2 days ago
Branding the Cupcake Craze «
NYT piece on booming cupcake ventures- & the role of branding.
Interesting quote:
“Ms. Lovely is in the process of rebranding the shop to overcome what she calls “a typical rookie mistake” of underestimating “the power and importance of branding and marketing.” She said she had to do more to tell customers that her cupcakes were made from organic, local and natural ingredients.”
All true. Sadly, the message is undermined in the next paragraph, where the appropriately named Ms. Lovely says she’s getting the branding work for free. I’m all for getting paid in kind, but us branding folks need to eat, too! Let them eat (cup)cake…
4 days ago
At Dublin CEB event as David McKernan (Java Republic) inspires entepreneurs- & talks about our brand.
1 week ago
This quote from Ken Chenault, American Express Chief Executive, is from the British Design Council’s website. It’s part of a comprehensive and well-argued article on why investment in design is essential in tough times.
Reading the article from an Irish perspective, it’s hard not to be envious of the tax credits on offer from the UK government when investing in design. A similar offer from the Irish Government would put some real muscle behind their aim of creating an “innovation economy”.
Thanks to @smudgedesign for the find.
1 week ago
The always interesting rachelmercer found this great information graphic from The Guardian: It shows the relative salaries of anybody paid (directly or indirectly) by the UK itself - from bin men to the Royal Family. Not surprising to see HM topping the graphic, but it is surreal to see Jonathon Ross coming in second. As ever, it would be great to see an Irish equivalent… more Pat Kenny-baiting would undoubtedly follow!
via rachelmercer
1 week ago
100 Years of Coca Cola bottles: (Left to Right) 1899 - 1900 - 1915 - 1916 - 1957 - 1986
via rachelmercer
1 week ago
Shop-front mural hides a derelict site in Trim: A classic TidyTowns ruse! Apologies for the blogging lapses in last fortnight: Tough times in work have lowered our usual posting output- and decimated our Tumblarity! Normal service should resume from tomorrow.
2 weeks ago
I can normally resist posting funny Ad campaigns on his blog, but this one touched a nerve (and my funny bone.)
As we approach the season when fragrance brands will bombard us with ads that try to convey scent using design - and normally failing to do so - here’s Ambi Pur doing a difficult job very well.
They’ve managed to convey “our toilet cleaner smells nice” without showing a toilet bowl full of flowers (or an alpine view)… while at the same time giving a knowing wink to the consumer about the ludicrous excess of the smellyvision brigade.
via szymon
3 weeks ago
Sesame Street is 40 today - Google celebrates in style.
I’m not far behind Sesame Street in the age stakes - and as I was born in the US, I had early and regular doses of inspired madness from the Children’s Televison Workshop before returning to the comparatively limited TV of 1970’s Ireland.
Funded with millions from the Carnegie foundation, the show ploughed this money into the ideas of innovative educationalists, superb musicians - and Jim Henson’s team of anarchic puppeteers. The series had a visual wit and pace that was hugely influential, and they pioneered techniques to present information and knowledge in the most sticky of ways, to the most fickle of audiences. I’m convinced that Sesame Street was one of the influences that made me a visual communicator!
Their website has a brief section on the history of the show, as well as some classic clips that are worth seeing.
Have a Sesame weekend!
via evangotlib
3 weeks ago
At the Red Dog 16th Birthday Party (thanks, Mary!) Great idea: 16 limited edition posters available to take for free- but you have to make a donation to charity for the tube to take them home. Excuse the poor quality cameraphone shot - it doesn’t do justice to the designs. Well done all.
The always interesting Information is Beautiful brought this to my attention: It’s from a New Scientist feature on the relative carbon footprints of domestic pets: Essentially, they’re saying a Labrador causes more harm to the planet than a Toyota Landcruiser. But will your SUV fetch a stick and make you smile?
The Information is Beautiful book isn’t out on this side of the pond until next year - but it is now available for pre-order.
