Pirelli 2009 Calendar

I managed to get hold of the famous Pirelli calendar for 2009 the other day after visiting a new supplier called Beacon Press. They had printed the job and pointed out to me that, for the first time ever, it has been printed on an uncoated paper stock. The actual results look fantastic!

Oh, and just in case you thought I was only interested in the paper stock and not the scantily clad ladies in the superb photography, then you’d be wrong………of course I was!

Posted by: Richard

From Me To You

John Lewis Christmas 2008 TV ad



This is the best Christmas ad on TV at the moment, I just love the music with the simple shots of different people and the present associated with them, it’s cleverly been put together and love the line ‘if you know the person, you’ll find the present' ………made me go and buy a few from there actually.

Posted by: Richard

Tinsley Towers

Best Video Tinsley Cooling Towers Demolitian Official

After a cracking wedding party in Bakewell (Dan Kirby’s by the way), me and my wife decided that it would be fun to see the Tinsley Towers demolished, it was late anyway so why not. We got home and changed, made a flask of tea and off we went to see the destruction. We arrived and it looked like everyone from Sheffield wanted to see the spectacle as well. The whole thing happened really quickly and was a fantastic sight - especially when it looked as though it was going to fall on the M1! We witnessed a bit of history, well for Sheffield anyway, and was well worth the late night stop out.

Posted by: Richard

The Little Book of Big Excuses

A print company sent me this and I really like it:

It's a selection of the best (or worst) excuses when print hasn’t arrived. In all my years so far as a buyer of print I thought I’d heard them all! A few are a bit far fetched but loved the concept.

Posted by: Richard

Street Performers

We recently had a day out in London to celebrate our 7th birthday. After having such a superb lunch at the Wahaca restaurant in Covent Garden, we decided to take a stroll along the side of the river by the London Eye where we saw some fantastic street performers. The ones that caught my eye were these still statues that just looked amazing! We ended the day in style by sipping cocktails at the very chic Sanderson Hotel.

Posted by: Richard

'The Power to Heal'

NSPCC ‘Power to Heal’ Mailer

I received this really powerful DM mailer from the NSPCC. The mailer is part of their ongoing 'Full Stop' campaign.

The theme is on 'crayons' and 'the power to heal' through art therapy.

When young children are abused they find it hard to communicate about how they are feeling. Through the therapy sessions they can express themselves and talk about the pictures they draw and the experiences they have gone through.

A real worthy cause and if you find the need to give a little then please visit: www.nspcc.org.uk/supporter

Posted by: Richard

Microdot

I was clearing out the garage the other day and found this limited edition book by Microdot, a design agency with a reputation for producing fine single and album covers. It includes a concise selection of works since 1990, including The Verve and Oasis. I think for many contemporary music and design enthusiasts a Microdot sleeve is a hallmark of both quality inside and outside of the packaging.

You just don’t know what lurks in the garage as this is a pretty cool find as only 1500 were printed with mine being 1401. You might see it on eBay soon!

Posted by: Richard

Butterfly House

I was in Stratford over Easter and took the kids to this Butterfly house just on the river. We all loved it as the butterflies roam and fly around you freely while you walk through. There’s some great species there with the added bonus of reptile house including some pretty scary scorpions. Well recommended.

Posted by: Richard

SpoonMug

I spotted these from a promo mag and thought what a neat idea to have your own spoon attached to your mug. Always handy to have a spoon available for getting out the biscuit that fell after dunking!

Posted by: Richard

WeLiveHere Website

Sheffield Icons


View of Castle Market



The Town Hall extension 'The Egg Box'



The New Roxy



The Cooling Towers



'The Scottish Queen' - Parkhill


WeLiveHere is an online gallery and store showcasing the design work of Sheffield based artist and graphic designer, Jonathan Wilkinson. The subject matter of the work reflects his exploration of the familiar and perhaps not so familiar surroundings of Sheffield and other places that he visited. These places that are still in existence, now defunct or close to demolition represent a rich seam of inspiration for him.

The works vary from limited edition runs to open editions, produced as striking lithographic prints and I just thought how cool they look and reminds me of my days as a youth especially Roxy as this is where I got my first Love bite, whey hey!


Check it out: http://www.welivehere.co.uk/

Posted by: Richard

Pizza Hut Cinema Ad

I saw this recently after taking my daughter and 7 of her friends to the cinema. I thought that the ad was clever, made me smile and the music was perfect - reminded me of my family photos and the good times past and present - just a shame it ended with going to Pizza Hut!?

Can’t knock em for promoting Family Fun though!




Posted by: Richard

Holiday Postcards Direct Mail

I was sent these postcards in the summer of last year and kept them as a great example of a DM campaign. The images used work really well with the copy on the reverse and the way they have been personalised as though hand written is great, they actually look as though they have!


Roll on summer - it’s getting me in the holiday mood already!

Posted by: Richard

I like the pub!

It’s a proper traditional pub with a twist – The Rutland is just down the road from our Sheffield office, in the middle of a really trendy cultural business area. It was going to be knocked down, but petitions from local businesses have saved it. The distinctive murals on the walls have helped to make it a real feature for the neighbourhood, and a great attraction (as well as the obvious magnetism of a good pint…)

Posted by: Richard

Fruity Branding

Branded fresh fruit - this is a different way of thinking... and what a delicious way to get your brand some attention?

Posted by: Richard

Transformers Go Off-Road

Nissan have released an amazing high concept TV ad for their 4WD vehicles – Naturally Capable.

The vehicle in question metamorphosis into a series of robotic animals to show how it naturally copes with different off-road terrains.

What an amazing ad! Now where's the button that lets my car do that?

Posted By: Richard

A Breath of Fresh Air

Forget strong coffee; apparently the best thing to give you energy and drive is a blast of pure oxygen!

‘Oxy Fit’ provide cans of 99.5 % medically pure oxygen from Switzerland. They say it will help you to combat the effects of stress, exhaustion and fatigue, making you feel better and get through a stressful day.

Oxy Fit even let you brand their cans; it’s already been used as a promotional giveaway for the likes of Panasonic, Calvin Klein, Volvo and of course mobile phone provider O2 would have been crazy not to use it!



Posted by: Richard

Perfectly Packaged

Packaging is an integral part of any consumer product; providing information and self promotion. Of course the best packaging combines these features with an irrepressible urge to make you pick it up and have a fiddle…

Check out this special ‘Parka Pak’ DVD packaging by AGI Media for the Northern Exposure DVD. It’s quite unlike anything else you’ve seen, but ties in with the brand so well. Even if you’ve never heard of the show, you’ll definitely want to have a go on the moose pull zipper!

Posted by: Richard

Spread your Brand

Truth that you can put your name on absolutely anything…

How about a slice of DKPM in the morning?

Posted by: Richard