House, which clads around the column. This has a roof and some great 3D elements to replicate the rattling drum, squeaking button, clicking star and it even has some revolving counting beads! To complete the stand there is a white picket fence around the reception plinth.
Keeping in with the theme we designed the back wall with two red roofs with a blue chimney again to reflect the Tolo Playhouse and because there is a great range of child size Tolo gardening tools what better way to display them but in a garden shed! This also has a flowerbed with assortment of plants in compost and a child size wheelbarrow.
The prototype of the new play table - also designed by us - features on the front with four seats, a train track and a removable playhouse to store all of the play figures, animals and vehicles inside. We know putting this into test stores the kids just love it.
The second part of the stand is for Wedgits and contains a 4.5m graphic with cut out graphics of models.
The stand took about 3 weeks to build and paint and then 2 very long days to build on site with another full day to merchandise decorate and generally make ready for the opening. We think it looks fantastic and are over the moon how Black Iris Exhibitions were able to turn all our (sometimes weird and wacky) ideas into this amazing stand!
Roll on Toy Fair 2014!!
The stand took about 3 weeks to build and paint and then 2 very long days to build on site with another full day to merchandise decorate and generally make ready for the opening. We think it looks fantastic and are over the moon how Black Iris Exhibitions were able to turn all our (sometimes weird and wacky) ideas into this amazing stand!
Roll on Toy Fair 2014!!
Wednesday 16 January 2013
HMV's Nipper - a small dog with a huge impact
Ninety-two years after its first store appeared, HMV, Britain's last
major music and entertainment chain, has gone into administration.
Alan remembers: "Music and HMV has always been a big part of my life, and I can remember going into the shop as a spotty long haired youth with great anticipation looking at all the huge choice of albums or LP's as they used to be called. My mates all dressed exactly the same with army greatcoats, denims patched with leather and long hair obliterating their faces, head down nodding to some underground anthem blasting over the speakers from Uriah Heep or some other hero band.
I desperately wanted to know if the new Black Sabbath album had come out yet, or if my mates had heard the latest one from Blodwyn Pig. The rows and rows of LP's were like magical stories conjuring up all kinds of wonderous expectations, and of course being in Art College we all took huge delight in deliberating about the best Album cover design. These were indeed very happy times and HMV used to become a meeting place for us all to share in our great love of music and design."
So we read them closing down with great sadness and as a tribute we wanted to take you through their logo timeline.
The iconic logo with the dog named "Nipper" (he had the unpleasant habit of biting the backs of visitors' legs) has a long and very interesting history.
In 1898, three years after Nipper's death, Francis Barraud, his last owner, painted a picture of Nipper listening to an Edison-Bell cylinder phonograph. He applied for copyright of his painting "Dog Looking At and Listening to a Phonograph" and presented it to the Edison-Bell Company hoping to sell the painting to them but was turned down.
Finally, after replacing the black phonograph with a bright brass-belled horn, Francis Barraud managed to sell his painting along with the slogan "His Master's Voice" to The Gramophone company and the trademark itself was registered by Berliner on July 10, 1900. This modified form of the painting became the successful trademark of Victor and HMV records, HMV music stores, and RCA.
The 2012 Christmas TV campaign stars Nipper the dog and his best friend Gramophone.
[via wikwikipedia and HMV group. Images courtesy of wikimedia and HMV group]
Alan remembers: "Music and HMV has always been a big part of my life, and I can remember going into the shop as a spotty long haired youth with great anticipation looking at all the huge choice of albums or LP's as they used to be called. My mates all dressed exactly the same with army greatcoats, denims patched with leather and long hair obliterating their faces, head down nodding to some underground anthem blasting over the speakers from Uriah Heep or some other hero band.
I desperately wanted to know if the new Black Sabbath album had come out yet, or if my mates had heard the latest one from Blodwyn Pig. The rows and rows of LP's were like magical stories conjuring up all kinds of wonderous expectations, and of course being in Art College we all took huge delight in deliberating about the best Album cover design. These were indeed very happy times and HMV used to become a meeting place for us all to share in our great love of music and design."
So we read them closing down with great sadness and as a tribute we wanted to take you through their logo timeline.
The iconic logo with the dog named "Nipper" (he had the unpleasant habit of biting the backs of visitors' legs) has a long and very interesting history.
In 1898, three years after Nipper's death, Francis Barraud, his last owner, painted a picture of Nipper listening to an Edison-Bell cylinder phonograph. He applied for copyright of his painting "Dog Looking At and Listening to a Phonograph" and presented it to the Edison-Bell Company hoping to sell the painting to them but was turned down.
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| Original painting with the Edison-Bell phonograph. |
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| "His Master's Voice" |
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| Use of Nipper on a Victor label |
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| An early Gramophone Co record label showing the logo. Copyright Weswilliams13 |
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| The ‘striking illuminated electric motion sign’ erected at the front of the 363 Oxford Street store in December 1921 |
The HMV (short for "His Master's Voice") logo has seen a couple of
evolvements and variations throughout the years. Sometimes to promote
special releases or according to the seasons.
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| The HMV logo |
In 2007 Gromit stood in for Nipper during a three month advertising campaign.
In 2010 Nipper is 'revamped' into a wolf for the DVD launch of the Twilight Saga: New Moon.
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Tolo Toys Exbition Stand in Toy Fair Olympia
Working closely with Dave and Maja from Black Iris meant that all of our design ideas, plans and discussions were all made into reality! I have been in charge of the project and will be down at the Toy Fair for the installation. It is always incredibly busy down there and I have told everyone that I won't have time to play with all the toys but somehow I don't think anyone believes me.
Friday 11 January 2013
Selfridges 'No Noise' campaign
As part of the 'No Noise' campaign Selfridges have launched an exclusive collection of de-branded products. Several of the world's most recognisable brands have taken the step of removing their logos from their packaging especially for this project and even Selfridges has removed the logo from its iconic yellow bags. These products are only available in limited quantities in the 'Quiet Shop'.
In addition to the 'Quiet Shop' Selfridges have also installed a 'Silence Room' which goes back to the original idea from founder Harry Gordon Selfridge who installed a Silence Room in 1909. Customers must remove shoes and electronic devices before they enter the room which is completely isolated from the rest of the store.
Despite this celebration of minimalism and decluttering this project also shows that with good marketing and design an established product doesn't have to rely on its logo to be recognised by customers. The product alone is enough.
Below are some examples of the de-branded products:
Full details about this campaign can be found on http://nonoise.selfridges.com/
In addition to the 'Quiet Shop' Selfridges have also installed a 'Silence Room' which goes back to the original idea from founder Harry Gordon Selfridge who installed a Silence Room in 1909. Customers must remove shoes and electronic devices before they enter the room which is completely isolated from the rest of the store.
Despite this celebration of minimalism and decluttering this project also shows that with good marketing and design an established product doesn't have to rely on its logo to be recognised by customers. The product alone is enough.
Below are some examples of the de-branded products:
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| Images courtesy of Selfridges http://nonoise.selfridges.com |
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