June 24, 2009
Hey, where's the hot wax machine?
When I first started in the agency business, computers were already used extensively (although where I started all the Macs were networked in one big room). Even so, every art director still had a drawing board and a fine set of Rapidograph pens in his or her office. More often than not, numerious exactos were hurled into the ceiling. We also had a hot wax machine for the paste-up guys which was also occasionlly utilized as a torture chamber for unfortunate insects. An awesome post from Adbroad reminisces about more of the great stuff the art directors used to have laying around. For more check out the Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies.
June 24, 2009
Beats a dated poster for the hotel restaurant.
Civilization by Marco Brambilla from CRUSH on Vimeo.
Video installation created by artist/director Marco Brambilla and Crush for the elevators in the Standard Hotel in NYC. It takes elevator passengers on a trip from hell to heaven as they go up or from heaven to hell as they go down. More here. Thanks to @jonkowing for the find. Now, about the breakfeast buffet....June 18, 2009
Schlitz embraces the more recent past.
My grandfather had a silver cup that hung on a hook in the kitchen of 2020 Moyle Street. Printed on clear glass at the bottom of the cup was the phrase, "When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer." I drank Dr. Pepper out of that cup every summer as a kid. Zipping home the other day, I heard a radio spot announcing that, "...the classic Schlitz formula, the one that made Schlitz the most popular beer in the country in the 60's is back." I thought it was an interesting enough play and hopped on the Schlitz site where I found that the campaign was paid off with loads of 60's ads and merchandise (sorry, no silver cups).
Then I saw this post on Adpulp. The retro trend has been hot forever it seems. For years, however, we played more with iconography that hailed from 50's and early 60's (yeah, 30's and 40's, too). Today, it seems that retro design is sprinting toward late 60's, 70's and even, gulp, the 80's. It all makes sense, of course. Since 2001 times have been more than a little unsure. Whether they really were or not it's soothing to our senses to look back at "simpler times." Well, that that and all the art directors are watching Mad Men.
Somewhere someone got asked the question, "How do we make Schlitz relevant again?" I think the decision to just let its old brand shine again is right play (although I am certain there were meetings where someone said, 'Why do we want to look old? We need to be contemporary!").
Could be I'm biased by my grandpa's old cup, but I'm buying Schlitz this weekend.
File under: marketing to men
February 05, 2009
60's book designs done EXACTLY right just a couple days ago.
These are so good I almost peed my pants. "Highlander" is my fave but "Vacation" ain't far behind. Great design, mmmmm, I love it.
See them all thanks to Spacesick.
October 29, 2008
Homer Simpson meets Don Draper.
The Simpsons spoof Mad Men. Mmmm. Pop Culture collision, agagagagagag.
Tio o' the hat to Pop Loser.
October 07, 2008
Aha's Take on Me: The Really Literal Version
I'm only slightly ashamed to admit having a real soft spot for Aha.
The "Take on Me" video is, arguably, THE iconic 80s music video. It proves a couple of things. 1. People love rotoscoping. 2. The 80s were worse than we feared.
Regardless, enjoy this delightful rework of classic pop culture.
Shout out to Mr. Vilhauer
August 10, 2008
More proof that creative matters.
In this ROI-conscious world there are many who will tell you that it is easier, smarter and safer to focus only on function. Function, after all, is the point. Form is for sissies who only care about "winning awards." Form is fuzzy and full of risk. Form is a concern for artists not coldly efficient business people. Save this photo to remind those people (and yourself) that the right form multiplies function. The right form makes function transcendent. The right form reaches out and changes the opinion of the whole, wide world.
April 17, 2008
I.D. a font.
See how you do. Feel free to let us know your score. Best score here so far is 30...
December 12, 2007
Whopper Freakout really sells.
So, in one fell swoop, we're selling the living hell out of product and freshening up the testimonial. Nice work Crispinites. Nice work.
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