The Stackpile » Design

Design competition for Switzerland’s currency!

Marissa — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:05:39 +0000

The theme was called “Switzerland open to the world.”

In the beginning of 2005, as a part of the development for a new design for the look of their currency, a competition was launched.

Twelve artists were invited to take part in the challenge for designing all six denominations on the theme mentioned above.

The first place winner was Krebs Manuel from Zurich and his designs pictured here.

You may view the other designs here.

Twitter Trends

Simon — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:06:11 +0000

There’s a new online tool that combines Twitter with Google Maps to give a visual layout of what people are talking about all over the world. Called Trendsmap, this tool provides real-time mapping of Twitter topics–so you can find out what people are Tweeting about right now, in any location.

What to know what people are talking about in Boston? In Mumbai? Just type your city into the search bar and start clicking. It’s a great way to stay on top of trends and hot topics. And it’s also just plain cool.

Starbucks on Twitter

Marissa — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:24:26 +0000

According to Wikipedia online: Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users’ updates known as tweets.

Starbucks is looking to utilize the power of social media by hosting an online photography scavenger hunt. The goal of the contest is to have Twitterers photograph posters from the most recent US outdoor campaign and post them online. The prize? Starbucks Gold Cards.

Click here to see Starbucks’ page on twitter: twitter.com/starbucks

The idea for the Starbucks photo contest came from watching what people already do on Facebook and Twitter, said Chris Bruzzo, vice president for brand, content and online at Starbucks. Each year, people race to post the first photos of Starbucks shops decorated in red for the holidays.There will also be a related YouTube channel, where Starbucks coffee experts will talk up the importance of quality in their beans and coffee.

The Twitter photo contest is a part of a fresh marketing campaign launched this month in United States newspapers and magazines. The campaign is described by Starbucks as the biggest marketing effort it has undertaken.

Quality is key. Print ads will be text-heavy, impressing upon viewers the importance of quality rather than cheap alternatives, such as their direct competitors McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts. Phrases on the posters take a dig at the competition, including “We think making coffee is an art form. They think it’s a new revenue stream.”

“The advert for the burger has caused outrage.”

Marissa — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:54:01 +0000

The Texican Whopper, according to Burger King, is “inspired by the land where a man ‘ain’t afraid to sink his teeth into something hot and spicy.”

The burger consists of a flame-grilled Whopper topped with taco-coated chili con carne, spicy jalapenos, onion, lettuce and Canjun mayonnaise.

The television commercial described the new Texican Whopper as “the taste of Texas with a little spicy Mexican.” Literally depicted by a tall Texan cowboy living with a vertically challenged Mexican wrestler, named “Just a Little Bit.”

To view the commercial on youtube click here.

Mexico’s ambassador to Spain wrote a letter to Burger King regarding the inappropriate way the Mexican flag is displayed in the advertising campaign, as well as the improperly used stereotypical image of Mexicans.

Burger King has apologized for the advertisement and stated they have “made the decision to revise the Texican Whopper advertising creative out of respect for the Mexican culture and its people.”

There are strict rules about the use of the Mexican flag.

McDonald’s looks good on paper.

lryan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:49:12 +0000

After years of revamping the interior of McDonald’s locations across the globe, the chain has also decided to make changes to the way they package their food. With a focus on a more environmentally friendly and wholesome brand image, the restaurant’s packaging will now be made from a high percentage of recycled paper- an improvement from the non-biodegradable styrofoam and cardboard containers of the past.

Along with being eco-friendly, the containers will display images of some of the “fresh” products used to make the world-famous food. Photos of onions, 100% real beef, slices of cheese, and lettuce are shown on the the Big Mac boxes while the french fry sleeves display pictures of a semi-peeled potato. A similar approach is also used on the chicken sandwich and nugget packaging. The containers also possess short narratives on how each product is particularly unique and desirable to the consumer.

McDonald’s hope is that by focusing on the importance of locally grown, fresh, and high-quality products, consumers will think differently about the often stigmatized fast-food. Although they claim to be making efforts to stay ahead of obesity concerns, I’m not sure that adding a leaf of Iceberg lettuce to a 590 calorie, 34 gram of fat Big Mac will exactly entice the health conscious to trade in their salads and sushi.