Web Design Just Got Fontage

As any web designer will tell you, there is a serious lack of options when using fonts in websites, which is mainly due to the lack of fonts that each person's computer has installed on it... It has been an issue for a long time now... but not anymore.

It seems some techy bods are aware of this problem and are now developing solutions to be able to integrate different fonts into web pages. The future of web design is CSS3, which in theory allows you to embed fonts into pages, but the problem here is we are just not sure how or when this will happen just yet... In the meantime those clever people at Google are trying to fill the gap and have developed "Google Fonts". In short they have a series of designers making custom fonts that any web designer / developer can then use in their web pages!

Worth a look!

Posted by: Francis

Does Power Corrupt?

I went to see “An Enemy of the People” at the newly refurbished Sheffield Crucible last week, and it was really powerful stuff.

I also love the Sheffield Theatres Trust website, which is specially themed for this production!

Posted by: Clare

Graze!

Graze is an internet based company that delivers boxes of healthy, nutritionally balanced food for you to nibble on throughout the day. The food is really yummy and not just food you would normally consider to be 'healthy', the dairy-free chocolates are delicious! All of the packaging is very nicely designed as well as being entirely recyclable.

The boxes are delivered via Royal Mail and consist of either 3 or 4 parts - depending on what you request and cost £2.99 delivered. You can visit the website here

Posted by: Dawn

Warp Records celebration

20 years of mad bleeps and danceable insanity! Sheffield's iconic Warp Records label celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, which brought back early 90's memories of buying vinyl at their sadly departed shop on Division St... still cant beat a bit of LFO!

Modern Warfare 2 launch party

Big game, big party! Me and Rich were in attendance thanks to our lovely clients at Activision, a great night with a surprise live set from Dizzee Rascal bringing down the house. Bring on MW3!

Argos Christmas Ads

I’m such a fan of the Argos Christmas TV Campaigns. They impressed me last year with their no nonsense ‘Christmas Present’ ad, and this year they’ve done it again! They’ve embraced a true Christmas, a real Christmas where things go wrong in the kitchen, unexpected family members turn up and everyone is exhausted come late afternoon. It’s so relative, likeable, and funny - and it’s refreshing that they’re not trying to be something they’re not.

It’s such a relevant topic at the moment with some Christmas Ads causing a stir with their content and approach, it’s nice that one retailer at least is getting it so right!



Posted by: Jemma

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery...

...sounds like a day in the office, but no, I went to see the musical Chicago at the Lyceum on a girls night out. What a fantastic production and great to see Gary Wilmot back in action. Funny, sexy and very slick, the choreography was amazing, I was inspired - less chocolate, more gym coming my way, honest!

Posted by: Yvette

WARP20: Terminal 5 NYC / Sheffield

Great timing: On my recent holiday in New York, not only did we get to experience the wonders of the Big Apple, but our trip also coincided with the WARP20 event. The pioneers of the hypnotic groove introduced me to electronic music many many years back. A great night was had (even though I was recovering from a stinking hangover from the night before after my Sister in Laws wedding) with Pivot, Flying Lotus, iii and Battles representing the innovative label stateside. It was great to see the sheffield label being celebrated half way across the globe.

Two weeks later, WARP returned to Sheffield for a night of skewed electronics, this time with a great selection of UK artists (old and new) - Harmonic 313, Hudson Mohawke, Clark, Squarepusher, Nightmares on Wax, Andy Weatherall and Forgemasters.

Two amazing events, and the icing on the cake was when the coveted 20 years boxset designed by Yes Studio arrived a week later, Some great production values (audio and visual!).

Posted by: Matt

War Horse

I went to the New London Theatre with my old uni mate Viki. We spent many hours together set-building and designing for our degree – so, always up for a bit of “proper” theatre, we went to see War Horse and were WELL impressed with this set, and the AMAZING puppets used in this play.

I highly recommend seeing this, I loved it!!



Posted by: Clare

Jacques Mesrine double bill

Mesrine is a fantastic gangster film about the real life criminal Jacques Mesrine who was a larger than life figure in 60s and 70s France. Vincent Cassel is incredible in the title role.

Released in two parts (Killer Instinct and Public Enemy No. 1), both are on general release and definitely worth looking up - here's a taster:

Useful Advertising Makes A Splash!

I spotted this innovative piece of advertising on Springwise last week. Aircel, an Indian mobile phone network provider, attached a dinghy to a billboard next to a road which is notoroious for flooding during the monsoon season.

The billboard bore the message "In case of emergency cut rope" and, sure enough, a few weeks later the underpass flooded, the rope was cut, and the dinghy was used to rescue stranded pedestrians.

This bit of corporate generosity has brought media attention from around the globe and, now Aircel are reported to be planning something similar in Delhi and Kolkata.

Posted by: Roz

Spacious!

I really like this series of ads for the Citröen C3 Picasso created by Euro RSCG Worldwide. A really fun way of demonstrating the spaciousness that will work in any language.

Posted by: Paul H

One for the Ladies/Girlfriends/Wives

My what we like this month is Poppy Valentine!



The shop is on Portobello Road, and the lovely lady who owns it makes these beautiful vintage clothes/handbags/purses/make-up bags and then sells them both in the shop and online.

Check out their website for gorgeous gift ideas!

Posted by: Marianne

Clever cat

Warning - this is addictive!Click on the pic or go to http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/chatnoir/chatnoir.html

MahaNakhon – Bangkok’s ‘Great Metropolis’

This week in Dezeen I spotted an article on the plans for MahaNakhon by Ole Scheeren of OMA. Not only was I grabbed instantly by the beauty of this architectural giant, I was also amazed at the detail and inclusivity of its design.



The building that will become Bangkok’s largest skyscraper is a glass tower constructed of a staggering 77 floors. More interestingly though is that the design moves beyond the traditional seamless, glossy totem and includes a ribbon of seemingly pixelated floors creating beautiful aesthetics with practical and stunning design functionality. The 3 dimensional ribbon wrapping around the tower will provide uninterrupted panoramic views and terraces, as if excavating outdoor space from the depths of the glittering glass masterpiece.




Due for completion in late 2012 the building will include The Ritz Carlton Residences, a public plaza, retail space, 200 homes, restaurants, bars and a stunning multi level 3 floor Sky Bar and Restaurant allowing you to entertain at over 1,000 feet above the city.

Posted by: Roz

Santa Monica

Just come back from a great trip to the west coast, and Santa Monica officially rules.

Pun-Tastic Postcards

These pun-tastic postcards have been designed for the Harvey Nichols Foodmarket by Ruan Milborrow and Mark Nightingale of Mr H. There are twelve designs and they can be purchased in packs of six - Girl or Boy. Other featured celebs include Cake Winslet, Banana Mouskouri, Skate Moss, Pea Diddy and The Artist Formerly Known as Mince.


Fizzy Rascal is my personal favourite, but some of the girls in the office quite fancy Bread Pitt and Wayne Pruney...

Posted by: Roz

ATP Festival - Minehead

The best christmas present ever - ATP Festival curated by The Breeders. Festival highlights included Shellac, Gang of Four, Melt Banana, Bon Iver, Wire, The Bronx and Times New Viking.

I'm now really looking forward to the Nightmare Before Christmas with My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth at the start of December!

Posted by: Matt

Springtime in Paris

Every year I visit my friend in Paris, and have just returned from this year’s trip. I spent three days enjoying the warm Parisian sunshine (it was even warm enough to wear my flip-flops a couple of times!), catching up and generally having a fantastic time.

No trip to Paris is complete without a little indulgence, and this year it came in the form of a visit to the luxurious Laduree tea shop – the home of the double-decker Macaron! The pastries were absolutely delicious – I did bring some back to share around the office but they disappeared before we could take any pictures!

Posted by: Jemma

Enviably Bendy Stuff!

Posted by: Clare

Spring Is Here!

My first ever "What We Like" is Spring! It's my favourite season - daffodils, lambs, the end of the long grey winter, and (hopefully) the start of a long hot summer...

Bring on the flip-flops, BBQ's and, if it's anything like last summer, the umbrellas!

Posted by: Roz

Man On Wire

Watch this film.

Why? "There Is No Why".

Posted by: Matt

The Jon Stewart Daily Show

I have become addicted to the Jon Stewart Daily Show – a kind of ‘Have-I-Got-News-For-You-meets-Jay-Leno’...I was bitten in the run up to the US election, and now I can’t get enough.

I like the ‘reporters’ on the show – particular the Brummy John Oliver – see him in action here at Obama’s inauguration:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Inauguration Day Unity
comedycentral.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Posted by: Tom

SHU Jan van Toorn Exhibition

Graphic Design Monography and Critical Practice Monday 16 March - Friday 27 March 2009.

The graphic design monograph has been a central part of the history and evolution of the subject. This show focused on one recent publication by the writer Rick Poynor and designer Simon Davies on the work of the Dutch designer Jan van Toorn; ‘Critical Practice’. The gallery scaled and hung each page of the book alongside sketches and early designs.

A great design treat for Sheffield.

Posted by: Matt

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

Simon's Cat

Cat owners will really appreciate these short animations by Simon Tofield at Tandem Films. Fantastic!

"Cat-Man-Do"



"Let Me In"



"TV Dinner"



The RSPCA have used him for a recent ad campaign:

”Simon's Sister's Dog”



Posted by: Helen

Dirty Street Ads!

I like the idea behind dirtystreetads.com. This Bristol-based company provide pavement advertising by pressure-washing stencilled logos/messages into existing grime. Effective, legal, eco-friendly and original!

Posted by: Clare

25 Years, Still Red Hot (Virgin Atlantic)

This celebratory advert works on so many levels, the music, the costumes, the red, the sexiness, the alignment of other iconic brands from the era... It’s a brave move and a vivid splash of colour in a climate which is today rather grey, gloomy and recession-focused. Virgin Atlantic’s Still Red Hot advert is confident, uplifting and reminds us that we’ve got through tough times before – and that Virgin Atlantic has kept its head well and truly above the clouds. A breath of fresh air ;-)

Posted by: Clare

Ten/SEA

Many thanks to Dan for this one. It’s been in my Amazon basket for some time, so when my Amazon Christmas voucher arrived it was a must buy. A compendium of work by London agency SEA from 1997 to 2007. Their work has brevity, simplicity, clarity and is a great example of british design.

Posted by: Matt

The Worlds Largest Snowman... Is a Woman!

Which begs the question:
What's the difference between a Snowman and a SnowWoman?
Answer: Snowballs!

Although the recent snowfall caused chaos across the UK, I was pleased to see that at least some communities get out there and enjoy it....

The World's Tallest Snowman was created in Bethel, Maine in 1999, standing at 113’7” tall. But in 2008 the community set another world record... building the World's Tallest SnowWoman at 122'1".

Angus, King of the Mountain was replaced in the record books by a woman named Olympia SnowWoman who weighs in at 13,000,000 lbs. of snow. 5 foot wreaths were used for eyes, 16 skis for eyelashes, 130 ft. scarf, 30 ft. spruce trees for arms and 2,000 ft. of rope for hair.

Now that's snow joke!

Posted by: Yvette