Monday January 5th 2009
Click on image to zoom in… It’s just been plastered on the side of a transit. Congratulations to the designer who managed to bend the laws of physics and squeeze a 24 page brochure onto the side of the Mr. Monkland “Carpet Cleaner” van. Abandoned outside our office for a couple of days just before christmas I’d spend many a coffee break discovering the benifits of fibre maintanence and joys of allergy prevention. Unfortunately I’m still trying to work out which one of the three telephone numbers I should memorize. I do hope the copywriter was getting paid by the word on this job. He must have retired after this one.
Monday December 8th 2008
They say you’re never more than six yards away from a rat in London.
Well, you’re probably no more than 10 paces away from Helvetica anywhere in New York City.
Here’s the blurb for Gary Hustwit’s documentary on this polarising typeface.
Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. The film is an exploration of urban spaces in major cities and the type that inhabits them, and a fluid discussion with renowned designers about their work, the creative process, and the choices and aesthetics behind their use of type.
Okay guys. Don’t laugh, but I quite enjoyed this film.
The ubiquity of this annoying beautiful typeface around the world (and especially America) is quite astounding. It seems every second multi-national company around the world uses it for it’s corporate identity.
In fact, at times, it can be downright depressing. (although I’m sure our friend Graham Walker at Size will put up a stout (or should that be a heavy extended) defence of his favourite typeface to any non-believers.
Standing outside the office today I could easily count 7 or 8 examples around me without moving from my spot. Lothian buses and bus stops/shop logos/ tramwork contractor’s fluorescent jackets/car stickers/fire hydrants/traffic signs/estate agent boards.
Make up your own mind about ths face on viewing, but be warned, anyone watching this film will spend the next few days scanning their own world for Helvetica like a child on a cross-country car trip playing I Spy.
And please, if anyone ever catches me using this face on any new work this agency produces… kill me, kill me now.
Monday October 27th 2008
Click on image to zoom inThat’s been most people’s reaction I’ve discovered to this years D&AD annual (our window to the soul of what’s good in advertising and design from around the world). There’s some lovely stuff inside but the cover design… good grief. Designed by Neville Brody, typography god of the 80’s, it’s overwhelmingly disappointing. He’s obviously been given the budget for a telephone directory and has unsurprisingly come up with something as inspiring as a… telephone directory, without a proper spine. We have annuals in the agency going back forty years, but unfortunately this new one won’t last 4 minutes, especially in an agency with a bunch of slavering creatives ripping each other to shreds for a look. There is a flimsy cardboard lattice frame that comes with it, which will probably prolong it’s longevity to 4 weeks. For an institution that puts ideas above anything else in its manifesto, this book is sadly lacking one in concept, look or feel. Sadly the student awards annual is even worse, if that’s possible. D&AD. It’s just not good enough. Let’s hope it’s just been a very bad year. Oh, yes. And where’s the DVD, you muppets? Rant over.
Tuesday October 21st 2008
Click on image to zoom inApparently, it’s not the Guinness, but pure drugs. Available over the counter at your local pharmacist. Spotted on holiday in County Kerry, in the quaint village of Dingle, home of Fungi the friendly dolphin. Or is it a dolphin?
Click on image to zoom in
Add the first comment