Avalanche!

Luckily it's an avalanche of interesting things (my favourite kind of avalanche).

I WANT ONE!!! This is the first Kinect game that I want. It makes great use of the movement-tracking capabilities of the Kinect AND presents me/us with an opportunity to be creative in a video game. Normally it's about following the script, competing with friends and enemies (mostly enemies), and completing defined tasks, so the chance to break free of those boundaries is more delicious than a chocolate sundae.

In this ambient stunt Nike transforms Dagenham swimming pool into a BMX park. It's slightly predictable and isn't really exciting in the sports industry. However, I will always be a fan of making something positive out of the negative - the crisis/opportunity philosophy - and creating an event as a spectacular send-off a local swimming pool is a great gesture.




This video deserves a shout for the outstanding animation work (some of the best I've ever seen). It's C Beebies meets Kill Bill and one hell of a video that's sure to go viral.

Junkyard jumbotron allows you to merge together an image and make one big display. I like this idea because it has so much potential. It can be used to create a fragmented message or puzzles and can really engage people if it's used right. I think it would also make a great medium for some adventurous digital artwork.



This is the Mountain Dew Pinball Skatepark in New Zealand. It turns the skateboarder (you) into the pinball. It records your score and lights when youride over elements of it. It's soooooo awesome! If I become a millionaire (and I'd like to think that's possible) I'd want one of these in my back garden, next to my recording studio.

Where good ideas from you.

Beautifully illustrated video on the origin of ideas. Well worth a watch!

Real Writing

This may seem controversial but I don't like this advert. Everyone in the ad world seems to love it's beautiful writing, but I find myself lacking a connection to it. It's so generic that it lacks any real heart. I hear those words and it sounds like something pulled from text books and articles.

For all it's talk about storytelling, and emotion, it doesn't make me feel anything at all.

I'm not impressed by Dustin Hoffman either. He could be reading a shopping list.

This is much closer.



For me this is much more real

This feels genuine. I find myself attached to the people in and their words. I can feel their sadness and fear. This is something with emotion.

But for me, a truly great story is in the details - the tragedies, the imperfections. These are what make us interesting and human, and what makes our stories worth listening to. That's why I'm in love with this piece for Luta clothing. It speaks to me. It's a living, breathing piece of writing and it makes me feel inspired. It isn't the voice of a guy in an office, it's true and honest.

It's brilliant.

Star Players

Some things just go together -

Bread and Butter,

Ying and yang,

Batman and Robin,

but none more so than alcohol and gambling. The vice brothers often party together hand-in-hand on a Saturday night as people (mostly men) give in to their dark sides.

Heinekin have decided to blend the two together, quite literally, by creating a branded mobile game.

Star Player allows it users to compete against each other in predicting what's going to happen next in any match that's occurring on television. The idea is genius, and a great way of combing social media with brands and entertainment. What's more. It actually looks like fun, as opposed a lot of branded games which focus on the branding before enjoyment, with complete disregard for the purpose of the application.

With the realisation that men watch most football matches in the pub, and all almost all with friends and some variety of beer, this app acts very similarly to a point of sale advertisement and strongly reinforces the brand values.

I can't wait to try it. Too bad I'll have to wait until next season.

Someone Else's Words

Wow! Brilliant! A Plus! * Applauds *

There's lots of writing out there in... the world. And a lot of which, yours truly, wishes he had wrote. Seriously, I've had my nose in three different books today and each one inspired a mild feeling of envy. It's a passion (and probably a disorder) but it makes me happy. I think in my own simple way I think I'm still impressed at how many words there are, and how changing one in a sentence can make me feel something entirely different to what I felt before.


This (look up!) is an environmental sign at the Design Museum in London Bridge. I have to say I was a bit surprised by how well it was written. You really only expect visual brilliance when exploring a design museum but there can be no mistake, this is some impressive writing. In case you can't tell from my awful picture (I'm not a photographer, alright?) it says:

"Usually associated only with childhood, play is activity that continues throughout our lives. It can help to drive the imagaination, aid learning and enhance even the most serious experiences.

Good design is responsible for making play enagaging, accessible and stimulating. Aspects of play, exploration and discovery can enhance the understanding of a product, creating a dialogue between user and object. An element of play is also vital to the development process of many designers, with a sense of playfulness often evident in the finished work."

That is remarkable!

It found a perfect balance between the message and style. It's playful, sweet, charming, honest, smile provoking and thoughtful. Not only that, it reflects how creativity should be. I honestly couldn't have written it better myself.

Consider me inspired! That's the kind of writing I would LOVE to be responsible for, hopefully in the near-future, but for now I'll have to settle for typing out someone else's words.

Someone Hire This Guy!

This is a wonderful use of QR codes. They're more popular than an underwater oxygen store at the moment, but I think this has earns extra points for it's relevance and ingenuity. I hope this guy got the job because he deserves it for this idea (and I'd prefer not to compete against him for a job).

Creative Creatures

How cute are these little guys?

I was inspired by some beautiful superflat work I found online by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami and ended up creating this wallpaper of creatures. I hope they make you as cheery on this sunshine filled Sunday as they made me while I was making them.

Just Add Sunshine

The world is one giant step closer to transforming into an episode of Glee.

Rather poetically, this Adidas spot has quite a lot in common with the US musicom. Glee takes a great song and simply adds a little something to make it more fun and well... sunshiney. And everyone enjoys sunshine.

Surely inspired by this, when Wieden and Kennedy made Nike Musical Shoes in Japan (aka this):


welcome to optimism: Nike music shoe by Wieden + Kennedy Tokyo

... Adidas came along and did the exact same thing with their MEGALIZER (sounds like a transformer, doesn't it?). Points for originality: 0. They did, however, do something Nike didn't. Make it applicable. Nike just dropped a 95lb bomb of cool in our laps and said, 'there you go' and no-one really knew what to do with it. Adidas have gone the extra mile and showed us something inspiring, outside of the laboratory. They took the idea and made it universal.

They Gleed™ it up.

I'm A Man Of Few Words

I've had some trouble with writing this post.

I've had trouble finding the words to explain my experience with during the D&AD awards. The truth is that there are no words. It was absolutely amazing. It was the glistening cherry on top of a delicious placement that I have loved from start to finish.

It has been so wonderful.

The people I've met, the inspiring conversations I have had with all kinds of people in the creative industry - I have been so lucky.

I have seen THE BEST CREATIVE WORK IN THE WORLD.

I sit here here humbled and inspired.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part and got involved (especially the Spring project crew).

Orange Power!

A truly new idea from Tropicana (I love Tropicana. Have I mentioned that before?) It's a billboard made out of oranges... Amazing!

Digital Stuff

(Imaginative title, right? I know, I'm awesome.)

Lately I've been playing a lot of hide and seek with digital work (it's obviously bit of a one-sided game) and my inner ego maniac is convinced that everyone wants me to share it and let them know my thoughts on it. Well, if you insist, I'll throw a few thoughts your way.



This is the new Carlsberg page on YouTube. It's not really 'new' for a page to come alive but there's something surprising about it. I think it's the subtleness of the onset. The screen just gradually begins to fall apart. It's quite an immersive experience once it gets going and completely kidnaps your attention. It may not be new but I have to give kudos for the execution. You can find out for yourself on:

http://www.youtube.com/carlsberg



Put a website address into this page by BMW and you can drive around the page, terrorizing banners and destroying text all over the web. It's actually pretty addictive. There's something genius about having an interactive extension that you can use on any page. I personally went on a joyride on Porsche's webpage (well I thought it was funny).

Go forth and play at : http://204.51.112.250/x3/



Pepsi's latest idea come in the form of this 'Tag a Tv ad' campaign. Honestly, this seems like a step backwards after iButterfly in Japan but it has rather obvious benefits; It closes the gap between advertising and sales, and encourages people to actually pay attention to their ads but creatively speaking, this seems a bit Fred Flintstone. Find more info at:

http://mashable.com/2011/04/20/intonow-pepsi-partnership/



THIS IS AMAZING!!!!

I've taken a shine to this. It's my latest love in the world of all things cool and digital. It's so simple and fun. I know everyone who watches it can't resist putting their finger on the screen and getting involved in the magical shenanigans. It's branded entertainment at it's best and it brings me nothing but pure delight. Another masterpiece from a brand that has a habit of creating amazing stuff.

I'm Not A Graphic Designer, But I Love My Mum

Being Mother's Day and all I decided to do something special for the ol' girl who gave me life and what not. Below is what I like to think of as an "optimist's effort" at designing my own card for my mum. Just seemed a bit more sentimental to create something myself, rather than chuck £2.50 on something random in Clinton's.

I created this nice little idea juxtaposing the "M" with the traditional heart design and I think it came off rather well.



The typography could be organized more effectively, but it made my mum happy and isn't that what everyone wants to do on Mother's Day (and the other 364 for that matter)?

Better Late Than Never

It's one of my resolution this year to explore London more this yurr (another is to use more unusual/invented words. I've been doing alright with that one.) Now I'm aware that Picadilly Circus isn't reeeeally exploring London, but I've been a busy little bee at D&AD and I like to consider any size step a positive move as long as it's in the right direction.

Anyhoo,

I went for a wander and came across some purdy illustration and design work on my travels. You may have seen it too. They are so wonderful to look at so I've put them on here so everyone can have a look.

This is a smoothie bar called Snog, which is home to some redelicious (ridiculously delicious) fruity stuff. On the walls are these bright illustrations that make a great environment while you drink your redeliciousness. It's so charming!



This little guy was on the opposite wall. It would be shame to leave him out as he is so happy to be here that he's strutting like he owns the place.



This murial was chalked onto the ground... somewhere. If I could draw dreams, I'd bet they'd look like this. The 60's/70's style typography and colours really gives it a modest "hippy" feel. I haven't seen many prettier things lately. If nothing else it has some fairly wise words to love by.



This isn't even art. It's just candy. But I love candy. I'm a complete sugar junkie, so here just might be as close to Heaven as I'll ever get. Seriously though, I may just have D&AD send my paycheck to them- cut out the middleman, so to speak. Back on topic, all the colours just caught my eye as I walked by and made me feel like a kid again. I love that feeling! When you're so excited you can't express it. You just kind of bounce on the spot. Like your imagination is exploding with possibilities. Like anything is possible.

Warning!

This poster campaign is, in advertising terms, simply perfect.

It's simple.

It's witty.

It's shows the benefit in a memorable, interesting way.

Perfect. It's a well-written piece of advertising, no contest. Also the typography is bee-yootiful. Wow.





So what if it's for adult movies.

Oh Dear!

Irresistibubble?



Micromoisture?

Has everyone run out of ideas?

Thieves!

I was recently outraged by a bottle of smoothie (I know, only me).

It wasn't out of date.

It wasn't expensive. I didn't even buy it.

The bottle didn't cut, bruise or in any way damage me physically.

It did however feature the 'Froosh' company logo, a clean simple font where to two 'O's are manipulated to look like cherries. This logo (infuriatingly) looks identical to one I designed for cherries in my portfolio, in a range of funky formats.

I know it's unlikely that a multinational company is getting their ideas from a jester in converse trainers but it's still ruddy annoying. Why, Froosh? Why? They don't even use cherries in their smoothies - Jerks!

OK, bad news:

Anyone I show this to (including future employers) will see the Froosh logo when (and if) I show them my work. I'll either look like someone who is same as everyone else or like someone who steals from everywhere else. Neither of which will brighten a gloomy day.

I'm the creative equivalent of Herbert Spencer...

Glad you asked! Herbert Spencer was the original proponent of the term 'Survival of the fittest' (sound familiar?), but then this joker, "Darwin" wandered on to scene and took the glory. Despite coining the term, Herbert was left a whisper in history and Charles the thief got all the credit.

In this scenario I'm inaudible to people more than two feet away.

The good news (and the point I'm going to focus on):

I have some good ideas. Good enough for a multinational organization. It's a charming little logo, regardless of who was the originator (I was!). This provides, a glimmer at least, of a silver lining, in that I have what it takes to do something in this industry. In fact, I have pushed my idea further than Froosh. I won't say how (spies everywhere) but I think it separates our ideas enough to satisfy my ego.

I can take this compliment, move on, develop, get better, until my ideas are unreachable to envious fruit companies.

So no more of this childish competition. We are brothers of creativity after all, and we should let each other's ideas live and let live.



Mine's better anyway.

Be Stupid!

During my first few days at D&AD we ransacked the warehouse and found loads of interesting entries from the previous year, (which we rather shamelessly kidnapped for ourselves). So now, sat on my desk, is various posters including one from Diesel - the 'Be Stupid' campaign.

As far as a campaign for jeans goes - not the best, but it does present an interesting philosophy.

I like the idea behind 'Be Stupid'.

I think it's something that I haven't done an awful lot lately. I personally think that world needs a bit of stupid every now and again. It's refreshing and it can more often than not, lead to something new.

A lot of things aren't tried because they are deemed stupid.

A lot of ideas aren't followed through because of people being afraid to look stupid and make the wrong decision.

The other weekend I tried something stupid. I went to a roller-skating rink slash bar. Combining skating with alcohol sounds like a stupid idea. It may actually be a stupid idea... but it was amazing. I can't actually remember having that much fun in a loooonnnng time.

This whole experience taught me that "stupid" isn't necessarily a bad thing. Its an excuse to not try something new or adventurous, to stick to tried and tested methods, to learn using books and guesswork.

Poppycock!

The best way to learn is to do even if it may seem stupid at the time. It's more effective and, as it turns, more fun.

Should I be elevated into a position of power I will declare it the national philosophy to be stupid and create a nation of the world's "stupidest" smart people. Until my takeover however, I am simply going to make more stupid, and therefore better, decisions.

Batter Up

I feel a bit more pressure writing this post today. I started at D&AD on Friday, had a great day and saw lots of amazing creative work- blinding creative work. I mean, there were pet chickens with pet chickens, and pubs on boats, and balls transforming into words in the air (honest). That all raises the bar.

It creates a whole new level of expectations.

Lots of genius people with genius ideas about genius looking...

d
o
o
o
o
o
o
w
w
n


from their pillars of proven excellence at the young rookie entering the fray, with a degree in business, a very literal mind and limited (awful) drawing skills trying to be a creative. I always imagine when someone becomes exquisite, and I mean absolutely fucktastic, in their field, they turn into a pipe-smoking, smarty pants in a silk robe with one eyebrow raised and an audible scoff at the idea of anyone achieving what they have.

"Preposterous" he'd say between one puff of his pipe and the next.

(I don't really believe this to be true. I'm yet to meet anyone creative, especially who's successful, who is anything short of warm. It's just a humourous image I like to use.)

You see, I operate a lot like Everton FC. They always act like the underdog, and they thrive off of it. I remember when I started drumming I was left in awe of Travis Barker. He was so amazing. I loved watching him play everyday because he showed me what was possible to do with a pair of sticks. I used him as my competition and it made me work harder and motivate myself awesome.

I guess I'm a scrapper at heart.

It's the best asset I have right now. I'm a passionate storyteller and would like to sneak my way into a position where I can write nonsense for people and live adequately off of it, but my writing can only get me so far. My spirit and general noisiness also has a part to play in any success I should have.

As for the new standards, I look forward to taking them on. I'm gonna dance (like a psych patient) over them and enjoy doing so. I'll show Lord Smarty Pants... and his pretentious pipe too.

Just Smile

It's 2011. Hooray!

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life... you get the idea.

I am especially excited for this year. Lot's of prospects and potential. A new slate to create on and I've bought lots of pens to do it with. One of my resolutions this year is to smile more and have more fun (I spent most of last year overworking). Continuing with that theme, I have collected eight ads from last year (would have been 10 for the poetry of it, but it was a rough year) that made me smile, and I hope they will make you smile too. Enjoy!

* feel free to just watch the clips and ignore my witty comments.

Samsung

Combining two of the happiest things in the world - children and dancing - I think this was the cheeriest thing I saw last year, clearing away every kind of grey. If you don't smile at this, you're probably a robot (or at least an android without a happiness chip).



Tropicana

There's something about Tropicana. Their stuff always makes me feel warm and... 'morningy'. I thought this was a heart-warming thought and showed a nice slice of sensitivity.



Old Spice

We all know this new classic. It's quick, it's funny, it's original. Enough said.



Google

When I thought about it, Google plays a big part of my life. Not really an important part, but I do visit the site almost daily for one reason or another. I though this was a great way of using their brand/product for telling a inspirational story of a guy (I assume) who falls in love with a girl in paris.

Google - How to Impress a French Woman | Viral/Other | SPIKE.com

Thinkbox

What a great way to show what advertising can do. Absolutely delightful piece, with quite possibly, my favourite dog ever.



Heineken

This was actually the highlight of my World Cup/Summer. There were quite a few good 'lad ads' this year, but this one made me laugh the most (Fosters' 'Good Call' was close behind).



Nike

This wasn't really a smile if I'm honest. It was more like my jaw dropped in awe of the magnificence I was witnessing. It was amazing, like a 3 minute cinema experience.



Drench

I recently found this at the end of the year in another blogger's 'Best Ads of the Year' collection. Ironically this is the most 'stupid-funny' ad of the year, and I love the 'Push it to the limit' soundtrack. Between this and the thinkbox ad we have a generation of animals that could take over the world.