This weekend I went boating with my parents. As always, I took note of each boat that passed by and what name they chose. With each passing boat I started to wonder what the story was behind each name. “Lisa” had to be someone’s wife, mother, daughter, or perhaps even Dog. “The Doghouse,” by my guess is a man’s escape from his wife or girlfriend. And then there was one that I still haven’t figured out, “Blondie” written upside down on a small fishing boat. I would imagine this would be some sort of Blonde joke, or an inside joke among friends. The reason I bring this up is because I have seen a few ads that try to be so clever the message doesn’t make any sense. One billboard sticks out in my mind, a BMW billboard that was posted on an Atlanta highway. “Two Heads are Better Than Fourteen” This was about a year ago, and I still don’t understand it. Even Atlanta commuters are confused. What is the point of a clever message if your audience doesn’t understand it? 
Posted by Kristin on July 30th, 2007
Filed under Advertising, Fun, Miscellaneous | No Comments »
Since 2002, Blambot (creator of “comic fonts and lettering”) has been creating limited edition typefaces for the San Diego Comic-Con International. This year’s San Diego 2007 is a chunky departure from the previous years.
There has been a lot of discussion regarding the effect of using digital lettering in comics as opposed to hand lettering. Comic artist Jon Morris created this interesting two-part comic (part one, part two) about the topic that sums up a pretty strong argument of why digital lettering does not always work in a hand-drawn context.
I think this applies to design as well. It illustrates the importance of stepping away from your computer and working with your hands every now and then. Especially when creating something that is meant to have that handmade look.
Posted by James on July 16th, 2007
Filed under Design, Fun | No Comments »
Well, by now I think everyone in the free world has heard about those twelve lucky 7-Eleven stores that are being converted into Kwik-E-Marts to tie-in with the release of The Simpsons Movie. And how could you not have heard about it? I can’t recall a time that I heard so much about a marketing promotion, not just in the trade press and alerts I get daily, but in the mainstream press as well. I’ve noticed articles in the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post and ABC News. Oh, and did I mention that they got just a bit of coverage on Fox News, too?
Posted by Kelly on July 14th, 2007
Filed under Advertising, Marketing | No Comments »
At first blush, it may seem weird to think that business cards could be considered art. I mean, let’s face it, is there any kind of corporate communication any more ubiquitous than the business card? Despite it’s humble trappings, in the right hands, the business card can actually be a platform for some really beautiful and innovative design. Don’t belive it? Well, check out The Art of the Business Card, a cool Flickr group devoted to showcasing the best in buinsess card design. (thanks to dfcker for the link).
Posted by Trev on July 6th, 2007
Filed under Branding, Design | 1 Comment »
As the political war starts to brew, so does the online vs. other media outlets for the political dollars. Although website traffic seems to have increased on the political sites due to the CNN/YouTube sponsored debate, does it truly impact the polls, and furthermore, does it truly impact the votes?Are we ready for the political heat on TV and online?
Not only are starting to feel the political advertising on television already heating up with Romney running ads in Iowa and Richardson airing spots in New Hampshire, but online media strategies have already been sparking attention. Although media analysts are expecting record television advertising spending in the third and fourth quarters this year due to the large group of candidates, the battle online looks to be greater than any other media this year.
Posted by Christina on July 5th, 2007
Filed under Advertising, Media | No Comments »
