The Stackpile

 Card customization is nothing new – outside of the United States. Simply searching on Google returned an article about the KBC bank in Belgium who were already providing this service to their customers back in 2006. Customers were invited to submit an image of their choice and after a few days new card was available for pick-up at the bank.This trend has now found its way slowly into the US via Capitol One’s Card Lab. I propose this be a venture undertaken by credit card companies such as American Express Business. Their new plum card simply does not say who you, the company are!

A simple addition of your company’s logo onto the card would not only enhance the company’s image and recognition, but there would be no confusion about who was paying when an employee was taking a client out to lunch. No, they are not using their personal bank card, but the company card – reinforced by the simple logo addition.Now it would be amazing to be able to make completely customized cards for your company but I’m sure this will not be available anytime soon. Regardless, I have created the Stackpole & Partners future credit card below:

For those of you who are artistic and enjoy a craft project like myself, make sure to check out this other hit I received from my search on Google regarding different techniques one person has used to personalize their card.

Posted by Marissa on November 24th, 2008
Filed under Advertising, Banking, Branding, Design, Fun, Miscellaneous | No Comments »

Thanks to decor8’s blog and Etsy, I have come across a new way to add exciting dynamics to a room with minimal effort creating stunning, unique results. 

The designs offered by Elly Nelly are clean, sophisticated, and complimentary to any setting. These wall designs are easy to apply and look great not only on walls but windows, mirrors, fridges, tiles, ceilings, etc. Any smooth clean surface will suffice.

No need to go buy expensive supplies, watch how-to videos on you tube or hire an interior designer when you can apply these self-adhesive designs yourself. Please note that they are removable (not reusable) when you are ready for a change. 

Please visit www.ellynelly.com to see all they have to offer for wall decals and soon to come—posters, prints, textiles and clothing!

Posted by on June 16th, 2008
Filed under Design, Fun, Miscellaneous | No Comments »

Has anyone seen this new Cadillac ad with Kate Walsh from Grey’s Anatomy? I must say, it makes me want a Cadillac, they did a brilliant job of making the car look sexy and sporty. I always thought of older men driving a Cadillac, but with Kate Walsh driving the car in her heels, it makes me picture myself behind the wheel. And I am usually the girl you see flying down the street in a VW Cabrio or Jetta. But what grabbed my attention the most was the opening line, ” When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?” What is more sexy and attention getting than that?

Posted by Kristin on February 26th, 2008
Filed under Advertising, Branding, Design | No Comments »

Yesterday was Super Tuesday, and though it looks like Hillary has nudged slightly ahead of her Democratic competition, Obama still takes the cake when it comes to a branding campaign. Sure, Hills has figured out how to adjust the flow on her tear-duct nozzles, but Barak wins the prize for hardest working logo. The key is its simplicity: rising sun, “field” of red stripes, and blue sky. But the amazing thing is how flexible this setup is—how it can be adapted for so many different purposes. For example, the logo can be tweaked to represent dozens of different groups—from Pacific Islanders to Americans Abroad.

Plus, the design team has also cleverly figured out how to work the logo into every state name.

I don’t know what it is about Obama that inspires this kind of creativity, and though I’m sure the designers of his official logo were well compensated, it’s interesting to take note of some of the “unofficial” t-shirts and posters that have been showing up all over the place as well.

Cool stuff. And it makes me wonder if we’ll be seeing some kind of groundswell of political art featuring the other candidates. Maybe some cool Romney stickers will start popping up in high-school lockers? Perhaps the kids will start tagging billboards with McCain graffiti? Mmmm, I won’t be holding my breath.

Posted by Simon on February 6th, 2008
Filed under Branding, Design, Marketing, Media, Miscellaneous | No Comments »

Well, the holidays are upon us, but it’s not too late to do some last minute online shopping! So, to aid you in your efforts, here is the Non-Official, First Annual (As Far As I Know) Stackpole Gift Guide.

First up on the list, a gift with a truly excellent name: MomSpit. What is MomSpit, you ask? Apparently some kind of skin-cleaning product—but other than that I have no idea. I mainly just liked the name. In the spirit of diligent journalism, however, I went to the website looking for answers, but came back instead with one of the most mystifying product descriptions I’ve ever read: “It contains no alcohol, mousses brilliantly, moisturizes gently, absorbs quickly and feels great. It’s not gel. It’s not sanitizer. It’s MomSpit.” Huh. MomSpit. Yeah, I get it!

Next up, for the child in your life with an appreciation for austere Scandinavian furniture, check out the new Svan Scooter—a child’s scooter designed with Gropius-like minimalism. This “toy” consists of three black wheels and a single curving length of plywood. According to the product description on Amazon, “Parents will love the sleek lines and style; kids will love the fun!” Indeed. Just wait till your child exclaims on Christmas morning, “Thank you, mother- and father-unit. I will enjoy this quietly in my room now, remaining mindful of the bamboo flooring.”

But what to do about that Significant Other who has everything? You may be interested to know that the Dalai Lama’s 1966 Land Rover was recently auctioned on eBay for a mere $82 thousand. This is not a joke—you can’t make this stuff up. I know this doesn’t make for a very good gift recommendation, since the Rover has already been sold (after 11 bids, to someone named “vodder”). But I think it’s still worth checking out the eBay page, which includes a video of Sharon Stone doing her best impression of a car salesman, as well as various fun facts about the Rover itself (e.g. “the vehicle is registered in California and has personalized plates that say ‘HHDL XIV’ with the Yosemite mountains in the background.”). And who knows—maybe you’ll get lucky and come across a used Pope-mobile on deep discount!

By the way, HHDL XIV stands for “His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.” But you knew that, didn’t you?

Posted by Simon on December 12th, 2007
Filed under Design, Fun, Miscellaneous | No Comments »