101 Things

http://www.dosurf.com/ is a website promoting the book One hundred and one from kessel Kramer Publishing House. It is made with over 30 designers and concept makers chronicling the current and future state of brand that all depends on what you do. Key in any numbers of your choice (as long as they come to 101) and see what you get.

Posted by: Matt

Modified Toy Orchestra

A band that plays live on modified toys – which play sounds that the designers of the toys don’t intend?! Yes it’s the Modified Toy Orchestra as we experienced on Martyn Ware’s Future Of Sound www.futureofsound.org/ You can’t get these at Toys R Us!! www.myspace.com/toyorch

Posted by: Dan

Seasick Steve

I like Seasick Steve – the rawest of raw blues singers – lived life as a hobo across the US-of-A before winding up on our blog via his “3 string trance music”… Sing the Dog House Song! http://www.seasicksteve.com/




Posted by: Dan

I opened Pandora’s box

I was lucky enough to receive one of these lovely things for my birthday. I really like the Pandora bracelet because it’s the gift that keeps on giving – you can update it, add to it, change it … it’s a modern day take on the traditional charm bracelet but without a single silver bootee in sight!!!

Posted by: Clare

Old people’s Wii?

I saw this story in one of the national newspapers and I love the fact that men and women up to the age of 103 are enjoying Nintendo Wii as much as we do.

Posted by: Jemma

Flight of the Conchords

We’ve all fallen in love with the latest show from HBO, featuring “New Zealand’s 4th most popular parody folk duo” If you haven’t seen Jermaine and Bret trying to make it big on the music scene in New York City, check it out Tuesday nights on BBC 4.

My favourite moment so far is Bret serenading his new girlfriend with a bit of help from Jemaine, listing “realistic” things he would do for her after dismissing climbing the highest mountain as too unlikely …

Posted by: Tom

3D or not 3D?

I really like the new 3D cinema technology created by Real D http://www.reald.com/… and I was really privileged on a recent trip to LA to see a demo of the technology, which is completely incredible – it’s like you are actually there!

It has been used for the recent Robert Zemeckis blockbuster, Beowulf: http://www.beowulfmovie.com/. I can’t wait to get my 3D specs on again!!!

Posted by: Dan

The cure for road rage? Quite possibly!

I love this, what a fantastic way to get to work, both fun and practical… and it’s just my size! This miniature tank has a fully integrated ready-to-fire paintball gun, built to order with rollover bar and roll cage, with six colours to choose from and it’s only £8000.

Looks like I’ll be trading in my motor sooner than expected.

Posted by: Yvette

Tower Bridge Exhibition (our father who art in Brussels)

I like the fact that my Dad, a sculptor who lives in Brussels, has an exhibition of his Tower Bridge postcard collection, on at – wait for it – Tower Bridge! You couldn’t make it up. Make sure you don’t miss out; it’s on until December 31st.
http://www.towerbridge.co.uk/TowerBridge/English/SpecialEvents

Posted by: Dan

Sci-Fi Hi-Fi

Posted by: Dan

Beyond Limits

I like the modern sculpture at Chatsworth House www.chatsworth.org in the leafy Peak District...

"Beyond Limits" is a selling exhibition by Sothebys (which means that people can buy them eventually!) showing 23 spectacular pieces of modern and contemporary sculpture in Chatsworth's famous gardens.

It includes artists as diverse as Rodin, Lynn Chadwick, Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor and Mark Quinn. For more see www.sothebys.com/images/home/flash/chatsworth2007

It's on until 4 November 2007... well worth a trip.

Posted by: Dan

It's Back! It's Big! It's at Battersea!

Following the huge success in 2006 of the British Academy Video Games Awards, we are delighted to be continuing as the Official Brand Partner for 2007.

This year will be even bigger and better, and we are honoured to continue our strategic partnership with the BAFTA team.

We have been working closely with BAFTA to further build the Games Awards brand, with an integrated promotional campaign and the design of all event literature.

We launched the fantastic microsite in the summer, showcasing the excitement of the evening, while giving all industry professionals the opportunity to get involved. See for yourself at www.bavga.co.uk

Following last year's spectacular televised ceremony at the Roundhouse, this year's Awards will take place on Tuesday 23 October at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, and will be televised on E4 and T4.

Posted by: Tom

Newsworthy

These two items that I like follow a theme; they’re both produced in newsprint.




The first is a catalogue produced for Blanka's “An Exhibition in Mono”.
28 Designers from 28 Locations on 28 Posters write 28 Words, for 1 Exhibition… all in 1 colour – MONO!
It's a broadsheet paper consisting of all 28 posters all at 58.9% size. It’s very nice, but I do keep getting black ink all over my hands - a small price to pay for a lovely bit of design though!

Secondly, London agency Spin has produced the first in an ongoing series of publications of things that are close to their hearts, a collection of their most recent work. Yet again, a really nice piece of work and with an unusual format too.

Posted by: Matt

Ooooh Yvetty!

Apparently, the opening bars to the theme tune for classic TV program “Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em” spells out “some mothers do ave em” in Morse code!

Click here to hear the tune...

What a genius idea from the late composer Ronnie Hazlehurst (who apparently was paid £30 for the work!)?


Photo supplied by Tom – inspired by the “Some Mothers Do Ave Em” story, he created this picture of our very own Frank and "Yvetty"!

Posted by: Clare

By ‘eck, it’s tha Great Yorkshire run!

Is it the next Seb Coe and Paula Radcliffe (or just a couple of contestants in a gurning competition – in which case, I win!)?

Nutters and Chiddy rocked in at 54.25 mins on the Great Yorkshire Run, coming 1425th and 1426th out of 4500 runners.

Not bad for a pair of veterans!

Posted by: Yvette

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

Gorilla on the Go

The “Gorilla Pod”, besides having a cool name, is an ingenious tripod designed to fit either lightweight digital cameras or heavier SLRs. It’s a veritable feat of fantastic engineering. It’ll cling to fences, branches, rocks, lampposts, or whatever… and create a stable platform for those of us who want to take sharp shots, but have the constant shakes from doubtless too many nights out on the trot…!

Posted by: Clare

Feel right at home with MFI

When these television ads launched I was hooked and thought they were hilarious. M&C Saatchi asked what actually goes on in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. They wanted to show that MFI’s designs reflect real people, real lives and real needs – they certainly do that. However, the recent discussion about the campaign being too negative is a fair point. Where’s the loving couple in the kitchen… or the big family getting on well? – Because we do sometimes you know?! Even so, they are attention grabbing and really very funny.

Posted by: Jemma

The Writer

I picked up this little booklet after attending a seminar at Sheffield Millennium Galleries. It is by a company called The Writer and explains the top ten rules of excellent copy writing.




Everything about this piece is so well thought out, from its content to its print finish. A great device which is handy to keep, makes you think and isn’t a pushy selling tool!

Posted by: Jemma

Prague

Recently I visited Prague and had a wonderful time exploring both its history and more modern/cosmopolitan areas. I did expect to see a few stag parties but was very surprised as they were quite hard to find! I would recommend this city to anyone; it is truly beautiful and appeals to any age. Must-sees are the castle and Old Town Square. Dining out is a must, especially at Kampa Park Restaurant which is a huge celebrity haunt!

Posted by: Jemma

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Taking advantage of the first rain-free weekend in recent memory, me, Claire and Daisy took a trip out to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Prominent artist Andy Goldsworthy is exhibiting loads of new work, which is very impressive, but to me the permanent installations set against the stunning backdrop of the Yorkshire countryside are just amazing. And with 500 acres of it you could never get bored of wandering round on a sunny day.

Here are a couple of pics I took of some pieces I really liked.

Posted by: Bew

Escape from Blighty

Just got back from me holidays in the Valencia region of Spain. It was awesome to get away from the constant rain in Blighty and into some 35 degree sunshine. While we were there we drove out to quite a few places, but the one that particularly took me was the ancient cathedral city of Orihuela. The old part of the town was stunning. A tangled maze of backstreets with beautiful tiled fountains and squares waiting to be discovered round every corner. The new part of the town was a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with loads of shops and cafes situated around a huge tree-lined square and fountain.

Here are a couple of pics…




Already planning my next trip, Amsterdam in 8 weeks!

Posted by: Bew

Empire Magazine – Star Wars Covers

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars films, Empire Magazine ran a series of 30 different covers – showcasing 30 different characters from the series…which meant you can pick your fave front cover. I, of course, like Darth Vader best…: “No. I am your father.”

Posted by: Dan

Harvey Nichols Sale Leaflet

I like this as it is a very tongue in cheek way of showing how popular the sale is going to be – get your crash helmets on, the sale has started…plus I like the fact that it takes a while to get what it is…

Posted by: Dan

DKPM go Wireless again

To celebrate DKPM's 6th birthday we hit the O2 Wireless Festival again. So it was off to Harewood House outside Leeds in our wellies to make the most of what is fast becoming our annual day out. This year Saturday was indie day, so we had Editors and local heroes Kaiser Chiefs topping the bill, very enjoyable after a days hard partying in the mud!

Posted by: Tom

Top of the Ads

Last week Campaign magazine included a feature called “The Ten Ads That Changed Advertising” as voted by senior figures in the industry.

Whilst these ads may not necessarily be the best ever created, the've certainly changed the way that industry works and thinks... In chronological order, they are:


1. Gibbs SR Toothpaste, 1955 – the first ad to ever air on British TV

2. Volkswagen - Think Small ,1962 – because it went against all the prior rules of how to sell

3. Coca-Cola - Hilltop, 1971 – for the breathtaking appropriation of love and tolerance by a brand

4. Benson & Hedges - Iguana, 1978 – enigmantic, utterly compelling … opened up a new (and surreal) palette to advertisers

5. The Conservative Party - Labour Isn’t Working, 1979 – changed the way agencies (and political parties) thought about and used advertising

6. British Airways - Manhattan, 1983 – the first ad to straddle the corporate/consumer divide

7. Apple - 1984, 1984 – demonstrated that impact can be more effective than exposure

8. Levi’s - Launderette, 1986 – changed the way advertising thought about music

9. Playtex -Hello Boys, 1994 – the moment when advertising realised what PR could do for a campaign

10. BMW USA - BMWfilms.com, 2001 – demonstrated that the internet was a viable alternative to television and, that if the content is good enough, viewers will seek it out.

Posted By: Davey

Big Bites

I’ve had these ads on my desktop for a very long time now; if you’ve not seen them before, they were created by the agency Jung von Matt in Germany to promote a product called Stop n’ Grow. It’s a great example of ambient media in action - using plastic carrier bags

Stop n’ Grow is a product you can apply to your fingernails; apparently they taste so damn awful that no nail biter would ever consider sticking their fingers in their mouths again!

Bringing the biting concept forward to the grandest scale, check out this ad created by Demner, Merlicek & Bergmann for an chain of motorway restaurants called Oldtimer in Austria…

Posted By: Yvette

Now Wash Your Hair!

Check out this ambient media ad for the new CLEAR brand of anti-dandruff shampoo in Thailand.

The concept uses a giant print of someone’s head, with long flowing black hair. Upon the print, they’ve attached hundreds of little sticky white tabs, which of course resemble dandruff from a distance.

The tabs feature copy that reads: ‘Remove to get 10% off CLEAR anti-dandruff Shampoo’.

What a great way of engaging the audience with the benefit of the product – whilst also providing them with an incentive to buy.

Posted By: Davey

Pick Your Nose!

Look at this use of ambient media promoting Toronto Plastic Surgery; with a perfectly shaped nose printed onto the side of a coffee cup, it gives the impression a nose job is just as quick and easy to achive.

A nice idea, but it'll only work if you drink from the cup in exactly the right position... and of course if you're going to do that you're probably very, very insecure about the way you look!

The idea below is much better, using the concept above for party laughs - available in packs of 24, with an assortment of differnt noses for both sexs... go on: pick your nose!

Posted By: Yvette