Commercial Trader

Our Work    Chris, 2 September 2010

A no-nonsense identity for promoting Trader Media’s 4 new commercial vehicle websites.

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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.

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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’.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!’

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Visuelle screen shot, infinite scrolling

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 [...]

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‘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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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CoolBrands

Our Work    Chris, 22 February 2010

Books that include only the coolest brands in the UK.

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NSPCC promotional literature

Our Work    Chris, 22 February 2010

Inspiring a wide audience of fundraisers and sponsors across the UK.

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Auto Trader Mobile

Our Work    Chris, 22 February 2010

Helping dealers understand the benefits of Auto Trader Mobile.

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Bygone Collection

Our Work    Chris, 22 February 2010

A premium look and feel for Masterframe’s Bygone range of sash windows.

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VAX

Our Work    Chris, 22 February 2010

Helping VAX increase their product sales through the Argos catalogue.

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