Commercial Trader
Our Work Chris, 2 September 2010
A no-nonsense identity for promoting Trader Media’s 4 new commercial vehicle websites.
Mobile Couponing, Infographics and Tesco
Our Thoughts Rich, 3 August 2010
I had lunch yesterday with an old colleague who moved to Toronto a couple of years ago to work with Transcontinental Media. We had an interesting conversation about couponing, which is apparently a big thing in North America – much bigger than it is here in the UK. My ex-colleague was concerned that, as a consumer publisher, Transcontinental’s use as a channel for distributing coupons was falling.
Advertising vs Storytelling
Our Thoughts Rich, 14 July 2010
People talk a lot about telling brand stories. They also talk a lot about the idea that traditional advertising is dead. I agree with the former, whilst not entirely agreeing with the latter. But today I came across something that illustrates the tension between the two ideas pretty well.
I read with interest that the Union of Concerned Scientists have decided, in the wake of climategate, to run a series of ads to make themselves appear a little more ‘cuddly’.
Big Bang Big Boom
What We Like Rich, 7 July 2010
There’s not a lot to say about this wonderful piece of work from www.blublu.org, other than: watch it.
So beautiful, so well-conceived, so compelling. Too many great bits to mention. Watch it.
Blogs, Twitter and old-school media
Our Thoughts Rich, 18 June 2010
Nice graphical piece from one of our favourites, good.is. Apparently, a study by journalism.org in the US has found that most of the thousands of stories that are passed around the internet via blogs and twitter each day are actually generated by “old-school media” – ie the press.
Bliss Billboards
What We Like Rich, 25 May 2010
We’re going to write a proper case study for Bliss Billboards once the campaign is complete and we have results. But we only launched it yesterday, and we’re so excited about it that we can’t wait to put something up on our website. So here it is.
Nike: write the future
What We Like Rich, 21 May 2010
I know everyone in the WORLD has seen this by now, and I would imagine that everything there is to be said about it has been said. But I just had to post about it because of the sheer exuberance of the thing. As a friend of mine @NeillSBullet said: ‘that ad just made me REALLY excited about the World Cup. Can’t wait!’
Speaking to the past
Our Thoughts Rich, 13 April 2010
Penguin are turning 75 this year, and their iconic orange spines and minimal covers have got Douglas Coupland and Penguin Canada thinking. Penguin covers, says Coupland, act as a time stamp. Taking a look at a cover design can take you back to a time and a place – they’re a bit of a Proust’s Madeleine triggering involuntary memory in and of themselves.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2010
What We Like Rich, 12 April 2010
Our locale, Clerkenwell, is playing host to Design Week 2010, which takes place over three days from 25-27 May. Basically it means there will be loads of cool stuff happening seconds from our front door. Apparently there is going to be street entertainment (hopefully not those blokes that cover themselves in paint then just stand really still. They’re a bit boring), music, food, exhibitions and PARTIES. Any excuse for a party and we’re in, so expect to see us having a Notting Hill Carnival style event party in our office.
Urban Abstract
What We Like Rich, 7 April 2010
Not a great deal I can say about this piece, apart from that it’s gorgeous. Click through to view…
Japan, the strange country
What We Like Rich, 30 March 2010
We love the style of this animation by Japanese artist and designer Kenichi Tanaka. The infographics are simple and easy and keep you engaged, and the style and subject matter fit beautifully.
Feel the (Marmite) love
Our Thoughts Rich, 29 March 2010
We’re rather enjoying the build up to the 2010 general election. On the one hand, the media are talking up ‘the digital election‘, we’re seeing some lovely grass-roots political satire and we have, in Facebook and Twitter, a couple of social media environments that didn’t even exist last time around. On the other hand, it’s amusing to sit back and watch as the main political parties mess it up.
What’s your type?
What We Like Rory, 26 March 2010
We like all things typographic at Better Things and it’s always good to see foundries becoming more and more innovative with their websites.
Heineken Italy get creative
Our Thoughts Rich, 25 March 2010
Some great work here from Heineken Italy – love the way they’ve done a bit more with their sponsorship than just logo slapping. And the mixture of sheer joy and relief coming from the audience is palpable – genuinely delightful.
Bing it.
Our Thoughts Rich, 16 March 2010
Interesting to see that Microsoft have turned on the advertising budget to promote their search engine Bing in its seemingly futile attempt to take on Google.
It’s David vs David, a clash of the titans. But Microsoft is so far off the pace it’s hard to watch as it scrambles to play catch-up.
Digital Mission 2010 @ SXSWi
Our Work Rory, 9 March 2010
Doing our bit for British digital businesses, Better Things announces the British Invasion with this visual identity for the UKTI’s digital mission to SXSWi in 2010.
Visuelle: to infinity and…
What We Like Rory, 2 March 2010
We’ve been noticing that sites are using this form of technology more and more – it’s been popping up all over the internet recently. Visuelle is one of our favourite examples of infinity scrolling – it’s simple and elegant, and the content is cool too – the site contains some really impressive work.
I challenge [...]
‘I’m on a horse’
Our Thoughts Rich, 27 February 2010
Old Spice. Something worn by everyone’s Dad in the seventies, and possibly still worn by everyone’s grandad. Redolent of sweaty Saturday nights in dodgy boozers with swirly carpets and fake velvet seat coverings. Not something any self-respecting young gent would want to associate themselves with, you would think.
Catching Z’s
What We Like Rory, 27 February 2010
It’s good to know that we’re soon to be taking delivery of our very own office sofa, as according to thinkingforaliving.org, one of our favourite design resources, we creatives should take a nap every so often to filter out the ideas that make sense and the ones that don’t.
Lego, a boy’s best friend
What We Like Rory, 27 February 2010
Guerrilla toy building at its best, have a look at the artist Jan Vormann’s interesting take on that old favourite Lego.
Good
What We Like Rich, 25 February 2010
Good is a site devoted to helping people live well and do good. Which is all very well and good – but what we really like about Good are the brilliant infographics. Check them out!
Auto Trader Visual
Our Work Chris, 25 February 2010
An eye catching DM package that illustrates how Auto Trader’s slideshow product works in crystal clear detail.
Pepsi falls out of love with Super Bowl
Our Thoughts Rich, 22 February 2010
Media sales guys don’t usually struggle too much trying to sell Super Bowl ad spots. After all, with a huge US television audience (around 90 million this year) it must be a no-brainer for brands, right?
Wrong. Pepsi, usually a shoe-in for a Super Bowl spot, have this year bucked their own trend by eschewing the NFL showpiece in order to invest the money in…you guessed it, social media.
American Apparel, web 2.0 and pants
Our Thoughts Rich, 22 February 2010
A wonderful example of UGC and crowdsourcing from American Apparel:
“We’re looking for a brand new bum (the best in the world!) to be the new “face” for our always expanding intimates and briefs lines. The winners will be flown to LA, photographed and featured online. Send in a close-up photo of your backside wearing American Apparel panties, bodysuits or briefs for consideration and vote for your personal favorites.”
Masterframe
Our Work Chris, 22 February 2010
Updating the identity of this leading sash window manufacturer, to inspire and communicate more clearly with the target audience.
CoolBrands
Our Work Chris, 22 February 2010
Books that include only the coolest brands in the UK.
NSPCC promotional literature
Our Work Chris, 22 February 2010
Inspiring a wide audience of fundraisers and sponsors across the UK.
Auto Trader Mobile
Our Work Chris, 22 February 2010
Helping dealers understand the benefits of Auto Trader Mobile.
Bygone Collection
Our Work Chris, 22 February 2010
A premium look and feel for Masterframe’s Bygone range of sash windows.
