April 2010
1 post
6 tags
October 2009
4 posts
Olympic pictograms
One of the most eagerly-awaited design elements of the London 2012 Olympics was launched recently - the pictograms
To many designers, the Olympics pictograms are one of those dream projects. Very angular to reflect the logo most likely, interesting job
View full story here
Rockin' packaging
This deluxe collectors edition of backtrack AC/DC is designed to resemble a vintage AC/DC guitar amp complete with the original logo that was spray-painted onto the rear of Angus and Malcolms speaker cabinets in 1975. The head of the amp has a handle that lifts the top off to reveal the contents housed within. To top it off the head houses one watt of pure AC/DC, a real working amp! You can...
August 2009
3 posts
BA take off
British Airways is showing their new flights to Dublin, Switzerland and Amsterdam from London City Airport with a few advertisements. The ads seen below show a Swiss army knife looking like a plane and the Thames taking shape of a Clover. Good idea but properly not the best idea to use a Swiss knife to represent a plane.
Credit to adsoftheworld.com
On The Rocks
Absolut vodka is coming out with a new limited edition bottle clad in leather and studs. The Rock Edition is due on sale in the next few months and is part of the new marketing campaign which is trying to link vodka to the rock music market. The product which is due to sell first at Selfridges aims to making its consumers fell like rock stars. It will be interesting to see if it does as well as...
July 2009
3 posts
Cleaning up
Bounty have been demonstrating how their absorbent paper towels can deal with big spills. New Yorkers were greeted with a spilt six foot tall coffee cup completed with steam and the aroma of fresh coffee. Another clever idea was to have a seven-foot, 550 pound lollipop in Los Angeles that showed it melting in the street. Next to both of these is an advert for Bounty with the words “Makes...
Environmental Advertising
ACT (Advertising Community Together) a Swiss non-profit organisation, are aiming to highlight the strong impact given when advertising professionals try to promote awareness of environmental and social issues. They have collected 2,500 ads from more than 40 countries showing the striking images to help the worlds problems. They promote the work worldwide through online galleries, exhibitions and...
May 2009
1 post
Limited edition at a price
A new limited edition bottle of Johnnie Walker Whiskey has gone on sale at Selfridges, but don’t be rushing out to get one… there are only 100 and each ones costs £100. With the distinctive yellow colouring of Selfridges in the packaging and on the bottle (the stripe is leather) each bottle is uniquely numbered. Looks good but £100? You would have to be mad to pay that!
March 2009
1 post
The new Ipod
Yet again Apple are proving their dominance in design and technology with the arrival of their new Ipod. This tiny little shuffle is half the size of its predecessor and can hold up to 4GB worth of data amounting to 1000 tracks. But the real magic here is that the controls are mounted on the cables for the earpieces, and had has new technology labelled Voiceover which allows the user to control...
February 2009
2 posts
Well worth a look
HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam. Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands. Take a look at HEMA’s product page. You can’t order anything, and it’s in Dutch, but just wait a couple of moments and watch what happens. Don’t click on any of the products pictured, just wait and see what happens. And be sure...
Shiny new identity
Citroën has launched its new corporate identity alongside the first in a series of re-designed car models. The logo still features two chevrons but they are now softer and the typography has been given the same treatment, even the umlaut has been altered so that the two dots join up. This 3D type render seems to be the approach many car manufacturers are moving to. We mentioned back in April last...
January 2009
2 posts
Now that's what I call direct marketing
In a staged event at Liverpool Street Station, the PA system starts playing Lulu’s ‘Shout!’, and a few dancers encourage members of the public to join in. Several other pieces of music are played, and as more people are seen dancing, others start recording the event on their mobiles and sending it to their friends. A screen message advises that Life’s for sharing, and the...
Product placement
First up (and we know its a bit late) a very happy new year to our blog watchers! Lets kick things off this year with a wonderful piece of ambient media which has been placed to perfection. Consider the famous strapline for kit kat and this will make sense. Nothing else to say really, a great idea.
Credit to adsoftheworld..com
December 2008
1 post
Fluid Movement
This beautiful advert is one of those that make us think ‘its been done before… but we can’t put our finger on it’.
Having said that, this advert has its own character and the score works well to back up the emotion that is clearly evident in the visuals.
This ad appears to have been created by a Canadian agency but as of yet we’re not sure if its going to be a...
November 2008
7 posts
A big statement
Back in 1963 Martin Luther King delivered his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech, which became one of the most memorable addresses to the public the world has ever heard. The following advert was targeted at North Americans, where it would seem that even children would understand its meaning. When Barrack Obama was elected as President, Martin Luther King’s dream came true. This ad...
Extreme paper cups
Apparently, each day, Americans throw out 60 million plastic bottles. Only 14% actually get recycled. That’s the kind of statistic that gains peoples attention. So how do you increase this percentage? Encourage recycling? Well apparently there is another way. The following packaging was created and is marked as the first totally recyclable paper container made from 100% renewable resources. Were...
Design related success
It seems that success can be measured in terms of design on any scale and this example is perfect for proving the point. Following the recent triumph of Barrack Obama it’s easy to see how he captured the attention of so many people. Using modern day methods to communicate with his audience, Obama used social networking Facebook-type options and a campaign that was heavily design related.
So this...
Shine a light
To introduce the power and effectiveness of Eveready LED torches to the public of Kolkata, the surrounding building were used to help display a message. The city is made up of many slender walkways with high buildings. Their shape and silhouette are used to portray a beam of light that’s shines out of cardboard cut-outs of these torches. Brilliant!
Credit to adsoftheworld.com
All going swimmingly
With the arrival of the worlds first carbon neutral bank, HSBC wanted a way to increase public awareness of the accompanying website. A giant sized aerial photo of a city was placed on the bottom of a swimming pool giving onlookers the impression of how global warming could affect the planet. Credit to ibelieveinadv.com
Up and away!
An unlikely place for a little ambient media, but Golden Holidays were targeting current passengers into ‘feeling’ their next holiday whilst conveying the message that its not as expensive as you think to go to these places. Stickers were placed onto the pull down meal trays giving the impression to the passenger that their legs are wherever the image is. It’s a great idea to capture...
Change for the better
This advert from Amnesty International titled ‘we can change what they do’ is sure to put a smile on your face whilst giving a powerful message. This human rights movement viral campaign implies that we can change our leaders from being show performers into actual leaders who don’t try to entertain us with their tricks and gimmicks. A light hearted way of approaching a sensitive...
October 2008
9 posts
A new look for London
The Museum Of London established in 1976, chronicles the history of the capital from prehistoric times to today. It is currently undergoing a renovation aimed to open in 2010. Leading up to that moment, the museum has begun phasing a new identity that will brand the main museum, as well as two related institutions. The logo is said to represent the growth of London. The layered coloured shapes...
Anything for some publicity!
These cereal packs are a promotional piece produced by http://www.airbedandbreakfast.com. They are part of a limited edition range of 500 and can actually be purchased complete with cereal inside! The link to airbedandbreakfast is a little tenuous but they certainly look good and will draw people into their site. I wonder what the free gift is inside? A completed voting slip?
Pepsi max out
Here at The MK Group we have been following this story for a few weeks now waiting to see if it were real or a hoax. Turns out that this is real, so we thought it was time to share this news with you. Pepsi have recently unveiled a revamp of their design and identities of their key brands. The Dieline announced yesterday that twenty-five lucky “digital and social media influencers”...
The use of 'dead' space
It’s always interesting to see a bottle utilise the space it has in an interesting way and none more so than the bottle’s ‘punt’ Its original use is widely speculated but its not been until recently that this ‘dead space’ has been used to enhance the design. These examples show how this area can be used in a positive way. The Bottle on the left is Solerno. It is a...
Best logo in the world?
In 2007, Rupert Murdoch laid down the challenge for News Limited and its associated global businesses to become carbon neutral by 2010. The challenge was to create a brand that would materially help drive employee, supplier and public action on climate change. One Degree has been developed on a simple premise: that if everyone were to change their behavior by just one degree, we can change the...
The Mighty Mac
Released early this month, the new improved range of MacBooks and cinema displays are certainly showing a bit more leg than usual. They are following from the design success of the recent iMac and look absolutely stunning. With a new backlit glass screen and separated keys, the MacBook certainly looks the part and is packing a punch too and when hooked up to the new 24’ display, it...
Whats occuring here then?
It seems that the nations favourite pizza restaurant is thinking of changing its name. Does this mean that people are switching from what was formerly a peasants meal to a more health conscious substitution? We can’t be sure that this isn’t a joke, but Pizza Hut have been serving pasta for some time now. Perhaps this is the future? We love the little flash animation in the top left that shows...
Another new logo
The name Barclaycard is a well-recognised one all over the world, so it seems a bit of a bold move for them to re-design their logo. It seems as though they have gone for a ‘global feel’ in a rather abstract way with a new typeface. What do we think? The R looks odd in the name but the typeface is rather fitting. It’s just a shame that they could convey that global feel in another way.
Credit...
New identity
Memorex has for a long time been a name that you may well have seen linked to digital recording media but did you know that they also manufacture tv’s and radios? Probably not a synonymous name in those fields but it is true. They have undergone a re-brand (probably for those reasons) Were not too sure what to make of it. Those familiar with the digital age might be forgiven for thinking...
September 2008
6 posts
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Now this isnt the first time we have seen something like this but its certainly the first time its made enough of an impression for us to shout about it. Taking on board the theme of the game in a public domain, this advert for Wario Land Shake It does exactly that, causing the you tube screen to crumble around itself. Use the link below to see what we mean.
Click here to view
New Hovis advert
A sepia coloured film shows a boy fetching a loaf of bread from a bakery and startling a horse on way out. During his journey home, events from periods of British history occur all around him, onwards from 1886, when Hovis was formed. Liverpool streets host soldiers from World War I, the suffragette struggle, an early motor car, World War II bomb sites, the 1953 Coronation parties, the swinging...
New Bond advert
To celebrate the forthcoming launch of the highly anticipated new Bond film Quantum Of Solace, Coca Cola have released what appears to be a re-branded version of Coke Zero aptly named zero zero 7. This TV advert is typically bonesque in its approach and feel. You follow Bond through a series of typical scenarios set in coke zero colours as he tries to recover a bottle of coke zero. It also seems...
Colourful packaging
We spotted these pieces of packaging for a range of ‘grow your own’ items on the dieline. These vibrant pieces of packaging are proof that basic packaging doesn’t have to be boring. As a range these look great together, not sure about their impact on shelves but they look great.
Credit to thedieline.com
You either love it...
Marmite have released a range of snacks which include breadsticks and rice cakes and to compliment this launch they have produced a range of adverts to accompany them. The adverts work of their famous strapline ‘you either love it, or hate it’ These clever adverts have a hidden meaning, see if you can get it
This was inevitable
Since the web browser was introduced some 15 years ago, it seems hard to imagine life without it. Most of us work with a computer and we all probably use the internet for one thing or another everyday. Things have changed in those 15 years. The way in which we use the web has altered dramatically. How we use it to chat to our friends, watch videos, download music… So it was only a matter of...
August 2008
17 posts
Making the most of your media
This Australian tabloid advert shows the power of using the media to its full potential and those amongst you who keep up to date with this blog know that we love this kind of approach. The ad is for Ikea and covers two full page adverts but the clever trick here is the order in which they appear in the newspaper. The image on the left is the first that you come across and it has an image of a...
And these are biscuits?
These beautiful pieces of packaging are, believe it or not, biscuit boxes. A new range of luxury Cornish-made biscuits named ‘Simply Cornish’ have hit the market with a stunning look. Made using local produce and age-old ingredients, these biscuits come in Strawberry & Clotted Cream Shortbread; Cornish Fairings; and Apple & Honey Mead, and are all packaged in beautiful boxes...
Remember, its only a concept
We recently came across the Nissan NV200. For those of you who haven’t seen it, this is just a concept vehicle but what a concept it is! Its marketplace is limited due to its nature but then concept cars are supposed to challenge the barriers, aren’t they? The video says more than we could write here so we recommend that you take a minute to watch it.
New look for Fanta
Possibly the world’s most recognised brand of fizzy orange drink, Fanta, has been given a facelift. The facelift is in conjunction with a global design strategy, logo, packaging system and point of sale marketing. It’s very rare to see such a huge brand settling with solid colours and vector based illustration but this seems to be the trend, especially if you have seen their...
Bringing posters to life
To help promote blackberry flavored Russian Vodka Stolichnaya, London based Publicis have created this advert which pays homage to the old soviet style posters by bringing the detail to life. Its what you would expect but the art direction is so beautiful that its actually quite surprising how well it works.
If this works, it's an innovation
When it comes to helping the visually impaired read Braille is still the standard but ,unfortunately, the transition from text into braille is costly and time consuming. Voice Stick is a small scanner that converts printed literature into the spoken word, transmitted through headphones, sort of like a live audio book. This is only a concept but we have seen similar items on the market that scan...
Recognise this?
Adverts that take inspiration from their historical roots are always good. This advert promoting Soy Sauce giants Kikkoman, released in Sweden, comes with a simple strapline ‘Culinary art from Japan’. If you are unaware of its roots, the advert takes inspiration from Katsushika Hokusai’s painting ‘The Great Wave Of Kanagawa’. This correlation fuses the relationship of...
Font faces
Here at The MK Group we have a passion for all things design related and typography has long been used to give the impression of form. American Graphic Designer Herb Lubalin produced one of the most beautiful visuals that makes best use of this media.
We also recently came across a website, purely by luck more than anything, which brought about some interesting thoughts. As designers we work...
Lovely packaging
When it comes to whisky, those in the know are very fussy about what and how they drink their ‘wee dram’. Well, like those purveyors, we are fussy about how whisky is presented. Designed by Williams Murray Hamm, this is a limited edition copper tin, with diecut reveal housing a bottle of Glenmorangie. A nice little hallmark detail finishes this off nicely. Interesting use of media,...
Guinness do it again
For many years now Guinness have produced some amazing adverts, which have in turn produced some silverware on the mantlepiece. We found this little gem for the first time today and thought we would share it with you. Actor Donald Sutherland uses his dulcet tones to narrate the story of ‘A Dot’ and how the dot became a line, made friends and explored. As the dot moves through its...